So Long, B13-Chassis Sentra

Ed
By Ed Higginbotham
Oct 28, 2016 | Nissan

Many of us associate the B13-chassis Nissan Sentra with the original SE-R. We did one as a project car several years ago. Back in the day, it’s what our editorial director drove when he first came to work here nearly 22 years ago.

Since leaving Nissan showrooms, Nissan has kept the B13 in production in Mexico as an inexpensive four-door sedan—and we’re talking about the standard-issue car, not the hopped-up SE-R.

However, all mediocre things must come to an end. The Nissan Tsuru has received a zero-star crash rating from the Latin NCAP, and in response production will end very soon.

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Comments
Trackmouse
Trackmouse Dork
10/28/16 2:19 p.m.

Well crap! Now how will I cram my family into the back seat of a Mexican taxi that was already riding on blown springs and shocks?!?!?

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury MegaDork
10/28/16 2:22 p.m.

I kinda always wanted to get a body-in-white B13 from Mexico, and mess around with a RWD SR20DET transplant, or maybe some FWD VQ goodness.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/28/16 2:29 p.m.

I loved my SE-R. It was my first autocrosser. And, yes, it had a SuperTrapp. (Hey, it was the early '90s.)

Driven5
Driven5 Dork
10/28/16 4:07 p.m.
Ed Higginbotham wrote: ...Nissan has kept the B13 in production in Mexico as an inexpensive four-door sedan...

And here I just thought that Mexico just gradually bought up almost all of the B13's ever made in the world, and that's why they've become such a rarity.

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
10/28/16 4:13 p.m.

I posted on Facebook, as well, that I've always kinda wanted Tsuro trim for mine. It's already an XE-R, so it might as well be a real rarity. The only two door, two liter XE Tsuro with four wheel discs on the planet...

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/28/16 4:48 p.m.

That's a pretty damn good run. Ex-B13 owners, let us pour out some liquor and ponder why we're still here. Zero stars.

From Wiki: "The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) is an automobile safety assessment programme founded in 2010 by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile "

Well, there's your problem. On the Mexican scale, it's still a 4-star vehicle.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
10/28/16 7:14 p.m.

As the owner of a B13 Sentra, I find this article offensive.

Trackmouse
Trackmouse Dork
10/28/16 7:26 p.m.
Driven5 wrote:
Ed Higginbotham wrote: ...Nissan has kept the B13 in production in Mexico as an inexpensive four-door sedan...
And here I just thought that Mexico just gradually bought up almost all of the B13's ever made in the world, and that's why they've become such a rarity.

Oh sure... blame the Mexicans for our b13 shortage.

ssswitch
ssswitch Dork
10/28/16 7:41 p.m.

I wanted to import one of these ever since the Canadian government federalized Mexican market cars for new import. That and the Chevy Tornado.

Sadly, we never got the B13 SE-R here. Auto seatbelts were the cause, I think.

Driven5
Driven5 Dork
10/29/16 2:04 a.m.
Trackmouse wrote: Oh sure... blame the Mexicans for our b13 shortage.

I have it on good authority that Mexico hoarding all of the B13's is the REAL reason that Trump wants to build the wall.

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