Nissan Sentra 2000 - 2006 review

Expert review, specs, buying, maintenance tips and more.

Nissan Sentra 2006 (photo: Nissan Canada)

Nissan Sentra interior

The engine

Nissan Sentra 1.8L DOHC 16-valve engine

Sentra is available with two engine choices:
The 4-cylinder 1.8-liter 16-valves DOHC 126 hp engine with single-type timing chain, direct ignition system and variable valve timing.
Second choice in 2000-2001 model is the 2.0-liter all-aluminum DOHC engine with 145 h.p.
From 2002, the Sentra SE-R, SE-R Spec V and the 2.5 Limited Edition come with 2.5-liter DOHC with 165 hp (175 hp in SE-R Spec V) engine, same as in the 2.5L Nissan Altima. Any of these engines are fairly reliable and don't have major problems.

Strengths

- Good gas mileage
- Not very expensive
- Easy to maintain
- Fairly reliable
- Good trunk space for a small car
- Very powerful optional 2.5 L engine

Weaknesses

- Engine is noisy on acceleration
- ABS is not standard
- Stiff suspension
- Plain interior
Common problems are: noisy belts, check engine light, wiring problems and electrical.

Overall

Nissan Sentra is a simple small economical car. Relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. Optional 2.5-liter engine provides plenty of power. The Sentra is not as reliable as Civic or Corolla, but it doesn't have major problems. Still, you may want to consider an extended warranty.

What to look for when buying a used Nissan Sentra

Definitely check the used car history records to protect yourself from hidden problems, follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- Look for leaks
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a Nissan dealer before buying a car; in worst cases a defective part might be quite expensive (e.g ECM, airflow sensor, catalytic converter).
- Make sure to test horn operation.
- Check operation of accessories including all windows and heater controls.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior to purchase, have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice on a lift - many components (e.g. ball joints) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection.
After you bought a car, visit your local Nissan dealer to check if all necessary recalls have been performed.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition; check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your car regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Change transmission fluid regularly.
- Try to avoid overheating the engine; this may cause serious problems.
- Take care of minor problems as soon as you can, before they cause something serious.
- Always check your parking space for leaks, and if you find one, get it fixed as soon as you can.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- At least once a year have your car inspected in the garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at one of those fast lube places; the car must be on the lift.
Check more Car maintenance tips from Samarins.com

Nissan Sentra short specs. (2004 model)

Links

If you are looking for Service Manual

If you want to find more technical information such as repair manual, check engine codes description, electrical diagram, diagnostic procedures, vacuum line diagram, fluid type, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, etc. follow this link: Where to find repair manual

by Vlad Samarin