2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R - Problems and Reviews - Long Term Verdict

With an as-tested price of $22,230, the SE-R might seem like a good choice for the fun-pursuing but frugal-minded, but the similarly equipped Honda Civic Si sedan set the performance bar much higher.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom for the SE-R. "The car is actually a capable little commuter. It's nimble, quick, and small enough to zip in and out of gaps in rush-hour traffic and offers a ride that's firm enough to feel sporty without compromising comfort levels," says associate online editor Rory Jurnecka. As an added bonus, the SE-R averaged 23 mpg over its stay with us, matching that of the long-term Si, which has a smaller, 2.0-liter engine. So despite its additional half-liter of displacement, the SE-R sipped gas at a frugal rate, a testament to the fuel-saving benefits of its CVT.

At around 7500 miles, the SE-R had two problems: a squishing noise emanating from the front left suspension and a squeak from the back seat. Both were repaired under warranty. Cracked bushings were deemed the culprits for the former, while the absence of foam was claimed to have caused the latter. Thus, the dealer replaced the lower right front-control-arm assembly and installed padding behind the back bench. Outside of those two annoyances and normal service-$416.42 for four oil changes/inspections/tire rotations and replacements of the engine and cabin air filters-the Sentra proved reliable and hassle-free.

So did the all-new SE-R reignite the fleet-of-foot flame? Restore dignity to the SE-R name? Not really. Overall, our long-termer established itself as a competent and often enjoyable four-door, but it never made us yearn for a twisty road or a racetrack, some stretch of asphalt where wringing out an engine or pushing a chassis is so thrilling. No, that's a craving the Si gives us and, for all that, one the first-gen SE-R imparted. With this fourth-gen, we were simply content to drive it, never having the impulse to fight over the keys. In fact, it amassed only 17,727 miles during its tenure, almost 5000 less than our long-term Si. Truck Trend art director Thomas Voehringer sums it up: "Previous SE-Rs were a handful to drive-aggressive tip-in, too much torque steer, squealing tires, etc. This one is a purring kitten, the kind with the flat face and the big, watery eyes. It's not the fun, stripped-down car it should be." Should Nissan bring those characteristics back, the SE-R might just become an Si-beater.

From The Logbook

"There's room between the versions of compact coupes and sedans and the hard-core variants, such as Evo and STI. This mid-level SE-R fills that need: something sportier than the pure econobox, yet not as committed or expensive as the rally rockets."
- Matt Stone

"This car costs $22,230, but I have no idea where that money is going. I'd be feeling ripped off if I'd spent my money on it and wondering why I didn't opt for the Civic Si or save up the extra $1000-1500 for a GTI, Cobalt SS, or Mazdaspeed3."
- Kirill Ougarov

"The SE-R never seems to be my first choice to drive home at the end of the day, but after spending the last couple nights in it I've begun to appreciate it a bit more for what it is, rather than what I want it to be. The SE-R badge on the back brings somewhat high expectations, but a performance sedan coupled with a CVT transmission just never set right with me."
- Rory Jurnecka