Rep Power: 320

Hey guys.

Im thinking about getting rid of the civic and getting a Nissan Spec V. I was figuring I'd get like an 2003 (since 2002 have had some problems...). Dont think I can afford an 04 even though I'd like to get it new. Finding a 2003 is also really hard for some reason.

Anyone know anything about these cars? Just post up what you think or know about them.

175hp with 180lbs of toque. 6spd
I/H/E has been dynoed for 30-35 hp to the WHEELS.

Im thinking this would be a nice upgrade from an auto civic...

 
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It looks nice. Another member just got one here. Most people like the 03 model better than the 04.

 
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I'm sorry... that car may have some numbers... but it just feels and looks so cheap (chinsy). It seriously feels like a piece of crap to drive... and I've driven an 02 and an 04. I thought maybe it was just a 1st year bug or something, but the plastic is like GM quality (**** cheap). Just not a big fan of it.

 
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SE-R is very cheap interior wise, but it pulls like a truck.

 
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The original car I was supposed to get was a Spec-V. I was so in love with it! I drove a Nissan `95 200sx SE-R before I got the Civic, so I was kinda Nissan biased. But... I'm glad I got my Civic!

 
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why not get a subaru? its not to late...

 
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...10300334000677

hmm I dont konw.
I rather have reliable carsthan fast cheap car.

 
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yea dude...do it.... AUTO? dang get rid of ur vic...and get thet 6speed V

or get rsx base

 
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<---not a fan of the spec V. For that price get an srt-4. lol Or you can go with the rsx-s which is way better car then teh spec V.

 
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Well...

I like the looks of the spec v and I personally cant stand my civic. Its a nice looking car but its slow and automatic and i see it EVERYWHERE.

I wont consider the 02 for the reliability reasons but I believe the 03's are fine.

As for an RSX- if i get an RSX- it will be a Type-S, which I cannot afford (used they are still above 19 for an 02). PLus the insurance would rape me. And I dont consider the base version.

Plus- I want a car I like stock, the RSX needs work to look good I think. I considered the Si (since my suspension and rims fit) but I dont want that car either.

And to the Subaru comment- I cant stand the way the Subaru's are styled. My friend also had an 02 WRX and 2nd gear went out (again, after he had been to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong and not to worry) and it was around a mountain turn and car ended up flipping and ****. He now has a STi. LOL

Anything other cars to look at? I dont want another Honda, thats all I know.

 
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I dont think him flipping was the cars fault. If you like the spec V then you should get one. It's not like our opinion means anything. It's YOUR car so you should get what will make you happy.

 
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Yeah dude, if you like it, then get it. I test drove the '04 and I liked it. But the cup holders were too small.

 
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Theres a longer story to it that I dont wanna go into. I believe it was both the car and my friends fault, BUT the WRX does have a known problem with second gear and when taken to Subaru the week before they told him "Do not worry about it, it is fine..." A week later going into a turn (about 35ph) in the mountains, NO SECOND GEAR, car hit some gravel, wheels locked up and bam, off the embankment...

 
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Yeah, I would like new just cause used kinda scares me, but I dont think I can afford new, and resale sux on them so I can get a good deal on used.
Ive heard the cupholders suck, but if thats the only problem, I will buy bottled drinks...

 
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First off teh Spec V does not come in Automatic. Only the Se-R comes in automatic. The se-r has 10 less hp, 16's instead of 17's, 5 gears instead of 6, and no LSD. One of my friend's has an Se-R and one has a spec V. Personally I think an Se-R is just as fast a spec and they share pretty much the same parts. The Se-R is way cheaper. You are paying a premium for the Spec when it isn't worth it. Some Specs have problems some don't. go to www.b15sentra.net
there is also a link to a spec forum if you want to read up on it. I am a member at b15.

 
Rep Power: 320

Yeah, Ive read about the SE-R vs. Spec V. I wont be happy unless I get the Spec V. Im just going to hope for the best and hope I dont get a problematic one, cause I want the 17's, I want the 6spd, and I want that extra 10 hp to start with.

I just got off b15sentra.net btw.

How does your friend with the spec like it?

From what I've read though- I might not mod it untill warranty is up because from what I read- Nissan is a freakin **** about warranty (just adding intakes and stuff!!!!)

 
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Well they aren't a ****, but be prepared to pay a price for parts. He likes his Spec V, but again, personal preference for me would be to save some money and just get an Se-R.
read this http://www.b15sentra.net/forums/show...threadid=71060

That is my friend's website (yardgnome.org) who has the Se-R not the spec. But that is a good discussion about a comparison.

Prices on parts and availability of parts isn't like Honda. They are expensive and harder to find. Sillen and Nismo are their "factory" parts like our spoon and mugen, but people are making new parts constantly to get in on the new nissan market.

IM me if you want to talk more. robbclark1

 
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I was going to get the Spec-V before I got the Civic, but the dealer made the point as above. Parts for it are HARD to find and EXPENSIVE to boot. So I chose the less powerful Civic, but it's WAY more reliable. IMO

 
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you want reliability buy a celica. lol oh wait I'm on my 2nd engine and tranny. lol

 
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the 2.5 engine is sorta new to the scene. They use it in the 2.5 sentra's and the 2.5 altima's. Though it has some problems, it isn't a bad car. The 2.5 has had some recalls and they don't have the best fuel pumps...but they aren't totally unreliable. The 1.8 is MUCH more reliable but that isn't the car you want. If you are really interested in a bad *** sentra, try and find a cheap 2.0SE. They aren't the fastest sentra, but they are a strong block! But it seems like you have your mind set on a spec.

 
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Yeah, I got my mind set on the Spec. I espically DONT want the 2.0, if iwanted slow id keep the civic . I dont think the Nissan 2.5 is unreliable its just the rings in the 02 had problems with leaking if not properly broken in. Therefore causing excessive oil consumption.

Hint why im looking at 03, but if i get the 04 BREMBO brake package all the way.

 
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the 2.0 isn't slow and responds to mods very well. It is an SR20 afterall and SR20's RULE! the problem right now is finding an 03 spec. The 02's had problems so everyone bought the 03's and the 04 are ugly as all hell.

 
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you should consider golf GTI if you want torque...

or mazda speed protege? this one's nice...

just giving suggestions...

Spec V is nice...i was about to do the same thing as you...but stupid nissan didn't approve my credit...so screw'em

 
Rep Power: 320

I honestly like the 04 Spec V's. They get alot of crap about the front end but I like it, I just prefer the 03 cause it looks more aggresive.

I have a friend that works for a used car dealer and can pretty much travel anywhere he wants to pick up a car and he said he will help me find it.

Mazda Speed Protege's are nice, but also more expensive, and afterall its a ford, and Im not making that mistake again...
And the Golf GTI- Very nice cars but not really wanting. My friends got the 03 20th anniversary and its really nice.

 
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Nismo is coming out with some parts soon... Very soon, from the dealer. They'll be fairly reliable, considering it's in house tuning, but they might cost more than 3rd party products. They'll also have warranties from what I understand.


Good luck.

 
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Thanks, im not worried about finding parts, that doesnt seem to be the problem. What I stated earlier was that Nissan will void your warranty if you add an intake or anything like that (from what other spec v owners have said, cant garuntee its true).

Thanks for everyones responces, keep em coming

 
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I've never driven one, but they seem like a pretty good performance buy to me. I'm interested in test driving one soon.

 
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Honestly- I havent yet either :doh:, but should be soon. LOL, i know ill like it.

 
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The shifter WILL be very clunky. B&M just released a full short shifter. Mossy has one too but it is just an adaptor that cost $200. Trust me, you will want to change the shifter if anything else.

 
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I think it would prolly be the SER and not the spec v for me. The 6-speed sounds like more trouble than it's worth. I don't think the 5-speed shifter is as plasticky-feeling is it? The HP difference disappears with an aftermarket intake since the engine and exhaust are identical. The only thing I would really want from the spec is the H-LSD.