Review: 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
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SEE ALSO: Nissan Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
Back in the late 1960s, Nissan, then known as Datsun, gained a
reputation for performance from two cars. One was the 240Z, and
there was no doubt that it was a real sports car. The other was the
510 sedan, originally meant to be a small, economical, inexpensive
family car. That it was, but its overhead cam engine and well-
designed fully-independent suspension also made it very amenable to
tuning for both street and race track use. 510s became cult cars, and
preserved and not-so-preserved examples can still be found today.
The 510 lineage eventually morphed into the Sentra, and
performance came back big-time with the Sentra SE-R in 1991.
With a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter engine in a two-door sedan body, it
built its own following. It was discontinued after 1994, when Nissan
changed direction, and it was seriously mourned.
2002 saw the reintroduction of the Sentra SE-R, and it wasn't just
nostalgia. It built on the current Sentra's strengths and added
horsepower and handling. The 165 horses from its 2.5-liter engine
not only beat the original SE-R, they trumped the 240Z. And, just to
ensure that enthusiasts knew that it was serious about sports on a
budget, Nissan also introduced its own factory-tuned version of the
SE-R, the Spec V. It added power - a boost to 175 horses and 180
lb-ft of torque - and an even sportier suspension calibration. The
Spec V name, and inspiration for the SE-R and SE-R Spec V's
enhanced styling, came from another Nissan legend, the Skyline R34
GTR V-Spec.
Nissan is not about to lose its way again. The Sentra SE-R and
SE-R Spec V continue for 2003. Changes are few, and only improve
already great cars. For extroverts, there is a bright yellow paint
scheme. The Spec V gets a new close-ratio gearbox, and it's still a
six-speed manual. I've been driving a new Spec V for the past week,
and it'll be hard to give up. Someday, today's Sentra SE-R will go
into Nissan history next to the 240Z, the 510, and the original SE-R.
Right now, it's a wonderful do-everything sedan - never boring,
always entertaining, and practical and economical, too. Few cars
made today have such character.
APPEARANCE: If you're only familiar with Nissan's North
American offerings, you're excused for seeing in the front of the
Sentra SE-R a similarity with the Frontier pickup. Yes, the jutting
bumper looks similar, but it's even closer to that of the last of the
legendary Japanese-market Skylines, the R34 GTR V-Spec. The
Sentra is smaller and more rounded, but in the shape of its headlights
and the large air intake and foglamps of the SE-R's bulldog-like
jutting front bumper are hints of the last of the inline-six-cylinder
Skyline supercars. Side sills and the rear bumper treatment, with a
cutout for the twin exhausts, add to its contemporary sports look.
The rounded Sentra tail, with a high arched character line integrating
the tail lights, is decked with a small wing spoiler. Badging behind
the front wheels and on the tail proclaims its identity, whether
regular SE-R or Spec V. The normal SE-R has 16-inch alloy wheels;
the Spec V gets 17s and ultra-low profile tires.
COMFORT: The SE-R Spec V is a Sentra, which means there is
very good space for its size inside. Besides being a quick and
entertaining sports sedan, it is also practical, as its four-door sedan
body style makes rear seat access easy for passengers or cargo. The
lava flow has ended this year - last year's red-and-black ``Lava''
interior color scheme has been replaced by a high-tech looking silver
and black synthetic that almost looks like metallic mesh. It's really a
grippy synthetic material, and helps hold the driver and passengers in
place when cornering gets enthusiastic, and highlights interior styling
that is more conservative than some of its competitors. The
manually-adjustable front seats are well-bolstered and very
comfortable and supportive. The driver's seat even has cushion
height and tilt adjustment. Two adults can fit in the rear seat. With
the optional ``Audio Fanatic'' stereo upgrade package, a trunk-
mounted subwoofer means that only the left side of the rear seat
folds, but that should present few problems. Even with the well-
protected subwoofer, there is no shortage of trunk space.
SAFETY: Like all Sentras, the SE-R Spec V has front and rear
crumple zones and side-guard door beams. All seating positions have
three-point safety belts. Side airbags and antilock brakes are
available.
ROADABILITY: Step hard on the throttle and there is no doubt
that the Spec V is a front wheel drive car. With the engine's healthy
amount of torque, there is more than a hint of torque steer through
the steering wheel. But the driver will adapt to it quickly, and it's
never a major problem. Think of it as character. And the Spec V is
not just another transportation appliance, it has plenty of sports car
character. But that's never at the expense of comfort. The Sentra
SE-R Spec V successfully balances sporty handling with passenger
comfort, and for a very reasonable price. Despite the ultra-low
profile 45-series tires, on 17-inch rims, and stiffer springs and shocks
than are found in the regular SE-R, the Spec V is compliant over
less-than-perfect road surfaces.
PERFORMANCE: Small sports sedans aren't usually known for
torquey engines, but the Sentra SE-R Spec V is an exception. It
makes its 175 horsepower (at 6000 rpm) and 180 lb-ft of torque (at
4,000) not by screaming to near five-digit rev levels but by
displacement. While 2.5 liters is nothing on an 8-liter muscle car, it is
more than the 1.8 to 2.0 liters of most sport-compacts, and a balance
shaft keeps it civilized. With continuously-variable valve timing, it
pulls hard right off the line, builds in the midrange, and continues
until the rev limiter cuts the fun at 6200 rpm. The new six-speed
manual gearbox has very positive action, with none of the rubbery
linkage feel that is too often found in front-drive cars. It's great fun
to shift, but the engine has such a broad power band that shifting is
not as necessary as in some other cars in the class. In most cases,
either of two gears will work just fine.
CONCLUSIONS: The Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V combines
performance with practicality for unique character.
SPECIFICATIONS
2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
Base Price $ 17,199
Price As Tested $ 19,066
Engine Type dual overhead cam 16-valve inline 4-
cylinder
Engine Size 2.5 liters / 151 cu. in.
Horsepower 175 @ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 180 @ 4000 rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length 99.8 in. / 177.5 in.
Curb Weight 2708 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.5
Fuel Capacity 13.2 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
recommended
Tires P215/45 ZR17 Continental ContiSportContact
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc
Suspension, front/rear independent strut /
multi-link beam axle
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 24 / 29 / 26
0 to 60 mph 7.0 sec
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Audio Fanatic Package - includes:
Rockford Fosgate audio system, partial fold-down
rear seat, immobilizer security system $ 549
Sunroof Package - includes:
power sliding glass sunroof, dual illuminated
visor mirrors $ 699
Floor mats $ 79