After driving a local 2 door car for almost 9 years, I decided is was time for a change. The previous car had served me well over the years and have been reliable and cheap to run. albeit with its faults and low quality control. With a growing family and a need for a 4 door car, I began a search that ended with the Sentra 1.8 that I now own. I had budgeted for RM 70k and the 3 main choices is a new Waja, a used Perdana V6 or Sentra 1.6. After weighing all the choices, I finally decided to abandon the local car maker and try a Nissan for a change.

My search for a good 2nd hand unit began by visiting several used car lots. Looking a 1 year plus car was not easy and after several more stops at the used car dealers, I almost gave up. Finally I decided to go to a Tan Chong showroom and asked if there is any owners upgrading. As luck would have it, someone just picked up his new X-Trail and in the parking lot, a well maintained Sentra 1.8 was there. The manager suggested a test drive and after the test drive told me, if I wanted the car, I have to tell him by the next day or it goes to the used car dealer. The next day, I test drove the car a second time and then necessary paper work was arranged. Although the price I paid was higher than originally budgeted, it was a better choice then getting the Sentra XE. Some owners of the 1.6 litre model have complained it to be slightly underpowered.

The 1.8 GXE model is a better equipped model compared to the 1.6 XE. It comes with ABS, seat belt pre-tensioners and two airbags for safety. Over the last 2 years of driving, the ABS has helped avoid a few collisions. Not long after owning the car, a car in front braked unexpected and the road damped from rain. If not for the ABS, an expensive repair would have been the result. On the comfort side, it came with a CD changer and all round V-Kool tinting. Fuel consumption wise, the 1.8 liter engine would be a just a little higher as it has better power to weight ratio. Even in the local forums, many owners have complained the 1.6 is slightly underpowered. I’d rather pay a little more for a better package than to get an underpowered car and then spend money with all sorts of exhaust or air filter upgrades.

Upgrading from a Proton to a non national car was an eye opener to me. Although there are some minor squeaks, there is none of the loud suspension noise or panel rattle that comes through. Ride comfort is way up. It is not a fair comparison as the Sentra is priced at about 110k when new.

The car boot is fairly large for a car in its category. 2 golf bags could be carried easily. The rear passenger space is a little small when compared to a Waja or a Honda Civic. Both these cars have a longer wheelbase compare to the Sentra. The seats are generous and comfortable. The driver’s seat is adjustable for height.

With a 1.8 liter twin cam VTC engine, the Sentra is no slouch, especially mid-range overtaking. Although the auto box had been tuned for economy as the default, it is the intelligent type, adjusting to driver input. If you are in a hurry, it automatically senses it and change gears at higher rpm. If you really want to gain speed, then holding the gears to 5,500 rpm is the way to go where by the 2nd cam profile of VTC comes into action. Driven leisurely it rewards you with good fuel economy. I’ve averaged 420 km when the low fuel warning light comes on and a full refill normally is at 36 liters in mixed driving (11.6km/l). On the highways, I’d get about 13.5 km/l. The engine is quiet and smooth. It uses a one-stage silent timing chain and micro-finishing in the crankshaft. The timing chain have a much longer life span compared to timing belts, reducing servicing cost down the road.

The car is steady at high speeds reaching 150 km/h easily with more to spare, but I have not tested the maximum speed. Only drawback to the Sentra is a fair bit of body roll in corners due to the suspension which is tuned towards comfort. If you want to blast through corners, then the suspension needs upgrading. Anyway the Sentra was not designed to be driven like a pocket rocket.

Owning the Sentra has been a joy. It gives trouble free motoring with relatively low running cost. There isn’t anything to fault if you are looking for a trouble free car. Servicing with Tan Chong is cheaper then when I use my Satria. The standard lubrication service (oil change with filter and car wash) comes to about RM 90 each. Service centre personnel are friendly and helpful. On weekdays, it takes about 2 hours to complete a lubrication service.

The tires that came with the car were really unsuited to the car. A changed to Michelins at the 60k km made the steering much more responsive, reducing under-steer and interior noise. The car recently reached the 80k km mark and an auto transmission fluid change is scheduled for the next service.

Model designation N16
Dimension
Length : 4495 mm
Height : 1445mm
Width : 1695mm
Weight : 1188 kgs
Wheelbase : 2535mm
Fuel tank capacity : 50 liters

Engine type : QG18DE 4 cylinder, 16 valves, DOHC, Valve Timing Control (VTC)
Displacement : 1769cc
Max. Power : 94kW (128PS)/5,600rpm [DIN]
Max. Torque : 164Nm (16.7kg-m)/4,400rpm [DIN]
Power-weight ratio : 9.51kg/hp

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