I had tried both while vacation on Langkawi & I’ll choose Sentra. Main reason is stability, spacious & comfort.

For buying new Nissan Sentra, currently there is no 1.8L model available. There is only left 1.6L auto & manual to choose which labeled by TCM as Nissan Sentra Sport. I’ll go for manual since 1.6L Auto feel bit underpowered. For manual you can easily reach 180kph & can slowly catch up to 200kph but there is speedometer cut-off so after 190kph it will rebound to 160kph but still going on without any decreasing speed. I don’t know if it can be higher since I still value my life.
For auto it can reach 165kph & if lucky, you can see it until 180kph & not more than that. So choose wisely. Anyway, it is always good for having Sentra 1.8 Auto if want to choose for 2nd hand & remember 1.8L having more FC than 1.6L Sentra.

Vios in other hand provide better FC on city drive. But in highway run, it still loses to Sentra FC. Since both are not in same class (sub-compact & mid-size), no wonder Vios is better in city drive. If not mistaken, Sentra B16/N16 had rated mid-sized car by EPA same goes for new Honda Civic which is also previously on compact class. Nissan entry-car level (compact) had been occupied by Latio right now.
My FC record for Sentra is full tanks Petronas RON95 45L can go up to 560km for city drive & 670km for highway drive. Fuel warning usually pop-up when reach 450km for city drive & 550km for highway drive. Usually I refill when 500km on city drive & 600km on highway drive only fill 41 litre so it still left 4 litre inside tanks. It is still acceptable for his class. New car always consume more fuel since all the part still tight. Real FC came after 10000km.

Sentra had been long in Nissan market. What irritate me is it dashboard still using same as 2001 when 1st generation PreFL N16 launched in Malaysia. Although the dashboard is nice comparing to new Nissan model & new one had sporty color, I still think Nissan designer is lazy or it is just TCM fault. New Nissan Sentra Sport is currently on it 3rd revision (FL2 N16) although the different is just it facelift & rear lamp design. Also it is still using QG16DE engine same as 2001. Only Latio & Grand Livina got new HR16DE engine which is co-developed with Renault. Another reason for me thinks Nissan is just lazy. But since it is NISMO, their entire engine should be reliable.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 8 2009, 06:54 PM

Found this on Youtube. The dizziness of N16 speedometer after more than 180kph & more dizziest after top gear reach 5000RPM. Maybe should change to R35 GT-R speedometer.


This is at least around 230kph judging from 2 times speedometer cut off after 180kph limit & tachometer still increasing.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 15 2009, 11:43 PM

Turn-off air-cond & open car window after 80kph is bad for FC since wind will cause drag force making your car heavier.
For me, Sentra 1.6 (AT) performance was quite bad, but Sentra 1.6 (MT) in other hand the best in its class & surely going to leave VIOS TRD Sportivo behind. For stability, I admit Sentra quite floaty when in high speed unless change new sport RIM or adjustable absorber, but it will effect performance. However, Sentra had more kerb weight & width design, thus have better cornering stability than taller design VIOS.

Kancil & Viva 660cc has better FC than any 1.5L car especially VIOS. I had heard ppl said more cc more better FC. However I’m experience different. While VIOS FC average around 14-15km/L, Kancil/Viva 660 average FC has 18.5km/L. I can fill RM50 on Vios for KL-Ipoh, but I just need RM35 KL-Ipoh for Kancil/Viva.
For comparison, Sentra 1.6 (MT) is also around 14km/L. While Sentra 1.6 (AT) around 13km/L.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 17 2009, 01:45 AM

VVT-I is Toyota terms their variable valve timing. Had been used since 1996 & still same with VVT-i not like VTECH to i-VTECH or VTC to cVTC. Nissan use term VTC especially on Sentra N16 2001 until now. On newer model such as Latio & Grand Livina they got cVTC & X-cVTC for Sylphy. Not to mention VVL & Neo-VVL for Nissan's performance engine. While Honda with their iDSi , VTECH & i-VTECH.

While it term are different, the main goal is same & I don't think there is too much different. At this moment, only Honda's boy can proud with their adding i on VTECH (i-VTECH) although they probably doesn't even know how it work.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 17 2009, 02:09 AM

That's why I said average driving condition. We don't always go for highway when we decided to buy city car (K-car) do we? Same as most people with VIOS or Honda City. Not to mention 1.5L City iDSi only has 8 Valve so driving in high speed after 3000RPM will consume more fuel than other car.

Lucky for Honda fan since their entire new car had i-VTEC badge to show-off after VTEC including Honda City. While most common Toyota car still had VVT-i. Most common Nissan car already have cVTC badge, Sentra Malaysia still stuck with old VTC badge. Nothing to show-off unlike Sentra US already have cVTC badge. Pity for us.

Then you should quote me also for typing VVT-I instead VVT-i. Actually I more used to talk rather than word. That's why I dunno how to spell VTEC. As long as you understand, I'm happy.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 17 2009, 11:57 AM

It wasn’t too far. I had tried VIOS before decided to buy a car, but probably only a few times so it still can be doubt my observation. However, you can always search at Motor Trader forum if not Google for VIOS FC. The most record I see is around 16km/L for 100% highway drive although there is some people claim 17km/L. Not even reach my average Kancil FC; 18.5km/L for 50% town drive & 50% highway.

I also have Sentra 1.6 (MT). The highest FC record I got should be 670km per 45L for 100% highway drive. That make around 14.8km/L. That time my mileage still below 10000km so all part still tight to got real FC. However, there are people at NismoClub forum claim it can reach 700km so around 15km/L. That if you think VIOS FC is far better with only 1.2km per liter comparing to Sentra which is 1.6cc, having more curb weight & different class. Sentra FC still better than Iswara 1.3L (own) & Wira 1.5L (own).

As for City iDSi & 8 valves you also can search at Motor Trader if you still doubt my observation. They got user list for all Honda model’s FC. You’ll find City iDSi highway drive consume more fuel than city drive. That is since we assume most car had better mileage on highway drive especially when talking about 1.5L car with also has 8 Valves & 16 Valves. For comparison you can take Honda City i-VTEC (16 Valves) which is way better FC on highway run if not VIOS (16 Valves). Kancil also can.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 17 2009, 04:47 PM

Nope. Sentra 1.6 (AT) had slightly better FC with 13km/L. Since 1.6 (AT) really feel underpower, going for 1.8 is good decision.

Sentra 1.8 DOHC average FC (50% City, 50% highway) around 12km/L. Comparable with Altis 1.8 DOHC but lose a bit to i-Vtec Civic 1.8 SOHC (12.5km/L).

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 18 2009, 03:22 PM

2.5cc vs 1.8cc? That's huge gap to compare.

Nissan’s rear brake disc you can get cheap as RM400 at half-cut. Also you still can get Auto flip side mirror for Fl1 & Fl2 (N16 2nd & 3rd generation) model at around RM100 price. If you want full set, there is ppl sell it at RM60 at Nismo forum. Just dig it.

For new N16 Sport (1.6L), TCM already include auto flip mirror, dashboard maple wood interior & black sporty color. Leather seat is optional for RM300. I personally don’t like leather seat thus go for tricot in hoping to change to Sporty Recaro seat, but later find regret since don’t have rear seat arm rest. How am I supposed to find Sentra Recaro rear seat? So go for leather seat if available.


This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 22 2009, 04:40 PM

Your N16 is pre-FL (1st generation). Also first test VTC on N16, thus it's doesn't very efficient & most N16 GXE owner feel that way too. Even TCM was not dare to put VTC badge on Pre-FL. Not much you can do about it. For performance, you can try to adjust your Sentra Header to 4-2-1 with all the pipe change to same big like Frontier's pipe. So now when engine run over 4000RPM = [VTC ON] The VTC Open you will feel the car like got a Turbo Power make your car more powerful run!! The feel is better then Frontier Engine over 2000RPM Turbo On. Or probable it's only your feeling.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 22 2009, 04:43 PM

Who knows what Nissan put on their early QG batch production. Nissan Sunny 130Y around 8km/L considered best at it's time. Early QG18DE should higher than 8km/L. As I said before, many Pre-FL Sentra owner complain about the same things especially VTC functionality inside which is different from QG16DE since QG18DE using N-CVT which is already used by Nissan since 1987. If N-CVT is the cause, we can't do nothing except put a new version ECU's controlled VTC same as FL1 & FL2 or new VTC engine. One of my Pre-FL friends already put SR16VE (VVL) to replace QG16DE (VTC) inside. The problem usually happens on Pre-FL model since it is rojak with Nissan Pulsar.

Or you can try send your car to mechanic to tuning Cam head inside the engine matching with fuel save you desire, but it will affect your car acceleration. Since all Sentra are DOHC, tuning should be no problem for most experienced workshop. If you send to TCM they only tuning using computerize. Try going for manual tuning for better result, after all your car warranty already ended after 3 years purchase, so nothing to lose.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 23 2009, 01:52 AM

Yes. FL1 model should already fully utilize VTC thus TCM already put VTC badge on all their Sentra's. Just remember, Many Altis owner also complain about their FC although it is not too bad for 1.8L. What FC can we really expect for 1.8L?

C'mon. We're not talking about Toyota vs Nissan this time don't we? It make feel really like on Fanboy defense force. We can talk all day long about this, but I won't reply again to you if it's not regarding Vios & Sentra. No more.

Lucky google always siding with me on this one. It not so hard typing Vios FC on Google search button.
Probably should add RON95 not V-Power more kilometer = more pricey. nah. No need to.
Also, as a proud VIOS FC owner, you should contribute your FC record here: http://www.oneshift.com/pdb/lcmuserfc.php?pid=1234 & I'm glad there is ppl with higher record than you, but don't forget to visit Sunny (Sentra in Singapore) section too.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 24 2009, 12:04 AM

Adding:
They also yet to see N16 1.6 (MT) smokes Civic 2.0 i-vtec...

At the moment there is also Toyota Harrier in front if you refer to video closely which is also speeding with Civic. I just came took them all. However I lose for pick-up at first, but after their car already reach max top speed my speed still increasing. My Sentra (MT) might have better top speed, but acceleration a bit loses at a moment. I don’t know if it is because I’m using RON95.

Actually the videos main purpose is to show my Speedometer problem to get advice from Nissan expertise. It is just coincidence there is also Civic 2.0 to test our speeding, so I just put it also.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 28 2009, 09:00 PM

As I said before, Sentra speedometer can only read 180kph, but the car probably can go more than 220kph. You can see after 180kph the speedometer show lower reading although the car’s go faster. Just watch tachometer still increasing although speedometers reduce from 180kph until 60kph. After I slow down the car (watch tachometer decrease) the speedometer try to catch up with actual speed since in can read for 180kph & below. That’s why it quickly goes for 180kph to measure exact 180kph. No nitrous applied here.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 28 2009, 11:50 PM

O’Rly? Then he should know better his cruising with auto 180kph++ suck. So don’t bother high beam other ppl in first place if want to go slow on the road.

Already ask TCM. They said it's speedometer cut-off. I will go to another TCM or workshop to ask any solution on this. Thanks.

Maybe. Thanks for GPS suggestion. I'm going to get it later to measure my real speed after 180kph.

Have experience before with older Civic 1.7 Vtec which also had modified piping. Since my habit for shifting gear is around 2500-3000RPM, so can feel the good smokes smell at first & pretty far the smokes continuous untill get overtake by me after reaching top speed limit. Unless their top speed doesn’t reach 200kph & above, the smoke still theirs to smell in long run. What can you really expect for auto vs. manual?

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 29 2009, 09:07 PM

You both right. There is no way that Civic can shift to tab 2 gears lower at that speed (180kph++) unless the driver was stupid enough to smell his car engine smokes afterward at tow truck. The car already at it gears limit. No need to tab 2 gears lower anymore.

However to tab 2 gears lower until 200kph sound impossible as I know older Civic 1.7 best tab 2 gears lower until around 160kph only until engine feel doesn't very good. Care to explain?

When talking about top speed MT vs AT, even Caldina GT 2.0L AT (with turbo) can only reach 180kph while Exora 1.6 MT can go near as 175kph. Not to mention Persona 1.6L MT also can reach 190kph.

Yeap. It’s all about speedometer as I already mention before about my Sentra speedometer can’t read after 180kph. It just happens there is Civic 2.0 i-Vtec also speeding more than 180kph. So I just capture it up. After I installed GPS to measure my real top speed, maybe I’ll try to catch video for smokes purpose especially Civic if got another chances.

P/S: Unfortunately my best top speed with MyVi EZi (AT) can only reach 160kph. But my friend MyVi SXi (MT) can go up to 175kph after very long run. Don't have Savvy to try out.

This post has been edited by x_barrage: Nov 30 2009, 01:53 PM