Tell me about the '03 Sentra SE-R Spec V.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Prower
  • 34 comments
  • 2,542 views
Well, that was a no-go.

Went to look yesterday. Missing radio antenna, plenty of scratches, mysterious squeak that went away after the engine warmed up, and the right rear brake rotor was scored, despite the car having a record of having the brakes replaced and rotors turned. Not worth the asking price, and I didn't like the dealer getting defensive. Also didnt' like the sticker price being raised after it was lowered right after I looked at it.

Test drive revealed everything was okay - save for that right rear brake not brushing off the rust, and the horrible, howling tires. Don't think I'd pay what they wanted for it in that shape.
 
Jim Prower
However, feel free to keep looking. Zip Code 61571, 50 miles or less, and don't be afraid to look for cars with similar pep, and gas mileage, in good condition. I'm open to ideas, so long as they're manual transmission. I'll continue looking myself.
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It's not an easy task this. With those criteria in the UK you'd have thousands of hits. Over there all I'm coming up with is a handful of Dodge Neons, none of which are remotely interesting in the vein of SE-Rs or Mazdaspeeds.

Off the top of my head you could look for a Focus ZX3 or something. Probably won't have SE-R performance but I seem to recall they were the same as our 2.0 Zetecs, so around 130bhp and pretty good handling. They were mostly manual in the UK but I expect most Americans bought them with autos.
 
I wouldn't mind that meself. In fact, I'd be fine with about any manual-transmission small car. at least, with "pretty good" handling.

And there's also always the Mustang/Camaro option, though that gets expensive in running costs and insurance...and, of course...the MX-5 is kind of on the list, though I know the first thing I'd have to get for it would be a hardtop. Don't exactly want to park a convertible outside in the winter with a ragtop, lest the top break under snow.
 
Jim Prower
Don't exactly want to park a convertible outside in the winter with a ragtop, lest the top break under snow.
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The vinyl top wouldn't break unless it was really, really old. Even then it would probably already have lots of holes in it. :lol:

Hard top isn't a bad idea though, for security reasons mainly. I would try and find a car with one already, or you'll end up paying an extra $600-1,000+ for a hard top by itself.
 

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