Versa test drive

[mharrigan]

Took Fit competitor "Nissan Versa" in SL trim with the CVT transmission for a test drive (w/o the sales guy) yesterday, a few comments.

- Not quite as ugly in person as in pictures, no aero plastic tacked on like the Fit Sport which for me is a huge plus!

- Plenty of power and the CVT was great (30/36 MPG rating), hope Honda offers it here with the next generation Fit.

- Keyless entry and start up, just leave the key in your pocket and the doors unlock and twist the start knob and go - also had Bluetooth, very "high end" feeling.

- Interior was very will laid out with good materials, but does not hold a candle to the Fit for efficency (the back seats fold forward like a sedan, big lump) - which for me would be a deal killer. The Fit has got to have the most efficent interior on the planet!

- Price very "loaded" was around $16,900, shipping included

- Nice, but the Fits still wins this contest easily in my humble opinion - all I need is all the "Sport" features without the "aero stuff" and I am also "Fit is go".:)

[DRum]

Same here - want the sport minus the aero. Actually the aero parts make the car less aerodynamic.

[oOo LinDa]

I was considering the versa for my momma but it looks like I might have to reconsider

[oOo LinDa]

I was considering the versa for my momma but it looks like I might have to reconsider

[corey415]

I like that the Versa offers options like Bluetooth, Moonroof, and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

I dont care for the looks, non stellar fuel economy, and rear cargo packing inefficiences.

[timemachine]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...30/144571.html

[Jonniedee]

A french design (renault Clio) + Built by a Japanese Company that's been in recievership and now with said french company at the helm + made in Mexico at a questionable reliabilty plant = NO THANKS :rolleyes:

[bluemeanie]

Nissans (as well as Mitsubishis) are not known for their reliability. Sure, their cars offer all the creature comforts/ bells and whistles that one expects from their vehicle, at a lower price than Honda or Toyota. But what good is it if you have to take it to the shop often? Frankly, if I couldn't get a Fit, I'd opt for a Toyota Corolla LE over the Versa. More power and excellent reliability, and with a good sales offer, you can get the Corolla for about the same price as a Versa. But IMHO, both Corolla and Versa are boring style-wise. Great commuter cars, but nothing more.

[Gordio]

the big turnoff for the versa (i was choosing b/t that and fit) was that it is made in mexico. upon skimming the edmunds forum, they said it was the same plant that made unreliable sentras or something.

the second turnoff was that uggly radio deck.

before i felt 60;40 in favor of the versa, but after reading tons of reviews, I knew fit was my choice. the only thing i hated about hte fit was the exterior.

all in all, getting the versa would b e a waste of money for my position cuz it offers noting new over my civic coupe. at least when the fit replaces a car like the civic, you go up a notch. going from civic to versa seems less progressive

[Paulo107]

still going to come out more than the FIT with all that added crap how the stripped version going to look...i like Nissan, but the FIT wins in looks

[pablo]

I bought a Nissan truck new in '03, needed it for hauling my boats and couldn't find a Toyota I could afford. I traded it in for the Fit just before the warranty ran out. In 3 years it had way too many problems, A/C, brakes, steering pump, not to mention a sticky noisy gearbox they denied was bad.The clincher was the horrible, disinterested, rude service at Nissan dealerships. During a recent service fiasco I wrote to Nissan at both Corporate and Local Dealer level and told them I would never buy another Nissan. Now I'm back to Honda, driving a car I really like, and knowing that the service experience will always be good, if a little expensive. At least they will smile and sympathise when they run up my credit card bills.

[crimsona]

A fully specced out CVT SL trim with absolutely everything available today - technology package (Bluetooth, 6 speakers + subwoofer, AUX in) and ABS package (standard on SL, $500 option on S) in Canada comes out to 1,500 CAD cheaper than my Fit Sport Auto. The sport trim that is not available yet (no pricing either) will include a sunroof and the spoiler/skirts. Even with the Sport trim, the SL would probably cost the same as the Fit Sport Auto, but with more features.

Had it come out a month earlier, I might not be on this forum.

I will have to go take a test drive for comparison purposes.

[FondaFit]

Awhile back one of the articles posted was on the Versa and it claimed that the mpg rating was lowered -- it doesn't get into the 30s range. The engine is bigger than the Fit's and the car is larger, so that would make sense.

[Fray Adjacent]

I was kinda split between the Fit and the Versa.

The Fit has a few more things going for it, the major one being that it has going for it is that it is a HONDA. It's a bit more sporty looking, and it has better interior space/functionality.

The things I did like about the Versa are the Smartkey and Bluetooth options. I probably wouldn't use the bluetooth that much, but it would be nice. The Smartkey option would be hella sweet. I would love such an option in the Fit. Maybe there will be some sort of aftermarket system available? I love gadgetry, so I'd really dig the Smartkey functionality.

[choro72]

I like the fact that the Versa has the Bluetooth and all of that, but it will be useless for me anyway.
I don't like that you have to go up a grade to get power windows and doors. I don't like that it doesn't have ABS standard.

Overall, I'm glad I didn't wait, because I was getting worried if I was too rash in buying the Fit before I checked this one out.

[07TaffetaFit]

Everybody has a right to their opinion, but the Fit without the aero kit looks fugly as h3ll. I dont know what planet most of you are from, but without the aero kit, the Fit looks more like a Geo Metro than a cool car. I am still so confused as to why so many diss the aero package.

[hondafitguy]

I agree, my son saw a Chevy Aero the other day and thought it was a base model Fit. I'll take the aero kit any day, gives the Fit some personality and a more sporty look.