[Jeff Kleb]

Well, I have finally done it. I have now spent more on my Sentra than it is likely worth if I tried to sell it. Since January, I have dropped nearly $4500 into this car - which now has 130,000 miles on it.

I had it repainted, had new struts installed, new CV boots and bought four new Michelin Pilot tires. I was riding in style, so to speak, until the head gasket went and I got coolant into the cylinders. Bad - very bad! Back to the shop she went!

They replaced the head gasket, all the head bolts, the water pump and thermostat. Additionally, there was the machining & Magnafluxing, new belts & hoses, new spark plugs, new oxygen/engine sensor(s) and replacement of the coolant, engine oil and oil filter.

Now I guess I have a nearly eleven-year-old car that is practically "new" in many ways. It runs great and is getting very good fuel mileage - which is to be expected. If I sold it now, I guess it really would be a giveaway for someone, eh? Yes, it sucks......but at least it has been paid for since 2004 and has been a good car overall (until recently). Run it until it dies??

~ Okay, end of rant! ~

 

[i68k]

Run it until it dies??

right on! or at least for another 4-5 years or so. some states 15 years is limit for emission and other registry things. so it you keep it nice until then, it might still be worth that $4k

 

[Jeff Kleb]

2002 Sentra


No emissions testing where I live; but they do have it up in Northern VA. The only thing I have to worry about is the annual inspection, which I had done in March. I am good until 3-31-13 with that.

I suppose it'd be foolish to get rid of it now, though, after putting all that money into it. I was considering buying a new 2013 Hyundai Elantra - which is a very nice car for the money. I test-drove a 2012 and almost bought it back in January, but decided to 'spruce up' my Sentra instead.

I also have a 2004 Silverado truck that runs great; but it doesn't get very good fuel economy. Anyway, both are long-since paid off - which is always a plus in my book. The Sentra has 130k and the truck has 104k, so both should run for quite a long time. I hate spending money on repairs, but I guess it is cheaper than payments, huh?

 

[i68k]

well, i would save up the money and enjoy not having extra car payments for while. maybe you can save up a little more and have that down payment for when youre ready for the new car.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

well, i would save up the money and enjoy not having extra car payments for while. Maybe you can save up a little more and have that down payment for when youre ready for the new car.

^^^^ Like!! ^^^^

 

[zillafreak]

**** i think i did the same amount of work on mine around the same mileage.
HG job, new tires, new rotors and pads, new kyb struts, sway bars and i think i only spent like a grand in parts.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

For its age, the car looks and rides very good. I think it looks better than the B16 Sentra, too. I test-drove a 2012 Sentra (base model) back in February and I was totally unimpressed with it. My '02 actually had more features!

If I were to get a new car this year, it'd be a Hyundai Elantra or Honda Civic. Both are "fresh" designs and offer a lot of features for the money. I know that Nissan is updating & re-doing the Altima for 2013, but they likely cost a lot more and it is a larger car.

When is Nissan going to update the "aging" B16 Sentra. It's in its seventh year of production now, I think. They look too much like a Prius, too. Haha!!

 

[i68k]

i keep hearing the 2013 sentra is the fully redesigned chassis. supposed to look similar to the sylphy, or whatever it was called. maybe you can google some pics of it by now.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I have seen photos of the new 2013 Altima and it is flat-out beautiful. Probably way out of my price range; but that just means that its good looks might eventually filter down to the lowly Sentra. LO!