Toyota Corolla VS. Nissan Sentra (for a second hand car) Enlighten me please!

[mondymondy]

Hi guys!

I am planning to buy a second hand car and my budget would be 200k pesos. I have narrowed down my choices between a Toyota Corolla (Lovelife 98 - 2000 GLI or 95 - 97 bigbody GLI) and a Nissan Sentra (95 - 99 Series 3/4 or 2000 - 2002 Exalta).

I really want a fuel efficient and a low maintenance one because I'm a newbie driver who doesn't have experience tinkering a car. I hope you guys can help me out!

[abet_ramz]

bro, for both cars, take into consideration din na manual transmission kunin mo since, i guess, it will be your 'bump car'.

for the corolla lovelife, pili ka ng xe or gli variants, pagkakaalam ko fuel injected narin 'to.

for the sentra, series 3 gen. 2 (malaki na yung tail lights) or a series 4, a supersaloon of this kind.

inspect maige yung mga titignang possible units, test drive, ask the previous owner of the car history.

Maglaan ng budget aside from the price unit for some possible repair.

Happy hunting bro!

[ghosthunter]

If you choose a Sentra, you can buy a newer (well, less older car) for the same money.

And with cars of this age, it might be better to choose manual transmission to minimize problems like an abused automatic transmission dying on you. But if you do choose automatic, surplus replacements can easily be found for either the Corolla or Sentra.

Best to choose a unit that is factory stock as much as possible. No aftermarket mufflers, headers, lowered suspensions, bodykits, etc. Makes it easier to service the car when needed. And a modified car can be an abused car (racing) or improperly done modifications can result in poor fuel mileage or early wear of certain parts like shocks, balljoints, bushings, etc.

[mondymondy]

If you choose a Sentra, you can buy a newer (well, less older car) for the same money.

And with cars of this age, it might be better to choose manual transmission to minimize problems like an abused automatic transmission dying on you. But if you do choose automatic, surplus replacements can easily be found for either the Corolla or Sentra.

Thanks for your reply! So the rumors spreading that Nissan parts are more expensive than Toyotas are not true? Since it's secondhand, I know that parts are soon going to be replaced and I want to spend a whole lot of cash replacing those.

[mondymondy]

Yeah I'm really looking for a manual transmission variant because I heard that it's more fuel efficient and older cars that are automatic experience problems in transmission.

I just want to know if magkasing tibay ang corolla at sentra? Because I have read a lot of reviews about the robustness and reliability of the Corolla.

Thanks for replying sir..!

[ghosthunter]

I just want to know if magkasing tibay ang corolla at sentra? Because I have read a lot of reviews about the robustness and reliability of the Corolla.

Corolla and Sentra is about the same in durability, reliability and cost of maintenance. But it's also all about the previous owner too in how he maintained the car before you bought it.

[mondymondy]

Corolla and Sentra is about the same in durability, reliability and cost of maintenance. But it's also all about the previous owner too in how he maintained the car before you bought it.

I see.. I'll keep that in mind.. I'm having second thoughts about buying a Sentra because my dad said it has a low resale value. But because of that, I think I can use it to my advantage since I can buy a less older model with the same budget.

Can you explain why Nissan Sentras have low resale value if it is as reliable as Corollas?

TIA!

[myk384]

I see.. I'll keep that in mind.. I'm having second thoughts about buying a Sentra because my dad said it has a low resale value. But because of that, I think I can use it to my advantage since I can buy a less older model with the same budget.

Can you explain why Nissan Sentras have low resale value if it is as reliable as Corollas?

TIA!

This can be attributed to the poor after sales support of Nissan, old styles and platforms available, and The 80's myth about Nissan (ask your dad about it)

[ghosthunter]

I see.. I'll keep that in mind.. I'm having second thoughts about buying a Sentra because my dad said it has a low resale value. But because of that, I think I can use it to my advantage since I can buy a less older model with the same budget.

Can you explain why Nissan Sentras have low resale value if it is as reliable as Corollas?

TIA!

The reason is the box type B12 Sentra. It did have some problems which gave the public impression that ALL sentras are like that. This resulted in a lower re-sale value. bad for brand new buyers but for those buying 2nd hand Sentras, the price will be better.

[boogiemeister05]

Sir, ask ko lang po kung ano ang pagkakaiba ng S4 supersaloon at S4 lang? dami ko po nakikita sa ayosdito eh. need help for choosing 1 'coz i'm planning to buy this december po. And this would be my very first car if ever.

[ghosthunter]

Hi guys!

I am planning to buy a second hand car and my budget would be 200k pesos. I have narrowed down my choices between a Toyota Corolla (Lovelife 98 - 2000 GLI or 95 - 97 bigbody GLI) and a Nissan Sentra (95 - 99 Series 3/4 or 2000 - 2002 Exalta).

I really want a fuel efficient and a low maintenance one because I'm a newbie driver who doesn't have experience tinkering a car. I hope you guys can help me out!

I just realized your budget is 200K.

You could actually buy a 2004-2006 N16 Sentra GX 1.3L M/T for between 190K to 230K. It won't be fast but the engine is EFI.

1998 B14 Sentra Super Saloon 1.6 M/T would go for around 120K to 140K

[mondymondy]

I just realized your budget is 200K.

You could actually buy a 2004-2006 N16 Sentra GX 1.3L M/T for between 190K to 230K. It won't be fast but the engine is EFI.

1998 B14 Sentra Super Saloon 1.6 M/T would go for around 120K to 140K

2004 - 2006 Sentra?? Seriously * 200k??? Wow!!! Maybe the 2004 models I saw in Sulit are a bit overpriced..

Most 2004 models I see in Sulit is priced at an average of 225k - 235k, and 2006 ones are priced 330 the least..

That's why I am really interested in the b14 series 3 since you don't recommend the fuel efficiency of series 4 (98 - 00 models).

I'm not after the looks. My top priority is a fuel efficient car.

[ghosthunter]

2004 - 2006 Sentra?? Seriously * 200k??? Wow!!! Maybe the 2004 models I saw in Sulit are a bit overpriced..

Most 2004 models I see in Sulit is priced at an average of 225k - 235k, and 2006 ones are priced 330 the least..

The prices posted is higher because of the margin for negotiations. You can knock off as much as 20% (sometimes even more) before buying.

So a car with a posted price of P225k might be finally sold at P190k or even P180k if you negotiate right.

That's why I am really interested in the b14 series 3 since you don't recommend the fuel efficiency of series 4 (98 - 00 models).

I'm not after the looks. My top priority is a fuel efficient car.

I am not recommending the 98-00 Sentra Exalta units but the others would be fine.

[mondymondy]

The prices posted is higher because of the margin for negotiations. You can knock off as much as 20% (sometimes even more) before buying.

So a car with a posted price of P225k might be finally sold at P190k or even P180k if you negotiate right.




I am not recommending the 98-00 Sentra Exalta units but the others would be fine.

Thank you very much Sir GH. I really appreciate your help! If you guys, let's say have 150 - 200k, what would you buy?

A 95 - 97 Nissan Sentra Series 3? Or 2002 - 2004 Nissan Sentra GX?

Assumming the previous owners have taken good care of both cars.

I would appreciate all your inputs guys! I really want to buy the car that will be the most worth for my hard earned money.

[ghosthunter]

Thank you very much Sir GH. I really appreciate your help! If you guys, let's say have 150 - 200k, what would you buy?

A 95 - 97 Nissan Sentra Series 3? Or 2002 - 2004 Nissan Sentra GX?

Assumming the previous owners have taken good care of both cars.

I would appreciate all your inputs guys! I really want to buy the car that will be the most worth for my hard earned money.

Choosing between a 13-15 year old car or a 6-8 year old car. I'll put my money on the 6-8 year old car if I would be using it for basic transport duties where running costs and dependability is more important.

If I was going to choose a car to be a toy-car (modifications for speed & performance) the B14 Sentra would be the preferred platform because it's cheap to buy, lightweight and parts are still plentiful. "Toy-cars" dont have to be practical.

BUT if you want a slight mix of dependability & fun, the 95-98 Sentra Super Touring or GTS models aren't too bad IF the previous owner has truly taken good care of it. Good place to start looking for such is the local Sentra clubs. The current owner has to move on with his life (kids or work) and his beloved ride needs to be replaced with a more practical vehicle (AUV, SUV, VAN) for the needs.

Just remember that even with the best care, these are just machines and they were designed only to last a certain number of years. Parts that normally don't fail will start having problems. This is why I will strongly suggest the less older car as your primary option.