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

**mondymondy** · January 13th, 2011 01:41 PM

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:00 PM

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:20 PM

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:23 PM

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by mondymondy

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

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** · January 13th, 2011 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by mondymondy

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** · January 13th, 2011 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by mondymondy

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** · July 6th, 2013 03:44 PM

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.