320k Used Car (Sentra GS vs Lancer GLS)

[peterstarr]

Am thinking of getting a used car as a secondary car. But the car will primarily be used by my children. I will use this once a week for my coding day. I don't want a sub-compact. Other compacts are too pricey. I am considering just the Sentra GS or the Lancer GLS. My preference is an auto tranny.

Which car do you think is better in terms of:
1. Fuel economy
2. Looks
3. Reliability
4. Value for money

Thanks for those who can contribute real life experiences.

Happy new year!

[dr. d]

because fuel economy is number one on your list, you'd best veer away from automatics. matakaw sila sa gas, compared to manuals. sticking to the big four is a safe move. toyota, nissan, honda, mits...

[peterstarr]

because fuel economy is number one on your list, you'd best veer away from automatics. matakaw sila sa gas, compared to manuals. sticking to the big four is a safe move. toyota, nissan, honda, mits...

Thanks dr.d for the reply. Yup. I agree that FC for a manual is better, but i am afraid, i have to stick to an automatic for convenience sake. Although FC is number one on the list, there are three other aspects to consider. Also, the order on the list does not correspond to its priority in making my decision.

Would appreciate feedback from our experienced tsikoteers.

[nujsimon]

Neither, sorry to say. Since we are talking of cars around 5 years or older, go for Toyotas

[Egan101]

Previous owner ako ng Sentra Exalta GS AT (Grandeur series, 2001-2003). Wala naman ako big complaints about the car though I wish it had a more powerful engine. The N16 chassis is a bit on the heavy side but it's quite a comfortable ride and stable on the highway. Madali lang naman pormahan yung N16, though its looks are more like of the midsize cars (boring for others). The low resale value of Nissan will allow you to get a younger car for the same budget if getting a Toyota or Honda. Matibay naman yung N16 platform and parts are easily available. Fuel consumption is about 8-9 Km/L on city driving and will be up to 12 Km/L on the highway. I have read that the Lancer Cedia platform in AT tranny has about the same FC as the Sentra N16. The Altis and Civic of the same generation are better in FC compared to the two, but it's a matter of 1-2 Km/L which will not be very big unless you travel more than 50 Km per day.Things to watch out with the N16 are its suspension parts (since heavy nga yung chassis) so I suggest to have the shocks checked properly for the unit you're looking at and test drive it as you can hear noises (audible enough despite the N16's insulation) if suspension parts are wearing out. Also, as the Sentra GS has an automatic climate control airconditioning system, make sure that the controls are working properly and the compressor (Calsonic) is in very good shape. The QG16 engine needs 95RON gas for fuel or you risk knocking if you use lower octane fuel.

[vinj]

Neither, sorry to say. Since we are talking of cars around 5 years or older, go for Toyotas

I beg to differ on this pards. Whether it be a Toyota, Nissan or Mitsu, when you talk of cars as they age, a big factor is how the owners have maintained them. We've owned all these major Jap brands and to date we still have two 19 year old cars amongst our newer cars in our garage, a Mitsu Galant and Nissan Sentra, and they're just as reliable (although the Galant is more finicky at this point due to having more electronics). They may not be as comfy or efficient as the newer cars but they still get the job done when needed as they have been maintained properly. When i used to indulge in buying second hand cars, you'll see both lemon and good cars, with no regard to brand. There are times the Toyotas are more ratty as the previous owner banks on them being Toyotas and tend to care less for the maintenance of the car (madali lang naman daw i-repair pag nasira).

Going back to the TS' question, i'd consider a Sentra 1.6L more as my experience in owning one before was good. It's not perfect but if it's maintained properly, it gets the job done. I also prefer the design of this over the previous generation Lancer.

On FC, if it's a 1.6L Sentra, the a/t should get you around 8-9km/L in the city while highway will go between 10-12km/L depending on your load and the conditions. I have not much experience with the Lancer GLS but based on what I've driven before (office issued units), i'd put my money more on the Sentra (better insulation, comfort, and FC seems better).

[GTi]

Sentra ako bro. The Lancer uses a CVT, which is supposed to give better gas mileage. However, coupled with the old and rather weak engine, its not really a desirable combo. If you plan to keep it for several years, better stick with the traditional matic. CVT's are very sophisticated, less durable, and very costly to replace, when the time comes.

[Egan101]

By the way, question to the TS, ano bang specific year model nung Sentra GS at Lancer GLS yung tinitingnan mo? If we consider the low resale value of Nissan, you might be looking at 2006-2008 model Sentra GS. There are even a few ads in Sulit for a Sentra GS 2006/2007 for 250k!

[MikkiW]

I own a lancer 03 before it uses CVT and for me mahina ung hatak nya ako ave ko lang is 6.6-7km/l pero daddy driving pa yun. Mag sentra ka nalang.. Hindi naman ata un CVT tranny:-)
HTH:-)

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[Egan101]

*MikkiW - did I hear it right? 6-7 Km/L yung FC ng Lancer GLS CVT (1.6L)??? Di kaya may problem yung engine nun or marumi lang air filters or sobrang traffic ng daily route mo? I average about the same FC (city driving) on my 6th gen Accord 2.3L AT. My old Exalta Grandeur did have fits of bad FC but 7 Km/L was what I remembered.

[vinj]

*MikkiW - did I hear it right? 6-7 Km/L yung FC ng Lancer GLS CVT (1.6L)??? Di kaya may problem yung engine nun or marumi lang air filters or sobrang traffic ng daily route mo? I average about the same FC (city driving) on my 6th gen Accord 2.3L AT. My old Exalta Grandeur did have fits of bad FC but 7 Km/L was what I remembered.

From what i hear, that Lancer model has poor FC really. My officemate has an 03 model and she gripes about 6km/l in her city driving.

[dr. d]

yes, my 2003 cedia lancer cvt thinks it's a crv... why i bought it in the first place despite its fuel inefficiency rep, is a long story. but wifey likes its ergonomics.. madali pumasok at lumabas kahit naka-long gown.. i'm stuck with it. but in fairness, it does drive ok.
i also have a 1997 sentra ex. yes, it also is a little big on fuel and the back side is a bit cramped, but it is relatively problem-free.. besides, i lost the original CR and can't sell it just yet.. heh heh.
but being a family man myself, my most worry-free drive is the diesel auv.. had a revo and besta once, now an innova. the relatively big passenger size does give me a feeling of confidence..

[peterstarr]

* nujsimon: thanks for your advise sir, i respect that.

*Egan101 and GTi: nice inputs sirs. Appreciate it.

*vinj: this is a goid FC. Coming from my Exalta at 7.5 kpl.

*dr.d and MikkiW: Worse pala FC ng cedia compared to sentra GS sir. Thanks for sharing.

So, it seems sentra GS is a better choice. Thanks for all the inputs.

[Egan101]

*peterstarr - what Exalta do you have? Yung B14 Exalta STA (1999-2000) ba? Also, what model year of the Sentra GS are you looking at?

[peterstarr]

*peterstarr - what Exalta do you have? Yung B14 Exalta STA (1999-2000) ba? Also, what model year of the Sentra GS are you looking at?

Sir, what i had was a 2000 Exalta STA. was able to sell it yesterday.

Today, i was able to buy an 08 GS.

[vinj]

* nujsimon: thanks for your advise sir, i respect that.

*Egan101 and GTi: nice inputs sirs. Appreciate it.

*vinj: this is a goid FC. Coming from my Exalta at 7.5 kpl.

*dr.d and MikkiW: Worse pala FC ng cedia compared to sentra GS sir. Thanks for sharing.

So, it seems sentra GS is a better choice. Thanks for all the inputs.

The Exalta engine is somewhat lethargic compared to the first gen GA16DEs from the B13 Sentras. My 2001 Sentra B14 151 (it was a limited edition model that resembled the Exalta) had the basic bolt-ons (intake-headers-exhaust) and would achieve 8-9km/L consistently as long as i was prudent on the gas pedal. The guzzler was our 1999 EX Saloon a/t as it was underpowered. Our 2001 N16 Grandeur also hit 8km/L at the average.

[MikkiW]

From what i hear, that Lancer model has poor FC really. My officemate has an 03 model and she gripes about 6km/l in her city driving.

Yes sir before i ave 5.5km/l pero i upgraded to short ram intake and halos konti lang diff. Hirap sya sa overpass kung 4-5 pax thats why we decided to sell it na. :-)

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[MikkiW]

Congrats sir:-)

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