97 lancer el, 97 city exi or 2000 sentra fe

[micco18]

I'm choosing between lancer el pizza pie, 97 honda city exi and 2000 sentra fe. all are all 1.3L their price range are almost the same. please help need to know which is the best buy among the 3 in terms of looks, performance and economy thanks

[niky]

The City wins economy by a fair margin, but interior accomodations are tight and sound and vibration insulation practically non-existent. Steering is so-so, but it's nimble and fun to drive. The ancient design is prone to rear fender rust. The FE is an okay car, more spacious, reasonably comfortable with a good aircon and power steering... (continued)

[niky]

The FE has good body integrity, little weight (compared to 1.6s), a stiff suspension and short gearing, which make it a fun car to drive spiritedly (even if it isn't as quick as a 1.6). Only downside is a finicky carb that gives poor mileage when dirty. Lack of ABS, airbags, power windows and locks aren't an issue, since neither of the others has those either.

[1D4LV]

FE din ako.
one reason..... its the latest model. kung kukuha ka na rin lang, get the newer one.

[BlueBimmer]

FE ako

[niky]

That said... (sorry sa double post... sa cellphone yan kagabi)... while I like the FE amongst the three.. there are definitely some very good cars in the same price range that you're not looking at... if I may ask, what's the price range?

The FE's only achilles heel, that damn carb, is an easy fix, actually... just some carb cleaner every few months, and use good gasoline. As the body is light and the suspension is stiff, the shocks and springs will stay firm much longer than in the standard Sentra. Just beware, if you try to compensate for the lack of horsepower by burying your foot in the floor everytime you accelerate, it gets thirsty. Driven conservatively, it should return good mileage.

[basti08]

for the same price of the 2000 Sentra FE, you can get a 99 Sentra EX Saloon (series4 look) that has an all power features except side mirrors and a more powerful yet economical 1.4L DOHC 16v EFi engine 90hp (vs 82hp of the FE).
if you are lucky you might even get an exalta look EX Saloon at the same price cuz 2nd hand Nissan prices always overlaps in the used car market.

[taptap]

If fuel economy is your primary concern, go for Honda 97 exi...malakas ang makina (i think 95 hp sya at 4.5rpm as stated in the specs). Fuel consumption in my case is 10-12km/l city driving, 14-16km/l highway driving...madali din i-maintain, just look for good shop (I normally go with speedyfix for maintenance).

Don't go for Lancer EL 97. I used to try Lancer 97 EL for 2 months...Hindi pa sya power steering, and for me medyo under power sya. Fuel economy is 8km/l city driving, 11km/l highway

I have'nt tried Sentra so wala akong masasabi with its performance.

[basti08]

i say based from our prev. ownership of an 97 Sentra EX Saloon, its powerful & fuel efficient and accomodations arent as spartan/coach-class as the Honda City.

[micco18]

thanks my budget is 200 to 220 what else can you guys recommend for that price range.

[basti08]

2000-2001 Sentra Exalta EX.

[niky]

Ngek... medyo mahal pa ang mga Exalta, around 300k. At 220k, you could get lucky with a 97 Civic LXi, but the 1.4 Sentra EX Saloon, as recommended by Basti is probably your best choice for amenities and fuel efficiency in that price range. No offense on the City, but it's just too small and bare for the price, especially considering its age.

[basti08]

i think the Sentra Exalta EX Saloon somehow falls in the price range (high side 220-230K)

[micco18]

thanks again
recommendations noted
I'll be looking for 1.4 sentra ex.
my sister is planning to buy a nissan verita is this a good buy?

[basti08]

its a good car, but falls in the price of a more practical compact cars...

shallowly, it holds value against closest competitor now defunct Toyota Echo because of its features.... but in a deeper sense it is IMO less practical than buying compacts.