2002 Nissan Sentra Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 2002 Nissan Sentra isn't satisfied with just being an affordable compact commuter car. Apparently it wants to have as much fun as some...
The 2002 Nissan Sentra isn't satisfied with just being an affordable compact commuter car. Apparently it wants to have as much fun as some of the flashier Nissans. So for 2002, it brought back the Sentra SE-R and the new SE-R Spec V, sports-performance versions of the humble compact sedan with pretensions of greatness. To this end, both SE-R trims feature a 2.5-liter DOHC I4 that gets 165-hp in the SE-R and 175-hp in the Spec V. Both boast more menacing Skyline-inspired styling. The SE-R has a sports suspension, bigger brakes, a rear spoiler and 16-inch tires. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto tran are available. The Spec V takes it further, with a stiffer racing suspension, 17-inch tires, sport seats, red and black interior colors, 17-inch wheels, and 0-60 in less than seven seconds.
The other trims remain the same in terms of powertrains and features. The SE is dropped this year, so the 2002 Sentra comes in XE or GXE. A 1.8-liter, 126-hp I4 is standard on both, but an optional 2.0-liter, 145-hp I4 is offered on the GXE. The low-emission Sentra CA gets a 122-hp rating with the same engine. Both manual and auto trans are offered. The GXE is the preferred trim, with power features, cruise control, and an 8-way driver's seat. Dual front airbags are standard on all models, while side bags and ABS brakes are optional.
The new 2002 Sentra SE-R and Spec V are sure to give the Civic Si and Neon R/T some heavy competition. Drivers like the new sporty look and feel behind the wheel and the more powerful engine. Handling is crisp, and a high gas mileage helps keep the 2002 Sentra in the economy class. The front area is roomy, and there are lots of storage compartments, but rear legroom remains tight. There are also issues with the quality of the interior materials and the paint. The 2002 Sentra went through numerous recalls, primarily for problems with sensors and the catalytic converter.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2002 Nissan Sentra have mixed feelings. Many appreciate its fuel efficiency, roomy interior, and fun driving experience, particularly in the Spec-V model, which is noted for its good acceleration and handling. However, there are significant concerns about reliability, with several drivers reporting engine problems and issues with interior quality. While some love the performance and affordability, others have experienced frustrating mechanical failures and a lack of support from Nissan."
Has very good acceleration for an N/A I-4. Some of the interior feels flimsy and seems to break rather easily. The design on the seats leaves something to be desired. All in all a great car to drive, good on gas mileage if you're not too hard on the throttle. It's really nice having the extra doors/seating for driving your friends around at all hours of the night, and the fact that you don't have to sacrifice performance for those extra doors is one of my favorite things about this car and cars like it. Most importantly, it's fun to drive! Unfortunately having a pocket-rocket like this can cause you to drive unsafely, so exercise some caution while driving it.
August 6, 2009Have put around 80K on it. great little car. just slow. does have issue with sunroof leaking though. average 30+mpg going 80mph. us to get 37mpg when driving easy. cheap to own, little maintenance. easy to work on. big trunk. back seat too small. great cheap car.
October 23, 2011Overall has tons of power right off the line, but the wheel hop seems to have lots of pull through first and second gear. First gear only lasts 10 mph too. Overall a great car to drive and fun to drive across town every day. A steal for 6,000 dollars. Comes with a rather flashy red/black interior with a Rockford Fosgate deck and 10" sub. 6 speed manual keeps you happy too. Only major problems I have heard about involve pushing the car beyond what it was meant to do, and doing so has a rather terrible costs of the blown engine kind.
April 13, 2009What owners say
Has very good acceleration for an N/A I-4. Some of the interior feels flimsy and seems to break rather easily. The design on the seats leaves something to be desired. All in all a great car to drive, good on gas mileage if you're not too hard on the throttle. It's really nice having the extra doors/seating for driving your friends around at all hours of the night, and the fact that you don't have to sacrifice performance for those extra doors is one of my favorite things about this car and cars like it. Most importantly, it's fun to drive! Unfortunately having a pocket-rocket like this can cause you to drive unsafely, so exercise some caution while driving it.
August 6, 2009Have put around 80K on it. great little car. just slow. does have issue with sunroof leaking though. average 30+mpg going 80mph. us to get 37mpg when driving easy. cheap to own, little maintenance. easy to work on. big trunk. back seat too small. great cheap car.
October 23, 2011Overall has tons of power right off the line, but the wheel hop seems to have lots of pull through first and second gear. First gear only lasts 10 mph too. Overall a great car to drive and fun to drive across town every day. A steal for 6,000 dollars. Comes with a rather flashy red/black interior with a Rockford Fosgate deck and 10" sub. 6 speed manual keeps you happy too. Only major problems I have heard about involve pushing the car beyond what it was meant to do, and doing so has a rather terrible costs of the blown engine kind.
April 13, 2009The car is great with gas, but lacks a little in performance.
June 12, 2008When I first drove it, it seemed pretty quick. I bought it, put some parts on it, and found out it needed a new motor, just recently got the motor replaced and put some more performance parts on it. With the tein coilovers on it, the thing handles like a dream. Sticks to the corners hard. Good amount of torque for a 4 cylinder. Approximately 210 tq to the flywheel, 165-175 to the wheels. These cars need to be watched, and you have to know what you're getting into. They're built in mexico, so they are definitely not without their flaws. Watch out for the stock exhaust manifold that holds a pre-catalytic converter. If you drive it hard at all, it will fail. That's why I had to buy a new motor. The screws that hold the butterfly valves in the intake manifold are not loctited from the factory, so get that done, otherwise if you hit 5100 rpms and above at full throttle very often, those butterfly valves will open up and eventually the screws will come loose and go through your motor. All in all, if you know what you're getting into and get a decent price on one with good compression (please check the compression before buying it), pick it up. If you're going to pay 12k at a dealer, don't waste your money, there are better cars out there for that much.
March 4, 2008Awesome car that is a great value for the dollar. Fun to drive, and fun to burn past other comparable-sized sedans. Very go-cart like ride. The fuel economy is good on a manual transmission and you can definitely get 22 mpg city even when driving fairly aggressive.
December 2, 2012This car has excellent power and (mainly) torque for a naturally aspirated 4cyl engine, handles pretty well (despite some torque steer) and the braking is good. And it's roomy for a compact. Compared to its competitors is a fun car that will make you smile when you drive it...
January 15, 2012My Nissan Sentra Spec-V is a good all around car. It gets a range of 20-40 mpg depending on how its driven. It can clear a 1/4 time in the low 15 second range. It handles well for a front wheel drive vehicle. It is very light, but roomy. I can comfortably fit 5 people (including myself) in the car. The trunk is fairly spacious. Like I said, the Spec-V is nice all around.
August 19, 2009This is my first "sports" car but it handles like a dream. The stock handling is the best part of the car. Imagine a Sentra with a 2.5 Altima motor stuffed in it with good suspension and sway bars. It also has some sort of variable valve timing much like V-Tech and an exhaust that claims to do the same when the RPM's climb. It takes a lot of its styling from the Skyline its older brother which has made quite a name for itself.
August 3, 2009I have had my Nissan Sentra since 2002, the year it was manufactured and from the second year on, I have had nothing but issue after issue. My car has the same exact issues that other Sentras have had that have been recalled, but Nissan refuses to put my car under the recall. I have had the same part (the part that was recalled in other Sentras) replaced twice AT MY EXPENSE, in four years. Nissan would not even pay for a rental car. I have contacted district, regional and corporate and not one individual would assist me in anyway, and I was calm and polite although very frustrated. My car stalls and shuts down when at low speeds, which as you can imagine, is VERY dangerous. I will never ever recommend or purchase another Nissan product. Buyer beware.
May 30, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP $16,739 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 165 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $17,739 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 175 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $12,539 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 126 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 28 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $14,489 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 126 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 0.0 cu ft |
Combined MPG 28 | Drivetrain FWD |
