[nolowversa]

Hey everyone! My name's Cody, I'm 18, and I live in San Antonio. I got my Versa for a steal, and it's my first car. It's a 2011 SL Sedan. When I called the bank, they showed a value of $12k and I only paid $5k!! It currently has about 70,000 miles or so on it. I know that's awfully high but it was an enterprise rental for most of its life, so I know maintenance wise it was well taken care of. I haven't done much so far, just wrapped my A, B, and C pillars in some fabric from Hobby Lobby, got some stickers made that I later on got pulled over for and had to remove lol I plasti-dip'd the grille, trunk garnish and emblems black. I also moved the "Versa" to the center above the garnish and spaced them out (V E R S A <--- Like so). I took off my hubcaps and painted my steelies white until I can afford some wheels. Other then that, I've just switched to Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil and Hollowed out my stock muffler until I work out what I want to do for my exhaust. Hoping to get inspired from other's rides!

 

[Kennethbokor]

Welcome Cody you will find lots of advise and friendly folks here.

 

[08versailles]

Welcome Cody to the NVF !

 

[nolowversa]

Welcome Cody to the NVF !

Welcome Cody you will find lots of advise and friendly folks here.

Thanks guys!

 

[JoshG]

Welcome to the forums, post pics when you can. We like mods.

 

[NecosNote]

Welcome Cody

 

[nolowversa]

Welcome to the forums, post pics when you can. We like mods.

Welcome Cody

Will do whenever I get a chance! and thanks!

 

[ADOversa]

I'm pretty curious as to what these stickers were that got you pulled over.

 

[07Versa6MT]

Wrapped the pillars eh? I did that too, in a red plaid. What fabric did you use?

 

[nolowversa]

I'm pretty curious as to what these stickers were that got you pulled over.

I had a banner across the front window, but it was below the AS1 line. I had it on for weeks, but this particular cop was being kind of an ass.

Wrapped the pillars eh? I did that too, in a red plaid. What fabric did you use?

I used like a rose pattern. Plaid sounds cool! I plan on taking it off, dying them black and redoing the headliner.

 

[07Versa6MT]

I did my headliner in black suede, i also did those top strips/armrests above the door handles in black suede. Headliners are a royal PITA, take some patience with you when you're trying to get it out and back in. The stupid manual wants you to take both front seats out to get it out, but that's really not necessary. It does brush against the center console in the process though so you might want to cover the plastic console in rags to prevent scratches.

 

[pburto]

Hi Cody,

I like hearing that people get Versas as their first car... They're very easy to drive and fairly easy to maintain. I own four of them for my driving school.

A couple things surprise me though...

First, unless I'm mistaken, the 2011 SL model normally comes with alloy wheels.

Second, rental car companies aren't known for excellent maintenance... Their goal is to keep the car pretty and functional until the day they sell it. That's it. In other words, they need it to last until 60K or 70K miles, and to still look pretty enough to sell at that point. They actually do this pretty well, so in that regard you DO know they're maintained regularly. But bear in mind, they don't care if the car dies at 100K miles. So they may not maintain things like air conditioning as long as no customers complain about the climate control system. (See my post about a cheap fix for a common AC problem.) This is why dealerships have to disclose if the car was a prior rental.

 

[nolowversa]

I did my headliner in black suede, i also did those top strips/armrests above the door handles in black suede. Headliners are a royal PITA, take some patience with you when you're trying to get it out and back in. The stupid manual wants you to take both front seats out to get it out, but that's really not necessary. It does brush against the center console in the process though so you might want to cover the plastic console in rags to prevent scratches.

Thanks for the tip! I want to find some fabric with one of the paintings from the Sistine chapel on it for the headliner.

Hi Cody,

I like hearing that people get Versas as their first car... They're very easy to drive and fairly easy to maintain. I own four of them for my driving school.

A couple things surprise me though...

First, unless I'm mistaken, the 2011 SL model normally comes with alloy wheels.

Second, rental car companies aren't known for excellent maintenance... Their goal is to keep the car pretty and functional until the day they sell it. That's it. In other words, they need it to last until 60K or 70K miles, and to still look pretty enough to sell at that point. They actually do this pretty well, so in that regard you DO know they're maintained regularly. But bear in mind, they don't care if the car dies at 100K miles. So they may not maintain things like air conditioning as long as no customers complain about the climate control system. (See my post about a cheap fix for a common AC problem.) This is why dealerships have to disclose if the car was a prior rental.

From what I've read there were two different SL models, one with steelies and the other with alloys. I only know it's at an SL because when we scan the VIN here at my job that's what it shows up as. As far as mechanical/air conditioning issues I'm not worried. I work at a shop and we have everything I'll need to keep this car running. As of right now I've had no issues with anything other then the cabin air filter being dirty.

 

[jas32]

.....First, unless I'm mistaken, the 2011 SL model normally comes with alloy wheels.

Second, rental car companies aren't known for excellent maintenance...

Rental fleets usually spec their own options on their cars, most of the time there is no direct correlation with retail units sold to the public. Alloy wheels are usually the first to go on rentals since there is no value added for them (unless they net a higher residual when its time to sell.

Sorry for additional bad news but I agree on the second point, I had an Enterprise unit for a week which was a few months overdue on the oil change (based on the sticker). I pointed it out when I turned it in and they did not seem to care. Another one I rented had an expired registration, they asked me to turn it in for a replacement after I called them.

 

[08versailles]

I did my headliner in black suede, i also did those top strips/armrests above the door handles in black suede. Headliners are a royal PITA, take some patience with you when you're trying to get it out and back in. The stupid manual wants you to take both front seats out to get it out, but that's really not necessary. It does brush against the center console in the process though so you might want to cover the plastic console in rags to prevent scratches.

Ok Matt it's time to see this Versa in the flesh

 

[nolowversa]

Rental fleets usually spec their own options on their cars, most of the time there is no direct correlation with retail units sold to the public. Alloy wheels are usually the first to go on rentals since there is no value added for them (unless they net a higher residual when its time to sell.

Sorry for additional bad news but I agree on the second point, I had an Enterprise unit for a week which was a few months overdue on the oil change (based on the sticker). I pointed it out when I turned it in and they did not seem to care. Another one I rented had an expired registration, they asked me to turn it in for a replacement after I called them.

As true as that may be, I'm currently the 3rd owner. The person who had it before me was my bosses niece and my boss did all the maintenance originally. They got it with like 30k miles on it I believe. Regardless, I haven't had any issues with anything so all is well!!

 

[07Versa6MT]

Ok Matt it's time to see this Versa in the flesh

I will only take pics after i get the Megan Racing springs on... i'm embarassed being seen with beautiful Spec V rims and the look is ruined with a car that came way too high from factory. They should sit like stock Mazda 3 hatches do.

Matter of fact i think that's what Versa's are, more butch, more practical version of a Mazda 3 hatch.