Versa Note second opinion

SilverV · 2014-04-04

Here is a real good piece from AG taking a look at the Versa from a second opinion the writers wife, really a good read. It points out many things we complain about like cold weather performance. http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/nissan/2014-nissan-versa-note-second-opinion-3841.html

robj80

· #2 · Apr 4, 2014

Interesting. I like the idea of that segment where his wife reviews the car. She would be the average every day Joe while he is the enthusiast. Only wish she wrote the articles as opposed to him relaying what she thought. Sometimes things get missed or not translated properly.

The heat does suck in any of the 1.6 powered vehicles. This engine just does not warm up. I have no clue how that can be fixed. Set the cold idle higher? Change the opening temp on the tstat? I figured the newer notes with active grill shutters would help but apparently it doesn't. Maybe even that can be adjusted to help with the heat.

Nissan addressed some of the issues with the SR model like seat fabrics, and some refinements. The cluster and center stack are much nicer on the SR model. Had they just used their new tiny turbo engine I am betting every single complaint would have been taken care of. The car would feel like it had more then enough power. Also with a turbo spooling under the hood, which makes heat, I bet the coolant going to the heater core would heat up a wee bit quicker. Not at idle but as you start driving.

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· #3 · Apr 4, 2014

robj80 said:
Interesting. I like the idea of that segment where his wife reviews the car. She would be the average every day Joe while he is the enthusiast. Only wish she wrote the articles as opposed to him relaying what she thought. Sometimes things get missed or not translated properly.

The heat does suck in any of the 1.6 powered vehicles. This engine just does not warm up. I have no clue how that can be fixed. Set the cold idle higher? Change the opening temp on the tstat? I figured the newer notes with active grill shutters would help but apparently it doesn't. Maybe even that can be adjusted to help with the heat.

Nissan addressed some of the issues with the SR model like seat fabrics, and some refinements. The cluster and center stack are much nicer on the SR model. Had they just used their new tiny turbo engine I am betting every single complaint would have been taken care of. The car would feel like it had more then enough power. Also with a turbo spooling under the hood, which makes heat, I bet the coolant going to the heater core would heat up a wee bit quicker. Not at idle but as you start driving.

living in a warmer climate i have none of these issues with our coldest days being down in the 40's where i live in california. the one thing i still find hard to believe though is the whole "lack of power" statement. i mean sure, the car does struggle when it's fully loaded with passengers and cargo, but the current honda fit does as well, yet that doesnt seem to bother most reviewers and i'm left wondering why the Note gets continually poked at for that and not the Honda Fit. I do agree with one thing the second opinion article points out and that is the seating and while i disagree with her statement about the material on the seats needing improvement i do admit that they can become quite uncomfortable on extended road trips where you are sitting in the car for over 4 hours as there is no lumbar adjustment for the front seats and it can become considerably painful if you don't stop to take a break from driving every few hours as i found out on a recent road trip up to san francisco. Other than that, for regular city driving the seats are plenty comfortable and as far as i'm concerned all those so called "reviewers" can take their opinions and shove off cause i am more than happy with the Note despite the very minor short comings it may have.

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robj80

· #4 · Apr 4, 2014

any small car with a tiny engine will get weighed down. I think maybe the CVT adds to the down on power feeling. I know I drive an altima coupe with CVT. Most of the time the thing feels awfully slow.

I really wish someone would do a subcompact comparison including dyno, track times, 1/4 mile time, 0-60 as well as braking. I mean everyone says how slow the note is and how it makes so much less power than the competition yet I see times posted in magazines that puts it middle of the pack and not at the bottom like people say. Plus numbers online are all over the place really. I've seen the same car get tested at 8 second to 60 then another review almost 10.

I need to drive one of these notes to get my own view on it.

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· #5 · Apr 4, 2014

robj80 said:
any small car with a tiny engine will get weighed down. I think maybe the CVT adds to the down on power feeling. I know I drive an altima coupe with CVT. Most of the time the thing feels awfully slow.

I really wish someone would do a subcompact comparison including dyno, track times, 1/4 mile time, 0-60 as well as braking. I mean everyone says how slow the note is and how it makes so much less power than the competition yet I see times posted in magazines that puts it middle of the pack and not at the bottom like people say. Plus numbers online are all over the place really. I've seen the same car get tested at 8 second to 60 then another review almost 10.

I need to drive one of these notes to get my own view on it.

that would seem fair to me, and it's laughable at best when the reviews say it's down on power compared to the competition when the current generation honda fit makes a whopping 6hp more and yet they remain silent on that point and while yes other models do have more HP than the Note or the Fit, they struggle to do anything with that power since more often than not they are heavier than either the Note or the Fit when it comes to curb weight.

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robj80

· #6 · Apr 4, 2014 (Edited)

I honestly think it has alot more to do with the steering feel, soft suspension, and that CVT transmission than it does the actual power of the car. Do I wish it had more power? Sure I do. I think it should have more power. At least 115, which the HR16DE seems to make everywhere else but North America.

Too bad there are not too many tests on the 5spd Note since it's the base model. It has to be quicker than my 2009 HR16 Versa. Considering the engine has a couple more ponies and the car is 200lbs lighter. I believe the transmission is identical. Here is how my car stacks up to the Fit according to Motor Trend tests.

2009 Versa 1.6 5mt
8.9seconds (0-60)
16.8 sec @ 81.5 mph (quarter mile)

2012 Fit Sport 5mt
8.2 seconds (0-60)
16.3 sec @ 83.3 mph (quarter mile)

The Fit is much faster. Some might not think that is much but I do. But if the Note 5mt is slower than my car I would be shocked.

to see where I got my specs you can check these links
2012 Honda Fit First Test - Motor Trend
2009 Hyundai Accent vs. 2009 Nissan Versa - Comparison - Motor Trend

I really do think the CVT is what give everyone the down on power feeling. It does make the car slower and feel even slower I assume going by my experience driving the altima CVT.

Here is Motor Trends specs for the 2014 Note CVT
10.1 seconds (0-60)
17.8 sec @ 78.2 mph (quarter mile)

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...ersa_note_sv_with_sl_tech_package_first_test/

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SilverV

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 5, 2014

I can say for a fact this car does feel bogged down in cooler temperatures, several factors because of winter grade gas and warm up times take forever so the car idles higher also the CVT likes to keep revs low and the engine has lots of braking as you let off the gas all in the name of efficiency.

When I saw they got 28 MPG I went ouch, just seems wrong for a car with this engine/transmission combo. The past couple winters I get 36 MPG and 40 MPG in the spring/summer.

Anyone notice rougher idles in the colder temps when the car is cold, louder ABS pump or IACV when you come to a stop like at a red light? All the sounds go away once the car warms up.

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· #8 · Apr 5, 2014 (Edited)

SilverV said:
I can say for a fact this car does feel bogged down in cooler temperatures, several factors because of winter grade gas and warm up times take forever so the car idles higher also the CVT likes to keep revs low and the engine has lots of braking as you let off the gas all in the name of efficiency.

When I saw they got 28 MPG I went ouch, just seems wrong for a car with this engine/transmission combo. The past couple winters I get 36 MPG and 40 MPG in the spring/summer.

Anyone notice rougher idles in the colder temps when the car is cold, louder ABS pump or IACV when you come to a stop like at a red light? All the sounds go away once the car warms up.

not really sure about the CVT keeping the revs low part of what you're saying as i have no issues going over 6000rpm on mine, but i do agree this engine can be a little bit on the noisy side when you start it up from a cold start, the only thing mine does though is make a slight tapping sound until it warms up about halfway though and it's not really loud either. As far as the suspension setup on the Note is concerned too, i'm honestly suprised that reviewers expected much out of it in terms of handling when even Nissan has said over and over again that when they worked on the suspension for the Note they had comfort more in mind rather than sporty handling and in that regard they did a very good job as on the stock suspension it does ride very smooth. now of course mine is different as i have some suspension upgrades so in terms of handling mine is now more on the sporty side of the equation with the exception of switching out for more aggressive springs (which are in the works) so mine is an outright blast to take through corners even with the stock tires. heck, maybe i should give my Note over to motor trend when Tanabe is all done with it and let them see what kind of potential the Note has lol

edit: also i can understand the feeling of not having enough power as i noticed when i put my stock air intake back on, when i get up to the higher RPM range the engine feels like it's gasping for air through that tiny little straw of an intake that Nissan put on there stock

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SilverV

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 5, 2014

Should have been more clear, when you cruising along say 35 MPH the RPMs can drop right above 1k but that's just normal or going down a hill it tries to hold steady.

Then again the computer logic will be different for each driver as it adapts to your style of driving. I rarely get over 2500 RPMs on my commutes.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

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· #10 · Apr 5, 2014 (Edited)

robj80 said:
I honestly think it has alot more to do with the steering feel, soft suspension, and that CVT transmission than it does the actual power of the car. Do I wish it had more power? Sure I do. I think it should have more power. At least 115, which the HR16DE seems to make everywhere else but North America.

Too bad there are not too many tests on the 5spd Note since it's the base model. It has to be quicker than my 2009 HR16 Versa. Considering the engine has a couple more ponies and the car is 200lbs lighter. I believe the transmission is identical. Here is how my car stacks up to the Fit according to Motor Trend tests.

2009 Versa 1.6 5mt
8.9seconds (0-60)
16.8 sec @ 81.5 mph (quarter mile)

2012 Fit Sport 5mt
8.2 seconds (0-60)
16.3 sec @ 83.3 mph (quarter mile)

The Fit is much faster. Some might not think that is much but I do. But if the Note 5mt is slower than my car I would be shocked.

to see where I got my specs you can check these links
2012 Honda Fit First Test - Motor Trend
2009 Hyundai Accent vs. 2009 Nissan Versa - Comparison - Motor Trend

I really do think the CVT is what give everyone the down on power feeling. It does make the car slower and feel even slower I assume going by my experience driving the altima CVT.

Here is Motor Trends specs for the 2014 Note CVT
10.1 seconds (0-60)
17.8 sec @ 78.2 mph (quarter mile)

2014 Nissan Versa Note SV with SL Tech Package First Test - Motor Trend

found car and driver tests of both of our cars as well and i have to say they do not make sense at all as they have your 1.6 sedan doing the 0-60 in 9.1 sec. with the 5 speed manual with a curb weight of 2552lbs. and they have the 5 speed manual Note doing the 0-60 in 9.5 sec. with a curb weight of 2413lbs. which does not make sense at all seeing as the Note is over 100lbs. lighter and just slightly down in torque, but up in HP...i don't know about you, but that sounds fishy to me. heres the links to the car and driver articles:

2014 Nissan Versa Note S Test ? Review ? Car and Driver

2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 Sedan - Short Take Road Test - Car Reviews - Car and Driver

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· #11 · Apr 5, 2014

SilverV said:
Should have been more clear, when you cruising along say 35 MPH the RPMs can drop right above 1k but that's just normal or going down a hill it tries to hold steady.

Then again the computer logic will be different for each driver as it adapts to your style of driving. I rarely get over 2500 RPMs on my commutes.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

ok, i understand where you're coming from now and yes mine pretty much does the same thing, but i still stand by the fact i can get mine to go above 6k rpm unlike some magazine testers who claim they struggle to do that lol

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robj80

· #12 · Apr 5, 2014

The car and driver also noted alot of wheel hop with the note. I think that was the difference. I think it will do an 8.9 or few tenths less if the launch is clean.

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· #13 · Apr 5, 2014

robj80 said:
The car and driver also noted alot of wheel hop with the note. I think that was the difference. I think it will do an 8.9 or few tenths less if the launch is clean.

that's what i figured too, pretty sure the low rolling resistance tires are what kill the 0-60 times on the Note as well as the handling slightly as when you look at the honda fit, it comes with summer performance tires on it.

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