I have been fighting with the body shop over the, now complete, repairs (hail damage) to my WRX. While that was going on I had a Nissan Versa as a rental. Worst car I have driven in recent memory. Steering was numb and unconnected. Transmission was either lazy or had hard shifts. Couldn't seem to make up its mind. The brakes were spongy and inconsistent. Which was scary a few times during hard slow downs / stops on Austin freeways. The silver lining was driving to work this morning in my WRX (not a MINI, I know. That is on the way). Grip, horsepower, solid and consistent imputs. I felt like a hero. It was nice. So, moral of the story: If you have the option to rent/lease/buy a Nissan Versa, don't. Just, don't.
I have one right now for the same reason. It's a very odd feeling car. Unresponsive, almost feels like it's got a CVT, which it might, but anywayz... I've already called Hertz and I WILL be getting a different car. This thing is just awful on every level. Granted I'm used to a tight quick MINI or a surprisingly nimble but still a truck, twin turbo F-150, but still. This Versa feels dangerous. What you say about the brakes is so true. Very spongy, but all at once they just grab. N'er again.
Welcome to the bottom of the food chain cars. These are not cars, just transport appliances. Coming out of 2 nice cars into those things has to be an eye opening experience. I'm sure the fact that they are beat to carp rentals has something to do with it, but even a minty new one is a poor excuse for a car. Sad, but true many people think these are great cars. :lol:
I've had some crappy cars in my day. Early 90's Crapalier, Mid 70's 260 equipped cutlass, 85' Caprice Estate wagon with 350k on the clock and ate a quart+ a day...There was even a little 4 door Chrysler sh*tbox in there too. I've never driven such a pile, and I've had cars with holes in the floor boards. Granted my shoes wont get wet driving this thing, but still. There's not 1 thing I like about it. I'd rather drive a Fiat. It would be a great car if I were like 95 and just needed it to go from my trailer to the gas station for smokes and some Old Milwaukee.
Everything you said Qik. The brakes are downright scary. Some Versas have CVT some don't. Mine was a traditional auto, that sucked. I have had some **** box loaners/rentals but even they at least had a transmission that wasn't manic-depressive and brakes that worked the same way every time. I get the "my car is an applicance" thing. The Versa is so bad I wouldn't recommend it for even that. Get a bare bones Honda Fit or a stripped down Ford Fiesta. You'd be WAY better off.