Many, many years ago I remember visiting the Toronto Auto Show with my whacked out step father, who freaked that a certain Germanic pocket rocket was over $8000. That same year, my Mom fell in love with a Skoda of all things, which was somewhere around the 4 grand mark if I recall correctly. That was a very long time ago and the automotive landscape has changed dramatically. For some time now, the cheapest car on the market has hovered in the 14 to 15 thousand dollar mark. That all changed earlier this year when Hyundai offered a specially priced Accent that was actual sub ten grand: for a while. Currently, the entry level Accent stickers at $13,595 here in Canada and $11,070 south of the border. Nissan is raising lowering the bar with the introduction of the 2009 Versa sedan.
$12,498 in Canada, $9,990 is the States.
This is not a sale price, this is MSRP! Beyond the price, the list of available items is unbelievable: power windows, air conditioning, keyless entry, 6 airbags and more. For those looking for an entry level vehicle that gets great fuel economy, Nissan has just become the place to begin their search.
Oh yes, fortunately the parental units never brought home one of those Eastern European abominations!
Full details from Nissan after the break
MISSISSAUGA, ON (November 13, 2008) – Nissan Canada, Inc. (NCI) today announced the launch of a totally repositioned Nissan Versa Sedan, which features a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $12,498* (excluding Freight and PDE charges). The new Versa Sedan focuses squarely on value and fuel economy, with its standard 107-horsepower DOHC 16-valve, 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine delivering responsive performance and a 5.8 L/100km Highway fuel economy rating (with the 5-speed manual transmission).
The Versa 1.6 Sedan goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning December 1st, 2008.
“Starting at $12,498, this new Versa 1.6 Sedan has the lowest MSRP in Canada, by more than $700, and is more than $1,000 lower than any 4dr Sedan.” said Jeff Parent, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, NCI. “But a low price is really only half the news. Nissan Canada is bringing in a full range of Versa 1.6 sedans including a base vehicle and a Value Option Package model that is unique to Canada.”
The Value Option Package includes A/C, power windows, heated power mirrors and remote keyless entry among other features. And, there is no compromise on safety. The Versa 1.6 Sedan is equipped with six standard airbags, including front-seat and side-curtain airbags.
Since its introduction in 2006, Nissan Versa has enjoyed strong demand in the marketplace particularly with buyers seeking fuel efficiency without sacrificing quality, comfort or roominess. The Versa offers the largest interior in the entry-level segment – along with excellent quality, reliability and durability.
The new, high-value Versa 1.6 Sedan features a smaller displacement 1.6-litre engine (versus the 1.8-litre on the Hatchback), standard 5-speed manual transmission, with a 4-speed automatic transmission is also available. Fuel economy with the 5-speed manual is rated at 7.7 L /100 km city – 5.8 L /100 km highway, and 7.8 L /100 km city – 5.9 L /100 km highway with the 4-speed automatic.
In repositioning Versa for 2009MY, the 1.6L Sedan joins the 5dr Hatchback. The Hatchback, starting at $13,598, comes with a standard 1.8L engine and is available in both S and SL trims. The Hatchback has a 6spd Manual transmission standard and an optional 4spd automatic or an Xtronic CVT is available.
”The Versa is Nissan’s best selling product in Canada,” said Parent, “The launch of this Versa 1.6 Sedan shows how Nissan is working to bring value and choice to Canadians consumers in the entry-level market place.”
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Problems with starting the 2007 Nissan Versan.
At 40,000 clicks you would think that your car would start first try. However at low mileage the body control module needed to be replaced. Reconfiguration of the keys needed to be done. Costing me nearly $723.00. The warrenty was 3 years or 60,000 clicks. I was three months over the three years but way under in milleage. To me this sounds like it is factory related when the part goes this early. So why isn’t Nisson backing this part up? When it comes to the ignition system you expect more starts than 40,000 clicks worth!
Seems like bad coustomer service to me thanks . I will take my buisness elsewhere!!!!
Most manufacturers will consider some type of goodwill consideration up until 3 months after the end of the warranty period. Of course there are many other factors at play such as has the customer ever been to a dealer for service or only for warranty repairs. Also, sometime the customer’s demeanor while he is in the dealership comes into play.
Tami, you bring up a favorite beef of mine. Since when does customer service equal free? Many very high end companies are known for their customer service, but also for their high prices. Great customer service usually comes at a price.
My apology to Nissan if I seemed a little harsh harsh before. However, I did bring it to their attention when it was under warrenty. Also out of “good will” they did give me $150 off but I had to fight for that. I must admit I do give the car an A plus for gas
A plus for room in the car
A plus for the smooth ride
A plus for the stereo
Can’t believe that in these tough economic that a company like Nissan can afford to disapoint customers by not standing behind their product. I had a Nissan Altima that had the same problem and it was recalled and fixed to my satisfaction. This sounds like the same or similar problem with this Versa. This car apparently had low mileage but was over the warranty period of 3 years by about 3 months! I guess Nissan is really doing well as compared to The Big Three and Honda and Toyota too. Toyota is at least standing behind their products as we’ve seen lately with their recalls. Maybe Nissan should reconsider Versa owners or lose them as customers too. Also, the owner of this Versa has contacted the dealership, VP and President of Nissan and has either been ‘blown off’ or not received any answers. Again, I guess Nissan is so successful these days that ‘the little guy’, who ,by the way, has lead to the companies success, isn’t taken seriously or as having any real value. Keep it up boys, maybe you can end up like The Big Three did!!!!!11
Dave, I’m not sticking up for any manufacturer when I say this, but if you recall a statement I made before:
Also, sometime the customer’s demeanor while he is in the dealership comes into play.
This goes further – most often when a consumer attempts to bypass the correct chain of command with ANY corporation, the door is slammed in their face.
Excuse me! I did try to follow the chain of command. The dealership service department had the to bad so sad attitude. One person just shrug his shoulders. Anther person indicated that normally by three years there is 80 to 90 thousand clicks on the car.
I then tried the 1 -800 customer servive number. When talking to the customer service supervisor the first time she was nice and freindly. I explain my situation of how I brought it to their attention before the warrenty expired. She indicated that she would look into it.
When I followed up a week later she was shocked to hear from me. I tried telling her that I brought it to their attention before the warrenty ran out but every time she would interupt me and kept saying Three Years, Three Years, Three Years! It was like she wasn’t lessoning to me. Also I tried telling her that the same part in the same year was recalled in the Altima. Again she kept saying Three years! Three Years! Three Years!
So next I have tried writing to the Vice – President and even the President. It has been a week no response!
I received one of these as a rental last christimas. I really did enjoy the car, for its size it is roomy inside.
Novak. I agree with you that I give the Nissan Versa an A plus for the room, A plus for gas, A plus for the smooth ride, A plus for the stereo. However when you only have 40,000 clicks on the car you shouldn’t have problems starting it. However I have learn that three years is three years. The doors has been slammed shut at every level. From the dealership, to customer service supervisor, and at the review team level. I have also found out that letters from the general public to the vice-president and to the president don’t make it to them as per conversation with one of their employees. In short, I still stand behind that you should get a lot more starts than 40,000 clicks worth!
Dear Gary,
First of all, as a family member, I happen to know that BEFORE the warranty period ended, James was extremely frustrated because he had complained about the problem with the Nissan, and staff initially seemed to understand, but did nothing. I am baffled as to why you would talk about someone bypassing the correct chain of command, when to the best of his ability, James started with the service department and got no where, then continued up the ladder and followed up with the customer service 1-800- number. He also wrote two letters, but it appears to me that we are missing the issue. The issue is that James complained about a problem before the warranty expired, then three months later, when the three year warranty was up, the problem was acknowledged, but James was expected to pay. (I know that he accepted a small some of money and Nissan hoped that he would go away, but that truly is not fair. ) The problem was reported before the warranty expired, and Nissan should have resolved the issue immediately.
(In a competitive market, this kind of treatment is unbelievable and unacceptable). In our immediate family we have owned 9 Toyota cars, several Corolla’s an Echo and a Camry, and in all the years dealing with Toyota Canada, we have had excellent treatment at our Toyota Dealership and I can honestly say, that the kind of treatment that James received from Nissan, would NEVER occur at our Toyota dealership.)
Incidentally, a co-worker of my husbands is constantly complaining about how poor the service is at our local Nissan dealership. (It is not the same dealership as James’.)
The best advertising any company could have is satisfied customers. All the fancy television ads will never erase the damage done by the mistreatment of one customer.
Sincerely,
Elaine Cousineau
James and Elaine: My comment regarding chain of command was directed at Dave as a result of him saying: “Also, the owner of this Versa has contacted the dealership, VP and President of Nissan”.
It is unfortunate that you don’t feel you’ve received the treatment you deserve. I’m glad though that you still enjoy your car.