The North American market has seen some bold changes by Nissan over the years. Originally imported under the Datsun name, Nissan cars in Canada and the US made the switch over to the new name in the early 1980s and the company hasnt been the same since. A broader line up and the introduction of the luxurious Infiniti brand in the late 1980s changed the face of Nissan tremendously. The winners are consumers everywhere who can get a great vehicle for a fair price.
It was in 1965 when the first Datsuns arrived in Canada. Who could forget the 1600cc 510 wagon with a 4 speed manual transmission? The only thing that could kill this car was rust and a rust bucket it was at that. Or, how about the 620 pick up? A great little hauler that is in a league of its own. My personal favorite was the 720 pick up truck equipped with a diesel engine. A good, sturdy truck that really sipped fuel.
Todays Nissan line up is a far cry from the cars that dotted the landscape during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. For consumers that is probably a good thing too. Todays line up still offers glimpses of the original Datsuns with the Sentra reminding some of the old B210, but about ten times more comfortable at that too. The Altima, Maxima, and the revived 350Z round out the car line up and when you add in all the SUVs and trucks that Nissan now sells the Japanese automaker has something for everyone.
Consumers are maintaining their Nissans/Datsuns with premium Nissan parts and accessories. Your dealer will have what you need, but remember the prices you pay for parts through the dealership will be the prevailing retail rate. Some national auto parts chains will have a decent selection, but they may have difficulty hunting down the rare Datsun or early Nissan part for you.
A new choice for consumers is auto parts wholesalers, particularly those who sell online. Prices are usually much lower because wholesalers buy direct from leading manufacturers including Bosch, K&N, Hella, Monroe, Covercraft, and others. Still, make sure that the retailer is based in Canada and not charging you outrageous shipping and duty charges for parts shipped in from the US or elsewhere. The selection they offer to you should be great, parts stocked must meet or exceed OEM requirements, and customer service should be just a click of the mouse and/or a toll free phone number away.
Be careful of retailers specializing in generic Nissan parts as counterfeit auto parts are a big problem in North America. Always learn in advance what the company’s shipping, return, and warranty policies are before making your purchase.
Nissan offer a range of cars that can meet all your needs. For a budget compact car the Nissan Pixio can hardly be bettered. Its easy on the environment with low CO2 emissions. There are several options within the Pixio range. The Visia grade offers an ABS anti-lock braking system and safety is enhanced with airbags for both driver and passenger. Power steering and a neat adjustable steering column also aid car handling.
The safety and comfort of the Pixio is also enhanced with the Acenta grade. This vehicle comes complete with remote central door locking, front power windows, and in the rear split reclining seats. Manual air conditioning adds to the comfort in the n-tec grade, while the Tekna model offers electronic stability control. For those seeking a car with both power and style the Nissan Juke has really set a high standard. The Juke boasts a 190 PS engine boosted by a direct injection turbo. And it’s All Mode torque vector system gives the car superb road handling which makes it ideal for driving around those tight and twisty European roads.
Nissans comprehensive portfolio of well styled cars also includes its range of 4×4s. Of them all the X-Trail model simply exudes class. The X-Trails Acenta grade offers such extras as a leather gear knob and leather steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof as well as cruise control. The Acenta also offers the driver the best features available in modern car technology. The vehicle has extras such as Uphill start, downhill drive support and ESP are all incorporated. And if you want the luxury of leather seats, as well as intelligent key technology, you can have it with the X-Trail Techna grade.
The Pathfinder 4×4 offers superb choice in both its Acenta and Techna models. The roomy Pathfinder Acenta is powered by a 2.5dCi engine, has five doors and has seating for seven. Safety is enhanced with ISO child seating anchor points and curtain and front seat and side airbags. The Pathfinder also offers extra choice with manual and automatic versions, cruise control, electric sunroof, and a colour rear view camera to ease rear parking.
Nissans range of hatchbacks provide the style and quality that has become associated with the brand. The Qashqai hatchback has already earned rave review and enjoys a range of options. Those options include 4-wheel drive as well both petrol and diesel powered models. And as an added bonus the Qashqai is competitively priced in comparison to its rivals such as the VW Golf and Ford Focus. And when considering a hatchback don’t forget the Nissan Micra and Note models which continue the proud tradition of high quality Nissan cars.
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Automakers are clamoring to build and market cars to the Generation Y crowd which, loosely defined, and encompasses new drivers and mostly everyone who is under 30. Toyota threw the gauntlet down in 2003 when they introduced a line of cars under the Scion brand. Now, Nissan is responding and the Versa to be released during the summer of 2006 is their answer. Will the Versa compete successfully or be lost in a sea of Gen Y vehicles soon to flood the market? All of that is too early to determine, so lets take a look at the Versa and what the car has to offer to motorists.
A visit to Nissans website reveals much about the Versa. Unlike a certain Scion vehicle that takes its styling cues from a toaster, the Versa is aerodynamic and reminds me of the Toyota Matrix. Available as a four door sedan or five door hatchback, the Versa is expected to retail for around 12,000, the same price range as Scion vehicles. Like Scion, the Versa will be fairly well equipped to give motorists a value packed experience without having to add on several thousands more to the base sticker price in order to achieve a satisfactory and comfortable driving experience.
Along with a 1.8L I4 engine, here is what you can expect to be included with base models:
AMFMCD audio system
Air Conditioning
Power side mirrors and automatic trunk release
6 speed manual transmission [4 speed automatic is optional]
Split folding 6040 seat with the hatchback
Not a bad standard equipment list for the price. For 2,000 more, SL versions will come with aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control, power windowsdoorslocks, remote keyless entry, a souped up sound system, and more.
The car will have a 102 inch wheel base which is long for a vehicle of its type. The result is more interior room, with four adults having ample knee and leg room to weather long trips.
Pictures of the interior reveal a car that is well though out and not cheap looking. I especially like the dashboard with its overlapping circular instrument panel and easy to reach audio and air conditioning controls. A generation ago, entry level cars would have looked and felt cheap. Todays drivers expect more and the Versa delivers in the form of a decent level of standard equipment and attention to style.
The Versa replaces the Sentra as the entry level Nissan. Nissan has restyled the Sentra and promoted it up a notch much like Honda has done with the Civic and Toyota with the Corolla.
Although more expensive than Chevys Aveo and Kias Rio, the car has more flair and style than either one. Still, one has to wonder how the Versa will compete against Toyotas soon to be released Yaris and the all new Honda Fit. Throw in new models expected from Dodge and Ford and add Chinese cars to the mix and the whole entry level market becomes saturated.
Ultimately, the Versa is a step in the right direction and a nice alternative to some of its boxy competitors. Gen Y drivers have another choice in the Versa and an alternative to Scion, Toyotas youth-oriented brand.
During the late 1990s, Nissan rolled out a new version of its Maxima to the critical acclaim of automobile experts as well as to consumers who snapped up the snazzy car in record numbers. Nissan carried the momentum forward until when the 2004 model was released; it was perceived by many as a step backward and sales dropped accordingly. Now, Nissan is poised to release a new Maxima and the company has the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon in its crosshairs!
Make no mistake about it: when consumers are disappointed with a particular model they will look elsewhere; not even brand loyalty can keep consumers in the fold. Nissan found this out painfully in 2003 as the first Maximas were released as 2004 models. Sales dropped as potential buyers complained about the cheap looking interior as well as the uninspiring exterior.
Nissans loss was Chryslers and Toyotas gain as the full sized, rear wheel drive Chrysler 300 has performed very well and the all-new-for-2006 Toyota Avalon is evoking favorable comparisons with current Lexus models. Nissan, realizing that lost sales was lost income hurried the Maximas redesign and has pushed the new car up market. This means that the all new Maxima will probably more resemble a vehicle from Nissans luxury car division Infiniti than any Nissan has to date.
So, what are the major changes? They will include the following: a redesigned exterior that takes its styling cues from Infiniti; a much more luxurious and refined interior; and more optional equipment made standard.
Sure, you will pay more for the new Maxima, but in the end you are certain to drive away with a car that competes effectively with Chrysler and Toyota for sales in the all important large car segment. This is good news for Nissan and for you, the potential buyer.
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