Nissan's Screaming deal

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
04/11/2015 at 17:25 • Filed to: None

Up in Canada, we get the Nissan Micra. It replaced the Versa Sedan up here. Guess how much it costs.

$9998 Canadian. That's $7952.59 US. Think about it. That's FOUR GRAND cheaper than the Versa sedan, with better styling and similar features. Why isn't this available in the US?

DISCUSSION (29)

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 17:29

Safety regs maybe? Or does Canada use the same as the US?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
04/11/2015 at 17:29

Canada's regs are pretty much identical to the US. Fit TPMS, and it can be sold there.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 17:30

then I have no clue why it's not sold here.

djmt1 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 17:31

Because the Queen likes them.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
04/11/2015 at 17:33

Plus, A NEW CAR FOR 8 GRAND!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > djmt1
04/11/2015 at 17:35

I, um, oh.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 17:48

$8k new? Yeah, I'd totally buy that.

traitor joe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 17:51

There are a few reasons why this is not as great as it sounds.

Firstly, the base price is ONLY applicable to the very lowest model, which has almost no options available. Even getting AC will cost you a $3000 premium.

Secondly, the entire car is basically an even lower budget carry over from the Versa. This means that the car is unnecessarily bloated and has the same way-too-large engine. These factors combine to give the micra terrible fuel economy for its size - try 30MPG.

The micra is seriously low quality. The base model seats are spongy and probably the worst I have ever seen in a new car. Like, worse than my '94 geo metro. I don't think it will stand the test of time very well, if at all.

Finally, Mitsubishi runs a deal on their mirage up here which puts the base model at nearly the same price (actually, this deal used to match the micra MSRP, but I don't know if they still offer that). The mirage has better mileage, build quality, and driving dynamics, not to mention a crazy long warranty period. If you want a bare bones commuter, why not go that route instead?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/11/2015 at 17:52

Kinja'd!!!

They also make a race car for $16k US, with an s-tune suspension kit, FIA-approved racing seat & harness, cage, fire system, track-spec pads, exhaust, tow hooks, and pirelli race tires.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > traitor joe
04/11/2015 at 17:55

You must be having a laugh if you think the Mirage has better build quality. And poor fuel economy? It gets the same fuel economy as the 2015 Versa Note does. They changed testing methods for 2015. Plus, the seats actually aren't too bad, and the Mirage has terrible driving dynamics.

traitor joe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 18:11

Well, I cross shopped both cars when the micra was released, and that has been my opinion. The micra felt like an inferior car in every respect. I didn't have a problem with most of the interior, but the seats are just.. so bad. Go check one out and you will see what I mean. The fabric they used feels like ten dollar nylon seat covers.

As far as the fuel economy, I think it is a significant issue that it gets much worse numbers than any of the other cars in the segment. Sure, 30 MPG is not terrible, but when comparable cars are getting 50, 60 MPG plus, it is not a good number by comparison.

I also forgot to mention another thing - the sub-10K price does not include the mandatory freight fees and taxes, which will run you another 3 grand. Now that you're paying at least 13K, wouldn't you want something a bit better?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 18:13

Converted straight to UK currency that's Ł500 less than the cheapest car on sale here (because of taxes and such). You'd pay a fair chunk more than that for a Micra here.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 18:21

Went and looked at them for a commuter instead of my truck. Never seen one anywhere close to that price, cheaper I have seen is $12000 CAD

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > traitor joe
04/11/2015 at 19:03

i've been in a base-model Micra, and I though it wasn't that bad. The mirage was a huge disappointment for me. You can't get air con for as little as the at/ac Micra, and it's gutless at best. As I said before, they changed testing methods in 2015, and the Micra now gets similar fuel economy as its competitors. Also, you can't get a half-decent small car for $13k tax in, unless you go for a Micra. In addition, the mirage doesn't handle well, and is dangerously underpowered on the highway. Plus, tall people don't fit well in the mirage. I give the fuel economy point to the mirage, but the Micra is a superior car in every way, shape, and form. And I'm not even a Nissan guy.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/11/2015 at 19:04

Indeed! Even at around $13k canadian, tax in, it's still an incredible deal.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/11/2015 at 19:06

Really? That's strange. Are you sure you were looking at the base-model with the stick? Because the automatic is more.

traitor joe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 19:10

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one then!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > traitor joe
04/11/2015 at 19:11

Fair enough. Did you buy a mirage?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 19:41

Ya I noticed the manual one is cheapest but the one with the stick I saw was $11,497. Pretty sure it was the base model, dealer mark up perhaps?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/11/2015 at 20:00

it's probably msrp + freight. Fees add up quickly.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 21:30

Ya the average, new, Kijiji list price in Canada for the base model is $12,303. $1,680 Freight and Gov. Fees and tax is $580. Still works out to about $230 a month at 4.99%

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/11/2015 at 23:16

In Alberta I've seen the absolute base for sale and all in including tax and freight it was just under 12K something like $11,890.00 all in if I remember correctly. CAn't go wrong for that much really.

traitor joe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/12/2015 at 02:21

The price and warranty attracted me but ultimately I decided that buying new is not worth it. If I had to choose though, the mirage would definitely be my first choice. It really is a modern day geo metro, right down to the three-banger! (I find that appealing, for some reason)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/12/2015 at 04:33

...and now no reason to get it over a Mirage.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/12/2015 at 06:17

For a base model on the road it's about $14k canadian so fairly similar. To be honest for that money there are much nicer cars here, the Micra is a bit behind the competition at the moment.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/12/2015 at 12:12

Here, you can't get anything other than a Mirage for that kind of money.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > traitor joe
04/12/2015 at 12:12

I do too. If only it handled better.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
04/12/2015 at 12:16

I've never even seen a Mirage here, I think we get them though. There are a heap of options in that price range here since a lot of people want something small and cheap.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/12/2015 at 12:19

It's only $6 more bi-weekly, or $13,108 compared to $12,975 tax-in. For the extra power and room, I'd say it's worth $133 more.