If you know me at all, you know I love old American cars, and I can’t wait to start and finish building my 1968 Buick Wildcat, or 67 Skylark, if I can trade the Wildcat for one. I have a nice 1970 455 and TH400 combo to go in it.
I don’t think I’ve given enough credit to the car responsible for me being able to travel as much as I do.
THE NISSAN SENTRA! I’ve owned four of them over the last 15 years.
1987 Sentra E, Bought with 74,000 miles, and traded in with 174,000
1991 Sentra XE, Bought with 101,000 miles, and traded with 264,000
1994 Sentra SE-R, Bought with 74,000 miles, and traded with 234,000
2001 Sentra SE, Bought with 15,000 miles, and still going with 407,000!
I have put 815,000 miles on four cars!! All with very few problems that are not considered normal maintenance.
I would not be able to do what I do for a living without all four of these cars. I have only had to get a rental car one time due to a breakdown. A comedian’s car is their best friend on the road, and I’ve had four really good ones. And to Nissan’s credit they have gotten better with each one I have owned. The 2001 SE is has been the best by far and, is nothing short of amazing. It has the same SR20DE engine as the 94’ SE-R with a few minor differences, with a 5 speed transmission. I cannot say enough good things about my SE, it keeps taking everything I throw at it, and keeps asking for more. It’s been through some of the most horrific winter conditions you can imagine, -50 temperatures, blizzards, white outs etc… I have even had to put it into a ditch to avoid an accident, and it didn’t even need an alignment afterwards!
Keep in mind I am a freak about maintenance, I never let little problems linger to big ones, and there has yet to be a big one. (Knocking on wood) I change the oil with Mobil 1 synthetic every five thousand miles, and use Lucas Oil treatment and Lucas Oil fuel injector cleaner on a regular basis. The transmission also has synthetic gear oil and Lucas Oil treatment in it as well. I keep it as clean as possible, I wash it after every prolonged road trip, wax it at least once a year, and keep the interior as clean as I can after having to basically live in it 40+ weeks a year. (Yes a clean car does run better, but you can’t ignore everything else and just wash it either.) I have been lucky not have had any major problems yet, but that doesn’t mean I have never spent any money to keep the Sentra in good working order. A good running car requires normal maintenance above and beyond oil changes. Tune ups, belts, sensors, brakes, hoses, filters etc…Any of these things left unattended will lead to a much bigger problem in the future.
Here is a list of what I’ve had to do to my Sentra, and yes it’s still normal maintenance, but look at the mileage I had to replace these parts.
Thermostat: 200,000
Alternator bearings: 200,000
Oxygen sensors: 150-200,000
Mass air flow sensor: 175,000
Power steering hoses: 230,000
Air intake temperature sensor: 250,000
Rear wheel bearings: 220,000
Struts (front & rear): 310,000
Clutch assembly: 320,000
Starter: 400,000
Front brake caliper brackets: 403,000
If you think the list of replaced parts is long, just think about how long the list would be of parts that are still going strong for 407,000 miles! Keep in mind I’ve driven over eight hundred thousand miles and only put in ONE clutch! That can’t all be proper driving.
My OCD about car care is only responsible for maybe 40% of my cars insane life span. The other 60% has to it’s just an incredibly well built Nissan. I’d like to thank Nissan for building such a great car, and thank you to my Sentra SE for being there for me every time I’ve needed you. You’ve made my life on the road easier, and made sure I’ve made it to my gigs on time. Most importantly you’ve made sure I’ve made it home safely hundreds of times.