Success or not? Only time will tell... (got a Versa Note 5spd to replace Ford F250) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bentring · 03-12-2015, 09:57 PM

So a few weeks ago I asked for opinions on what you folks thought about what kind of vehicle I should use for work. I thought about things and went down a few different paths that would always end up in hours spent researching and finally made a decision that I had always said I would never do.

I'd like to present Vera Lynn to you.

Getting anything without someone else taking the new car depreciation hit has always been against my nature. She had 16 miles on the odometer when I took it for a test drive. She's a 2015 Nissan Versa Note S with a 1.6 liter and manual everything except the mirrors, which is just what I wanted. I'm of the opinion that the more they keep putting in vehicles just means there's more to break. Considering I prefer to tend to keep them a while and maintain my own vehicles this is a huge plus.

The only thing I wish I could have had that was not available in this trim was the auto closing shutters. Amusingly enough, the auto is rated at 31/40 while the manual is 27/36, and the manual is only available in the lowest trim. I've really missed having a manual and no way was I going to get another automatic, even if I could have jumped up a level or two in trim for the same price.

The truck this replaces was a 1993 F250 7.3 liter diesel I had owned for about 11 years, and I hated to see it go. But after running the numbers, just fuel was averaging me about a quarter a mile, and prices won't stay this low forever. Parts for that trucks are super cheap compared to newer ones, but stuff like the diesel tax and 10 quarts of oil per change also add up pretty quickly.

Going by a combination of KBB and Edmunds the total cost of ownership for this should be in the range of 35 cents per mile at the five year mark. I couldn't resist the idea of having a factory (and extended) warranty for while plus something I can know the history of rather than playing the used car lottery as I have always had, for not too much less money.

dirtydave · 03-12-2015, 10:39 PM

wait you got the manual or auto?

bentring · 03-12-2015, 11:00 PM

I got the manual. Finding a manual was one of the biggest hurdles I kept encountering when searching for (especially used) vehicles I could see working for my needs.

dirtydave · 03-12-2015, 11:04 PM

good choice! I am proud of you!

I like the car! its nice! good find!

the manual opens up so much opportunity for MPG!
I bet it got worse MPG on the EPA test from wrong shift points and high RPMS at highway speed?

how many RPM's at 60MPH?

MetroMPG · 03-13-2015, 12:56 AM

Hey, congrats!

I haven't driven a Note, but I have driven the Canadian market Nissan Micra, which is built on a slightly shortened Versa platform and shares the exact same 1.6L engine, manual transmission, and many interior bits:

I like the Note's styling. And it's got a ridiculous amount of legroom in the back seat, eh?

Also, congrats on getting the manual! You'll be able to blow the EPA ratings out of the water with only basic eco-driving techniques.

The Note's CVT is really good at saving fuel (it's the same transmission as used in the Mitsu Mirage, and I've never driven a non-hybrid transmission that tries so hard to save fuel as that one does). Still, you'll be able to beat it with the manual in city and combined driving for sure. The exception may be on a 100% highway trip, depending on speed/RPM.

Dave, FYI here's the speed vs. RPM chart for the manual Micra. I'm almost certain the Note has the same gearing:

Like many (most?) modern manuals, it revs way higher than it needs to in top gear (in this eco-driver's opinion).

FYI, some Micra fuel economy related threads:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...cra-30059.html

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ing-28897.html

bentring · 03-13-2015, 01:29 AM

From what I've read, Nissan has been putting a ton of effort into their CVT automatics the last few years. The wife has a 2013 Pathfinder with a CVT and it gets low to mid 20s mpg with her letting it idle for 20-30 minutes a day waiting on the kids at school. That said, I'm just not particularly overjoyed by the way it feels. I mean, it does the job just fine, and has plenty of get up and go, but it's just meh overall. It just doesn't feel like you are connected to the car like in the old days.

From what I've read, having the 1.6 powering the CVT makes for a dull and gutless feeling ride in the Note. They tried to get me to drive one but I wasn't interested and didn't bother. Nissan says it's the fact that the CVT can allow the engine to operate at it's peak efficiency by using the gear ratio that is most efficient rather than by using whichever gear ratio is closest. I also wouldn't doubt the CVT having a higher final highway ratio.

I can't quite remember the 60 mph rpm but I'll try to remember to check.

jcp123 · 03-13-2015, 01:54 AM

Not a bad choice. Having worked briefly at a Nissan dealer, I became rather dissatisfied with their products, but most have since been redesigned. I do congratulate you most heartily on purchasing one with stick, I have over the last couple of years become dissatisfied with automatics in general.

Looks pretty promising, as you say time will tell. Keep plugging away and let us know how she performs for you!

MetroMPG · 03-13-2015, 08:09 AM

Remind us again what your typical drive is like. (If you have one.)

digital rules · 03-13-2015, 08:21 AM

Congratulations, you made the right move getting a manual. Earlier Nissan CVT's don't have the best track record. Hopefully they have improved their reliability, but CVT's will NEVER beat a properly driven manual (OK maybe on the highway thanks to the gearing advantage)

Taken from Autoblog

I am used to driving with a CVT...I had one in my Prius and it was flawless. I purchased a 2013 this past May and it has been in the shop twice already with a replaced Torque Converter and reprogramming the CVT. It is going in again tomorrow for the shuddering of the car from the CVT. As far as the pompous ass that wrote the article above....he questioned if we ever tested the Pathfinder before we bought it...yes we did and it ran great until it hit 4000 plus miles and then the CVT problems at low speeds occurred. It is apparent that Nissan does not have a solution for the Shuddering of the Pathfinders....pursuing the "Lemon Law" is a viable option at this point. I am used to a CVT.....I had one in my i am used to a cvt...had one in my Prius and it was flawless

MetroMPG · 03-13-2015, 10:01 AM

Man, you read about Nissan CVT's online and it seems to be nothing but bad news.

I believe they even increased their warranty to calm fears, after having problems with an early model that was failure prone.

Mitsu's 10 year powertrain warranty covers the newer JATCO CVT-7, which is the same one used in the Note, Spark and a bunch of other small cars. Which makes me think they must be confident the bugs have been worked out.