'02 Protege ES or '02 Sentra SE-R???

[empyre180]

Ok, I'm at a crossroads. I really love the ES manual. I've been looking for one (the right one) here in Fl for about 3 months now...to no avail. Recently I've stumbled across some Sentra SE-Rs. I'm looking at one of each right now, ES and SE-R, trying to figure out which direction to go. The SE-R definately has a lot more power than the ES, but I'm not sure if that's enough to sway me. I have yet to drive the Nissan, so I can't really comment on that first hand yet. I only know what I've read in various reviews. And from what the "experts" are saying, it sounds like the Nissan SE-R is a great handling vehicle too, one of the main reasons I've wanted an ES. Plus that extra power stuffed into a fairly light vehicle?....It's tempting. I'd like to know all of your thoughts. ..Pro/Cons. I know this is a very pro-mazda forum (obviously), but I'd appreciate if you could be as objective as possible.

Thanks.

 

[D-rock240]

The SE-R does have more power, but I like the design/layout/ride of the Proteg more.

 

[DiS]

Are you looking at SE-R or SE-R Spec V?

As far as comparing SE-R Spec V to a Protege...both cars are incredibly great.
Yea SE-R spec V has 2.5L 175hp
My friend has a 2002 Spec V and its very nice. Great suspention, I gotta say. Although when I bought my car (WHEN it was stock, hehe) he drove it and said that he likes Protege suspention alot better than his Sentra's. Also he said that Protege motor is torqy (pulls good...even stock). Its a hard choice. Sentra is very spacious though. Lots of room. Trunk is huge. Deppending on the price range of your spending limit, I'd go for SE-R spec-V. Some guy on my friend's forums made around 320hp on T3 turbo. Plus Nissan motors are ******* strong. Look at 4th gen. Nissan Maxima (1995-1999 models......I have 1997 one). The VQ30DE motor holds up to 370-400hp on stock internals. Cant beat that.

 

[ChefChris]

Protege hands down....(ughdance)

 

[DiS]

Protege hands down....(ughdance)

hehe I would say same thing because I own one, but I can't dismiss the Nissan. I heart both, heh.

 

[empyre180]

Are you looking at SE-R or SE-R Spec V?

I'm considering the SE-R, not the Spec V. I'm not interested in the Spec V, only because it requires premium fuel...not interested in going down that road. I have about 8k +/- cash to spend. I agree with what some of you have said about the design of the ES. I do like it more than the Nissan, especially the interior. I'm not too fond of red seats...lol The only reason I've recently been checking out the SE-R is because it's a bit easier to find than a nice manual ES, plus, like the ES, it has a nice sport tuned suspension, which is really what I want. Horsepower isn't as important to me as handling. I've been trying to find an ES for a few months now...frustrating. If anyone has any leads, please let me know.

 

[DiS]

well if you're looking for a manual trans. car......I got bad news for you. According to nissanusa.com, SE-R only comes in auto transmission. Just a minor detail...

 

[empyre180]

well if you're looking for a manual trans. car......I got bad news for you. According to nissanusa.com, SE-R only comes in auto transmission. Just a minor detail...

If I'm not mistaken, I think the SE-R lost it's manual option in '04. But I've seen '02/'03 SE-Rs with 5 speed manual. All in all, I would prefer the Protege ES. There just so damn hard to come by. By the time I see one listed online and contact the dealer, it's already sold.(ughdance)

 

[Rac3rX]

If I'm not mistaken, I think the SE-R lost it's manual option in '04. But I've seen '02/'03 SE-Rs with 5 speed manual. All in all, I would prefer the Protege ES. There just so damn hard to come by. By the time I see one listed online and contact the dealer, it's already sold.(ughdance)

Forget the SE-R unless its a Spec V

If you cant find a ES get a 02+ LX, not much of a diference (And it will take any ES parts, not that it needs any) & will handle as well with aftermarket suspention parts, and its also got the same motor. The LX should be much easier to find, and the Diferences are more Cosmetic (but not only) then anything.

 

[DiS]

If I'm not mistaken, I think the SE-R lost it's manual option in '04. But I've seen '02/'03 SE-Rs with 5 speed manual. All in all, I would prefer the Protege ES. There just so damn hard to come by. By the time I see one listed online and contact the dealer, it's already sold.(ughdance)

You're correct about the SE-R and its auto trans. SE-R Spec V on the other hand is like MSP protege, manual trans. only.

Yea actually I dont see alot of Protege's on the road at all. At least not as many as any other car. That's one of the reasons why I bought my baby. Just wanted to be different.

Forget the SE-R unless its a Spec V

If you cant find a ES get a 02+ LX, not much of a diference (And it will take any ES parts, not that it needs any) & will handle as well with aftermarket suspention parts, and its also got the same motor. The LX should be much easier to find, and the Diferences are more Cosmetic (but not only) then anything.

ES is a bit different from LX/DX. ES has rear disk brakes unlike drums on LX/DX, also ES comes with a sunroof and 5 lug wheels. LX and DX have 4 lug pattern. Also the suspension is different on ES than LX/DX.

 

[Lani]

If I'm not mistaken, I think the SE-R lost it's manual option in '04. But I've seen '02/'03 SE-Rs with 5 speed manual. All in all, I would prefer the Protege ES. There just so damn hard to come by. By the time I see one listed online and contact the dealer, it's already sold.(ughdance)

I'm selling my 2002 Protege ES with a manual transmission for a Mazda 3S soon. Too bad you don't live closer.

 

[Rac3rX]

ES is a bit different from LX/DX. ES has rear disk brakes unlike drums on LX/DX, also ES comes with a sunroof and 5 lug wheels. LX and DX have 4 lug pattern. Also the suspension is different on ES than LX/DX.

I know all this, The differences in the suspention are Minute and Un-noticeable (Ive Drive both Hard as hell) When you toss on some aftermarket goodies in, it simply becomes irrelevant.

The brakes are better but, its no big deal as you can do a Drum to Disc swap.

Sooooooooooo Like I was saying, If you cant find a ES, go for a LX. All you need to do is is a Drum to Disc brake conversion and BANG same car.

 

[empyre180]

I know all this, The differences in the suspention are Minute and Un-noticeable (Ive Drive both Hard as hell) When you toss on some aftermarket goodies in, it simply becomes irrelevant.

The brakes are better but, its no big deal as you can do a Drum to Disc swap.

Sooooooooooo Like I was saying, If you cant find a ES, go for a LX. All you need to do is is a Drum to Disc brake conversion and BANG same car.

Yeah, I hear ya. But I really don't want to have to do anything to get an LX where I want it. I just want to get an ES that doesn't need anything.

 

[Rac3rX]

Yeah, I hear ya. But I really don't want to have to do anything to get an LX where I want it. I just want to get an ES that doesn't need anything.

The LX would be priced cheaper and a drum to brake conversion could be done with the savings, and you could get better thain stock ES brakes, and laugh.

The LX stoppes pretty well (I was in a 8 car pile up & I was the only car NOT to hit the car infront of me) There is ALOT of Body lean though & rear discs would reduce that for sure.

HOWEVER I would take a LX Pro over a SE-R any day of the Week, a Spec V would be a diferent story.

But its your Money.

 

[empyre180]

I'm selling my 2002 Protege ES with a manual transmission for a Mazda 3S soon. Too bad you don't live closer.

I'm not completely opposed to flying somewhere for the right car. You're in Connecticut?...At least that's east coast.

You have any pics of your car?

 

[empyre180]

The LX would be priced cheaper and a drum to brake conversion could be done with the savings, and you could get better thain stock ES brakes, and laugh.

The LX stoppes pretty well (I was in a 8 car pile up & I was the only car NOT to hit the car infront of me) There is ALOT of Body lean though & rear discs would reduce that for sure.

HOWEVER I would take a LX Pro over a SE-R any day of the Week, a Spec V would be a diferent story.

But its your Money.

Sounds like good advice. I appreciate it. The Spec V isn't even an option. I'm not going to buy something that needs premium fuel.

 

[DiS]

Sounds like good advice. I appreciate it. The Spec V isn't even an option. I'm not going to buy something that needs premium fuel.

no need to use premium fuel. My friend with 2002 Spec V uses 89 octane.

 

[99 Pro]

The SE-R does have more power, but I like the design/layout/ride of the Proteg more.

Word!

 

[zentrandi]

even if the sentra has more power and the engine is built stronger... the protege still looks better... man sentra's are ugly

 

[jred321]

consider the previous sentra se 2.0 (2000-2001 i think), it still had the sr20 engine which blows the protege and the new se-r engine out of the water