Nissan

The Price of Goodness Keeps Going Down: 2008 Nissan Versa

by Martin Swig
Early each year, I do a 1000+ mile reconnaissance to lay out the route of the California Mille. We seek scenic driver’s roads throughout Northern California. When it came time to make that run this year, I had three modern cars in my garage—a six-speed Audi A4 Avant, a Porsche Cayman, and a base model Nissan Versa automatic.


I decided to use the Nissan, and I’m here to tell you I was dazzled. It’s a French, Japanese and Mexican masterpiece. I’ve always liked certain qualities about French cars; their big seats, soft-but-controlled suspension and their practical shape. Who doesn’t like Japanese cars, with their quality-build and long, trouble-free life? And who doesn’t like cheap, as in low-cost? This $13,000 Nissan is a homely French-style 5-door hatchback, built to Nissan quality standards in low-cost Mexico. It’s a magical blend of qualities in a totally forgettable appearance package.

But what a drive! A 122 horsepower, smooth and aurally-pleasing 1.8 four-cylinder, paired with an equally smooth and responsive four-speed automatic, and that absorb-all...

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