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Hi all. I recently discovered cleanmpg.com and have enjoyed reading some of the posts here. Today, I put down a deposit on a 2007 Nissan Versa. I am trading my 2003 Dodge Ram with Hemi V-8.

I've been planning this trade and have researched what to buy for a few months. After narrowing it down to the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Versa, I decided on the latter. I based the decision on interior room, standard equipment and safety features.

My goal is to learn enough from this site to see fuel economy from my Versa that compares to the EPA estimates for the Fit and Yaris. I'm going to post a question on the General Forum about break-in techniques that can help future FE.

Joe

Hi Joe:

___Welcome to CleanMPG and boy did you make a great decision with the Versa vs. the RAM. As for break in, I would take the tire pressures up and then ride the OEM fluids for at least 5,000 miles. Once that period is up, then we can begin the real business of wringing the Versa out for all she’s worth. Do not expect miracles as the Versa was designed with a performance bent for whatever reason but the EPA will be so far back in your rear view mirror when you get done with CleanMPG bootcamp, you will wonder why the EPA rated her so low to begin with ;)

___Good Luck and congrats on the Versa purchase. I liked the Versa for its std. amenities as well.

___Wayne

Welcome! I had a good look at a Versa that I found parked in front of the local Home Depot. It looked pretty darned good to me!

How did you get it configured, transmission-wise? 5-spd or CVT? (Is there a regular automatic option there as well? Can't remember...) Any idea when you'll get to pick it up?

You are going to love the improvement in FE right when you drive it off the lot vs. that Ram. And as Wayne said, after break in of both the car and driver you should be able to do even more impressive things!

after reading much and repling to those interested in FE at the nissanversa.org forums, I have opinionated that the 6spd is still better than the CVT in terms of savings in your pocket. Not only the 6spd has sweet gear ratios for CITY DRIVING, but it also has the efficency bonus from engine to wheels (it seems this CVT has a lot of friction losses from all the MPG reported by the members... low 30's while 6spd drivers are averaging over 35 mpg). Although the CVT has some coasting features for speeds under 40 mph, and the smoothnes of the transmission, however, its up to you if you want to work for more savings or not ;)

In the end, i'm glad a versa guy joined up here at cleanmpg! its awesome to see another side of cars rather than what the majority applies.

Welcome!

I'm expecting the Versa to come in to the dealer in 3-4 weeks and then it will be dealer-traded for the car that I want. I specified the 6-sp manual.

In the 'S' model, choices are 6MT or 4AT. In the 'SL' model, choices are 6MT or CVT. I'm going with the 'S'.

Being without a truck is going to be a big change since I've driven one most of my adult life. We have a small organic livestock farm so I've justified the 95% of the time when the truck only carried my 180# self with the 5% of the time when we actually needed the cargo capacity. Then, this spring, my wife wanted to trade the family minvan for a family Jeep Commander. After that, it hit me that I didn't need the truck anymore - just a trailer that the Jeep can pull when we need to haul something big. The Jeep gets better FE than the truck so with the trade for the Versa, it's a win-win.

Thanks for the welcome.
Joe

Welcome to CleanMPG!

I've read stuff that stated if everyone traded down to a little trimmer vehicle like LiberyFarm, pain at the pump would be gone - at least under $2.50 a gallon. :)

Welcome to Cleanmpg. Enjoy your stay! :)

Took delivery of my Versa (6MT) yesterday (9/13) and the mailman brought my ScanGaugeII today (9/14). :woot: (I decided not to wait for the data logging feature since it's not worth the extra money to me).

As soon as I got it home, I pumped up the tires to 46 PSI. Right now I'm learning the ins & outs of the transmission, etc. and concentrating on a good break-in.

Looking forward to learning more from ya'll.

Joe

Hello, Joe. Whaddya know? :p