Overview & Reviews

The base model is now simply called "Base" instead of S. Nissan works to quiet the Sentra's interior by using a bigger muffler and reducing the number of suspension-mounting points.

• Relatively powerful engine, nice interior ergonomics, and good fuel economy.

• Boring styling.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 43.00

• 

  Cant beat it with a stick - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Roy Yeager - December 4 - 6:13 am

  We bought this car new in 1997. It is a 5 speed with the 1.6 engine. 203,000 miles later it is still a good solid car that has had nothing but normal wear repairs for a car with this many miles. After it hit 170,000 I have replaced 1 starter, EGR valve, oxygen sensor and driver side axle. It developed a main seal leak at 180,000 which I havent fixed yet but will. With that done I would drive it cross country. Still has the original clutch. 38 MPG average and 42 MPG on the interstate running 75 to 80. Its part of the family.

• 

  A solid, reliable, used car. - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By J.R. - June 15 - 12:43 pm

  Have had my 97 GXE for seven years, and it has been an excellent choice in a used car. Just under 100,000 miles on it, and it delivers a solid 27 MPG in mostly city traffic and needs very little maintenance. This is a commuter car, though, no doubt. The 1.6L engine and auto transmission are pretty well paired and give good power delivery. Seats in the 1997 models are lacking, particularly in lumbar support. Spirited driving is definitely not recommended, as youll quickly hit the limitations of a soft suspension and too-small brakes for the class. Still, if you can find a 95-99 with low miles that hasnt been flogged hard, its a good choice for a kids first car or a station car.

• 

  171k miles - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By 171k miles - February 18 - 7:53 am

  I bought this car used with 171k miles for my girlfriend to drive. I paid $1800.00 and the car has new tires and paint. I invested another $100.00 in a radio and a hubcap (both missing). I took the car to my mechanic who suggested an alignment, then took the car for CA emmissions. It passed. Since then I have had to replace clogged windshield washer sprayers.

• 

  Good Car - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Toni23 - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car new in 97, it has 67,000 miles, and it still is as reliable as the first day I bought it. The only thing that has failed (major or minor) is the ingnition coil in my distributor, which I was told is a freak occurance in any car. The only major drawback with this car is its lack of power which can get frusterating when accelerating uphill or passing cars.

• 

  Sentra-97 Performance Review - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Niaz Khwaja - December 30 - 10:00 am

  It is a good comfortable vehicle. Runs very smooth. Engine has no problem. Fuel pump is noisy.

• 

  starting to go! - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By bianchi - September 12 - 10:00 am

  My sentra has been wonderful up until 120,000 miles. Check eng. light has been on for 3 years and as I get one thing fixed the light comes on again. Given up, just put in 2 new sensors the Mass Air sensor and the Map sensor both were very costly, over 1,000 dollars combined. Check eng. light still on. The car is losing power on hills and when the AC is running. The eng. now is beginning to make a ratteling noise it was fixed before when I put in the new sensors. The car has over 150,000 miles and over all I havent put very much money into it. I will not put any more money into it either. When it dies its gone. Over all its been a great car!

• 

  1997 NISSAN SENTRA - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By dora5 - July 26 - 7:51 pm

  I owned the GXE Automatic for 14 years until my accident, and loved it. There are still many on the road. This was a great car!

• 

  A solidly built, reliable compact car. - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Josh R. - March 25 - 8:00 am

  This is an unobtrusive little compact sedan that doesnt ask much of its owner - but admittedly doesnt inspire love and affection in turn. This is not a Mini or a Corvette we have here, though - its fuel-thrifty transportation, a Point A-to-B car. Pickup from the 1.6L inline-four when coupled to the automatic is unimpressive until the engine kicks into high RPMs. Adding an aftermarket intake and exhaust system really helps. Brakes are a tad small for the vehicle but are serviceable. Interior is probably the best thing: good use of space, fit and finish is nice for a compact. Standard seats, though, have no lumbar or lateral support whatsoever. Overall, not bad-made in the USA too!

• 

  Bad Rear Struts - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By frank - March 14 - 9:50 pm

  We bought this car for a teenaged daughter, it had a very rough first sixty thousand miles. The woman who owned it hit everything in her way. We bought her cheap, replaced 3 bent wheels, a bent back axle, light body work, lots was already done. I replaced an alternator at 98 thousand, and just replaced my third set of rear struts also replacing the springs this time. Hopefully to change my luck. The car runs nice for what it is.

• 

  Great car, Worst Dealer - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By naidu - January 8 - 2:26 pm

  This is a wonderful car. I used it heavily(from Toronto to DC, NH to Detroit). No problems except brake maintainance. Dealership however SUCKS BIG TIME. Their service departments only goal is to mint money. They suggested all unnecessary maintenance and make you pay. For a beutifully working car, they proposed $1000 worth maintenance 2 years ago. I didnt do any of them and the car is still great! Now I use STS.