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 1 through 10 of 43.00

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  Nissan Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By runchamp - November 25 - 10:30 am

  Reliable. Very strong exterior I have been in an accident that involved the back bumper and you cant even tell. you should see the other car!

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  Like it - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By tata201037 - October 10 - 7:06 pm

  I love my Sentra, I got it for my 16th birthday. It gets great gas mileage, about 35 mpg, when on empty it only takes $25 to fill it up. It has pretty good get up and go for a four cylinder, faster than a honda civic off the go. The seats are kinda stiff but other than that its a nice interior. It has power everything, and even keyless remote entry. There pretty nice cars for their year. I personally like it better than its Toyota or honda competitors. Fun cars to play with and customize. One thing i dont like about it is that its not very safe, no ABS, no side-compact airbags, very light design, and poor stability on the road. Great car, fast for what it is, and attractive for what it is.

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  Failed Transmission - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Saqib - March 17 - 10:00 am

  Owned it since 1997. In 2001, automatic transmission started giving transmission problems. Car would jump into a higher gear with RPM screaming high.. and it just wouldnt go into overdrive. Had it repaired from St. Louis dealership after I moved to Missouri in 2001. Transmission worked fine for 1 year.. then same problem again. Had tramission repaired yet again (spent another $500+ including ordering cable wire), car has been fine since then (8 months ago).

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  Buy what you really want - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By New Dad - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a smart, practical choice for a low-budget commuter with a small family. Gas mileage experienced was 3- 4 MPG above EPA estimates. Repairs were infrequent and inexpensive. You can put 4 tires on this car for $100! That being said, all 5-speed Sentra / 200SX have a design flaw in the gearbox. Third gear is notoriously weak, even in the SE-R. A new replacement transmission can run as high as $2,200. You may be able to get a used transmission installed for as little as $800, but thats on a car whose trade-in value is only $1,800.

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  NISSAN IS GREEEAAAT!!! - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By andria - December 19 - 4:46 am

  This is a great car!!!

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  Good car for the money - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By mholly99 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Sentra used with 94000 miles on it. Good reliable little car with GREAT gas mileage. No problems so far and I got a great deal on it. Perfect for a college student like me.

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  1997 Nissan Satisfaction - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Mel J. - April 21 - 10:00 am

  trouble free durable body and paint durable mechanically durable interior make up

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  Rusty Bucket - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Homecmk - December 2 - 2:00 am

  The driveshaft starting rusting before the end of the year and I dont even live near the beach. The door panels are likely made from recycled tin cans considering the thinness. The noise level are outragous on the freeways.

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  Sentra - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By John Mevalani - November 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is so reliable, surprising power, fuel economic (twin cams). this car is also very underrated (as good or even better than a civic which is also overrated).

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  Great Workhorse! Fuel Efficient! - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By Raj - October 21 - 2:53 pm

  Ive been the original owner of this impressive & amazingly reliable car. Its taken me through school, camping, and long road trips accumulating 232,000 miles. Apart from the routine tires, battery, and brakepads Ive only had to replace the alternator & starter within the last 30,000 miles. That means this baby took me 200,000 miles before I had to do anything more than replace the oil!! Ive outgrown it now and need a truck for the stuff I like to haul around, but I sure wish I could keep it for my routine commutes as the gas mileage is fantastic getting 30-33mpg in city. Nissan did good when they sent this one off the production line.