2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V or 2006 Hyundai Tiburon?

[john.jacob]

Hello Everyone.

Just joined the forums. Im about to purchase a vehicle. I have it narrowed down to two at the moment, just looking for input. I just want a nice reliable daily driver with some attitude, no racing or tuning or nothing like that.

Its down to a 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V and a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon.

Im leaning towards the sentra at the moment. I think there is something to having the top end of a line of cars rather then a base model.

Has anyone had experiences with these cars? The tiburon is alot more flashy looking and leather interior and all. The sentra is quick as hell and unassuming looking.

Any opinions or thoughts are appreciated!

JOHN

[Joe-G]

In my opinion, none of those cars, but if you really had to make a choice i'd go with the Sentra.

Why not consider the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe?

[john.jacob]

ya i have a specific price range i want to stay in. but between the two, im more confident with nissans reliability, although hyundai is getting better from what i hear.

any other opinions on the two?

[Cooked Rice]

Spec V, IIRC they had a oil consumption issue though, many owners got the engines replaced under warranty/factory service bulletin.

[dimi]

I4 or V6 with the tiburon? If you are looking for a 2 door "sporty car", there are better options. A base model RSX destroys both of those in interior, exterior, performance, and fuel economy. It is also very reliable. That would be my choice in the price range.

If you are set on those 2 I would have to say Sentra.

[psycoticclown]

The Sentra if you have to choose between the two, the Tiburon is too much of a girls car imo.

How much are you looking to spend? Theres a lot of cars that'll blow the doors off both those cars and are relatively cheap. I'm assuming you want something fast. RSX like dimi mentioned is nice, older SRT-4 and cobalt SS are both quicker and shouldn't be too much more.

[Eleanor]

Originally posted by john.jacob
im more confident with nissans reliability

[R154]

Sentra spec-v has a 6speed tranny, and is peppy. It has a reasonable interior, and pretty strong aftermarket support.

I would pick the spec v just because I like the overall look better.

[PatrickSponge]

I thought tiberons were great until I seen a grandma with those reflector-style x-ray specs driving one.

[Elaenor]

spec-v, they are a great handling, fun to drive car.

[alloroc]

Took a Hyundai for a test drive once.

Brand new ... made it 4 blocks and a frost plug fell out.

Take the Nissan.

If you really want a girls car though maybe consider a celica of the same year range.

[szw]

Originally posted by Elaenor
spec-v, they are a great handling, fun to drive car.

What the hell happened to your username...oh different accounts..what is going on

[Eleanor]

^ It's Smooth-Op

[shin0bi]

The Tiburon is definitely the nicer looking of the two.
Top Gear had good things to say about the Tib as well.

[Ntense_SpecV]

I'll give me opinions since I own one (02' Spec).

Good -

Decently quick (torque makes it feel faster than it really is).
Handles well in the snow (With snow tires and a LSD).
Good Aftermarket - you will need something for all the bad coming up.

Bad -

Mileage - I only average 400km per tank (I have mods on mine but it will drink the premium like water if you have a heavy foot).
Pre-cat breakup - you should rip the stock OEM manifold off and throw it in the garbage (must get a header).
Can drink Oil (mine does not because I don't beat on it and got rid of the pre-cat) - but you should check it often (not RX-8 often), but at least once a month.
There has been documented head gasket problems.
Feels kinda cheap (it is a tarted up base model Sentra) - 'tinny' doors and cheap plastic interior without a lot of sound deadner.
Most "fast" cars will slaughter the Spec V. It falls flat on it's face past 5k rpm. (the torque makes it feel fast). You will kill base RSX's all day long, however a type S will smoke stock Spec V's.
Torque steer's like crazy (motor mounts help).

Personally I like my car - it's paid off and other than regular maintenance it has been a great car from day 1 as I bought it brand new so I knew what I was getting into. Mine doesn't drink any oil and I have I/H/E and a bunch more little things on it. It's fast enough to get tickets and beat most pedestrian vehicles but any real performance car will beat you, especially from a roll.

[911fever]

neither. both not great choices.

[A790]

Originally posted by PatrickSponge
I thought Tiburon's were great until I saw a grandma with those reflector-style x-ray specs driving one.

Fixed.

[likwid]

Sentra - Family Car
Tiburon - Chick Car

[igotacookie]

In that price range, I'm guessing 15kish. You can afford to get a way better car.

I owned a tib for a while... it is definitely a girls car. You would be doing better on the reliability end since its still under warranty.
Sentra is certainly fugly. The 2004 model got a black dot (BAD) on consumer reports for reliability.

I would try for an RSX type S. Buy privately and spend the money you save from the dealer. Small maintenance inevitably comes up and the money you saved not purchasing from the dealer will make up for it.

[riander5]

That price range is actually alot closer to 10k
Not going to find an rsx-s for that unless you do some serious hunting.

Whoever said the base model rsx outperforms the sentra has obviously never been in a spec v

My friend has one with a few minor modifications and its going strong at 120000 kms without one major issue, its an 04 i believe.

Really quick car and a tourqey engine with a good 6 speed tranny, with his minor bolt ons of intake and exhaust it keeps up to rsx-s no problemo.

Go for the spec v!!