She’s 30!

[Otter74]

This is my 1993 Nissan Sentra SE-R. She’s the only new car I’ve ever had, and I drove her home from the dealer (Hickman Nissan in Atlanta) 30 years ago today, a high schoool graduation present from my gradparents. I don’t drive her a lot these days but I’ve always felt that if I got rid of her I’d regret it forever (I’m sentimental). There is a whole lot of embedded history in this car for me. My second track event ever, and periodic track days over the first ten years; a 10,000 mile, month-long road trip to the mountain west and west coast and back when it was five years old; countless trips from Detroit to Atlanta and back, trips to Colorado, etc. I can look at a hundred details on - all of the stickers on the windshield, side glass, and rear window and read the stories they tell me, remember how it got this dent or that scratch; I have had muscle memory for decades with it - the way I automatically extend my ring finger to push the ignition key release button as I turn the key to take it out, the way I rest my elbow on the armrest and pull the door release then flip the lock paddle, the way I pull the driver’s door almost all the way shut then slow down and gently lift it a bit to close it because the bushing in the upper door hinge wore out fifteen years ago, the way I change tracks on the CD player without looking by putting my hand on my knee and extending my ring finger. And so on. That’s all!

[Noah930]

Love the original SE-R. A college buddy had one (red). I had the next generation, slightly bloated 200SX SE-R. That was a fun car to drive, too.

[herr_oberst]

So, you're saying you've bonded with this car? How many mies on the clock?

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Love the original SE-R. A college buddy had one (red). I had the next generation, slightly bloated 200SX SE-R. That was a fun car to drive, too.

In 1996 my dad decided to replace his BMW 320iS and one Saturday we were in my car driving to dealers (he was driving) to look at an E36 318i and an Infiniti G20, when he commented on how much he liked my car and I told him that Nissan was selling its replacement, the 200SX SE-R. That day he bought a new one from the same salesman that I got mine from.

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

So, you're saying you've bonded with this car? How many mies on the clock?

Yeah, a little. Mileage is about 225k. It’s slightly not-stock - Jim Wolf ECU, Hotshot header, strut brace, adjustable KYB AGX struts, stainless brake lines, I’ve got a rear strut brace that I never put on, stuff like that. All that stuff I did about 20 years ago. ECU gives it the best throttle response of anything I’ve driven.

[Bill Douglas]

I haven't seen a two door one before. Really nice!

[pwd72s]

Nicely styled..from the era before cars became rolling jelly beans.

[slow&rusty]

Love anything with a SR20 engine!

Many say these SE-R Sentras were the "new" version of the original Datsun 510 and I agree.

Awesome cars.

[GH85Carrera]

I know that feeling of familiarity that you mentioned. I bought my El Camino in 1991. I personally have put 340,000 miles of the 380,000 miles on it using it as my daily driver. It has been what got to me work and home when I still commuted to work through sub zero temps, ice storms, and 110+ degree heat. I have had to replace the fan speed switch several times but they are just a few bucks. I have had the El Camino longer than I have been married. Like an old pair of shoes or that perfect pair of jeans, it just fits. 98% of the time when we leave the house, it is in the Elky.

[Baz]

Great story!

I had a Datsun 510 wagon back in the early 80's that ran like a scalded cat but so smooth like a swiss watch.

Really great car and would be cool to still own, but you just don't think about preserving your cars when you are younger.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Baz

Great story!

I had a Datsun 510 wagon back in the early 80's that ran like a scalded cat but so smooth like a swiss watch.

Really great car and would be cool to still own, but you just don't think about preserving your cars when you are younger.

Well maybe some people. Since 1974 I have owned 3 cars. I still have two of them, and I sold my 914 because I did not have a place to park it inside, and I did not want to have three cars to insure and maintain.

My brother has had his daily driver, 1954 VW bug since 1978.

[Otter74]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Love anything with a SR20 engine!

Many say these SE-R Sentras were the "new" version of the original Datsun 510 and I agree.

Awesome cars.

They were compared with both the original 510 and the 2002, and it's a fair comparison for both, but with modern Japanese-car reliability. I got to about 185k miles before I had to replace anything that failed, when the started died on a trip to Colorado.

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I know that feeling of familiarity that you mentioned. I bought my El Camino in 1991. I personally have put 340,000 miles of the 380,000 miles on it using it as my daily driver. It has been what got to me work and home when I still commuted to work through sub zero temps, ice storms, and 110+ degree heat. I have had to replace the fan speed switch several times but they are just a few bucks. I have had the El Camino longer than I have been married. Like an old pair of shoes or that perfect pair of jeans, it just fits. 98% of the time when we leave the house, it is in the Elky.

I was actually reminded of your El Camino when I was writing my post.

My grandmother in Colombia only had one car her whole life - a 1953 Chevy Bel Air 4-door sedan that she got in 1954 (or maybe new) and drove until she died in 1987. I just realized I've had my SE-R almost as long as she had her Chevy.

[GH85Carrera]

One of the many things I love about the Elky is CHEAP parts, that are easy to work on.

I ordered some genuine GM Mr. Goodwrench brake pads a few years ago and they were a whopping $12 delivered to my door. The alternator died on it back in 1992. I went to Autozone to get a replacement, and it is guaranteed for life. For a while they had a real quality control issue and had some rotten alternators. I was swapping it out regularly. It takes me about 15 minutes if I take my time. They finally figured out crappy parts were not a good idea, and now they last years. I bet I have had 10 of them over the years, no charge. Just 15 minutes to change it.

I can change the blower motor in 10 minutes. I never drive with the windows down. Either the fresh air, air conditioner or the heater is running, always. The AC is just amazing. In the days of commuting my car had to sit in the sun on a 100+ degree day, and it was 140 or so inside when I was ready to go home. My commute home was 12 minutes. Usually as I was pulling in my driveway I was feeling cold, and I had to turn the AC down. I wish Porsche had asked GM to design the AC for the G body 911.

[aschen]

Really cool car.

SE-R kinda fell out of my vision for a decade or so. I almost forgot they existed. I blame the end of sport compact car magazine

[expatriot98]

Oh, it's you Bob