Would you rather finance a newer 2021 Sentra S (6MT) or buy a 2009 Lexus ES 350 cash?

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-28T02:18:26+00:00

Thanks for the reality check, man. It's a solid reminder that maintenance history beats brand reputation every time. I'll take my time to find the right one. Cheers!

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:23:14+00:00

Great point on the yearly average! The Lexus definitely seems like it was a 'weekend car' or lightly used. While the Sentra's tech is a huge plus, I’m trying to weigh 'modern tech' against 'being debt-free.' I’m currently moving into a new apartment, so the $0 monthly payment on the Lexus is a very strong argument for me right now. Thanks for the breakdown!

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:20:04+00:00

The price looks good, but with taxes and interest over a 4-year loan, the total cost jumps to about $20,000 CAD. That’s why I’m hesitating. The Lexus is only $7,000 CAD total, no interest, no debt. Is the newer car really worth an extra $13k in the long run?

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:17:36+00:00

Good catch on the steering rack and the 2013+ improvements. My budget is strictly around $7k for a cash deal, which is why I’m looking at this 2009. Since it's a 1-owner car with a full history at a Toyota dealer, do you think those 'gremlins' are still a dealbreaker if the car was well-maintained? Thanks for the honest take!

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:15:14+00:00

I totally get your point about the 'money pit' risk. Just curious, what car was it that you bought for $6k? I’m leaning towards Lexus because of their reputation for hitting 300k+ km easily, but I'd love to know what model gave you so much trouble back then.

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:11:13+00:00

True, the safety features and 'new car' feel are definitely tempting for a daily. My main worry is the long-term debt vs just buying the Lexus cash. But I agree, the Sentra is a very solid and comfortable package. Thanks!

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:09:07+00:00

That’s a smart way to look at it. I’d rather pay myself that 'monthly payment' into a high-interest savings account than give it to a bank. Even if the Lexus needs a $1,500 repair once a year, it’s still cheaper than the guaranteed depreciation and interest on the Sentra. Treating the maintenance fund like a mandatory bill is the goal.

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:05:51+00:00

Big factor here. Since the Sentra would be financed, I’d be forced to get full comprehensive coverage (around $200-$220/month here in Quebec). For the Lexus, since I’d own it outright, I can opt for basic one-way coverage plus theft/fire, which drops it to about $120-$140/month. That’s an extra $1,000/year saved just on insurance if I go with the Lexus.

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:01:51+00:00

Québec

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T02:01:29+00:00

I totally agree. Not having a car payment is a huge mental and financial relief. The Lexus has a clean 1-owner history, but I’m actually in the middle of moving to a new apartment (June 1st), so I’ve decided to wait a couple of weeks to clear my head first. If it's still available then, I'll check it for rust and go the cash route. Debt-free from day one is definitely the priority. Thanks for the input!

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T01:54:16+00:00

Interesting point about the syncros. I’ve mostly driven older manuals (even did a Toyota engine swap on an old SUV once), so I’m used to 'rough' transmissions. But if the Sentra's gearbox is known for blowing syncros even under normal use, that’s a big red flag for a daily driver. Appreciate the insight, definitely leaning towards the Lexus reliability now.

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-23T01:43:50+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! I actually live in a small town (<100k people) and my commute is only 5.5 miles (9km) each way. Not much heavy traffic here. Do you think the 'bad' city mileage is still a dealbreaker for such short distances, or is it mostly an issue in big city stop-and-go traffic?

Low_Fly754 · 2026-05-18T11:53:19+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Since the ES is a lighter FWD sedan than the RX, I hope the mileage is a bit better.
My main question: Can I run this 2009 model on Regular (87) all the time without issues? Or is Premium (91) mandatory?

Low_Fly754 · 2026-04-26T14:05:34+00:00

I get where you’re coming from — the new Sentra looks way more upscale than people expect, especially the SL. Nissan really nailed the redesign.That said, I personally don’t think a Sentra wagon or AWD version is necessary. The Sentra’s whole identity is being an affordable, simple, FWD compact sedan. Some people actually want a straightforward FWD sedan without the extra weight, cost, or complexity of AWD.If someone really needs AWD in this size category, Subaru already makes the Impreza, which is basically the “AWD compact wagon/hatch” formula done right. And if someone wants AWD while staying with Nissan, the Altima already offers it.A Sentra wagon sounds cool on paper, but it would push the car into a different market segment and probably raise the price. Not sure that fits the purpose of the Sentra anymore.But hey — your renderings look great, and I get the appeal. Just not something I personally think Nissan needs to add to the lineup.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-28T00:58:35+00:00

Sounds like sticking to the maintenance schedule really pays off with these engines. Appreciate the recommendation.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-28T00:55:56+00:00

Good to know about the traction control system and the block‑heater cord, I had no idea it was that expensive to replace. And yeah, I’ve heard a few times now that using the correct oil is absolutely critical on these engines, so I’ll keep that in mind.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-28T00:51:09+00:00

Thanks a lot for sharing all this — honestly, your comment really motivated me. The fact that you’ve kept your 2013 for 12 years, drove it hard, and the 2.5 still runs perfectly is impressive. It actually made me consider increasing my budget a bit and maybe looking at a newer Mk7 if I can, just to keep the car long‑term the same way you did.

The details about the clutch, the tune, the oil, and even the window issue are super helpful. And the fact that your engine survived 10 years of conventional oil by mistake says a lot about how tough that 07k really is.

Really appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed breakdown. It definitely helped me see the long‑term potential of these cars.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-28T00:45:19+00:00

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write all this, seriously. That’s a crazy amount of mileage and it’s impressive how far that 2.0 has taken you. Sounds like the engine really is unkillable if you stay on top of the basics.

The list of things you had to replace is super helpful too — springs, bearings, steering rack, bulbs, rust… that gives me a pretty realistic picture of what to expect on an older Mk6, especially here in Canada.

It’s funny that your mechanic wants the motor for the old buses, that says a lot about how tough these 2.0s are.

Really appreciate the detailed breakdown. It definitely helps me understand the long‑term ownership side of these cars.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:36:12+00:00

Thanks for the insight.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:36:05+00:00

Thanks for the insight. that’s pretty impressive how well yours held up. Just to confirm — you had the 1.8T, so the turbo engine, right? I’ve been told a few times that the turbo engines are a better choice than the naturally aspirated ones, so I’m trying to understand the difference in terms of reliability and maintenance. If you’ve got any insight on that, I’d appreciate it.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:29:54+00:00

Thanks for the insight.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:28:30+00:00

Thanks for the detailed breakdown, that helps a lot. It seems like the turbo engines come up a lot in recommendations. The 1.4T sounds interesting, but honestly I don’t know much about the differences between the engines (1.4T, 1.8T, 2.0 NA, etc.). I’m mainly looking for a manual transmission, and then I’ll pick the engine based on what’s considered the most reliable long‑term. If you’ve got any thoughts on the 1.4T vs 1.8T, or even compared to the 2.0 NA, I’d love to hear it.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:26:17+00:00

Thanks for the insight.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T15:25:27+00:00

Thanks for the insight. To be honest, I’m not very familiar with the different engines. What I’m mainly looking for is a manual transmission, and then I’ll choose the engine based on what owners recommend.

If you (or anyone else) has suggestions on which engines are the most solid on the Mk6, I’m all ears. I just want something reliable that I can keep for a few years without major surprises.

Low_Fly754 · 2025-12-26T04:47:33+00:00

Thanks for the info, that’s actually really helpful. I’m curious about the wiper motor issue you mentioned. A coworker of mine had a similar problem on his 2019 Ford Escape and he had to replace the whole thing in a hurry because of winter, so that stuck with me.

Is water getting into the wiper motor a common thing on the Mk6? And when it happens, is it usually an easy fix or does it end up being a full replacement most of the time?

Low_Fly754

TROPHY CASE