The 2008 Nissan Sentra only lasts around 150,000 miles with serious transmission and engine issues. At $3,962 to $5,490 it’s cheap, but you’ll wind up spending more keeping it on the road.
Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra a Good Used Car?
- No, 2008 is a bad year for the Sentra. Owner reviews dislike the maintenance costs, frequent breakdowns, and lack of safety features.
- Interior quality is below average, with a lot of cheap plastic and thin fabric used throughout the cabin, but the technology is relatively up to date compared to rivals.
- Reliability ratings are below average compared to other compact cars. Models from 2009–2010 are good choices, with more mechanical issues returning in 2011.
- Performance is boring from the base 4-cylinder engine, but the larger 4-cylinder offers good power for the car’s size.
- The 2008 Sentra is a safe compact car earning a 5-star overall rating in government tests and only losing points on the rear passenger side impact test where it gets 4 stars.
- Fuel economy is excellent, averaging around 28 MPG, and owners can expect to get about 400 miles of range out of the 14.5 gallon tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Sentra?
- Consumer Reports says the Sentra loses control easily, and has average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Sentra a 4.4/5 and likes the comfortable front seats, but Edmunds doesn’t like the engine noise.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Sentra 4.3/5 and enjoy the interior space, but owners don’t care for the infotainment system issues.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra Have?
The most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Sentra include transmission failures, engine shaking while idling, and tire pressure monitoring system issues. Overall, the transmission issues are more serious than other compact cars from the same year.
Transmission failures are the most common problem with vehicles equipped with the CVT, at around 100,000 miles. The manual transmission is fine, but rare on the used market. This is a known weak-spot across the Nissan lineup, and replacing the transmission costs about $2,300.
The engine shaking while idling is another complaint from owners at around 90,000 miles. The intake manifold or spark plugs are the most likely cause of the problem. A new intake manifold is around $600, and the spark plugs are roughly $200.
Tire pressure monitoring system issues also show up around every 30,000 miles. A failed sensor in the wheel is the most common source of the problem. Fortunately, it’s an easy part to have replaced, only costing around $40.
There are 3 recalls, which is fewer than many other compact cars from 2008. The most serious recall covers the brake master cylinder, which can fail and increase the risk of a crash.
How Long Will the 2008 Nissan Sentra Last?
A well-cared-for 2008 Nissan Sentra should be able to last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact cars according to Repair Pal, at $359 per year.
Since most 2008 Sentra models for sale will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the distributor for $600, the power steering hose costing $650, and the mass air flow sensor, which costs $300.
Yes it is reliable. Not many issues except during the winter the low air in the tire light comes on even though the air in the tires is at a good level.
It is reliable as long as it is kept warm and in use during the cold weather. Car will not turn on after 2 days of not turning on.
Yes, it is reliable. Occasionally, there is some issue that needs to be tweaked/fixed, but it's not breaking down on a regular basis.
If it’s new it doesn’t cause any issues but if it is used then it may have a few problems with it nothing major but like I said it’s very easy to find parts for the car
Yes my Nissan is reliable at the moment. Had to replace the Sparta and coils, also the fuel pump and mass air flow sensor.
Yes it’s reliable. It's only problem is basic wear and tear that every vehicle will get, so it’s good to maintain it
How Much Is the 2008 Nissan Sentra Worth?
Blue book values range from $3,962 to $5,490, making it about $1,000 cheaper than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $16,140 to $20,570. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 13% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Nissan Sentra?
There are five models of the Sentra offered for the 2008 model year. The sixth generation was released for the 2007 model year, and replaced in 2013 with the seventh generation featuring more up to date technology.
2.0 is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Air Conditioning
- Power Windows & Locks
- AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
2.0 S is a step up adding:
- 16-inch Steel Wheels
- Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Cruise Control
- Steering Wheel Stereo Controls
2.0 SL offers more features including:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Keyless Ignition
- Sunroof
- Bluetooth Connectivity
SE-R is a quicker version that comes with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Sport Seats
- Upgraded Suspension
- Aluminum Pedals
SE-R Spec V is the performance model and adds:
- Unique 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Lowered Suspension
- Larger Front Brakes
- Limited Slip Front Differential
What Engines Come In the Nissan Sentra?
- The base engine is an average 2.0L-4-cylinder which makes 140 horsepower and gets up to 28 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the slightly more powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder making 177 horsepower, which gets up to 26 MPG combined.
- The engine found in the Spec V model is a stronger 2.5L 4-cylinder which produces 200 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined. Performance is good for a compact car, taking 6.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Nissan Sentra Come In?
How Big Is the Nissan Sentra?
The 2008 Nissan Sentra is an average compact car, similar in size to rivals like the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. Passenger room is average throughout the cabin for a small sedan, but there is limited legroom for adults in the backseats.
Cargo space is better than some other compact cars with 13.1 cubic feet of room in the trunk, which is enough space for 3-4 suitcases.
How Does the Nissan Sentra Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan Sentra is among the worst compact cars from 2008, and combines mechanical problems and a low-quality interior, making it a car to avoid.
The Toyota Corolla is another compact car which costs about $1,100 more. Ownership costs are lower on the Toyota Corolla, but there’s some newer technology in the Nissan Sentra. We recommend the Toyota Corolla since they last much longer, and have fewer mechanical issues.
The Nissan Altima is another choice from Nissan costing about $1,500 more. Passenger space is better in the Nissan Altima, but the Nissan Sentra is quicker with the performance models. We recommend avoiding both sedans, since they have a lot of costly transmission problems.
Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Sentra?
Yes it is. Reliable, affordable and good on gas. Easy to park and handles well. Good size on the inside but not a big vehicle on the outside.
Generally yes. However, if we are to be honest, it does not do too well in the cold weather. Battery was replaced but problem continued.
Yes. It is so good because I drive it to work everyday and have no issues. I get the usual oil change and there is no other maintenance to be done.
Yes, it is consistent and rarely breaks down. For a used car, it is very reliable and a good economic choice.
Yes, it’s a very good vehicle you need like 20 dollars to fill up the tank and parts for it are very easy to find anywhere
Yes, I love my car, rides smooth and very pretty to look at. The parts to fix the car are inexpensive and the car is durable.
Yes. It gets the job done if you need a sedan. It’s a pretty efficient vehicle that definitely goes fast enough. It might not impress too many people though
