2012 Nissan Sentra

The 2012 Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that appeals to shoppers looking for a practical, affordable, economical small sedan. Just below the Altima mid-size sedan yet a little more substantial and refined than the Versa sedan, the 2012 Sentra hits a size and price sweet spot also occupied by the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Ford Focus.

While the Sentra borrows many cues—including the flared-outward headlamps and prominent fender flanks—from the still-current Altima sedan and Maxima, this small sedan's somewhat slab-sizes look and blunt rear design end up looking a bit dated compared to newer, more curvaceous rivals. Sportier SE-R and Spec V models are dressed up a bit more. The Sentra's instrument panel is a little more chunky and angular than those of most other small cars today, but a nice neat center stack has well-arranged controls and there's a good driving position from upright seating and a relatively low beltline.

Most of the Sentra models you find at the dealership will pair a 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and Xtronic CVT; it's a decent combination for city driving, but on hills and in passing it can feel a bit sluggish or delayed. There's a six-speed manual gearbox that makes the Sentra a lot more enjoyable, but it's only offered in the base model. The sporty SE-R trim brings a larger 2.5-liter engine making 177 hp, matched only to the CVT. Then at the top of the line, the performance-focused SE-R Spec V gets a 200-hp, 2.5-liter four, hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox. Suspension tuning that's very different between trims, with the firmer tuning giving the Spec V especially a much tighter, more eager personality. But gas mileage is a letdown throughout the Sentra line; even with the base engine, it's several mpg lower than in many rival models.

Refinement and ride comfort remain strengths for the Sentra. The Sentra comes in only a single sedan body style, but it's a well-designed one, with tasteful but budget-grade appointments. Front seats are somewhat flat and unsupportive, but it's easy to find a good driving position and there's just enough rear space for a couple of adults—thanks to the rather high roofline. . While the seats themselves are flat and unsupportive, with padding that just won't work for long trips, most will be happy with the space and the driving position. The back seat, too, is a place good enough for adults for a trip across town.

Compared to many compact-sedan alternatives, the 2012 Nissan Sentra has unimpressive safety ratings, with mostly 'acceptable' ratings from the IIHS and just three-star ratings for frontal and side impact from the federal government. Side and side-curtain airbags are standard, as are active head restraints.

For less than $17k In its base 2.0 form, the 2012 Sentra is a makes a good commuter car and is a strong value for the money, with power windows and locks, air conditioning, tilt steering, split-folding backseats, and a 160-watt  sound system all stanard. Sentra 2.0 S or 2.0 SR trims get you a few more extras like a center console, keyless entry, and a trip computer, while the high-end 2.0 SL adds leather and Bluetooth; but the issue with both of these models is that they cost a lot more and only come with the CVT. For 2012, the Sentra 2.0 S can be optioned with a navigation system that includes five-inch touch screen and USB/iPod connectivity. A special-edition package on the SR also loads it with popular options.

At the top of the range, the SE-R gets a sport-tuned suspension, big 17-inch alloy wheels, special badging, sport seats, and a number of other extras. The Spec V takes the performance package another step, with extra bracing, upgraded brakes, summer performance tires, driving lamps, and exclusive lower bodywork.

The Happiest Happy Hour: Chauffeured around Manhattan in Exotic Supercars

When the yellow 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago crawled to the curb in front of my tired feet on 11th and West 37th, directly outside of the Javits Convention Center in New York City, I was no longer an automotive journalist. In a matter of seconds, as the exotic’s iconic scissor doors rose to welcome me into its Alcantara-swathed cabin, I became a celebrity worthy of a Jay-Z-sized posse. Passersby quickly maneuvered to snap photos. Some stood and stared, slack-jawed. A few waved in excitement, one hand shaking vigorously, the other holding a camcorder. My nagging feet suddenly felt fine. I call this phenomenon the Lamborghini Effect. And I have the crew at Signature Car Collection to thank for it.

After the initial media day at this year’s 2011 New York International Auto Show, I was invited to an informal happy hour hosted by Signature, an up-and-coming exotic car rental firm from New Jersey. The kicker: We would be chauffeured to appetizers through the streets of Manhattan in the coolest way possible – coddled in the seat of one of six exotic supercars in Signature’s fresh fleet. Ride in a hand-built chariot to drinks and food? Ah, YES PLEASE. (Sure, a drive of the cars would have been best, but considering the mix of light libations, hellish NYC potholes/construction zones, and low-slung carbon-fiber bodies, being chauffeured seemed the better choice.)

I have visited New York’s bustling urbanscape a few times. I’ve seen the city’s innumerable monuments and picturesque, movie-set-like panoramas. But never have I experienced some of these sites while strapped into a deeply recessed bucket bolted into a snarling Lamborghini.

For this event, Signature blocked off its top rides: A Ferrari California, Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Maserati GranCabrio Sport, Ferrari F430 Spider, Bentley GTC, and Mercedes-Benz S550 all joined the party. Despite the hordes of taxis and pedestrians passing within inches of our expensive metal, the group stayed close and in line during our 30-minute tourist drive. You can only imagine how much the Lamborghini Effect was compounded. (A few NYPD officers flashed their emergency lights just to get beside us to look closer at the six-figure sports cars.)

From the Javits Center, our exotic lineup ventured along the Hudson River’s shore on 11th street to West Street. We passed Ground Zero, then slowly cruised further south to State Street past the Charging Bull onto Water Street. After cutting further south to East River Drive, we headed north to the South Street Seaport where our destination — a homey New Zealander restaurant called Nelson Blue — awaited. Everything outside became more appealing when looked at from inside a supercar. Then again, maybe it was the extremely low perspective, which gave even the lowest of passing curbs extra clout.

When the angry bull was subdued at a stoplight, I spoke to my driver, Hamed Zolghadr. Though only 25 years old, the slick-haired, smiling driver was an industry veteran who gained experience and made valuable friends while working at a local Lamborghini dealership.

“I started off washing cars,” he explained. “Then after a few years, I worked my way into the service department and became a technician. During my time there, I met Marcello and the rest of the guys, and now I’m here helping our business grow. We have some big plans in the works and we can’t wait to see what happens.”

He said Signature’s business is still going strong despite the economic downturn.

“Thankfully, we are doing very well. We’re constantly adding new cars, and we’re going to open a new 5,000 sq-ft. showroom near Newark Airport soon. Now we’re pursuing new outlets for exposure. Our customers are happy, and we love to make them that way.”

As for the folks filling their cars, the gamut is wide.

“We get all types of people renting cars from us. From ones just wanting to experience a supercar for the first time in their life, to the wedding couple wanting a cool ride, to the one person who just wants a fast car to flaunt for a night. The variety is huge. There are also the well-off ones that want to test drive new cars. For them, we offer our membership program.”

With the Murcielago parked, our group headed inside Nelson Blue for delicious Kiwi grub. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by this restaurant. Like the food and drink, the ambiance is superb and laidback. I got to meet Marcello Bommarito, Signature’s CEO. He used to run the Lamborghini dealership Hamed worked at, but he grew up loving and respecting Ferrari.

“My father has worked for Ferrari for decades, and I used to do logistics for them, too. So you could say I have a thing for the brand,” said the Tifoso in his distinct New Jersey accent.

Nowadays, he loves all exotics. They are the bread and butter of the business he started with good friends only a year ago. I asked him what separates Signature Car Collection from its many competitors.

Unlike other exotic car rental firms, Marcello said Signature handles everything it can in-house, in order to pass appropriate prices on to their customers.

“We have a body shop in-house. We do all maintenance on our vehicles at our headquarters, too. We are a one-stop shop.”

Everyone on payroll is also a real car guy or girl. Lastly, Signature is family owned and operated, meaning Marcello’s team is tight-knit, knowledgeable, and dedicated to making the customer experience the best it can be.

“We love seeing that smile on their faces,” Marcello said. “One wedding story in particular was a fun one. The bride-to-be rented our LP640 for the wedding, but the groom didn’t know. Yep, he was a diehard Lamborghini fan.

“So while the couple was taking wedding pictures outside of their hotel, my team drove by, as if to tease the groom. During the photoshoot, he stopped the photographer and pointed the car out to his fiancee. We drove by a second time, but this time we stopped, jumped out, and handed him the keys nonchalantly. He was ecstatic!”

After only a year, Signature has grown from a one car-operation (starting with the Ferrari F430) to one of the busiest rental firms of its kind in the Northeast. Luckily for the team from Lodi, their next decisions deal with what colors their future Italian cars will be painted, not how they’ll struggle to stay afloat. (Expansion plans include opening offices in Miami and Chicago.)

Food in belly, it was time to head back to Midtown. I was the last to leave.

“We saved the California for you,” Marcello said smiling. “The open top gives the city another flavor.”

How fitting — the born-and-bred Californian entering the New York City night in Ferrari’s most advanced topless grand tourer to date. Another car, another of the city’s many tasty flavors. Yes, this was my happiest happy hour ever.

For more information, visit http://www.sccexotics.com

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