The cheapest cars in the Nissan lineup represent an even spread between subcompact, traditional compact and mid-size sedans. At the low end of the scale, Nissan has followed the same path as several of its Japanese competitors and brought one of its home market city cars, the Versa, to North American shores. That automakers now feel comfortable enough that these tiny, low-feature gas-savers will not be rejected by drivers in the United States speaks volumes about how rising fuel costs have shifted the attitudes of buyers. Another strong indicator of the effect gasoline prices have had on both the new and secondhand car market can be seen in the minimal difference between the cost of a current and slightly used subcompact, a fact of life that has affected not only the Versa but also every other fuel miser parked in dealer showrooms.

Fortunately, deals still abound for larger compacts and mid-size vehicles, especially given the recent changes in the Nissan lineup that have seen new generations of the popular Altima and Sentra take the place of earlier platforms. This changing of the guard has created a situation where vehicles two to three years old have seen their prices fall to very affordable levels, despite the fact that they still provide excellent value and very similar features when compared to more recent cars. In some cases, it is even possible to score a sedan with a much greater level of standard equipment and horsepower, not to mention exclusivity and sportier styling, for less than the cost of a basic 2009 model.

As with any examination of used car prices, it’s important to remember that there are several factors which can cause variation in the figures quoted in this article. It may be more difficult to locate some cars in certain parts of the country, driving costs up. The condition of the vehicle also plays a major role in how much drivers will have to pay in order to get behind the wheel. However, in general the prices quoted here are for vehicles in good condition displaying less than 50,000 miles on the odometer, and they are intended to provide a jump-off point when negotiating the purchase of an inexpensive Nissan vehicle.

2007 Nissan Versa versus 2009 Nissan Versa

The subcompact hatch and sedan market is starting to get a bit crowded, with Nissan deciding to join the party with the Versa a few years back. The 2009 Nissan Versa is adapted from a design by corporate parent Renault, and the tiny European car is priced at $12,990 for either a hatchback or a sedan. At this price the Versa is provided with very basic equipment, including a 122 horsepower, 1.8 liter engine, air conditioning and a CD player, but no power windows, door locks or other creature comforts. The Versa is quite thrifty at the fuel pump, turning in 34 miles per gallon in highway driving.

The 2007 Nissan Versa is identical to the newer model, having undergone no changes in the two years it has been on the market. The first year Versa is plentiful on the used market, but most buyers are usually shocked to discover that it is priced only $1,000 less than a brand new version of the vehicle. With diligent searching, it is possible to locate 2007 Nissan Versas priced at this level with an automatic transmission upgrade as opposed to the standard 5-speed manual, but past that, there are few if any deals to be found on low-mileage examples.

The root of this surge in used Versa pricing is the fact that Nissan simply cannot make enough of these economical hatches and four-doors to keep dealerships adequately stocked. Instead of signing up for a waiting list, many buyers are simply turning to the secondhand market and scooping up a near-pristine example for an amount similar to what they were prepared to spend anyway.

It is difficult to recommend paying so much for a two-year old automobile, especially given the low pricing of the 2009 model. It’s much better for shoppers to put off their purchase for a few weeks or months and buy a brand new 2009 Nissan Versa instead of giving in to market pressures and opting for a used version of the car.

2006 Nissan Sentra versus 2009 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra was re-designed in 2007, and the new platform has been carried over into 2009. With a sticker price of $16,730 dollars for the base 2.0 model, the Sentra offers a 140 horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with power windows and door locks, air conditioning and a continuously-variable automatic transmission. The Sentra is positioned as an entry-level option for those who are not interested in a vehicle as small as the Versa.

Heading back to 2006 finds the previous generation of the Sentra still going strong on the used car market. The chunkier styling of the older Sentra has held up well, and prices have dropped considerably when compared to the most recent model. It is possible to get into a 2006 Sentra S with fewer than 30,000 miles for around $12,000 – a savings of $4,000 dollars. The biggest difference in terms of equipment between the current Sentra and its predecessor are the automatic transmissions, which for 2006 was a 4-speed instead of a CVT.

Not only do excellent deals abound for base model 2006 Sentras, but it’s also possible to pick up an SE-R performance edition of the vehicle and still save money over buying new. The SE-R bumps engine output up to 165 horsepower and can be had with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can expect to pay around $14,000 for a low mileage 2006 Sentra SE-R, saving a considerable amount over the cost of a plain-Jane 2009 model.

The 2006 Nissan Sentra is a competent and economical vehicle which has seen its value as a secondhand car slide thanks to the emergence of a new generation automobile. Smart shoppers can take advantage of these low prices to get behind the wheel of a cheaper and possibly much quicker edition of the Sentra that will provide them with the same quality of driving experience as the new car.

2006 Nissan Altima versus 2009 Nissan Altima

The 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 is the least expensive mid-size sedan in the Nissan lineup. With a price of just under $20,000, the base Altima 2.5 provides a 175 horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with Nissan’s excellent continuously-variable automatic transmission. Air conditioning, cruise control, and power door locks and windows are standard equipment, as are a trip computer and intermittent windshield wipers.

The 2006 Nissan Altima represents the final model year of the sedan before production switched over to the current generation of vehicle. These generational switches often provide the best opportunity for savings as sellers who feel the need to stay current often dump their used vehicles at lower than expected prices. The Altima is no exception, with 30,000 mile cars going for around $12,000 – a savings of almost $8,000 over new. The most obvious difference between the two versions of the car is the exterior appearance, which is more rounded and less radical for 2006. Both Altimas share the same 2.5 liter engine, but the older vehicle makes use of either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic in place of the 2009 model’s CVT unit.

As with the Sentra, the used market also offers buyers the opportunity to step up to an SE-R performance version of the Altima. For about $1000 less than a new base model, a 2006 Altima SE-R provides a 260 horsepower, 3.5 liter V6 matched with a 6-speed manual transmission and a well designed sport suspension that keeps the vehicle firmly planted during aggressive cornering. A 5-speed automatic transmission is also available.

The 2006 Nissan Altima’s low price as a secondhand car makes it hard to ignore when considering the fact that it offers many of the same features as the new model. The question of whether to purchase a new or used Altima essentially comes down to personal preference for one body and interior style or the other. For performance-minded drivers, however, the SE-R option will most likely tip the scales in the direction of the older vehicle.