All About the 2006 Nissan Sentra Special Edition
In 2006, the Nissan Sentra actually had two special editions to pick from, and both were designed with racing in mind.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2006 Nissan Sentra had two personalities—the compact commuter car available in the 1.8 and 1.8S trims, and the compact performance vehicle that made waves with two special edition trims. The Nissan Sentra SE-R (which stands for Special Edition-Racing) and the SE-R Spec V (Special Edition-Racing Victory Specification) were both mouthfuls to pronounce, but they delivered excitement for driving enthusiasts.
The SE-R was introduced in 1990 as part of the Sentra’s second-generation lineup, offering a sporty alternative to the practical compact sedan. However, by 2006, even the SE-R and SE-R Spec V were outpaced by some of their competitors. One selling point for the Sentra, though, was its bargain-bin pricing schedule, with the base model starting at just $13,200.
If you’re thinking of buying a 2006 Nissa Sentra, one of the special edition trims is probably the best way to go. To guide you through the specifications, selling points, and shortcomings of the 2006 Sentra is
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!What is the 2006 Nissan Sentra Special Edition?
There were two special edition models available with the Sentra’s 2006 lineup, with one being a hair sportier than the other.
While the base Sentra had a practical 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine that got 126 horsepower, the
Sentra SE-R
and SE-R Spec V
both came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 165-horsepower and 175-horsepower output, respectively. The SE-R’s starting MSRP was $18,100—that’s $4,900 more than the base trim—and the SE-R Spec V started at $18,300.
2006 Nissan Sentra overview
Before we explore what made the SE-R and SE-R Spec V worth $5,000 more than the base level, let’s look at the Nissan Sentra’s 2006 model year as a whole.
In 2006, the Sentra was about mid-way through its third generation. While in the early 2000s it stood out as an impressive model for its class, it faced some stiff competition by 2006, and in many ways was outperformed, by competitors like the
Honda Civic Base
and Toyota Corolla
.Here are some basic takeaways to know about the Sentra 1.8:
Key specs:
- Starting MSRP: $13,200
- Engine: 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 126 hp
- Torque: 129 lb-ft at 2,400 RPM
- Mileage: 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway
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What’s special about the Special Edition?
The SE-R and SE-R Spec V were the two top trim levels available for the Nissan Sentra in 2006. They got worse gas mileage but had a lot more power—not to mention a premium suspension. The quality of the ride may not have been improved, but its cornering and handling blew the base level out of the water.
Here’s what the SE-R offered:
- $18,100 starting MSRP
- 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine
- 165 horsepower
- 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM
- Multi-link rear suspension with a stabilizer bar
- 16-inch aluminum wheels
And the SE-R Spec V leaned in a little more by bringing:
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
- 175 horsepower
- 180 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM
2006 Nissan Sentra SE-R vs. 1.8S
A step above the base level Sentra 1.8 was the 1.8S, which had a starting MSRP of $15,200. At nearly $3,000 less than the SE-R, the 1.8S carried most of the same interior and design features. However, it was only available in 11 exterior colors compared to the SE-R’s 12, and some of the optional buy-ins like fog lamps were unavailable on the 1.8S.
Otherwise, the main differences between the two vehicles lie in the performance specs. The 1.8S used the 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine that only produced 126 horsepower. Because of the serious difference in performance, the 1.8 and 1.8S trims only had front disc brakes with drum brakes in the rear, while the SE-R and SE-R Spec V had disc brakes on all four wheels.
How to find the best Nissan Sentra Special Edition insurance
It doesn’t matter if you end up economizing with the Nissan Sentra 1.8, or you go all-in for the SE-R Spec V—either way, you’ll need high-performance insurance at a great price before you hit the road. That’s why you should try
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