My husband and I have owned a 2006 Nissan Sentra for 5 years now. No, it's not a new car. However this car has been a great car for us. For example: we have one child, and there is enough room for the three of us in the car. Even when we are on a long road trip. Speaking of trips, we feel this car gets great miles to the gallon. It is very predictable in it's usage. We spend only $30 per week on gas. We are very comfortable with that price. I think my only drawback for this car is that it is yellow. Yellow is the stock color - can you imagine it? I know that it appears fun, and even sporty with a yellow color, but I suppose I am more conservative and prefer a basic, nondescript color. Every time we have had to replace something on this car, it has not been an astronomical cost. It is reasonable, the parts last a long time. We have no problem accessing and purchasing the parts 'around these parts'.

So this is easily the best running car I've ever owned. Even after all these years, the ride is quiet and smooth. Other than routine items (oil changes, brakes, tires- stuff that wears out), I have not had to put any significant money towards service/repair, which is a savings bonus in itself. One strange characteristic of the car, though is the electrical system that is at best description, quirky. Shortly after purchase, the light that lets you read the shift lever (Park, reverse, drive, you know the one) would go off and on at odd times til it stopped working altogether. Then, randomly, the check engine light may come on. I've had it checked, and the light just comes on and gets stuck that way. Right now its the light that says I am low on wiper fluid (I am not low on wiper fluid), but eventually it will go off and another light will replace it. I have whatever the light says to check checked pretty quickly, and there is never a problem. Those light just like being on. At some point I will do an electrical diagnostic, but its not bothersome enough to go out of the way for. I would totally recommend this car for a student or someone that has to put a lot of miles on a car because the gas and maintenance are so low. I would add again that it runs great without a lot of work on it so a single person that knows nothing about cars (like me) would do well with it.