The Nissan Sentra is one of the cheapest new cars available in the US. It’s a rental fleet staple and the butt of many jokes. It’s often overshadowed by its big brother, the midsize Altima - opens in new window or tab.. It can be an afterthought even in its own class, outshined by popular rivals like the Honda Civic - opens in new window or tab. and Toyota Corolla - opens in new window or tab..
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It wasn’t always this way. Some models in the Sentra’s 43-year history were quite desirable. One such example is the 1991 Sentra SE-R like the one recently sold on eBay in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Affordable Sunny
The Sentra began as a nondescript, boxy sedan. In Japan, it was called the Nissan Sunny - opens in new window or tab., a nameplate that extends back to 1966. Nissan sold Sunnys in the US under many names, including the 1200, B210 - opens in new window or tab., 310, and, starting in 1982, Sentra. It was designed to be affordable and comfortable, but not necessarily quick.
The third-generation B13 Sentra continued the theme, with rounded bodywork that matched the design trends of the 1990s. Nissan introduced a sporty Sentra SE-R model in 1991. It’s powered by Nissan’s high-revving, twin-cam, multivalve 2.0-liter SR20 engine - opens in new window or tab.. This engine was also used in the beloved Nissan Silvia sports car and the Primera sedan (sold in the US as the Infiniti G20 - opens in new window or tab.), which was successful in several touring car racing series.
The Sentra SE-R’s transversely mounted SR20 makes 140 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. That represents a significant bump over the regular Sentra’s 110-horsepower 1.6-liter. To make the most out of the motor, Nissan paired it with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. SE-Rs also came standard with a viscous limited-slip differential and four-wheel disc brakes. ABS was a $700 option.
Rare Find
All Sentra SE-Rs were built on the two-door body. A well-tuned suspension with stiffer shocks, springs, and sway bars than the standard Sentra make it a nimble and sharp-handling sports sedan. Generously bolstered bucket seats hold the driver in place.
Car and Driver magazine drove a Sentra to a zero-to-60 time of 7.4 seconds. The editors called it a modern-day BMW 2002 - opens in new window or tab. that could be had for under $11,000.The car recently sold is exceedingly rare. With only 33,000 miles on the odometer at the time of sale, it’s yet to be fully enjoyed. Its Aztec Red coat still shines, and the interior looks good as new. The $22,500 Buy-It-Now price may seem steep, but $11,000 in 1991 dollars is equivalent to about $26,000 in 2025.
Solid Foundation
Even without the SE-R trim, the third-generation Sentra was an incredibly successful solid foundation. Its sales continued in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia until 2017, long after the seventh-generation Sentra’s debut.
Nissan attempted SE-R models of later-generation Sentras. None quite captured the magic of the B13 SE-R. If you love ’90s sport compacts and don’t mind an econobox name, few cars can top this low-mileage Sentra SE-R.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.