EVDRIVER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2010
- Messages
- 6,753
Today I replaced the front speakers on my Leaf including the tweeters in the A pillar so I really had some more time to see the car build up close, I have taken apart almost every car brand on the market as years ago I owned a car audio business and I have done plenty of auto work including building conversions from late model cars. I have never owned a Nissan prior to this and at this point I don't think would buy one again. Just pulling of parts to do the speakers and mount crossovers I found the following:
(5) clips that were not clipped in
Several wire looms not in the proper positions
Various plastic shields and insulation covers placed sloppily
Loose screws in several places
Poorly engineered attachments and really cheap fastening parts
Some parts connected very well
I then decided to inspect the battery for a possible amp connection and in looking in the engine compartment I found a wire hook out of it's attachment and an entire fuse block that was NEVER connected to the car and just hanging there, I hooked it into the proper location. I have to say this car looks slapped together like it was made in America, although I did see many Chinese electrical parts under the dash and it felt more Chinese made than Japanese.
While on the floor I noticed the driver side mats are already unraveling on the top edge at the firewall and will likely need replacing in a year assuming they age at that rate. My carpeting (if you call it carpeting) is pilling up on the drivers left side in big balls like it was years old. Could Nissan have used anything cheaper on this car? Even the seats now have wrinkles from leaning on them a bit when working, really pathetic and cheap. Some have seen the factory speakers but let me assure you the magnets are on par with hearing aids, it's laughable how crappy they are. Now that I have a pair of $500 JL audio separates in the front the sound is a bit better but one can really hear how poor the fidelity of the Clarion head unit shines, so speakers only provide marginal improvement. Overall I think the build quality of the car is far below a Toyota Yaris base model which seems built well in comparison. I think Nissan cut many corners and squeezed pennies to get margin on this car. I suppose if the carpet wears out I can get some more sprayed on, at least it looks like that is how Nissan applies the stuff. It would all be acceptable if MSRP was $25K before rebates. :shock:
Rant over- Step it up Nissan, people are not blind.
(5) clips that were not clipped in
Several wire looms not in the proper positions
Various plastic shields and insulation covers placed sloppily
Loose screws in several places
Poorly engineered attachments and really cheap fastening parts
Some parts connected very well
I then decided to inspect the battery for a possible amp connection and in looking in the engine compartment I found a wire hook out of it's attachment and an entire fuse block that was NEVER connected to the car and just hanging there, I hooked it into the proper location. I have to say this car looks slapped together like it was made in America, although I did see many Chinese electrical parts under the dash and it felt more Chinese made than Japanese.
While on the floor I noticed the driver side mats are already unraveling on the top edge at the firewall and will likely need replacing in a year assuming they age at that rate. My carpeting (if you call it carpeting) is pilling up on the drivers left side in big balls like it was years old. Could Nissan have used anything cheaper on this car? Even the seats now have wrinkles from leaning on them a bit when working, really pathetic and cheap. Some have seen the factory speakers but let me assure you the magnets are on par with hearing aids, it's laughable how crappy they are. Now that I have a pair of $500 JL audio separates in the front the sound is a bit better but one can really hear how poor the fidelity of the Clarion head unit shines, so speakers only provide marginal improvement. Overall I think the build quality of the car is far below a Toyota Yaris base model which seems built well in comparison. I think Nissan cut many corners and squeezed pennies to get margin on this car. I suppose if the carpet wears out I can get some more sprayed on, at least it looks like that is how Nissan applies the stuff. It would all be acceptable if MSRP was $25K before rebates. :shock:
Rant over- Step it up Nissan, people are not blind.