The Special Edition Package for the 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S featured a rear spoiler, fog lights, racing-inspired styling and wheels, an upgraded audio package, and an updated interior. It came with a 1.8-liter QG engine with the option of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

The 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S Special Edition was released with value in mind, offering several upgrades at an affordable price. The Special Edition Package isn’t to be confused with the SE-R trim—where “SE-R” stands for “Sport Edition–Racing.”

Thinking of buying a 1.8 S? Read on for a 2005 Nissan Sentra Special Edition review presented by

Jerry

, the

car insurance

broker app. We'll go over what makes the 1.8 S Special Edition so special and top it off with an easy trick to lowering your Nissan Sentra 1.8 S insurance costs.

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What is the 2005 Nissan Sentra Special Edition?

The Nissan Sentra 1.8 S Special Edition is an options package that was available for the 2005 and 2006 Sentra 1.8 S models. It includes an upgraded audio system along with upgraded styling and wheels.

The Special Edition is not to be confused with the SE-R trim, which featured a more powerful 2.5-liter QR engine.

MORE:

Vehicle trim level, options, and packages explained

2005 Nissan Sentra overview

Before we dive deeper into the added features of the 2005 Special Edition Package, here’s a quick look at the 2005 Nissan Sentra.

Nissan Sentras are compact cars, and Nissan has been making them since the ‘80s! The 2005 models received a slight facelift in terms of style and they offered a ton of value, but Sentras were never able to compete on the same level as similar compacts like the

Volkswagen Jetta

Kia Amanti

One thing’s for sure, though. A 2005 Nissan Sentra with all the fixings—and one that’s still in good condition—is a great find, especially if you can find one that was equipped with a manual transmission.

The Sentra is known for being lots of fun to drive. It gets acceptable gas mileage, offers 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, and handles like a much more expensive car than it is. In fact, you can still find these beauties in good condition on the used market for around $4,000.

They’re reliable while being easy and cheap to maintain, and they almost look just as cool as the

Honda Civics

of their time.

Key specs:

$3,067–$4,508

Kelley Blue Book

fair market range

1.8-liter I-4 engine

126 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM

129 lb-ft of

torque

@ 2,400 RPM

No overall safety ratings

What’s special about the Special Edition?

The value-driven Special Edition Package for the 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S included the Audio Package and Sport Appearance Package, as well as adding SE-R interior features and a Special Edition exterior badge. The package was significantly cheaper than buying the two packages separately.

To go deeper, the 1.8 S Audio Package includes a high-powered Rockford Fosgate audio system with a six-CD changer—nice (in 2005).

The Sport Appearance Package adds fog lights, a rear spoiler, SE-R grille styling, 16-inch upgraded SE-R alloy wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob for manual models.

What you’re essentially getting is the luxury of the SE-R trim without its beefier, thirstier engine.

MORE:

Is Nissan a luxury car?

2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S Special Edition vs. 2.5 SE-R Spec V

While the Special Edition Package for the 1.8 S offered plenty of luxury value, it doesn’t offer an engine upgrade. For that, you have to go up to the SE-R trim or even higher to the

SE-R Spec V

, which features a manual transmission managing a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter, I-4 engine.

If you can find one, a 2005 SE-R Spec V Sentra is only priced a few hundred dollars higher than the Special Edition 1.8 S nowadays. Here’s more of what you get from the highest trim:

Upgraded seat fabric

Updated meter cluster housing color

Updated manual transmission shift knob

Sport styling

Rear spoiler

Large chrome exhaust tips

Bucket seats

Performance-tuned suspension

Spec V Brake Package

Audio Package

Sunroof Package

As you can see, if you can find one, the SE-R Spec V is a much better deal than the 1.8 S with the Special Edition Package.

That being said, if you prefer fuel efficiency over performance, the smaller 1.8-liter engine may be more of your tune.

MORE:

Which Nissan has the best gas mileage?

How to find the best Nissan Sentra Special Edition insurance

If you’ve got a 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S with a Special Edition Package, that’s pretty sweet! You probably really enjoy the six-CD changer, assuming you still own CDs…

A gem this rare deserves top-notch car insurance, and

Jerry

happens to specialize in delivering you a low

Nissan insurance cost

without sacrificing coverage.

After downloading the app and answering a few quick questions, you’ll gain access to the most competitive quotes sourced from over 55 different insurance companies around the country. It only takes about a minute, and once you’ve found the plan that’s right for you, Jerry’s team of car insurance whizkids will make the process of setting it up quick and painless—no phone calls and no long forms to fill out.

The real kicker is that Jerry users save a whole lot of money on their premiums—an average of over $800 each year!

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