Krider Racing took their LeMons Thunderhill veteran SE-R, added a few more safety items, spent a lot more than $500 and convinced an official to issue the car a racing log book. Then they took the car racing in NASA’s Performance Touring series. How does an ex-LeMons car fare? Pretty darn well, it turns out. In 2008, Krider Racing won four Performance Touring F races at Infineon while racing alongside the United States Touring Car Championship cars.

“When we told the rest of the drivers in our class that they had just been beaten by a LeMons car, the look on their face was priceless,” said Rob Krider. “But remember boys and girls, the important lesson here is this: you can take a LeMons car and make it a real racecar, but don’t be foolish enough to think you can take a real racecar to LeMons. That will only get you a date with the dozer. Just ask Team Salazar Racing or Team Fantasy Junction. Our SE-R will never run LeMons again, we spent way to much money on it after Thunderhill. I don’t want to see that thing under a tractor.”

You see plenty of JDM bits and pieces on Japanese cars roaming American streets, what with the trendiness of Japan-market stuff these days, but how about entire Japan-spec cars? Imagine the looks of awe you'll get as you howl by in your right-hand-drive '95 Subaru WRX! Sure, Subaru parts- even JDM ones- are pretty easy to come by in the USA, but imagine the excitement at the DMV when you march in with the Japanese title to this fresh-from-the-shipping-container blue beauty! As for the car itself, it has 171,746 hard kilometers of pedal-to-metal Japanese hoonage on the clock, so it's, uh, nicely broken in. The engine, well, she ain't exactly in the car right now, and the seller hints that a rebuild might be needed (probable translation: rods dangling out of the block and/or valve-shaped holes in the pistons). The body is a bit rough, allegedly due to dents received during shipping (probable translation: slid sideways into light pole in mall parking lot during hoonage), but the seller has dropped the price from $6700 down to the low, low, low sale price of just six grand!

Real hoons spit on AWD, you say? Real men battle torque steer, you say? Well, you're in luck! We've found this turbocharged '92 Nissan Sentra SE-R for just a bit more than half the price of the JDM RHD WRX. ZOMG! The seller needs exactly $4375 to pay his tuition, and (in spite of the encouragement of Aaron and Hien) he just needs to sell his baby to pay the school. His heartbreaking loss could be your gain, although some of the sting is doubtless taken out of his heartbreak due to the fact that his baby's engine has "a crack behind the block or the oil pan" (probable translation: rods dangling out of the block). Oh yeah, and there's also the fried turbocharger. But you get an LSD diff, all the turbo/intercooler plumbing, and a whole bunch of cool aftermarket stuff, some of which actually contributes to performance (including the requisite Nismo shift knob). Imagine this car with the engine fixed and lunatic levels of boost- why, just make the exterior look a little less obvious and you'd have quite the sleeper!

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Back in high school, we had a friend named Bob. He sat behind us in German class. He worked at Taco Bell, but preferred to tell people, "I'm in the employment of Pepsico." One day, a customer walked up to the counter, saw his name and said, "Oh, it's you Bob." Our classmate Shannon Quinlan had a quirkily crushable JV cheerleader little sister. She also had a dad named Bob. Bob Quinlan had a sign in his garage that read, "No Parking Except for Bob." Basically, this Sentra SE-R spot took early '90s suburban Sacramento by storm. And frankly, when we're driving sports sedans, we still think to ourselves, "If we could afford a sports sedan, the world would belong to us — Bob." – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
SUPER FUTURE MODERN AMUSEMENT! 1968 Datsun Bluebird [Internal]

Spy shots of the new-for-2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R have been hard to come by as of late, with many pondering whether we'd be seeing anything remotely better looking for the '08 model year than what many Sentra fans have opined as the "less than enthusiastic...styling" of the 2007 model. Although we still can't answer whether they'll be jumping for joy, at the very least we've now got a few more details to look at in these exclusive shots of what appears to be the '08 model SE-R taken by Jalopnik reader Mason Yono. Yono's shots seem to indicate the front air dam will get a bit deeper, and the rear deck spoiler seems much more pronounced. As for where we got these pictures, here's what Yono's got to say:

"I saw this on I-75 heading south just past I-275. I just happened to have my camera with me. When the driver saw that I was taking pictures he wouldn't get in front of me. He stayed back about 10 car lengths."

Related:
LA Auto Show Preview: Nissan SE-R, SE-R Spec V [internal]

If you've been keeping track of the spy shots coming down the pike, you won't be surprised the second and third of Nissan's LA Show trifecta are the Sentra SE-R and SE-R Spec V — the latter in cornea-blitzing yellow. The factory-tuner versions of Nissan's compact sedan are coming in March 2007 as 2007 models. Both get Nissan's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, but the SE-R Spec V's is spiked to produce 200 hp to the SE-R's 175 hp. Both cars get standard 17-inch wheels and tires, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and "specially tuned" electric power steering, along with interior and exterior appearance mods. The SE-R will come with Nissan's Xtronic CVT autobox, while the only choice for the Spec V is a close-ratio six-speed manual. The Spec V also gets suspension tweaks in the realm of higher-rate springs, shocks and bushings; 225/45WR17 high-performance tires and larger front brakes. A revised cowl top structure and trunk-mounted "V" brace, Nissan's press release indicates, increases body rigidity. Expect the Spec-V to sell in the $20,000 range. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

200-Horsepower SE-R Model Joins 2007 Sentra Lineup, Offers Serious Performance at an Affordable Price

Sentra SE-R, SE-R Spec V Set to Join Sentra Lineup in March 2007

When Nissan first launched the Sentra SE-R in 1991, it helped establish the concept of a "sport compact" car. With a high performance 4-cylinder engine stuffed into a compact body, the original SE-R offered sports car-like performance for buyers on a budget. Enthusiasts and the media recognized this unique combination of performance and value and the Sentra SE-R became an instant hit - and has maintained a loyal following through two successive generations of SE-R.

The latest incarnation of the SE-R joins the Nissan lineup in March 2007 with two exciting versions, the Sentra SE-R and the higher horsepower Sentra SE-R Spec V. Both the new SE-R and SE-R Spec V are powered by Nissan's advanced 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (QR25DE) and are equipped with a range of unique performance-oriented equipment and features, including standard 17-inch wheels and tires, 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and specially tuned electric power steering (EPS) - as well as unique exterior and interior appearance modifications.

"The new SE-R takes full advantage of the redesigned 2007 Sentra and adds a level of power and performance that is usually available only through aftermarket modifications," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "With the 2007 model, Nissan has undertaken its most in-depth development effort yet for the SE-R."

Development of the SE-R engine was guided by Motohiro Matsumura, Chief Vehicle Engineer, who previously led the development of Nissan's highly acclaimed "VQ" series V6 engine.

Special emphasis was placed on the SE-R Spec V's new high output version of the QR25DE 4-cylinder engine, with extensive modifications to the top end of the engine developed exclusively for the SE-R Spec V. Among the unique Spec V engine features are use of a unique resin intake manifold and dual branch exhaust manifold; revised piston crown shape to support a higher compression ratio (10.5:1); iridium tipped spark plugs for improved combustion characteristics; and a revised cam shaft profile, reinforced connecting rods and 8-counterweight crankshaft to achieve a higher redline limit of 6,800 rpm.

With these modifications, the power achieved is 200 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm (when using premium unleaded fuel). Helping to put all this power to the ground is an optional Helical Limited-Slip Differential (available with Spec V only). The Spec V model is available only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. It also has unique suspension, brakes, tires and body structure changes (versus the base SE-R).

In the area of chassis, handling and braking performance, the SE-R Spec V is equipped with higher rate springs, shocks and bushings; 225/45WR17 uni-directional high performance tires; high capacity front disc brakes with 12.6-inch rotors; and a revised cowl top structure and a unique trunk mounted "V" brace, both utilized for increased body rigidity.

Chassis performance and vehicle dynamics tests were conducted on the grueling Nurburgring Nordschleife closed circuit outside of Cologne, Germany. Behind the wheel of the SE-R Spec V on the Nordschleife circuit was Nissan's chief development driver, Yukio Kamiyama, who was also responsible for Nissan's legendary Skyline R32 and R33 models.

"With Nissan's top development staff working on Sentra SE-R, it has achieved unprecedented levels of power and performance," said Bosley.

The SE-R model offers fun-to-drive performance and aggressive, sporty appearance to those who want the convenience of an automatic transmission. The Sentra SE-R, equipped exclusively with Nissan's Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), is a unique offering in the sport compact market.
Enhancing the driving experience of the SE-R model are steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Designed to be fun and engaging, the paddle shifters allow for quick and responsive up shifts and down shifts while driving on mountain roads or just negotiating through daily traffic.

"As we've shown with the Xtronic CVT-equipped Altima and Maxima, CVTs are not just for smoothness and fuel economy - they can be tuned for performance also" said Bosley.

Performance in the SE-R is delivered by the QR25DE engine tuned for 177 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm (on regular unleaded fuel).

The new SE-R's independent strut front / torsion beam rear suspension design, shared with the standard 2007 Sentra, has been tuned for sporty handling, while not being overly firm during everyday use.
Stopping power for the SE-R is provided by 4-wheel disc brakes with 11.7-inch front rotors. Contact with the road is handled through 225/45VR17 all-season performance tires.

Inside the Sentra SE-R cabin are a number of unique SE-R features, including an exclusive black interior color, sport bucket front seats with SE-R stitching, unique seat fabrics, red seat belts (Spec V only), aluminum foot pedal pads, leather-appointed steering wheel and shift knob, and an additional two-gauge meter pack.

These two additional gauges, canted towards the driver, provide information on oil pressure and acceleration/deceleration g-force.

Like all 2007 Sentra models, the new SE-R also offers an array of comfort and convenience features including standard power windows and door locks, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD 6-speaker audio, and an integrated overhead compact disc holder. Optional features include a 340-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, factory installed satellite radio and Nissan's Intelligent Key keyless entry system (SE-R only).
Standard safety features for the Sentra SE-R include an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage front air bags and occupant classification system for the front passenger seat, front seat side air bags, side curtain air bags (for front and rear outboard occupant head protection), front seat Active Head Restraints and Zone Body construction.

"The last great component of the new 2007 Sentra SE-R is price. We're targeting a price of around $20,000 for the Sentra SE-R Spec V - which means 200 horsepower for $20K - which we believe makes SE-R Spec V one of the best values in the sport compact segment," said Bosley. "This new Sentra SE-R has a lot to offer even the most demanding enthusiasts. It'll be a thrill to drive, right out of the box."

Related:
Spy Photos: Nissan Sentra SE-R? [internal]

We've never known a carmaker to take yellow-snow route with a new model prototype, but here's a new Nissan Sentra in just such an, albeit ill-applied (or Photoshopped), scheme. We can't confirm if it's one of the the new, more potent Sentra variants going incognito ahead of their unveiling at the Los Angeles show later this week. But the Sentra nuts at b15sentrasay the car certainly is, in fact, a disguised 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R. We'll know more when Jalopnik's contingent of Angelinos crashes the show's press days this Wednesday and Thursday.

2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Scooped? [Carscoop]

Related:
Higher-Spec Sentras to Debut at the Los Angeles Show [internal]

Edmunds Inside Line has been watching the skies for news about Nissan's higher-spec Sentra for 2007, the SE-R. Now, they report the former Datsuns announced they'll introduce not only the 2007 Sentra SE-R but also the even higher-spec Sentra SE-R Spec V at the Los Angeles auto show later this month. All we know is the SE-R Spec V will get a 2.5-liter four-pot that'll likely top 200 hp. Also on the LA docket is a "uniquely styled, exhilarating performance-oriented vehicle, which marks Nissan's entry into a previously untapped customer segment." That's likely the Altima coupe caught during a commercial shoot last month, which will be in the vanguard among baby Infiniti G35s costing under 20 grand. – Mike Spinelli

Nissan To Debut Sentra SE-R at L.A. Auto Show [Edmunds]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R; Spy Photos: 2007 Nissan Altima Coupe [internal]

With a new Nissan Sentra on the way for 2007, the question on the lips of boy racers (other than, "what gas bottle, officer?") is, how much love will Nissan show? The answer is, not much initially. But if the brake calipers on this test car — reported to be the next Nissan SE-R — hint at what's to come, the next sport-model Sentra may give the SE-R franchise new luster. Hopefully it'll at least remain one of the best values in the baubles-for-money category. No word on a Spec V package yet.

Spy photos: 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R [Edmunds Straightline Blog]

Related:
Detroit Wrap Up: 2007 Nissan Sentra [internal]