2018 Mazda Mazda3 vs 2018 Nissan Sentra
Two compact cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2018 Mazda
Mazda3
8/10
A Miata in a hatchback suit — buy the 2.5L, avoid the cracked screen, and enjoy one of the last genuinely fun economy cars.
VS
2018 Nissan
Sentra
4/10
Great depreciation curve, terrible transmission odds — this is a car you buy with a warranty plan or not at all.
Milo scores the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 higher — 8/10 against 4/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Mazda Mazda3 |
Nissan Sentra |
| Known failure points | 6 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 107 | 184 |
| Safety recalls | 4 | 2 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 78 | 42 |
| Cheap to own | 80 | 38 |
| Fun factor | 85 | 25 |
| Holds value | 70 | 35 |
| Enthusiast cred | 72 | 10 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2018 Mazda Mazda3
Mazda Connect infotainment screen cracking / 'ghost touch' malfunctioning
$500–$1,20020k–50k mi
2018 Nissan Sentra
CVT (Jatco JF015/JF016-derived Xtronic) shudder, whine, or catastrophic failure — often preceded by a 'loud pop' then stuck in reverse or limp mode
$3,500–$5,50050k–90k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2018 Mazda Mazda3
2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring hatchback, 2.5L engine, 6-speed manual — the sweet spot of power, chassis feel, and features.
✅ 2018 Nissan Sentra
A well-documented, low-mile Sentra S with the 6-speed manual (if you can find one), or an SV/SL CVT model with full CVT fluid change records and remaining Nissan CVT warranty coverage.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.