Engine noise between 2000 and 2500 rpm

[Vapor]

Actually, this is bad information. Not only is high octane fuel more expensive, it's engineered to detonate at higher compression levels. Our Micra engines are not high compression, so high octane fuel doesn't burn correctly. The result is that your mileage and performance will suffer.



Again, another myth, although the synthetic oil probably won't hurt anything, there's really no benefit in our low compression, non-turbocharged, naturally aspirated, simple 1.6L engines, but if you got money to burn, go at it. Just don't be disappointed that your Micra doesn't perform better or last longer than a Micra with proper oil changes with regular oil. To demonstrate what it could really cost, Mr. Lube charges $38 extra for a synthetic oil change. We need to change our oil every 8,000 km. If we did that every time on the mark, then at 200,000 km, we would have changed our oil 25 times at an extra expense of $950. Thinking about 400,000km? It's possible that a Micra on synthetic or regular oil could make that mark, but with synthetic, you're now out $1900.

Between synthetic oil changes and high octane fuel, the benefits of driving this economy car evaporate pretty quickly, which leads me to wonder, what's the point?

Actually it's good information. And so is yours, lol. The fact that you posted it as a counterpoint to my argument proves that you really don't understand the concept. You understand that under high compression the flashpoint in fuel drops dramatically. Meaning it will ignite under compression before it would under regular atmospheric. High octane is engineered to burn at higher compression levels. You are right. And how they do this is by raising the flashpoint of the fuel so that it does not ignite until it reaches that higher temperature. That higher temperature will always come from the spark of your ignition, not just the residual heat that was created from the last combustion. I could go on and on about this, but I won't. Great info though, right from the Wikipedia page on high octane fuel. It was a summary of what I was trying to explain.

Again you seem to think that synthetic oil and high octane fuel are the magic ingredients to making Ferrari's and Porches go fast and the argument seems to be, therefore there is no benefit for anyone else. It's just not correct.

Also if I did buy my car because it was the cheapest car on the market, that does not mean I am not going to do my best to take care of it and make it last. I have free maintenance and oil included with my car purchase because I did my homework and used the information available to get the best deal I could. If I want to spend the extra $50 on it to try to prevent premature wear I can, that's my option. I know I don't have too. I also know I certainly wouldn't hold it against Nissan or the car if I drove it for 86000km feeding it some of the cheapest marketable liquid one could find and it developed an engine light for some sort of intake, or exhaust sensor. I'd half expect it to. And if mine still does at 86000km's well I'd say that's pretty on par with when those types of wearable parts will need to be replaced. Most peoples problem is they think they shouldn't have any. I love the staying home bit, that is actually the best way to make your car last however when it comes to economics it's just not always practical to buy a 2300lb driveway decoration either.