Ram ProMaster Food Truck Van, Nissan Sentra NISMO and Fixing a Smoker’s Car [Ask Nathan]

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In this edition of Ask Nathan:

  • Getting a Ram ProMaster for my Catering Business?
  • Where is the Nissan Sentra NISMO?
  • How to deodorize a smoker’s car?

2014 Ram ProMaster

Today’s first question comes from a long time fan who’s considering a new van for her catering business.

Q: Hi Nathan. I’m not sure if you remember, but I met you at the Chicago Auto Show with my husband a few years back. We asked you about your opinion about our old Cadillac and you suggested the Lexus ES. We couldn’t be happier, thanks!

Now we’re about to expand our bakery and we need two vans for transport. We don’t need air conditioning or freezing, but we do need a low entry height or loading height. I would like to have a van that’s good in Midwestern winters and gets good gas mileage. I can’t use anything small like a mini van, it has to be the size as my old 1999 E series Ford van.

We had a rough time with the old Ford and we want to get something that is affordable. We were thinking about the Ram ProMaster or something like it. Is that a good van?

What do you think?

Thanks for everything and thanks for the great shows!

L and J. M

Chicago, IL

A: Thanks for the great email and, yes, I remember both of you!

The Ram ProMaster, Nissan NV Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit are the best choices for full size vans in the United States.

The least expensive one is the Nissan NV with the V6. I like Nissan’s Commercial Incentive Program where you have options to tailor build your commercial van. Nissan will either pay for, or substantially contribute to exterior advertising with interior upgrades. Just look it up on Nissan’s commercial vehicle site. It’s great for small businesses.

The Ram ProMaster is ideal for food service with its super low and flat floors. It’s also very car-like compared to other vans as it’s front-wheel drive and very easy to maneuver. I have yet to drive a Ford Transit, but I heard good things.

The Ram ProMaster and Nissan NV are a great place to start. Snow tires will make either van better in winter.

Keep us in the loop and best of luck!

N

nissan sentra nismo concept la video

This next question comes from a viewer who wants to know details about the Nissan Sentra NISMO.

Q: Hi! I know you guys are pretty good about answering questions so I hope you can anser mine. I am just getting in to high school and my family only drives Nissans except for my older brother. But nobody like him. Anyway, I heard about the Nissan Sentra NISMO a while ago but there’s been nothing about it for a long time. Is Nissan still building it?

Please let me know!

Sincerely,

B.J. Winnetka, CA

A: Thanks for the email. The Nissan Sentra NISMO is not a production car as of yet. It is a concept and there have been no official announcements that it will be built. I wish they would build it as it would appeal to a lot of performance loving drivers who need real horsepower.

Here’s what Nissan says about the Nissan Sentra NISMO concept:

“SENTRA® NISMO® CONCEPT *A STUDY IN DESIGN, A LEGACY OF PERFORMANCE

Introducing the high-performance Sentra NISMO® Concept; the very latest in a long line of compact Nissan performance sedans like the Datsun 510 and the original Sentra SE-R.

A CONCEPT THAT DELIVERS

Created as a design study, the Sentra NISMO® Concept features a 240-plus horsepower turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, NISMO-tuned suspension and steering, custom driver-focused interior; enhanced aerodynamics and large wheels and tires.”

I will keep my ears open on this one – promise!

N

2014-honda-civic-sedan-leather-seats

This email was sent by a viewer who wants to know how to eliminate cigarette odors from his car.

Q: Greetings and salutations to you and the TFLcar staff.

I just bought my brother’s Honda Accord. It’s a great car and a lot of fun to drive. The problem is, my brother is a smoker. I am not. For the past month I have owned the Honda, it smells like an ashtray. I have tried sprays and vacuuming, but it still stinks.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

M

A: Air-fresheners alone will not do much. Here are a few tips that may help eliminate much of the odor. If you choose to do a few, it may help. If you choose to do all of these options together, the smell issue should be taken care of. Don’t forget to talk to local detailers too!

  1. Park it in a well vented garage and leave the windows down for several days.
  2. Shampoo and vacuum the seats and carpets – twice – over the course of two days.
  3. Don’t forget to clean the headliner and seat-belts too.
  4. Have a detailing shop use ozone on the interior (after it has been cleaned by you)
  5. Remove the ashtray and completely wash it. A trip to the dishwasher works.
  6. Clean the window channels over the driver and front passenger’s shoulder. Ashes tend to collect there over time.
  7. Put a dryer sheet under both front seats. Remove and replace every week. Keep doing this for a month or so. The sheets alter the smell and absorb some of the cigarette smell.
  8. Replace all of the vehicle’s air recirculating filters.
  9. Clean the inside glass with vinegar and then window cleaner.
  10. Remove and replace all of the floor mats

Hope that helps!

N

Speaking of “smoking” cars: check out this Mazda6 vs Mazda CX-5 test!!

Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.

From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.

Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com

Watch as Emme and Roman go head to head on a racetrack. 228i vs MINI Cooper 4-Door!


nathan adlen Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.