1987 Nissan Pulsar DX 1.6

Summary:

Extremely unreliable piece of junk

Faults:

Exhaust Blew as soon as I bought it.

I had to get a new carburetor as soon as I bought it. Its ready to be changed again.

Head gasket blew at 200,000 km.

I got a new radiator two years ago, but the new one also blew after 220,000 km.

The speedometer cable snapped and the fuel indicator also doesn't seem to work.

Drivers side window glass keeps on falling into the door frame. I have to open up the panel every time this happens.

Had to get a new gearbox, clutch plate and cable at 215,000 km.

All four shock absorbers are leaking.

Hand brake gets loose every two months.

General Comments:

This is the worst car I've ever had. I've been in deep trouble since I bought this car beacase there is something breaking down all the time.

The car drives very well in corners and is fairly quick for a 1.6 liter engine, but is extremely unreliable. It simply dies after 200,000 km. All my efforts to keep it alive have resulted in a disaster.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th February, 2003

13th May 2003, 03:30

I am frustrated with your review on this vehicle, honestly 200,000 kilometers is a long way to drive. lets see how you would go, my honest opinion is that you should save a little more money and buy a more newer car, that way it would not have traveled nearly as far as your DX and it might last you a little longer.

Basically you pay pennies you get nothing new. try using a few more bucks. You'll be surprised.

Pulsar owner.

4th Apr 2006, 05:24

We have had our pulsar for 5 years, got it with 215,000, now done 278,000ks with very little trouble. Had to replace the starter motor and gearbox and that is all. Not the nicest car, but certainly very reliably, economical and great value for money. Sadly it is now at the age where everything is falling apart (rough roads do that) and I need a replacement. Maybe a low ks Pulsar?

21st May 2007, 09:10

It sounds like a lot of the problems you have are related to lack of maintenance by the previous owner. It is important to carefully inspect ANY used vehicle to signs of poor maintenance. BTW shocks simply blow out after a while, they are not permanent on ANY car and replacing them periodically is routine maintenance (every 60k miles or so depending on driving environment).

If you bought a new radiator and it failed after 20k miles, it was either installed improperly or the radiator itself was defective. You should hold the shop that did the work accountable for that and not the car.