1980 Datsun 310 1.2

Summary:

World's worst in my opinion!

Faults:

Every single exterior/interior knob, handle, switch and lever broke, including door handles, e-brake lever.

Rocker panels and doors rusted thru after being driven in only three Michigan winters.

Hard to replace the clutch four times as it was about the size of a tea cup plate.

CV joint boots constantly tore three times/both sides. Had to replace CV joints because dirt and sand entered them and destroyed them.

Muffler and tailpipe rusted out and fell when the car was only three years old and had only 60,000 miles.

Rear window latches would never stay tightened.

Tiny carburetor needed cleaning at least once every two years.

Would not keep a front end alignment, ate front tires.

General Comments:

My wife bought this car from her Grandparents when it was only three year old. They knew a sucker when they saw one!

The thing was cheap, cheap, cheap, in every regard. It had awful handling, noisy - like driving inside a beer can, ugly styling, way underpowered, would do 75-80 mph tops.

Interior pieces were a cheap plastic that disintegrates over time in the hot summer sun. The outside door handles were cheap pot metal that broke off in your hand if you pull too hard.

The good thing about it got good gas mileage, a consistent 35 MPG, and I pulled 46 MPG over a couple of tankfuls hyper-miling it.

And it was the easiest car to work on that I ever had. The last clutch replacement I did only took 18 minutes! I could adjust the valves in less than an hours, pull, clean, and replace the carb in under an hour. Replacing the head gasket was simple. The engine was near indestructible. I ran it months with coolant in the oil until it hydro-locked one day and forced me to replace the head gasket that was leaking the coolant into the crankcase.

It met its demise when the stupid mechanic (me) didn't torque the right side driveshaft flange bolts, and the shaft came loose and smashed complete through the transmission. I sent it to the junkyard, but some fool got back on road. Who knows, it may still be running?

Other than the engine reliability, everything else was wrong with the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th February, 2015

1980 Datsun 310 GX 1.4

Summary:

Real strong

Faults:

Had to clean gas tank, after sitting for 10 years. The gasoline stunk so bad.

Installed new spark plugs & cables. Rotor cap.

Tires were flat too.

General Comments:

Actually I just bought the car 2 months ago.

Great little car. 5 speed. It's like new inside.

23500 original miles, it's white on the outside & red inside.

My son & I went up to 65 mph on the freeway.

Sunroof too.

Told my daughter that she can use it to go to school when she gets older. She didn't like that idea. She is 11 years old.

Cold A/C. 4 door.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th November, 2010

1980 Datsun 310

Summary:

Drives real nice

Faults:

Fixed the fuel tank; it was dirty.

General Comments:

Just bought my Datsun 310. Spent last 10 years in a carport here in Arizona. Doing a tune up tomorrow. Only 4 speed. All original. Never had a car so clean. Even the A/C works great. Not sure if am going to keep it. ressortera@yahoo.com

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th October, 2010

1981 Datsun 310 GX A13 1.3 Liter

Summary:

Well built and an overall solid ride

Faults:

I have only had the car a couple months, but nothing has gone wrong with it yet.

-> It needs new shocks and springs - I knew this when I bought it.

-> The blinkers don't work (the light doesn't blink and theirs no blinker click) - I think it's a fuse issue.

General Comments:

My 310 is in absolutely outstanding condition. I bought it from a 70 year old women who's husband had just passed away. Her husband bought it brand new in 1981 and they've owned it EVER SINCE. The condition (considering its age) is impeccable. It is the original cream paint from the factory and with the exception pf an almost invisible dent on the hood, and a small poorly repaired dent near the gas tank it is almost perfect. The weather stripping above the door along the roof line is cracked (yes, I'm digging for complaints). The bumpers are in perfect condition as are the original aluminum wheels. I plan on getting the wheels polished and taking off the pinstripes because they're peeling at the back and just look cheesy. When I replace the shocks I am going to lower it about an inch and a half, but other than that and window tint it is going to be unchanged. It's a nice, clean, <i>classic</i> Nissan and its going to stay that way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2008