Faults:

Battery, alternator, water pump, bearings, starter and passenger door no longer opens.

General Comments:

My truck has a great running 2.4 4 cyl 5 speed. This is the best truck ever built. It has survived many off road trips, and for many years was used as a work horse for my landscaping company. It plowed snow for 5 years in a row (that's in the mtn's of PA).

About a year ago a worker over filled the oil by 1 quart; it was smoking badly and was in the middle of a job and had no tools to let the oil out, so I drove it home 20 miles with it smoking badly. Let the oil out and put in something from the auto parts store to stop smoking, which worked after a little bit. I retired it from my fleet of trucks, and now it's used as an off road truck. Before I took it off the road, it was still seeing 20mpg easily.

Today my son takes it in the woods and it sees some rough terrain, and gets a pretty good beating, and it was jumped 6 foot with very minor damage (dipstick tube broke). He added a snorkel to the intake and many times it sees water up to the headlights. This truck just won't give up; starts right up each time and runs like a champ.

Faults:

Clutch relay inhibitor switch has been replaced twice, but it was a relatively inexpensive part at under $150, and the Nissan dealer serviced it.

One rear jump seat broke in the early years of ownership and had to be replaced, and I believe the dealer did this at no charge or minimal charge as it was still under warranty.

Everything else has been just routine maintenance - replacing brake pads and tires, getting belts tightened, oil changes and tune ups.

General Comments:

I bought this car 2 years used looking and running like new, and feel that I have gotten more than my money's worth out of it! The cost to own it and operate it has been minimal, but the reliability has been maximum. It has really retained its value. The only thing on it that doesn't still work is the original cassette tape deck!

I have followed my mechanic's advice on 2 points, and this has probably helped keep it running so well for so long. I always use mid-grade fuel, and I change the oil every 3000 miles.

The extended cab has been like having a truck with a trunk, as it provided adequate space for stowing gear. The truck bed has been a good size for hauling, moving, and even sleeping once a camper top was added. The rear jump seats in the extended cab are too small for long trips or large passengers, but okay for a quick trip if needed. The driver seats are comfortable enough, and still in great shape after 15 years.

The engine runs pretty quiet but starts with ease in heat or cold, has enough power for a 4 cylinder, and accelerates well. Turning radius is a little tight and stiff, but decent for a truck. After all, it's not made to be a race car!

Gas mileage was only about 20 miles to the gallon, but okay for a truck. It may have been a little better with the camper top, and the manual transmission. The clutch has been exceptional. Friends are in awe of the fact that it still shifts so smoothly and has yet to need replacement!

After owning this truck for 15 years, I cannot say enough good things about my Nissan pick-up. Although only a little 4-cylinder, it has gotten me across the country on road trips without worry, taken me over the mountains on gravel roads, down to beautiful rivers and valleys. I sold it tonight just under blue book value, and with new tires and regular oil changes, the next owner will likely drive it for its next 100,000 miles of adventures.