1989 Nissan Sunny ZX 1.8 16v

Summary:

Fun - fast - don't underestimate

Faults:

Hand-brake has never worked properly despite two new rear calipers (£100 each).

At present I have a juddering at low revs.

General Comments:

The car is VERY fast, it still surprises me, and the engine has a really nice sound. Or as my brother would say its really 'vocal' and that's with a normal exhaust.

In general it's a fun, fast, rare car.

I seems to me like the Nissan designers had fun at the design stage as it has hardly any similarities with the 'normal' Sunny it's based on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2001

8th May 2002, 03:42

Well since filling out this post (the one this is attatched to) I sorted out the judering at low revs. It was one of the coils bought one for £20 from a local breakers. Goes like the wind again...

1989 Nissan Sunny GS 1.6 12 valve

Summary:

Quick, reliable and not as boring as you may think!

Faults:

The fuel pump started leaking oil around the gasket.

The gearbox is starting to get noisy, but it drives fine.

General Comments:

For a 1.6, it goes like a rocket! I can leave behind those sad boy racers in their XR3i's and Vauxhall Novas!

It is a brilliant car. It's smooth, the steering is light, and it is reliable. It is the best car I've had. I would never buy a Ford or a Vauxhall again. I love Japanese cars.

It is 12 years old, and it is in mint condition. It has power steering, electric windows all round, sun roof and remote boot release. You don't get that on a middle of the range Escort do you?...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2001

1989 Nissan Sunny ZX Coupe 1.8 16v twin cam

Summary:

Cheap, reliable performance

Faults:

Starter motor failed at 73,000 miles.

Back caliper seized due to a common fault where water gets past the seal on the handbrake cable and corrodes the the piston.

Back discs needed replacing, Nissan wanted £199 for the pair, pattern discs cost me £80. Another example of a typically greedy dealer.

Apart from that, the car's in good working order.

General Comments:

The ZX is surprisingly quick, it still surprises boy racers. Not bad for a ten year old nail.

The bodywork is generally good but seems to rust around the mounting points of the body kit (side skirts, front valance etc), have a good look before you buy.

Fuel economy is good, insurance is OK but the dealer backup is one of the worst I have ever known.

All this aside, if you can find a good one the performance you get for the money is outstanding.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st August, 2000

1989 Nissan Sunny L 1.4

Summary:

Very economical little car that loves a good long run

Faults:

Left hand CV joint knackered, still knocking, must fix that!

Clutch is juddering but not really a problem.

Winder on drivers side window snapped.

Little oil leak out of petrol pump housing.

Leaking gearbox oil seals when I bought it.

Sunroof mechanism knackered.

General Comments:

Engine is sweet and it is a very cheap car to drive. Feels like it could go forever.

Must solve a few of its minor niggles and hopefully it will go for another 100,000 miles.

Could do with fuel injection though!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2000

2nd Mar 2002, 15:59

Hold onto your old Sunny, I have had an 1989 1.4L, a 1992 1.4L and a 1994 1.6SLX. The more modern Sunnys are nicer inside, but the build quality is nowhere near as good (bordering on crap). I have just flogged my SLX and bought a Civic Vtec.

Steve_pepa@yahoo.co.uk

6th Nov 2006, 11:11

I agree with steve and you will find my comments on the Honda in the Civic section 1994 /5. My partner has owned 3 of the early 1.4 LS Sunny's and they are really quite remarkable, especially in the 1.4 variant... No timing belt to worry about and with a modicum of good service sense these models will last beyond 150,000 miles if the body holds up on the rear arches, front wings etc. They also have a fair turn of speed!!!

I have just purchased a 1.4 pulsar saloon for £500 on an '89'.

It has covered just 40,000 miles and after a full service tomorrow it will be just superb.

If you find a good un... buy it and stand all the laughter from your mates... You will be able to laugh at them as you continue with mile after reliable mile of trouble free motoring... these cars are really over engineered and are only matched, in my limited opinion, by the mark 2 Honda Civic, one of which I also own.

Happy motoring...

1989 Nissan Sunny 1.4 petrol

Faults:

Electric windows iffy but sort-of working.

Seat belts!! - keep locking no matter how gradually you're changing speed - uncomfortable and infuriating!

General Comments:

The incessant rattling of various plasticy bits of the interior can be ignored using a loud stereo, but other than that, the car is solid, reliable and I've been very happy with it - It got me from Sunderland to Berwick (120km) in less than 50 minutes!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2000

1989 Nissan Sunny GTi 1.6i 16v petrol

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Nice car! Family car look, but performance is quite good. Driving is easy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 1998

1989 Nissan Sunny GS 1.6 petrol

Faults:

Blocked engine breather pipes. Not much else.

General Comments:

A good car that is deceptively quick.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 1998

20th Nov 2014, 10:16

Hi, I'm Abdulai Kargbo from Sierra Leone. I've just purchased a Nissan Sunny 1.4 SLX 16 valve twin cam. If you have any information, links or photos about this type of car, please send me an e-mail. I really want to know and learn more about my Nissan, and get some more horsepower out of it.

Abdulai_Kargbo@dai.com

Thanks.