1993 Nissan Pulsar Ti 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Tough, reliable and economical with a good power output

Faults:

Blower motor rheostat failed after about 9 years.

Driver's side door lock needed replacing after 9 years.

Slight oil leak developed after about 150000Kms.

Window mechanism (electric) was very slow in cold weather. Partially remedied through the use of silicon oil on the glass.

Rear anti-roll bar bushes perished leading to rattle. I mistook this for failed dampers.

Air con needed re-gassing after 10 years, then failed completely at 13 years.

The roof mounted aerial is a single piece construction and difficult to replace.

General Comments:

An extremely reliable and very tough vehicle.

The twin cam VVTi engine is smooth and revs sweetly. Acceleration seems best between 3500 and 5000 rev/min.

The car's handling is very good in the dry, but very poor in the wet, with not a great deal of feel through the power steering.

Very economical if driven carefully (always over 40mpg, with 50mpg at a steady 80Km/hr).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2007

1993 Nissan Pulsar LX 1.6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great fast, fuel efficient car that looks really sporty with a set of mag wheels and window tinting

Faults:

Something minor had become loose from short trips, but it was very cheap to repair.

General Comments:

I love this car and and refer to it as my baby.

People who have Holden Commodores can't believe what a fast and great car this is.

This car can even race brand new XR6's!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st July, 2005

1993 Nissan Pulsar SSS 2.0 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Best performing car at a cheap cost and without a turbo!!!!!

Faults:

The clutch was on the way out.

A new stereo & alarm caused the battery to die.

It is a Japanese imported Pulsar, which makes parts slighly more expensive.

Example -Replacement driving lights $400AU.

-Leather wrapped steering wheel $1400AU.

General Comments:

Since the clutch has been replaced the car has performed great.

The car has many features:

Power steering, power mirrors, electric windows, a sunroof.

The SR20DE is quick off the line, handles sharp around corners, hard to match this 4 cylinder.

It is the next best thing to its fellow turbo the GTiR.

Overall I can say that these cars are built tough and will take a lot of abuse. Over the last year I have found it difficult to change gears anything below 5000rpm, watch out for speeding fines...you'd be surprised when you look down doing 140km/h in third gear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2005

14th Jul 2005, 03:05

Technical question:

How in the world did you get 140 out of 3rd gear?

16th Oct 2005, 22:45

Hi, I have to say I love the sound of your car, I am looking for my first car at the moment, would you recomend a sss or a turbo version?..i love to go fast, but I wanted an opinion of a owner..thanks.

3rd May 2006, 13:21

The SSS is a pretty good car to start out with, as the expenses are relatively small compared to the Gti-R Pulsar and is more forgiving in driving situations for younger and less experienced drivers. But it must be said the SSS is nothing compared to the Gti-R 'Son of Godzilla'. So go for the Gti-R if you have a large enough budget and driving experience, but expect to fork out some money during its life on repairs, as with all turbos this age they will need to be reconditioned etc.

7th Mar 2007, 19:52

I own a '93 Pulsar 1.400cc 97bhp.. and it surely surprises me.

Have built a custom air intake from the bumper and the fourth gear just started to gain the life it didn't have! with third gear going up to 135km/h the fourth gear has gone up to 195km/h@6.000RPM, still 1.500RPM behind engine fuel-cut!!

Never imagined that a small family car had such spark in it!

I do believe that this GA14DE engine with a couple more mods can match a Honda VTI-VTEC engine.

24th Jun 2007, 02:59

I have a 93 SSS, and I'm a first year driver. The thing is an auto and it goes hard for a 4 cylinder. I've beaten a lot of V6's off the mark, but alas for a V6's shear power to smash a 4. I rate it a great car for beginners, and people looking to mod their car. Also, a 93 without turbo isn't that expensive these days.

In reply to 7th Mar 2007, 19:52

29th Oct 2011, 09:29

Would you mind providing a video of the 195kph in third?

In reply to 29th Oct 2011, 09:29

29th Aug 2014, 10:41

The earlier post mentioned 195 in 4th gear - not third!