Faults:
(mileages approx)
150,000 miles -- Power steering gear bad at time of purchase. Replaced and aligned. Also engine temp. sensor replaced. Rear hatch release/fuel filler door release cable is broken, but never repaired (too much labor).
160,000 -- replaced front brake pads, had to obtain one replacement rotor, turned the other one.
180,000 -- had all 4 (front and rear) CV axle shafts rebuilt. (needed new boots and re-lubed)
190,000 -- installed used power steering pump; original was "groaning"
200,000 -- installed used injectors and injector rail as a set (one of original injectors was leaking from housing)
215,000 -- when replacing timing belt, found right-side motor-mount had failed. Replacing this also "cured" a 2'nd-gear synchronizing problem that I'd noticed.
220,000 -- "head pipe" flexible coupling failed in front of catalyst; replaced. also gaskets at front and rear of catalyst blown out. New ones from dealer are metallic construction. Also pipe from catalyst to rear muffler has rusted through (but not fixed yet).
225,000 -- installed heater core and heater mode cable; original cracked and leaked steam. And 4-way flasher switch sort of "crumbled" while trying to replace heater core.
Also had (unknown mileages) several radiator hose failures, thermostat failure, valve cover oil leak, bad rotor and spark plug wires.
General Comments:
Handling is quite acceptable for a small 4wd vehicle, other than somewhat annoying under-steer. Handling is quite stable on icy/snowy surfaces (though it's only part-time 4wd, so can't use 4wd on "mixed" dry and slick roads).
Ride is better than other small 4wd vehicles I've driven, though road/tire noise can be higher than desirable.
Adequate power, except perhaps in 4wd, where sometimes an odd "rumbling" is audible, some sort of resonance?
Interior still looks very good, despite vehicle's age, though I wouldn't want to take an extended trip (front seat bottom padding is getting more than "firm")
Sliding side doors are "neat", though don't really add to vehicle's usefulness (and have an annoying tendency to light up the "door ajar" light, even when apparently closed).
Biggest complaint: weak defroster just isn't up to high plains ice & snow. Despite new (dealer) thermostat, dealer checks, replaced heater core, rechecks of all control cabling, new water pump, etc. Defroster blows lots & lots of warm air, but somehow just can't keep windshield clear, especially at driver's eye level and higher.
Most impressive: 226,000 miles and still running like a top; minimal oil consumption and reasonable mileage (25-26 miles per gallon commuting, some-times 28-30 miles per gallon highway)
26th Aug 2003, 20:08
No one has ever produced a car as ugly as the nissan stanza wagon.