1987 Nissan EXA N13 review from Australia and New Zealand

The engine has been very reliable, and consumes almost no oil, however at 3,700 Revolutions it makes a fairly raspy loud sound. This has only happened in the last 7000 Kilometers, and I have not had it serviced yet.

The muffler has developed a small rust hole that needs repair. It could be contributing to the raspy sound.

The seals around the passenger and driver door are showing their age (15 years now) and they leak occasional drops when the car is in the rain.

The water drops onto the passenger and driver seats and I suspect this dampness is beginning to rot the seats.

I also suspect rust below where these drops have started. Despite this the car has been fairly resistant to rust, even though it has not been kept in a garage since I have owned it. With just some tiny spots showing around the bottom of the chassis beside the driver side door.

The factory standard speaker system now distorts badly, I opened the speaker bay and touched the speaker cone which crumbled underneath my finger.

The gas flap doesn't open with the leaver, it needs you to pry it open.

The gas strut that holds the boot open needs to be re-gassed and no-longer holds the boot open.

The car's performance is nothing special, as most similar 1.6 twin cam cars could drag this off.

The engine has a fair amount of torque though and its pulling power is really good at about 2,500 revolutions. I have a tow bar fitted and towing is not a problem.

This car is very distinctive and fairly rare (around here anyway), Its mediocre performance doesn't concern me as it has many more interesting features to make up for this.

This car has a TARGA top, great for removing during the sunny summer months, air conditioning, power steering, electric windows, electric mirrors, pop up headlights, and all the electrics still work fine.

The rear seats are a bit of a joke, being so tiny, about the same size as those in a RX7.

The seats are not very comfortable and I find it difficult to find a comfortable setting, but I am quite tall. The suspension is a fairly soft (good for long journeys), nothing special, but the car handles well.

Fuel economy is good, as long as you don't use the air conditioning (which demolishes any concept of fuel economy)

Long journeys are very comfortable, with plenty of room (for two people), and a nice ride.