1988 Nissan Pulsar NX XE

Summary:

An amazing car

Faults:

Replaced the clutch

Replaced the cylinder head and head gasket

Spark plugs and wires

Distributor cap and rotor

Battery

Alternator

Oil and radiator cap

Water pump

Drive belts.

General Comments:

Considering that many of the above mentioned items are typical maintenance items on a 16 year old car, the only major expenses were the clutch and the cylinder head, which I replaced myself.

I drove down from Alaska to Texas to begin graduate school, and considering that, its served me pretty well. However it does burn a bit of oil and it is the slowest car I have ever driven. I think that the ability to take the T-tops off helps quite a bit in the cool department.

Parts are cheap and plentiful and it still gets good gas mileage. I have never had problems starting it in the morning and it gets me to where I need to go

The engine seems bulletproof, probably due to the regular 3000 mile oil changes.

The paint is beginning to peel on the drivers side T-top and it has a little rust on the door and the rocker panel

I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world though and best of all...it's payed for...:)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th July, 2003

26th May 2008, 09:25

I have had a lot of sports cars. Italian. German, French. This car was the best handling, nimble thing of all. On that slowest car on earth comment... A 1.8 with a fiver is meant to run!!! Check out the redline on the tach. Run it up till it gives no more then back down a tad. If it doesn't make you love it, it needs something in the service department. This car will pull past 4K. I drove mine for 120k like this, and the motor loves it. The car had 268 when I sold it, still running. I would love to find another.

1988 Nissan Pulsar NX 1.6 gas

Summary:

A good commuter

Faults:

Had to replace the battery, water pump, timing belt, boots, exhaust, head lights, brakes, clutch, and head gasket, and spark plugs.

General Comments:

This car is an OK car, it runs well, but kinda lags. The performance and power of this car is really weak, and they should have done a better job on it. I think that it only has like 70 hp.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th May, 2002

1988 Nissan Pulsar NX 1.6

Summary:

A good investment

Faults:

After 2 weeks replaced the clutch.

Distributor cap/leads/plugs.

Battery completely died.

Cylinders and head gasket.

Alternator - stopped charging batteries.

Starter - died.

Gas gauge/temp gauge voltage regulator.

Rotor shield got bent.

General Comments:

I got the Pulsar with 220,000 km on the engine, the body is in amazing shape. So I replaced all of the parts I listed that went wrong with brand new parts and I also got a rebuilt engine put in.

Now, I have a great looking, and running car. It's small, fast, sporty, the t-roofs are a plus and now it is very reliable.

Great first car, even though I drive the heck out of it! Actually this is the perfect first car. And make sure you get the standard tranny, it makes driving it all the more fun!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd April, 2002

16th Feb 2008, 20:26

Can anyone tell me why my Pulsar runs so cool. Seems the more you drive it the cooler it gets. I changed the thermostat antifreeze and cleaned out the heater core. It's a 1988 Pulsar automatic.