1990 Nissan Stanza GXE 2.4

Summary:

Last Nissan I will ever buy

Faults:

Transmission seals, CV axles and boots gone at 102000.

Radiator gone at 106000 miles.

Timing chain gone at 106000 miles.

Car gone at 106000 miles.

General Comments:

Very noisy ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th June, 2012

20th Jun 2012, 07:32

In reality, a 22 year old car isn't gonna be fun to repair. This car must've been parked somewhere, it's under mileage surely. When this car was bought, was there a safety inspection done? Was a competent mechanic able to diagnose a noisy timing chain, which later broke. Did they notice the ripped boots?

In reply to 20th Jun 2012, 07:32

21st Jun 2012, 03:49

22 year old car suffers failure of rubber components and radiator shock... I think this is more a case of unrealistic expectations.

In reply to 20th Jun 2012, 07:32

22nd Jun 2012, 22:29

The timing chain didn't break. It was the plastic tensioner that broke.

The radiator sprung a leak near the top seam.

The transmission problems started with a large puddle of transmission fluid under the car.

When replacing the seal on one side, we decided to do both sides, which meant removing both axles. May as well put new ones in.

The car wasn't parked for long periods. It just wasn't driven much.

Looking back, an ex-girlfriend had a 1989 Stanza that needed a new engine before the 100,000 mile mark.

For me, that's 2 bad examples of the same model from the same manufacturer.

1990 Nissan Stanza GXE 2.4

Summary:

Cheap, reliable, looks good

Faults:

Replaced plugs and wires regularly.

I treated some rust damage last week.

Air conditioning has went bad.

General Comments:

I bought the car used off a lot as is. Best investment I ever made.

I use it for 400 mile round trip every other week, and it is wonderful on gas.

Looks good when tripped out with some show decorations, mine was like that when I bought it. Still is in fact.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2005

26th Aug 2005, 11:32

You have a 1990 Nissan Stanza GXE with a MANUAL gearbox? My father had a 1990 GXE with an automatic and to this day I've never seen a GXE with a manual transmission here in Canada. Isn't that 2.4 liter a great motor? Lots of power, smooth, flexible, durable. I love big 4 cylinder engines. Mike in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

9th Apr 2008, 23:20

I have a 1990 GXE Nissan Stanza 5 speed and need to find Parts for it. What other car can be used for car parts for this?

1990 Nissan Stanza XE 2.4L

Summary:

Uninspiring, but very reliable

Faults:

Manifold Flex Pipe

Mysterious creaks.

General Comments:

This was my very first brand new car that I got as a gift from my parents for graduating from High School and moving on to College. Although an uninspiring ride, it was a car that I was proud of and babied.

The car had zippy acceleration! Passing other cars was a breeze. Fuel economy was OK considering it had a large 4 cylinder engine. Larger 4 cylinder engines tend to go through more gas.

My chief complaint was that there were a lot of creaks and rattles coming from this car, especially from the drivers side door which the dealer could not identify or fix. Cost over $500 to replace the Flex Pipe in the exhaust manifold at 50,000 which I felt was premature.

Other than this, the car was very reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th December, 2004

1990 Nissan Stanza XE 2.4L

Summary:

My favorite car

Faults:

The AC compressor had to be replaced when it was about 5 years old.

The latch for the gas tank door broke and wouldn't close after about ten years (but was easy to fix with a new latch from the junk yard).

The master cylinder for the brakes just was replaced in 2003.

The transmission broke at 143,000 miles (2003). I just got it fixed using a $40 transmission from a Stanza at the junk yard and it works perfectly now ($400 to have it put in).

The reservoir for windshield washer fluid got a leak after about 11 years.

At about 11 years old the car started to idle weird and sometimes stall. The mechanic said that it was a problem with the computer and Nissan had made a chip to correct the problem (apparently others had the same problem). The chip helped as did a tune-up. The new transmission seems to have fixed it all together now.

I think I had to replace some tie rods or something at about 11 years.

General Comments:

I really never took care of this car and twice went a year without changing the oil and yet it has really been a wonderful car. It has only ever broken down once in the ten years I've had it and that was this when the transmission broke.

The seats are really comfortable.

It is fun to drive.

Everyone should have one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2004

8th Jul 2004, 20:51

You mentioned a chip that fixed the idle problem on your Nissan. Do you mind letting on how much it costs? (Jaracer64@charter.net)

7th Sep 2004, 17:29

I'm experiencing the same type of problem with my 1990 stanza idle. I've tuned it up and still runs rough. You mentioned a computer chip. Please let me know name or type of chip and cost. Thanks, eliajcortez@peoplepc.com.

2nd Oct 2007, 10:09

I also had a rough idle problem with my Stanza. I had the alternator rebuilt and replaced a bad fuel injector and now the problem is gone. This really is a great car, over 17 years old and I have never had any major problems.

20th Mar 2010, 09:38

Where is the wiper washer reservoir located on a 90 Stanza XE?

Also, where is the temp gauge sensor located?

Lastly, where can I find a used and budget priced right rear brakelight lens assembly along with other front and rear signal lenses and other misc. parts?

Damsel in Stanza XE Distress here in Washington State surely would appreciate your feedback. Thank you!! Please post comment here or email response (preferred) to: back.2basics2009@hotmail.com

11th Apr 2010, 19:37

I am 21 years old, and I bought a Nissan Stanza 1990 for 300 dollars 11 months ago. I have put over 20,000 miles on it. Drove it to New Orleans for Mardis Gras 2010, and the starter just blew on my car; the bindex pin snapped.