1984 Nissan Sunny L 1.3

Summary:

Very reliable and likeable car

Faults:

The only things to go wrong with this car have been down to age and neglect by previous owners.

There was no anti-freeze in the radiator and the water was like coffee, so no surprise then, that it over-heated with a blocked radiator on my first long motorway trip. Even back-flushing it would not clear it so I invested in a brand new one.

Both headlights rusted out so they had the performance of candles- these were replaced cheaply with scrap-yard items.

Rear brakes were replaced (including wheel cylinders).

The main problem I have had is an annoying hesitation/flat spot that is difficult to pin down. A second hand replacement carb and distributor have not cured this. Neither have new plugs, leads, rotor arm or distributor cap. It seems to be at low revs on about half throttle- any ideas? It also runs badly on choke.

Anyway all the above is forgivable for a 17 year old car that is used for commuting 30 miles a day.

General Comments:

This is one of the best cars I have ever owned and at £350 (including 4 months tax) it was certainly one of the cheapest to buy.

Last year it passed the Mot without even requiring any adjustments.

If I had had any choice (which I didn't) I would not have bought a red car as they fade. My Sunny has been washed so many times in it's life that it has faded to white on the corners of the roof.

More annoying is the way in which water droplets seem to have 'scorched' the paint work from the sun shining on the car when it has been wet- these marks will not even T-Cut out.

The car still feels nice and 'tight' with few rattles- this may be down to the low mileage.

The fuel consumption is superb giving an average of over 40mpg.

I would definitely buy another Sunny, but would like to go for a more powerful engine as the 1.3 struggles to maintain 70mph on a motorway inclines.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2002

1984 Nissan Sunny GS 1.3

Summary:

Classic car for its day

General Comments:

The car has been serviced regularly buy the previous owner who has had it from new. Nothing has gone wrong apart from a stone through the radiator and a new battery 2 years ago. Other stuff was just general maintenance. It went for its MOT last week and flew through. Also the car has hardened valve seats so it runs on unleaded, which is a great cost saver.

The only thing that is a killer is the group 9 insurance, although that comes with all Nissans new or old, why I don't know.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd May, 2001

29th Oct 2002, 17:21

I have to disagree on the point you made about the insurance costs. I own a Nissan, live in a particularly bad area for car crime, am a young driver and have found that older Nissans are amongst some of the cheapest cars to insure!

1984 Nissan Sunny SGL 1.5 petrol

Summary:

Good, reliable and likeable

Faults:

Timing needs adjusting quite regularly.

New drive shaft about 2 months ago. Otherwise just general maintenance stuff. Pretty hassle free, really.

General Comments:

I like this car a lot, it has a good heart - really nice drive, comfortable.

It's large enough to be useful for transporting things, without being a 'big car'.

It's responsive although I wouldn't say nippy.

Nice and easy to fix general maintenance things.

Reasonably fuel efficient.

Seems to like pulling away up to about 30mph and then cruising at about 55 plus, not so great at the bit between, but still happy :-)

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

Review Date: 20th April, 2001

1984 Nissan Sunny SGL 1.5

Faults:

I have had the car for one year with no trouble at all.

General Comments:

Looking very old in terms of style and rusting but it is 15 years old. Toured Scotland in Summer 99 and covered 1400 miles in one week. 465 miles to a tank of petrol on a long run, the best £240 I have spent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th January, 2000