1985 Nissan Pulsar Reviews - Page 2 of 3

My husband rebuilt the engine at 247,000 miles. I drove it - it ran hot. I divorced my mechanic in 2002.

My ex has put a rebuilt engine in the car. I start it for the first time tomorrow after 6 years.

Got 40 mpg when bought brand new in 1985. Was getting 30 mpg in 2002 when engine ran hot - cracked block.

I blew the head gasket at unknown since mileage meter didn't work.

The mechanism that pulled up and down the headlights never worked, also the multifunction lever didn't work either.

Seats were torn, there was no lock on the sunroof and had to replace a fender, but this car was really fun... I remember going to junkyards to get parts...

No airbags, no on board computers (well maybe some transistors under the driver's seat), without any of the sophistication of today's cars, this Pulsar NX was my first car and had it some neat features like power steering, great driving like a Go-Kart. Bought it cheap since it was my first car and enjoyed it a lot it was a poor rustbucket, had a large crash repair on it's right side, but it was nonetheless fun, very economic on gas, fast, the 3rd. gear of the manual trans was like if it had a rocket strapped in the roof. Liked it a LOT!!! installed a 75 US$ stereo with CD player heeheheh.

I remember the day I made the head gasket blow it looked like one of those acrobatic jets leaving a large trail of white smoke all over town.

Sold it for what I got it.

Driver's side CV joint, and front struts need replacing.

This car is in really good condition, considering its age. However I am aware that soon I'll be replacing parts on it.

It has the same engine/transmission as the same year Sentra, which I have owned two, (86 and 83) both cars being very reliable, and easy to maintain.

Parts are still available at most parts stores, and are inexpensive, which including the mileage, (30 mpg) is the reason I bought the car.

The car (with an automatic transmission) is not a tire burner, but gets me on the freeway quick enough.

Engine blew out at 90,000 miles. Had to be replaced.

Transmission had to be rebuilt twice.

Fuse box melted.

Striping around windshield rotted away.

Driver side windshield wiper flew off car into parts unknown during a violent rainstorm on a highway.

CV boots have rotted.

Axle broke.

Wheel bearing went bad.

Carburetor had to be replaced as there is no one left alive who has any idea how to rebuild one.

Fuel filter went bad.

Catalytic Pre-Converter went bad. Boy that was a fun one to fix. When it went bad exhaust backed up and blew out a gasket and broke a bolt off in the engine.

Floorboard is rotting away.

Had an electrical short, but I traced it to the brake light and fixed it.

The headlights don't sit down flat anymore. One sits a little higher than the other when they are turned off.

The heater/AC no longer works without a loud, horrifying, grinding noise.

Crank Arm Sensor went bad and that one drove me nuts trying to figure out what it was.

Replaced the shocks and struts. Suspension is still a joke.

Heat shield around the catalytic converter has half melted away causing the car to make a loud banging sound when I drive around which now officially makes me white trash.

Distributer cap split.

Thermostat stuck shut.

Folks the list goes on and on.

I have to be honest. This car is seriously old so these problems are to be expected. I didn't expect, however, to lose an engine at 90,000 miles. Over all I really hate this car, but it's so old I can't fault Nissan. I'm sure they had no intention of anyone actually still driving these cars more than ten years after they were made. For those who don't know better let me put it like this, the Pulsar is Nissan's version of the Ford Escort. In other words, if someone tries to sell you one run far in the other direction. Having said that I must admit Nissan does make good cars and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Nissan in the future. I'll just stay clear of all their Pulsar/Sentra type cars. I think I'm going to paint flames down the side of my Pulsar and put a big skull on the hood because "camp value" is the only value this car will ever have.