1988 Nissan Stanza Reviews - Page 2 of 3

Brake pads and rotors replaced at 82,000.

Alternator replaced at 84,500 miles.

Air conditioner not working at 63,000.

Engine and transmission mounts need replacing at 70,000 (old age reason)

Gas cap/sliding door safety cable bar bent and non functional at 75,000.

The Stanza Wagon's practical design is far more useful than any "cross over" mini wagon made today.

I do not need to fold forward the back seat in order to load a full size baby stroller, play pin, two full size suit cases, and still have room for a couple bags of groceries.

It's amazing, Nissan should bring back such a concept (and keep the sliding doors, they are so convenient).

Over time, the electric window mechanisms have broken, but I was able to repair them rather than replacing them.

The transmission finally went out at 269,000 miles, but I had it rebuilt and it continues to run fine.

Replaced water pump one time (at 239,000 miles) and the timing belt twice.

Rust is finally becoming an issue here in northern Illinois, but a little mud and paint will make it look better this summer.

I drive this car 90 miles per day at interstate speeds, and it rides like it is floating on whipped cream.

The engine is strong and has never been opened up. Just change the oil religiously at 3,000 miles (with a can of GUNK engine flush every time) and this engine will last forever. It doesn't leak a drop of oil, and now (at 313,000 miles) burns about one-half of a quart between oil changes.

Interior remains almost perfect, and seats are comfortable with more than adequate headroom.

* Clutch replacement

* New fuel pump (the original was still in there after 165k)

* Factory tape deck died, but I wanted a CD player anyway

* AC failed due to a leak, haven't bothered to fix it

* Typical old car rattles and squeaks

It's a great little car. It's closing in on 200k and going strong, I don't see why it won't make it to 300k. Despite having a 97HP 4 cylinder, it performs quite nicely with the manual transmission, and it is fun to drive.

The ride isn't bad, though, and I find the seats to be comfortable in the front and the back. There is enough room for me, at 6' 5", which I can't say for many other smaller cars.

I get great fuel economy, usually about 27mpg in the summer, and 22mpg in the Minnesota winters. In the winter is always starts right up, and gets warm pretty quick, though on the cold days you have to let it warm up or it's too stiff to shift (plus you should let cars warm up anyway).

The winters have taken it's toll on the body, which is rusting in various places. The rear passenger door and driver's door seem to rust the worst on most Stanzas I have seen, though I don't know why. Despite the rust it still looks good, especially considering the miles.

The only thing I can't figure out is why Nissan didn't sell very many Stanza's. I think it's a much better car than the Honda Accord 4 cylinder, which (if you ask me) is built and handles like a cheesy economy car. I'd say it is a lot more like a 4 cylinder version of it's cousin, the V6 Maxima, and very much like the late 80's 4 cylinder Toyota Camry.