1984 Nissan Sunny L review from UK and Ireland

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.

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.