2000 Nissan Sunny Super Saloon from Singapore - Comments

Front disc pads get a brownish oxide after washing the car! This results in a slight screeching noise. The brown oxide will rub off after driving and braking lightly a few times.

The best selling car in Singapore in 1999/2000. So spare parts are relatively cheap and widely available. A practical reliable family car that gets you from point A to B - but don't expect anything much more than this!

Plus points - silent engine, it is reasonably quiet below 4000rpm. Very smooth manual transmission box. The steering is very "meaty" and nicely weighted unlike most Japanese cars. One of the safer Japanese cars around as it scored "AAA" rating in the Japan NCAP crash tests. Body shell seems to be quite strong and rigid with no drumming of the panels heard.

Minus points - Suspension is not very composed over rougher roads and humps, as it lacks an independent rear suspension. Loud roaring tyre noise over certain sections of expressways and rough roads. This despite original factory fitted Bridgestone tyres being changed to Michelin MXTs. Lack of three-point rear centre seat belts, only has a rear centre lap belt. Cheap drum brakes for the rear wheels.

Nissan Super Saloon 1.6 Auto is proberly the best value for money Japanese made car in Singapore at the moment due to the fierce competition in this category from the Corolla. By far, Nissan is a run away winner in terms of the overall package.

It has a very European cabin feel compared to other Japanese makes. Being a family saloon, I think that interior comfort is most important to me and hence I booked one for myself recently at SGD 80,500 incl. COE.

Try looking into the rear boot (between the Speakers mounted on the board).

There is a bolt-on point which (if I'm not wrong) is where the three-point seat-belt is to be mounted.

Like most comments thus far, the car is nothing to brag about.

I drive the 1.5EX Auto, and use the Thompson/Sembawang stretch each day. The drive doesn't give me too much disappointment (even with Civic 3-door fierce Boy-racers).

Clocked top speed at 140kmph thus far (along Changi Naval Base access road).

If anyone has an idea of how to squeeze the efficiency of the car (current 50litres/tank gives about 410++km lots of Over-drive time). F2-21 brought it max to 480km a tank but only reached that top-end twice and retreated back to the same as without. Do E-mail me (tanboonkiat@usa.net) if anyone has tried and tested methods of juicing the efficiency out of the car (fuel-wise).

I wish Nissan could send their use cars to Jamaica with electronic fuel injection instead of the computerized carb. I love Nissans and encourage others to buy them. My family have the Sunny JX and the EX Saloon. They are very good cars, but because they are made with carb. the fuel efficiency is not so well.

GOOD JOB NISSAN, KEEP ON MAKING MAGNIFICENT CARS AND TRUCKS!

I am driving a Nissan Super Saloon 1.6 Manual.

I am generally satisfied with its performance, while one thing that makes me disappointed is the vibration at the speed 100km/h.

I have consulted many people and even sent it to a Nissan service center for wheel balancing a few times, but getting not much improvement.

Well, I normally don't drive so fast.

I have 2 manual EX Sunnys bought 1 month apart in 2001 and I discover each give different performances. The older car gives slower pick up with gear 1 and 2. Acceleration is lethargic. Also problem with the rear suspension. Gives squeaking sound when I get into driver seat or step out of car. No, I am not fat.

My brand new Luxury Edition has terrible fuel efficiency... only 280km for a full tank. No I don't drive fast or go up Benjamin Sheares Bridge everyday. The agents say nothing is wrong, but I'm not convinced.

I am driving a 1.6 Manual Super Saloon.

There is this very interesting issue.

Every time I start the car after a min 15 minutes rest, the engine will almost die off which I think should not happen

to a new car! It happened after 8 months of driving.

The workshop at TC told us it was a carbon choke! Ask me what kind of petrol you pump? I told them Mobil 8000.

Now the same problem happen again after 10 months!?

What can be the problem?

The car was brought in 2001 May.

Sigh..

Over the car was OK just don't really like the supension and tyres.

I've been driving the 1.5EX saloon for the past 5 1/2 weeks. It's a family car so the performance is not great... but having said that, I've found it very easy to spin the front wheels on a dry road, even with the a/c on. Without a/c, it is possible to do burnouts.

I've brought it up to 160km/h, with a/c, haven't tried it without switching on a/c.

Overall, it is a very comfortable car to drive in this price bracket, but the handling is a letdown, which is a pity because it has pretty sharp steering. Will be trying to switch to 16" rims with sport suspension and strut bar to see if this cuts out the body-roll and makes it better handling.

Just an update on the 1.6 SS Sunny (Manual) : the fuel consumption is terrible for a 1.6 litre engine. At best I have managed to get only 11+ km/L. At worst, only about 9+ km/L. Average is about 10 km/L with about 20,000+ km on the odometer. The engine is an antiquated design and this coupled with a relatively heavy body gives poor fuel consumption.

The new 2003 Sunny recently released in Singapore, seems to promise better fuel consumption figures as it has a new engine with Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control (CVTC). It's the same technology found in their new super 350Z sports car that costs around SGD$168,000+ here in Singapore. But with a huge 3.5L V6 engine, that car can only return at most 5 to 6 km/L fuel consumption figures.

Dear Nissan Sunny Owners.

I am sorry to hear about the large number of complaints regarding this vehicle. Most of the owners have not given enough information so that the problems they experience can be verified quickly and accurately. However, they can be classified into two main groups:

A) Performance Related (incl. fuel consumption)

b) Appearance Related (E.g. Rusting of certain parts etc..)

A) Performance Related- A vehicles performance is what it is, due to a number of reasons. The underlying factor behind these reasons is the odometer mileage done by the owner. Even if your car is 'new' (perhaps less than 12 months old), you need to drive it with restraint within the first 1600km, this is called the 'Break-In Period'. (See Relevant Section of the Owners Manual in this regard).

There are other maintenance criteria that need to be followed as the mileage increases, so that the performance of the vehicle is kept at a good level. These include, and are not limited to- Engine Tune-Ups, Servicing at relevant intervals and using the approved fuel and oil suitable for your model of car. For Example, the FB-15 Sunny (Ex or Super Saloon), 2001 year of manufacture, has an engine model known as QG 13DE or QG 15DE. The approved engine oil for both these models is 10W-30 or 10W-40 ('Nissan' brand oil or good quality equivalent oil should be used).Turning to fuel needed, unleaded fuel with an octane rating of at-least 91 should be used AT ALL TIMES. Failure to do this will cause engine misfiring, damage to the catalytic converter (if your car is equipped with one), POOR FUEL ECONOMY and a host of other issues which only a trained Nissan Technician can diagnose using advanced diagnostic equipment. Also keep tires inflated at correct levels. If your car has done more than 10,000km and the tires are worn out- if you need to replace them- buy the same tire brand as was originally equipped from the factory or if not available, a close equivalent for all 4 tires. In addition, you need to add battery water to maintain your battery, top up to approved levels- the Power Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, Clutch Fluid (if a Manual) and Windscreen Washer Fluid. Keep your engine compartment clean and free of dust and water at all times. The use of Genuine or OEM Replacement parts (if genuine parts are not available or are too pricey)is encouraged.

If your car is stalling after briefly starting, there may be an issue with your charging system. Have you noticed the 'Charge' (Battery) or Engine Malfunction (Yellow Warning Lamp) come on on starting or at other times? This indicates a problem and Needs to be diagnosed using Computerised Diagnostic Equipment (i.e. the Consult 2 System) available at your Nissan Dealer.

B) You need to wash and clean your car on a regular basis. Use a good quality car wash detergent to wash your car well and wipe throughly every nook and corner to prevent water remaining in these areas. If you are fortunate to have a garage to house your car keep your car in it and do not expose it unnecessarily to the elements (i.e. sun and rain mostly). if not use a waterproof body cover suitable for a Nissan Sunny. Try to avoid parking your vehicle under trees, clean bird and insect 'droppings' immediately and periodically wax your car to give it a 'new vehicle appearance'. These steps will minimise rust and spare you of expensive damage and replacement of spare parts. It will also help to retain the resale value of your vehicle as well.

Hope that helps...

Regards,

Sanjay

(Sri Lanka)