2001 Nissan Vanette Cargo Cargo 2.3 D from UK and Ireland - Comments

I had three Vanette Cargo's for my business. One got written off on the way home from the dealer-ship when we first picked it up.

VAN NUMBER ONE:-

Up to about 8500 miles it used to rev it-self stupid when started from cold. Dealers couldn't find anything wrong and said 'They all do that.' That's rather strange because the other van (which is identical) has NEVER done it.

There is an annoying squeal from under the bonnet (not from the engine, which is located underneath the seats) that comes and goes as it likes.

Has self unlocking doors, unless you lock it with the key, and not the remote-locking.

Rattling rear doors, dealers just slapped about three tons of grease on them (literally!) When we opened the rear doors the grease dropped down onto the rear bumper and left a big stain. Dealer cleaned it off after persuasion.

Radio keeps tuning to other stations. You'd be listing to Radio 1 one minute, then you'd be listing to Five Live ten minutes later. Dealer replaced and its been fine since.

Current Mileage :- 11053.

VAN NUMBER TWO:-

Rear doors rattled too, dealer greased them up, but with less grease than the first van.

Remote-locking key keeps packing up, but starts working again after an hour or so.

Cabin trim keeps falling off! Heater controls keep coming away in your hand - not good for a Y-Reg.

Current Mileage - 9915.

Although they are plagued with faults, they are decent vans.

The 2.3 Diesel engine is VERY noisy! It is unbearable at 50 MPH, go on the motorway and it is impossible to have a conversation.

There's plenty of room in the back, and twin-sliding doors are standard on all models.

Checking the oil is a right pain! Its not under the bonnet like most cars/vans - its under the seats. So, to check the oil you have to.

--Clear everything away from the back

--Undo a screw on the base of the seats

--Undo for clips in the front cabin under neath the seats

--Pull the seats backwards individually

--Pull out a clip from underneath the seats...

...and only then can you check the oil. This can't be done if you have a partition between the front seats and the rear. Only God knows how you can check it then. It doesn't need topping up that often though.

The windscreen washer filler is under the bonnet though.

Even small hills are a challenge in the Vanette. If you hit a hill with a full load, the speedo flies round to the left and before you know it you are only doing about 20.

It is impossible to overtake too, even on a straight, flat road and your trying to get past a tractor. You drop a gear, pull out, drop another gear, drop another gear pray to God, then it reaches its limit so you change up and it gets bogged down.

Even pulling away from traffic lights is difficult. 1st and 2nd are OK, change up into 3rd and it gets bogged down, and 4th and 5th are almost the same! Best thing to do is to get plenty of revs up in second and then change to third.

Not a lot of space inside either. There's no cup-holders, although there is a flat bit on the front of the dash for cans, but its not big enough for a flask.

Ride is awful, even going over a white line in the middle of the road causes 'movements' in the back of the van.

Still, you don't buy a van for limo-like ride comfort, nor do you buy them for refinement. This van is cheap and honest, it does everything your throw at it, the turning circle is fantastic and it carries just over a ton!

Its cheap, reliable (ish) and carries a lot - and that is all our company needs in a van.

This review was honest and very helpfull, I just bought a second hand vanette and this review helped me make my mind up.

I have owned a Nissan Cannette2.3d 1996 model for approx 4 years and even after huge velels of neglect, have to say this is one of the the best and most reliable vehicles I have owned.

Its not perfect the side doors developed a rattle, easily fixed with a spot of nut lock and a socket set, and the connections to the starter motor and alternator caused a little grief, but nothing a novice home mechanic could not fix.

Whats wrong with it, its slow a bit noisy and is geared too low for motorways.

Whats right with it, nice neutral handling, well built on a 9 year old van only ery minimal rust is showing and I live on a small island with salty air.

Cracking van on the whole, but a turbo and better gearing would make it brilliant.

It is my first time in USA I live in Madagascar my Nissan Vanette dated 1987 and we are now in 2005 Íve got only two big problem during. my gear box was broken and it was really difficult to find a spare part so I decide to adapt a Toyota spare on it and it get well (Toyota starlet)

then I review my engine and the same problem appear it is difficult to find a spare so I adapt a cone from french car Peugeot and now it get well.

For me the Nissan Vanette is a very good van for country side it is very economic and good traveler.

It is my pleasure to have opportunity to give you those few comment. regards. RAKOTOARIMANANA LUC HERVE

email lukerak59@yahoo.com.

I have owned a Nissan Cargo for the past nine months, and I must say it's a brilliant van. Granted it is noisy, and you take your life into your own hands when you're overtaking, but it does the trick for me and I'm a plumber. I carry around half a tonne in it seven days a week and it travels better with a load. I only wish they made it in a turbo. I just have a little problem - it's leaking power steering fluid, but other than that it is working fine. No rust at all at the moment. Oh, it's a 99 G from Ireland.

Own Nissan cargo van. problem is whenever road is wet,it seems to lose power and put out black smoke. Sometimes it eventually stops dead.Have tried several garages, but could find no problem. Have cleaned and replaced all filters,and cleaned fuel pipes. Only happens in wet weather for some reason.

Anyone have similar problems or know whats wrong?

I suspect the author of the 24th September 2006 comment owns a Vanette, despite his description of it as a Cargo.

Having had 2 Vanette 1987 and 1992 models both with the 1500 petrol engine The latest one had been very reliable and yes run low on oil and it still continues. I wait until the oil light is slower to 'go out' and top up.

The first one was a bit of a shock to me. I bought it thinking the clock read 62,830 miles or perhaps 162,800 but after 2 weeks I realised the mileage wasn't moving very much and to my horror it actually read 628,300 miles!!! It was used for ferrying greyhounds up and down the country. Ended up topping the oil every week or so. Gearbox leaked oil after a motorway run. Present one fantastic, but thirsty and rusting now and looking for a newer one. (2000~2002) However you lot saying the 2.3D is not powerful and noisy... this is disapointing. However I need your opinion... IS THE GEAR LEVER HEAVY TO SHIFT IN ALL GEARS? only that there's one for sale at 35,000 miles Good condition, but for the stiff gear lever. I welcome your comments please.

If its any help the problem with the black smoke (nov 2006) more than likely the e.g.r if you get a similar problem disconnect it.

Regarding the Nissan Vanette Cargo 2.3d LWB; I just got a 1997 one and I agree with most of the general comments made. They are noisy, too highly geared, rattly, and now mine is leaking oil. It's not the rocker cover, coming from front of engine (which is extremely difficult to get at). Drip drip drip... top up top up top up until the weather improves and I can get a good look at it.

The side loading doors are great, and after all that I still think it's a good van for the money... thing is I only paid £300 for it.