Head gasket leaking a slight amount of oil, but being fixed by garage who recently fitted a new one under their warranty. Lots of little rattles, but most now sorted after finding their various sources!
Very cheap to buy seven seater in excellent condition, nice metallic green paint with full service history and Nissan reliability (hopefully) despite the mileage.
The 2.3 Diesel engine is agreeably very asthmatic. First gear is very short and smoother starts can be achieved using second where appropriate. Hills are not to be enjoyed and with a large single axle caravan in tow nothing short of awful. Patience is needed as often is second gear! Fine once moving, but a turbo would have been nice. Stability when towing can be a little bouncy at times, but solo I think the handling is fine. It just 'feels' like it might misbehave before it actually does. This feeling should just keep enthusiastic drivers in check though.
The engine is noisy, of that there is no doubt. Bear in mind it is basically a re-designed van. I spent £30.00 on sound insulation material and adhesive and a days work taking the seats out and putting the stuff everywhere I could, even over that already in place. Time and a few pounds well spent as it certainly made a difference to intrusive noise.
Fuel returns I think are good, in the 40's solo, but this involves gentle driving. It's the sort of vehicle that is just not worth 'thrashing'. It won't benefit you other than reduced in MPG.
Refinements are basic, but include air con which I had re-gassed for a small fee. Plenty roomy enough for a caravan awning and lot's of other stuff in the middle and rear. Even our 16 year old son likes to be a passenger in it and likes the reclining middle seats with plenty of leg room. Privacy glass to the rear seats is a bonus as people outside might not immediately see him picking his nose!
Families on a budget should not baulk at this vehicle. It's cheap to buy second hand, cheap to insure and reasonably cheap to run as it's easy to service and returns reasonable MPG. It's not fast, but then if you want speed spend more money on something else. It'll do for towing and would be great for the school runs. Goodness only knows how much shopping you could get in it?
Very informative with humour. Sounds the sort of vehicle which will suit my needs. Thanks.
I'm looking at a Nissan 'Sports Wagon', which is said to have a 2.4 Ltr PETROL engine (Canada Import). It seems to LOOK very similar to the Serena - anybody got any info?
Rafe.
Am intending to purchase a 1997 Nissan Serena from the Japanese dealers. Since its roomy and I have a family of seven, it sounds attractive enough especially considering the price. However, am in Malawi, Africa and was wondering how it would fair on rough/dirt roads - will it last?
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