Comments: 1-15, 16-19
Had a rattle at about 85,000 miles. It was a piece of plastic that guides the timing chain. $250 to find and fix (by a very good and honest mechanic).
It leaks oil.
I can't express how good this car has been to me. It was bought new by my parents in 1989 as one of the "loss leaders" in the Sunday paper. I got it in 1994 when they wanted something nicer. I take it in to the mechanic every 2 years right before my smog check here in California and get a tune up. Nothing special, replace the spark plug wires, check the timing, etc. I had the one problem with the timing chain, but that was really no big deal. And that is it. Really. In the 140,000 miles on the car, it has been in to the mechanic all of 4 times, 3 for the tune up before the smog check. Of course there is the usual repacement of tires, brake pads, etc.
The car runs like new. Silky smooth. It has only not started once - when the battery was 7 years old. It doesn't miss, ping, or hesitate. There is absolutely no sign that the car is even close to giving up. And it's not like I treat the car well. All the Accord owners say "just keep the oil changed...", I don't even do that. It has gone 20,000+ miles a couple of times between oil changes. I'm sure its over 20,000 right now.
I routinely drive 85 mph, and get it up to 95 at least once a week. I'm sure the engine is turning 4500-5000 rpm for most of my 20 mile daily commute. It gets 26-28 mpg.
I also own an '89 Nissan Sentra. Be careful with the oil changes. It doesn't take four quarts. Actually three will get you in the safe zone. Most places will change your oil and put four quarts in which overfills it and causes unneeded pressure which eventually causes a bad leak. Try using about 3.5 quarts.
I agree with that comment, I have just acquired my Sentra from my parents. I changed the oil the other day and found that 3 and half quarts was just right. I bet Wal-mart would have squeezed in 4.
And if think this car is peppy with an automatic, try it with a stick, I can peel out in first and second, and chirp them in third.
I have a 1990 Nissan Sentra and I have to say it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Mine now has 206k miles and has never really let me down. I drove it across the country 15k miles in one month and only had two flat tires. This is an amazing car.
The only major work has been 3 replacement clutches and one generator. I did not even have to put water in the radiator for 5 years!
I am going to keep it for my kids to drive in 16 years.
BTW I also change the oil maybe once every 20k miles and have had no problems.
Daniel.
My nissan sentra is also a 1989 has 267,997 miles on it. Only thing that you have to do with this car is replace the parts that will eventually wear out. Anyone that owns a nissan sentra should be able to get 300,000 to 500,000 miles out their vehicle. Make sure you do the basic maintenance on the vehicle. Keeping up the oil changes every 3000 miles has kept this car running well. And I haven't even changed the timing chain yet.
I have owned an 89 Sentra for about 2 years now. It has 150k on it and I have been using lately for delivering pizza. It has never had a problem except recently. I just replaced the alternator. It took all of about 1 hour to do, but the part cost $150 bucks!!! Expensive Hitachi parts. Anyway, the one I removed was stock so I think I got my money's worth out of it. Bought it for $1200. It has a one broken strut right now, but I drive it like that and have no problems other than a minor thud noise from time to time. I change the oil religiously and as a result it doesn't burn any.
I have a 1990 Nissan that I bought 2nd hand. It is at approximately 190,000 miles, with only normal wear and tear (tires, battery, belts, etc.). It developed an oil leak which I had fixed last week. The mechanic HAD suggested changing the timing belt while the car was in the shop, but after seeing the good condition of the chain, said it wasn't needed. I average about 30 miles to the gallon.
I own the base 2 door, and the only thing I wish for is intermittent wiper control!
I have a 1989 Sentra that I have had since Febuary. I got it with 143,000 miles on it and it runs like a champ. It now has over 145,000 miles. Starts everyday and runs smooth. I have a leak somewhere under the distributor, but other than that the car runs and drives perfect. It's just my second car so it's not heavily relied on. These are nice cars.
Hello,
I need some help. I have an 89 Nissan Sentra and I mistakenly unplugged what seems to be the ecu. It is located underneath the passenger seat. The car will not start now. I was wondering if you have to reset the ecu (if it is the ecu) and how this would be accomplished?
You can email me at michaeljamesgeorge@yahoo.com
Thank you very much in advance.
I bought my 1989 Sentra in September of 2002. I paid $1500 for it. I have been pleased with it up till now (2-22-03). I had it break down on me when I was out of town with a timing chain problem. Is is going to cost over $1000 to get it fixed at the local dealership in Tuscaloosa, Al. The timing chain has eaten a hole in the housing and oil was going everywhere. I hope from what I am reading that this will be my last big expense with it. The mechanic told me that this year has had a history of problems with the chain.
I currently own a 89-90 Sentra automatic. Bought it as a lemon in November 2001 for $1500. Car has 124k on it and was driven like crap by the last owner. Had to replace the entire brake system, master cylinder, muffler, catalytic converter, and the starter motor. Cost in around $1600 to fix. Car also has a small oil leak and a vibration problem that "only" occurs if the car is idle in drive. The headlight globes were falling out. Had to glue them back in. The front blinker covers were damaged and cracked by gravel, replaced. The front bumper is hanging 1/4 inch down, looks like a fender bender.
Don't buy the automatic version of this car. It has no pickup power. Very dangerous if your trying to turn on a busy street. Don't get me wrong, it's fast. Can reach 105-110 but pickup power is lacking.
Feels like the whole car is holding together with crazy glue (it's not). Other than that, it's a great car. Ugly, but a great piece of machine. If it "wasn't" a Nissan it would be in the junk yard now.
Just sold my 1989 Nissan Sentra 2D Sedan 5-speed for $500. Needed the money fast to pay the tax collector. 185,000 miles, only burned a little oil. Owned since 2000, and it ran like a champ, with only minimal maintenance required. Only replaced the alternator, spark plugs, and spark plug wires--I did it myself, because there is lots of room under the hood to work on it. Oil changes a breeze, as easy to access the filter and drain plug, no jacking necessary. Now I have a 1990 Honda Civic EX--nicer looking than the Sentra, but a bear to work on under that low profile hood. I changed the oil, and scraped up my knuckles; don't like crawling around under cars w/o good place to do it (not an oily parking lot).
I have owned my 1989 Nissan Sentra since she was brand new. I drove her off the lot Memorial day 1989 with 5 miles on the odometer. She now has 112000 miles and rarely gives me any problems. I have had to have an oil seal replaced, the fuel pump in the gas tank, the brakes done and recently the timing chain. The only other costs have been basic maintenance (ie. headlight bulbs, oil changes and tune ups) I have not put that many miles on her over the last 15 years, so with the past performance and the comments here, I guess I will plan to own her at least another 15 years!
I bought this 89 new and have had two major repairs over the years. One was when the transmission seal blew and I didn't catch it in time and lost the transmission. But the replacement one has been good.
The second repair was a freak accident, the timing chain guide actually snapped off and broke the chain causing some valve damage. Lucky for me none of the pistons were damaged.
You definitely have to keep those oil changes regular, I keep mine at 7000-10000 km. It sure loves it when you do.
This car has gone through a lot during its life including being in storage for a couple of years. Walked into the garage and just started her up with no problem. She has always been peppy and fun to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a solid little car, with great gas mileage.
I have a 1989 sentra with 278,000 miles on it I got it in 1996. The only problems so far was a bad fan and it has a very small oil leak. I have just put a new timing belt on it and a clutch I have put 200,000 miles on the car snce I got it and I'm shure it will go 200,000 more it's a great car.
I have a 89 sentra. It has been the best car I have ever owned. my car has 210,000 miles and the only repair is the hole in the oil pan. And that fixed with jb weld. That car sat for 4 years and I threw a battery in it and I am not kidding one crank of the starter and she started. If only todays car could be this reliable.