Nissan Problems

The proud SSS badge dates from the 1960s when Datsun, as it was then known, put it on its sporty sedans. Cars such as the Bluebird SSS were tearaways then, and the most recent SSS, the N15 Pulsar, also was a standout.The Pulsar SSS was the performance leader in its class. The N14 model that preceded the 1995 N15 was popular with young buyers who wanted the day-to-day practicality of a hatch without losing performance or handling.Model watchTHE N15 Pulsar was an all-new, fifth-generation model released in 1995.  It was longer and wider than its popular predecessor, meaning more leg and shoulder room for passengers.But it was bland-looking, round and dumpy.  The SSS wagon-styled five-door hatch took getting used to.  It was hard to know whether it should be called a hatch or a wagon, because it more closely resembled a wagon.Quirky looks aside, it was a serious small sporting hatch with a handy power-to-weight ratio of 10.87kg/kW.  Power came from Nissan's SR20DE 2.0-litre, double overhead camshaft, four-cylinder engine, which had four valves a cylinder and fuel injection.  At its peak it put out 105kW at 6400rpm and 179Nm at 4000rpm.  It could reach 100 km/h in little more than eight seconds and had a top speed of more than 180 km/h.All that power went to the front wheels through a slick-shifting, five-speed manual gearbox.  There was also the option of a four-speed auto, but quite why you would want one in a hot hatch escapes me.The Pulsar's suspension was a mix of MacPherson strut at the front and a multilink beam at the back.  There were coil springs and anti-roll bars at both ends. Handling was sharp and precise.  The steering was rack and pinion with power assistance, and the brakes were discs all round.The sporty picture was finished off with attractive alloy wheels, standard with the SSS.  Inside were a premium four-speaker sound system with CD player, air-conditioning, sports seats and power windows.A minor Series II update in 1998 can be identified by a revised mesh grille with the Nissan badge fitted to a centre vertical bar.In the shopNot much goes wrong with the N15 SSS. The body remains tight, so there are few squeaks or rattles, the interior trim wears well and the plastics don't fall apart.  Mechanically the 2.0-litre motor is a gem.Jerry Newman of Nissan specialists the Cheltenham Service Centre says the cam timing chain can rattle if the car hasn't been serviced regularly to Nissan's recommendations.  Timing-chain rattle can also develop at high mileage, but the noise is more a nuisance than a sign of impending doom.Newman also says it's important to use the Nissan recommended 7.5/50W oil or an equivalent, because heavier oils can tend to clog the engine internals and lead to damage.  The drivelines are generally trouble-free, but check the CV joint boots, which can crack and split.Owner's viewDominic Sequeira owns a 1998 N15 Series 2 Pulsar SSS with 75,000km on the odometer.  It's comfortable for daily driving, has plenty of grunt and is the right size for heavy traffic. He has had no problems with it, but says it can be thirsty if driven hard and it prefers premium unleaded."Glen" owns a 1999 SSS manual 2.0-litre Pulsar hatch which he says has been totally reliable.  It is economical, has excellent performance around town and responds well to mild revving to give a nice kick in the back.Kay Hamer-Finn's 1999 SSS has done 90,000km without the need for major work.  As president of the Nissan Datsun Sports Owners Club, she regularly competes in club events. Her SSS has the original clutch, and has had no engine problems.David Sporle says the N15 was a good car, but not great.  It was where the cost-cutting measures started to show, Nissan deleting such things as fully adjustable seats and leather around the gear stick.Ian Bock bought his Nissan Pulsar SSS new in 1999.  It has done 113,000km and has been very reliable, though he was disappointed that the front discs needed replacing at 63,000 km. It returns an average of 9.73L/100km.The bottom lineBland exterior camouflages a pocket rocket, which offers great handling, plenty of get up and go, and impeccable reliability.Look forQUIRKY wagon-like stylingLARGER size means roomier interiorSIZZLING performanceSAFE handlingIMPECCABLE reliabilityTIMING chain rattle

We talk about the big three, Holden, Ford and Mitsubishi, in the traditional segment for big family cars, but there was once another player trying to break in.  That company was Nissan when it was making cars locally, and the model was the Skyline.The 1980s were tough times for local carmakers, struggling to stay afloat or scrambling to restructure as the Government removed protective tariffs.  The Government recognised there were too many carmakers and encouraged companies to produce common models, so Holden and Nissan got together.Holden had found itself with a six-cylinder engine long past its use-by date and not enough money to develop a new one.  The answer came in the form of Nissan's 3.0-litre SOHC six-cylinder engine, which was shoehorned into the VL Commodore. It was a proven engine, though installed in the Commodore it had several problems.But in the R31 Skyline it was a gem. The Skyline should really have won over more buyers than it did. It was a good car, well engineered and built, but let down by its conservative styling.  Ultimately, the company that fell by the wayside in terms of local production was Nissan, which turned importer.MODEL WATCHTHE R31 Skyline was aimed at the buyer of the traditional Australian family car: it was a similar size to the Commodore, with accommodation for five adults, powered by a six-cylinder engine, and drive through the rear wheels.  There was a choice of sedan or wagon. It was squarish, with sharp lines and a rather harsh outline when its rivals were heading down a softer path.If it wasn't the best-looking car on the market, it made up for it with a solid mechanical package and build quality the others could only dream about.  For power, it relied on the RB30E 3.0-litre single overhead cam six. It had two valves per cylinder, and with fuel-injection it punched out 114kW and 247Nm, which gave it some decent get-up-and-go when needed.There was the choice of a Jatco four-speed auto transmission or a five-speed manual box. Later models had a Nissan four-speed auto.  The base model was the GX, with an adjustable steering wheel, cloth trim, power mirrors, power rack and pinion steering, and two-speaker radio cassette sound.In addition, the GXE had power mirrors, a remote boot release and four-speaker sound. The sporty Silhouette had a limited-slip diff, alloy wheels, aircon, sports seats, rear spoiler, and a trip computer.The Ti topped the range and it had standard aircon, alloys, cruise, central locking, cloth trim, metallic paint, power mirrors and windows, four-speaker radio cassette sound, and a trip computer.  There were two minor updates, a Series II in 1987, and the Series III in 1988, which saw the introduction of the Executive auto.IN THE SHOPTHE Skyline is a very reliable car and would suit anyone on a low budget who wants reliable and comfortable transport.  Mechanically, the engine is very reliable, but the valve lifters can become noisy at high mileage.Same goes for the diff, which is renowned for developing a howl.  If you can put up with the noise, they won't be a problem, if not, find a second-hand replacement that should cost about $250.The auto transmissions are generally smooth and stand up well, but can be expensive to fix.  Look for harshness shifting from first to second, and flaring when shifting between second and third on cars with 200,000km-plus on the clock.OWNERS' VIEWSDENISE Wythe owned a 1987 Skyline up until last year and enjoyed 13 years and 300,000km of trouble-free motoring. The only complaint was a leaking boot, the result of a problem in the fitting of the rear lamps, which let water in.Tony Jarvis has owned his 1989 GXE for about three years and loves it. It's powerful enough and the steering is not overly light but has good road feel.  Maurie French owns a 1988 Skyline wagon with 187,000km on the odometer. The diff and lifters are noisy and he has blown several power steering hoses, but it is a joy to drive.THE BOTTOM LINESmooth, comfortable and reliable, a good car for beginners.LOOK FORSMOOTH, powerful six-cylinder engineANNOYING diff whineLIFTER rattle on cold startsAVOID clunky auto transmissionGOOD solid body constructionSOLID reliable carGREAT for novice drivers with a modest budgetRIVALSHolden Commodore VN (1988-91) $3000-$5500Ford Falcon EA/EAII (1988-91) $2700-$4800