1997 Nissan Pulsar Reviews

The N15 Pulsar was an all-new, fully imported, fifth-generation model that arrived on these shores in 1995.Compared to its popular predecessor it was longer and wider, which together with a longer wheelbase, resulted in more cabin space.Typical of the era, its looks weren't very exciting, but there was still a lot to get excited about.Like its predecessor it was offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatch, with four main models; the LX, Q, SLX, and SSS, plus a limited-edition Plus.Most models had a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, and the choice of a manual gearbox or automatic transmission, the exception being the sporty SSS hatch, which had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.The LX sedan and hatch opened the door to the N15 Pulsar offering with a rather limited range of standard features that included central locking, cloth trim, power mirrors, power steering and a radio/cassette player with two speakers. Air-conditioning was optional.One of the most popular models in the range was the Q hatch, a value-for-money proposition that added sports seats and an airbag for the driver. Air-conditioning was optional.The SLX sedan was the range-topper, and befitting its lofty position it had additional standard features like air-conditioning, power windows, a leather steering wheel and four speakers for the radio/cassette player.But for excitement there was the SSS hatch, which gave buyers ABS anti-lock braking, sports seats, a CD player, front fog lamps and a leather steering wheel.A limited-edition Plus model was added in 1997, which could be had as a sedan or hatch, and came with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, cloth trim, power mirrors, power steering, a radio/cassette player with two speakers, and a rear spoiler.That followed in 1999 with a Series II update, which was best identified by new grilles, taillights and trim materials.The LX now had a driver's airbag, air-conditioning, a trip computer, remote central locking, a CD player (in addition to the radio/cassette player) with four speakers, and a remote boot release.There was more for the Q, too. It got air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a CD player, remote central locking, trip computer, remote boot release and power windows.Added to the features of the SLX were ABS anti-lock braking, alloy wheels, a CD player, trip computer, remote central locking and a trip computer.Similarly the SSS had remote central locking, a remote boot release and a trip computer.The N15 Pulsar predated features like Bluetooth, which meant you couldn't connect an iPhone or an Android device, nor did it have sat nav or a touchscreen, and while it had air-conditioning, it wasn't climate control.Parking the N15 Pulsar had to done without the aid of parking sensors, a reversing camera, or a park assist system. But the spare tyre was a full-sized wheel.The cabin was a good mix of practicality and attractive touches, particularly the SSS with its sports front seats and leather-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel. The multi-adjustable steering column made it easy to find the optimum driving position.Thanks to its larger external dimensions, the N15 Pulsar boasted a roomier cabin than that of its predecessor. As a result, those in the front and back seats were treated to more leg and shoulder room, making for a much more comfortable ride.With its split-fold rear seat, the Pulsar offered generous luggage space, particularly when the seat was folded. The cabin layout was neat, too, with controls well placed and within easy reach of the driver.Fitting a baby car seat was facilitated by lap/sash seat belts, but it was too early for ISOFIX child car seat mounting points.All models bar the SSS had a 1.6-litre double-overhead camshaft engine, with four valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection. When at its peaks of power and torque it produced 86kW and 147Nm, enough to make it surprisingly zippy.The SSS was a serious small sporting hatch with a handy power-to-weight ratio of 10.87kg/kW in its base form, which was the key to its zippy performance.Power for the SSS came from Nissan's willing SR20DE 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that boasted four valves per cylinder and fuel injection. At its twin performance peaks it put out 105kW, or 140 horsepower, at 6400rpm, and maximum torque of 179Nm at 4000rpm.That was enough to cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.7 seconds. It could account for the standing 400m sprint in about 16.5 seconds, and reach a top speed in excess of 180 km/h. It was indeed a hot hatch.Both engines used 91-octane regular unleaded petrol. The transmission choices were a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, even in the SSS, and the final drive was through the front wheels.With a mix of MacPherson Strut front suspension and multilink beam rear suspension, and anti-roll bars front and rear, the Pulsar's handling was sharp and precise.Performance from the 1.6-litre engine was perfectly adequate for the everyday commute, delivering a useful mix of flexibility and get up and go that could easily handle town traffic.The 2.0-litre engine in the SSS elevated the performance to a higher level. It wasn't the blistering performance of some other hot hatches, but it was sufficient to lift the Pulsar into another league and provide the driver with an engaging drive experience.The N15 Pulsar was given a one-star rating for driver protection in the How Safe Is Your Car survey of real life crashes.Safety features were few; the LX didn't have any airbags when it was first launched. The Q, SLX and SSS were better equipped, and had an airbag for the driver. ABS anti-lock braking was only available in the SSS.After the Series II update in 1997, all models had a driver's airbag, but only the SLX and SSS had the benefit of ABS.When shopping for an N15 Pulsar today, the Series II offers the best safety package.There are no major reliability issues to be concerned about with the N15 Pulsar, it has a fine reputation for going, and going, and going. The engines, transmissions and drivelines are sturdy and give little trouble.Still, with a car as old as the N15, it's vital that they be thoroughly inspected and evaluated. An ageing car is much more likely to give trouble than one that is fresh from the production line.It's to be expected that normal wear and tear will cause parts to fail or wear out. Uncaring drivers can accelerate the wear and tear simply by abusing or neglecting their cars.Have any car under consideration examined by a mechanic to establish the actual mechanical condition, and check for a service record that shows regular routine maintenance.Both engines have timing chains, so there's no call for regular servicing. The new car warranty that applied to the N15 Pulsar was for three years/100,000km.The N15 came in before the introduction of capped price servicing, but there's nothing that should make the service costs excessive.If anything else crops up, you'll probably find it on our Nissan Pulsar problems page.Jill Thomas: I bought my Plus sedan in 2014 and it's been great, even though it has done almost 200,000km. It goes well, is cheap to run, and good value.Allan Allsop: I bought my 1999 Plus hatch in 2005 when it had done 90,000km. When I sold it in 2017 it had done 375,000km and was still going strong. The performance was surprisingly good, so was the handling, and it never missed a beat.Sophie Taranto: My Plus sedan has been awesome. It's done 300,000km and virtually nothing has gone wrong with it in the nine years I've had it. It's fast for a small car, and it's easy to drive, and it just keeps going.Paul Matthews: My 1999 Plus sedan had 200,000 km when I bought it four years ago. The handling was great, and economy surprisingly good.Good, reliable small car, but few safety features make it a questionable buy for young drivers.Rating2.5 stars.Toyota Corolla – Well built, well designed, hard to beat.2.5 stars.Mitsubishi Lancer – Good buy if in top condition with low kilometres and a credible service history.2 stars.Ford Laser/Mazda 323Badge brothers worth considering if in decent shape.2 stars.

The SSS badge is a proud one that dates back to the 1960s when Datsun, as it was then known, applied it to its sporty sedans.Cars like the Bluebird SSS were standout tearaways back then, and the most recent SSS, the N15 Pulsar, was a similar standout in its time. 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 giving away anything in the way of performance and handling. The SSS was the answer to their prayers.The N15 Pulsar was an all-new, fifth-generation, model released in 1995. It was longer and wider than its popular predecessor, with a longer wheelbase, which resulted in more leg and shoulder room from front and rear seat passengers.Bigger, and better, the Pulsar was yet another Japanese car that could best be described as bland when it came to its looks.Round, and a little dumpy, the N15 sedan was pleasant if not overly attractive, but the SSS wagon-styled five-door hatch took some time to get used to.It was hard to know whether it should be called a hatch or a wagon, because it more closely resembled a wagon than anything else. One of the more cynical motor noters of the time described it as a “transvestite bread van”.Quirky looks aside the SSS was a serious small sporting hatch with a handy power-to-weight ratio of 10.87 kg/kW in its base form, which was the key to its zippy performance.Power came from Nissan’s SR20DE 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that boasted four valves per cylinder and fuel injection. At its peak it put out 105 kW at 6400 revs and 179 Nm at 4000 revs.That was enough to have the SSS racing to 100 km/h in a little over eight seconds. It would account for the standing 400-metre sprint in about 16.5 seconds, and reach a top speed in excess of 180 km/h. It was indeed a hot hatch.All of that power was transmitted 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 anyone would want one in a hot hatch like the SSS 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 with ABS standard.The sporty picture was finished off with attractive alloy wheels, which came standard with the SSS.Inside there were vibrant new colours for the cloth trim, along with a raft of neat standard features, including a premium four-speaker sound system with CD player, air-conditioning, sports seats, and power windows.A minor Series II update freshened it in 1998 and that can be identified by a revised mesh grille with the Nissan badge fitted to a centre vertical bar.There’s not much that goes wrong with the N15 SSS. The body remains tight with the result that there are few squeaks and rattles, the interior trim wears well, and the plastics are good quality that don’t fall apart.Mechanically the 2.0-litre motor is a gem and gives little trouble. Jerry Newman of Nissan specialists, the Cheltenham Service Centre, says the cam timing chain can rattle if the car hasn’t been serviced regularly and according 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, as heavier oils can tend to clog the engine internals and lead to damage.The drivelines are generally trouble free, but be sure to check the CV joint boots that can crack and split. Let go they can lead to more expensive failure of the drive shafts.Dominic Sequeira owns a 1998 N15 Series 2 Pulsar SSS with 75,000 km on the odometer. It’s comfortable for daily driving, has plenty of grunt and is just the right size to weave in between gaps in traffic. He has had no problems with it, but says it can be thirsty if driven hard and it prefers premium unleaded.Glen (surname withheld) owns a 1999 SSS manual 2.0-litre Pulsar hatch, which he says has been totally reliable. It is economical and has excellent performance around town and responds well to mild revving to give a nice ‘kick in the back’ for an engine of its size and age.Kay Hamer-Finn’s 1999 SSS has done 90,000 km without the need for any major work. As president of the Nissan Datsun Sports Owners Club, Kay regularly competes in club events, and says her SSS has stood up well, it still has the original clutch, and there have been no engine problems to date.David Sporle says the N15 was a good car, but not great. It was where the cost cutting measures started to show, with Nissan deleting things like fully adjustable seats, leather around the gear stick, and other small touches that made the previous Pulsar feel like a $30,000-plus car.Ian Bock bought his Nissan Pulsar SSS new in 1999. It now has done 113,000 km and has been very reliable, although he was disappointed that the front discs needed replacing at 63,000 km. It returns an average of 9.73 L/100 km.• quirky wagon like styling• larger size means roomier interior• sizzling performance• safe handling• impeccable reliability• timing chain rattle

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