• Our Opinion

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Stylish, comfortable, versatile, economical, reliable, fun to drive

We Don't Like:

Dreary cabin, not a great leap forward over its N14 predecessor

The Nissan Pulsar has been one of Australia's most popular small cars since it was first sold in 1980. The fifth-generation Pulsar, released in October, 1995, was longer, wider and heavier than its predecessor, which moved it up out of the small car class into the small-medium bracket. There are two body styles, a sedan and a hatchback. The hatch looks more like a station wagon than a hatch and followed a trend, along with other manufacturers, popularised by Subaru with the Impreza but really started by Nissan Australia with the unsuccessful Pintara Superhatch. The sedan is aimed at older, more conservative buyers while the hatch is marketed to attract the younger market. It has been a successful sales tactic. The hatchback has three equipment levels - the base LX, the mid- range Q and the SSS at the top level.

The Pulsar Q equipment level includes a driver's airbag and most sensible creature comforts such as central locking, electric mirrors and a four-speaker, security-coded radio/cassette. Air- conditioning was an extra cost option. From the outside, the Q can be distinguished by decals on the rear doors, body coloured bumpers and a roof spoiler which looks more like a sun shade over the hatch window. Inside there is space to comfortably accommodate four adults or five for short trips. The split rear seat back folds down which makes the Pulsar a useful cargo carrier. The four-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine continued over from the previous model with internal improvements, one being variable valve timing for the inlet camshaft, which increased the power output to 86kW at 6400rpm and the torque to 147Nm at 4000rpm. Nissan used a chain to drive the two overhead camshafts in this engine instead of the more common rubber cam belt which can fail with expensive results if not replaced at the recommended intervals. The suspension uses struts and coil springs at the front and a multi-link torsion beam with coil springs at the rear. Overall, the suspension is a good balance between ride comfort and cornering ability. Within the limits of the tyres, the Pulsar has safe, vice-free handling and braking.

The Pulsar Q incorporates tried and proven engineering which makes it and most of its rivals comfortable, safe, economical and long lived, given reasonable treatment.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Check the car's value and determine how much you want to pay. Use the Completed Listings search option to get an idea of how much a similar model has sold for recently.

• Check if the car is covered by eBay Australia's Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Ask for a test drive or consider getting a History Check or a Vehicle Inspection if you can't inspect the car yourself.

• Read the description carefully. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs. Classified Ads are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• Cars listed by Sellers with a feedback rating less than 0 are not covered by a Vehicle Purchase Protection program.

• Some car dealers may have a low feedback rating because classified ads do not generate ads. But they will have a icon next to their user name.

• Depending on the car, some car dealers provide a limited warranty. Do they offer a warranty on the car you are buying? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, you may be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program

• Vehicle Purchase Protection: When you buy a car online through eBay Motors, you may be covered for up to $20,000 of FREE Vehicle Purchase Protection insurance*.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.

The content of this guide is licensed from GoAuto © 2006