GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Nissan - Pulsar - GX 5-dr hatch

Our Opinion

We like
Good size, versatile hatch interior, lusty performance from Holden 1.6 and 1.8 engines, comfy seats, ease of parts and servicing
Room for improvement
Slightly bitsy interior

20 Jun 2003

THE Nissan Pulsar was also sold by Holden as the Astra. Nissan produced the Pulsar as a hatchback and a sedan but the hatch was much more popular and was available with four levels of equipment.

The base model GL came with a 1.6-litre engine only, tinted windows, height-adjustable steering wheel, AM/FM radio, cloth trim and the option of an automatic transmission.

The next equipment level, the GX, added power steering, electric mirrors and the option of the larger 1.8-litre engine while the top level GXE had the same equipment as the GX plus a four- speaker sound system and intermittent wipers.

The sports oriented Pulsar Q was based on the GX with a tachometer, rear spoiler, "viscous-coupled" limited slip differential and changes to the suspension.

There were also limited edition specials based on the GX with the 1.8-litre engine. The Reebok had colour keyed bumpers and Pulsar Q suspension while the Sports hatch had special interior and exterior trim and a four-speaker sound system.

In June, 1989, the Series II Pulsar with a minor facelift was released. The GXE was discontinued and rear drum brakes replaced the discs on the GL. A high-mounted stop light is the easiest way to recognise the Series II.

The Holden Family II 1.8-litre powerplant became standard on the GX in 1989. It has lots of power at low and medium speeds, which makes the Pulsar responsive and pleasant to drive. In manual form it also means a lot less gear changing.

Transmissions are either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic with a locking torque converter to reduce fuel consumption.

Pulsar underbody mechanicals are conventional front-wheel drive. The steering is rack and pinion and independent MacPherson struts are used at each corner.

On-road fuel consumption for the Pulsar is good thanks to the engine characteristics and sophisticated engine management system. Reasonable driving should see a manual transmission version average 10 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 1.8-litre engine has more power than any of its rivals except for the Toyota Corolla Twin Cam. Combined with a very competent chassis, this provides excellent all-round performance with safe, predictable handling and good brakes.

The engine is not a high-tech multi-valve wonder but gives nothing away in the important areas of driveability and low cost maintenance and repair.

Spare parts are readily available and competition from brand line manufacturers on fast moving parts keeps prices down to affordable levels.

The Pulsar has aged well with no particular problems with under body mechanicals, body rust or paint fade, provided normal preventative maintenance has been carried out.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Pulsar

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here