I have a friend who is looking at buying a second gen (87). We went to look at it and everything seems to be working fine, it runs well and has mostly good paint and interior. I have a fourth gen myself and don't really know what to look for as far as problems that could come in the future. It has 216,000 miles but seems to run and shift really smoothly. any help or suggestions would be great thanks.

 

check the timing belt and all other belts, do you hear any funny noises does it (the motor) shake a lot other than that from what you described sounds good from cali

 

I'd check the suspension, and all the bushings. Struts can go out on these frequently.

Just push down on the bumpers to make the car go down, if you don't hear the struts it's all good, beware if you do tho.

 

Check suspension for rattles in upper strut mounts. weird noises. Belts and how old they are. Rear oil seal leakage. Should leak near the tranny and engine where they connect. Other than that, even at 210k miles my car still cranked on a dime, had great pick up, didnt smoke. The only real problem I had with mine was when the tensioner gave out. It was crazy because a friend and I were on our way to the junkyard to see what we could find at some good prices. Unfortunately we didnt make it. I had the top end replaced but even after that never had to replace the alt, starter, replaced the water pump and the brake master cylinder but that was it. I miss my 88. I wish I had kept it instead of sold it. I check it out on my cardomain page here and there.

 

Struts for sure. But don't let those hold you back, they're an easy job.

Bushings, especially in the rear. I thought my rear bushings were shot before I replaced my struts, but it was just the calipers rattling around.

Of course, cv joints/boots, the belts and other wear stuff. Pull the cap on the radiator and check out the overflow bottle. Dirty coolant isn't good. Check out all of the electrical stuff and make sure it works.

 

Find out when the last time if ever the timing belt has been changed if unknown have that done, when having that done might as well put a new water pump in cuz it's right there and easyer then have to go back and do it, and take the VIN into a nissan dealer and see if the recalls have been taken care of. Other then that I always change all fluids when buying a new old car.


oh yea new cap, rotor, plugs and wires would be a good idea