Nissan Pulsar

podge3

Just wanted to give my impressions of the new Nissan Pulsar which I just bought. Its the petrol 1.2 DIG-T, I picked it up last week and have driven about 300Kms in it so far.

First a little background to my car history. My last car (which I traded for the Pulsar) was a 9 year old Rover 75. I owned it from new and was the best car I have ever owned in many ways. I started a thread before buying it : http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=268323. Hard to believe that was 10 years ago.

I actually ended up having two 75s, the first was a petrol and then I got a diesel, which I kept for 9 years. I had a little trouble with the diesel at the start of my ownership but that was sorted under warranty and its been flawless since.

However, it was going to be needing a few jobs done to it soon that would probably cost more than the car is worth. The motor tax was also a killer i.e. €710 per year.

Anyhoo, I saw an ad about 10 days ago for the Nissan scrappage scheme. I had seen it previously but the tax was due on my 75 so I had a quick look at Carzone. To make a long story a bit shorter, I ended up with a new Pulsar.

I did look at other comparable cars like the Focus, Golf, Ceed etc but I never got much further than the price and spec on the basic model. All these models were working out much more expensive to get the same equipment level as that on the base Pulsar. The Pulsar XE has cruise control, air conditioning, speed limiter, TPMS, and a very nice BT radio system.

TBH, I wasn't really expecting to "bond" with the Pulsar. The 75 was a real beauty IMHO and I treated it like a baby. But I'm actually surprised how good the Pulsar is. Its huge inside, strangely much bigger than the 75, especially in the rear. Its very comfortable to travel in, seats are good, engine is very nippy and economical.

In fairness, I haven't driven the current Focus, Golf etc so I really can't compare, I suppose. The 75 was a different beast altogether but (and I kinda hate to say it ) the Pulsar is a nicer car to drive overall. I've driven the last model Focus and Auris and neither impressed me at the time.

Most of the reviews of the Pulsar say its boring to drive, boring to look at and boring to be in. I've had several Nissans in the past and I can't argue that they are boring cars - but extremely reliable IMHO. While the Pulsar certainly won't win any beauty competitions, its not offensive to look at and the inside is OK too.

So far I'm delighted with the Pulsar and I would recommend perspective buyers in this car class to give it a look.

NIMAN

Thanks for your thoughts. I had considered the Pulsar when changing, ended up with a Focus.

I think its a generic looking car, like Focus, Ceed etc and a lot of the others in the segment. But one of the better ones. I sat in it at a local dealers, and was really surprised how roomy it was.

What sort of mpg you getting? The dealer was honest and said that although all the manufacturers are claiming these new small petrol engines are super economical, they aren't. They won't get anywhere near what they claim. But then again the diesels are similar.

podge3

NIMAN wrote: »

Thanks for your thoughts. I had considered the Pulsar when changing, ended up with a Focus.

I think its a generic looking car, like Focus, Ceed etc and a lot of the others in the segment. But one of the better ones. I sat in it at a local dealers, and was really surprised how roomy it was.

What sort of mpg you getting? The dealer was honest and said that although all the manufacturers are claiming these new small petrol engines are super economical, they aren't. They won't get anywhere near what they claim. But then again the diesels are similar.

I went on an 80KM round trip yesterday and got 4.9L/100K on the way there and 5.3 on the way back. It was a mixture of motorway and R roads. I was taking it easy but up at the speed limit most of the time. I think thats pretty OK consumption with 2 adults and 2 young teenagers on board.

I dunno if I mentioned but the car is really quiet, even at motorway speeds. I really had to watch my speed going through villages etc as you don't feel like you are going as fast as you really are. The engine is surprisingly nippy, even in 6th gear.

Larbre34

The Pulsar, utterly inoffensive motoring.

Essence of car, anonymous, functional, probably reliable. Unlikely to have your house broken into to rob the keys.

Driving dynamics in the same class, Leon, Focus, Golf - much pricier.

pablo128

Just reading there about your surprise about it being nicer than your 75. Back in the late 90s we had an elderly customer in the garage with a Triumh Dolomite 1850. Well he had 2 in a row actually, and loved them. I believe he was some man for racing XR3i's back in the day and beating them too! Anyhow, he put it up and over the roundabout at Tallaght Garda station in the rain one night. He managed to get a garage to take it under the scrappage scheme and got himself a new mk2 Punto. He was gutted, until he spent a couple of weeks in the Punto. Then he couldn't believe how he had held on to the Dolly for so long. He was spending a third of what he used to on fuel, and it handled like it was on rails compared to it too.

Back to the Pulsar. Is that a turbocharged 1.2?

podge3

pablo128 wrote: »

Just reading there about your surprise about it being nicer than your 75. Back in the late 90s we had an elderly customer in the garage with a Triumh Dolomite 1850. Well he had 2 in a row actually, and loved them. I believe he was some man for racing XR3i's back in the day and beating them too! Anyhow, he put it up and over the roundabout at Tallaght Garda station in the rain one night. He managed to get a garage to take it under the scrappage scheme and got himself a new mk2 Punto. He was gutted, until he spent a couple of weeks in the Punto. Then he couldn't believe how he had held on to the Dolly for so long. He was spending a third of what he used to on fuel, and it handled like it was on rails compared to it too.

Back to the Pulsar. Is that a turbocharged 1.2?

My brother had a Dolomite once, lovely car with the wooden dash.

The 75 was a wonderful car to drive, extremely comfortable. Someone once described driving a 75 was like driving an old sofa. I'm not sure if that was meant as an insult but that really is how if felt i.e. really comfortable and relaxing. You could drive for hours and it never felt tiring. While the 2.0L diesel was 130 BHP and had plenty of torque, it wasn't a sporty drive. The ZT was for that, I suppose.

The Pulsar is quieter, much lighter clutch and better visibility, not to mention space. Its also a sea of black plastic inside - like most other modern cars. The 75 on the other hand was just gorgeous inside, leather and walnut, just wonderful.

Yes, the 1.2 petrol is a turbo, 115 BHP. Its full title is 1.2 DIG-T i.e. Direct Injection Gasoline - Turbo. The car certainly feel nippy, nowhere near as much torque, obviously, but its much lighter than the 75 too.

flazio

Larbre34 wrote: »

The Pulsar, utterly inoffensive motoring.

Essence of car, anonymous, functional, probably reliable. Unlikely to have your house broken into to rob the keys.

Driving dynamics in the same class, Leon, Focus, Golf - much pricier.

I think it's quite a nice car to look at actually. Not a head turner but still pretty handsome. Certainly miles ahead of the previous generation Almera.

podgeandrodge

Thanks OP. I am in the same position, looking at various cars in this class and come to the conclusion that there are more extras on this car for the price. Also seems to get sound enough reviews (but regular "it's not a drivers car" or "it won't excite you").

My biggest concern (and I'm no motor head so don't know my hp from my torque) - I want to pull away at the lights in a nippy fashion, is the 1.5 diesel with I think 260 whatever's of torque and 110bhp going to beat the 1.2 petrol with 190 whatevers of torque and 115bhp. Or is the higher torque only a benefit later on.


Great to hear your thoughts on the Pulsar in general. I was slightly concerned at how few Nissan dealers there seem to be in Dublin. Windsor and one in Rathmines.

Mister Jingles

podgeandrodge wrote: »

I was slightly concerned at how few Nissan dealers there seem to be in Dublin. Windsor and one in Rathmines.

Not that many new Nissans on the road either, don't even see many new Qashqai's anymore.

Might sound funny but I do wonder where it all went wrong for Nissan the past 5 or so years.

podge3

podgeandrodge wrote: »

Thanks OP. I am in the same position, looking at various cars in this class and come to the conclusion that there are more extras on this car for the price. Also seems to get sound enough reviews (but regular "it's not a drivers car" or "it won't excite you").

My biggest concern (and I'm no motor head so don't know my hp from my torque) - I want to pull away at the lights in a nippy fashion, is the 1.5 diesel with I think 260 whatever's of torque and 110bhp going to beat the 1.2 petrol with 190 whatevers of torque and 115bhp. Or is the higher torque only a benefit later on.

Sorry for the late reply - just back from a holiday with the family and the Pulsar.

The longer I have this car, the more I like it. Size wise, its like a Tardis. Several people have commented on how small it looks but its huge inside. We used always take 2 cars with us on holiday but the Pulsar managed to contain all our stuff this year.

On paper, the diesel has a lot more torque than the petrol so it should be faster away from the lights. While I had no intention of buying a diesel, I test drove both the diesel and petrol before I purchased. I can't recall the diesel felt that more powerful TBH.

The petrol certainly is more refined. Its very quiet and fairly nippy once you keep it above about 1500RPM.

If I had to complain about something with the car, I suppose I have 3 i.e.

1. No footrest beside the cluch
2. Small fuel tank - range of about 500KM before filling
3. The looks. The average Nissan has never set the world on fire with its looks, the Pulsar continues this tradition. It looks quite good from the front, OK from the sides but downright bland and dated from the rear. The guy who designed the rear should have gone to Specsavers!

podge3

podgeandrodge wrote: »

Great to hear your thoughts on the Pulsar in general. I was slightly concerned at how few Nissan dealers there seem to be in Dublin. Windsor and one in Rathmines.

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Not that many new Nissans on the road either, don't even see many new Qashqai's anymore.

Might sound funny but I do wonder where it all went wrong for Nissan the past 5 or so years.

Thats strange, every second car down my way seems to be a new Qashqai. Not too many Pulsars, however.

colm_mcm

Couple stats

Nissan pulsars sold this year (up to end of May) 1247
Petrol: Diesel = 45:55

Toyota Auris's sold this year (up to end of May) 1606
Petrol: Diesel = 43:57

Ford Focus hatchbacks sold this year (end may) 2225
Petrol:Diesel = 94:6

VW Golfs sold this year (end may) 3738
Petrol: diesel = 28:72

colm_mcm

Nissan Qashqai sold this year (up to end of May) 2674
Petrol:diesel = 16:84

Ford Kuga sold this year (up to end of May) 315
Petrol:diesel 0:100

Dacia duster sold this year (up to end of May) 1212
Petrol:diesel 0:100

Mitsubishi ASX sold this year (up to end of May) 174
Petrol:diesel 32:68

Skoda Yeti sold this year (up to end of May) 278
Petrol:diesel 9:92

podgeandrodge

colm_mcm wrote: »

Couple stats

Nissan pulsars sold this year (up to end of May) 1247
Petrol: Diesel = 45:55

Toyota Auris's sold this year (up to end of May) 1606
Petrol: Diesel = 43:57

Ford Focus hatchbacks sold this year (end may) 2225
Petrol:Diesel = 94:6

VW Golfs sold this year (end may) 3738
Petrol: diesel = 28:72

I'm actually surprised that there are that many Pulsars compared to the Auris and Focus! Where are they all?!

colm_mcm

The ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher mainly.

ofcork

Also the petrol quashqai is outselling the diesel massively,are there no petrol kugas or dusters for sale here even?

colm_mcm

ofcork wrote: »

Also the petrol quashqai is outselling the diesel massively,are there no petrol kugas or dusters for sale here even?

My bad, I typed that one the wrong way around.
You need a small turbo petrol engine really in this sector, many manufacturers don't bother.

podge3

Interesting figures there, Colm.

I would never have guessed there were so many Pulsars bought. Not too far behind the Auris!

Speaking of the Auris, I see the new model has a petrol engine with almost the same specs as the Pulsar.

road_high

There are new Nissans everywhere. Quashqui seems to be the default family car now for many. The Juke is surprisingly popular. They've quietly been rebuilding their range. Pulsar is dull but in Ireland there a big market for this kind of car.
The micra is a particular weak spot in the range. It's decidedly downmarket and 2nd world. I believe they plan to replace with a more European focused Clio based Micra in the next few years. It can't compete with the Fiesta, Polo, Clio or even Yaris, despite the cheap prices.

colm_mcm

The micra is essentially a rehashed 13 year old model

b_mac2

How is this car fairing out long term?

podge3

b_mac2 wrote: »

How is this car fairing out long term?

Sorry for the late reply.

Absolutely delighted with the car after almost 2 years.

The car has given absolutely no trouble and has only been back to the garage for its yearly service.

Highly recommended!

just do it

podge3 wrote: »

Sorry for the late reply.

Absolutely delighted with the car after almost 2 years.

The car has given absolutely no trouble and has only been back to the garage for its yearly service.

Highly recommended!

Great thread. Considering 1 at the moment. Do you mine me asking how many miles have you up on it?

bazz26

Have a look at it's a bit more stylish sister car too - the new Renault Megane.

podge3

bazz26 wrote: »

Have a look at it's a bit more stylish sister car too - the new Renault Megane.

I absolutely despise Renaults - I had 2 Meganes and they were the worst cars I have ever owned. I wouldn't take one for free if I was offered

That being said, I know Nissan and Renault are related (it galls me to say it). Also, half the country seem to be driving Renaults so maybe I was just unlucky.

Best of luck if you purchase one, however.

podge3

just do it wrote: »

Great thread. Considering 1 at the moment. Do you mine me asking how many miles have you up on it?

I do low mileage, only about 15k on it so far.

bazz26

podge3 wrote: »

I absolutely despise Renaults - I had 2 Meganes and they were the worst cars I have ever owned. I wouldn't take one for free if I was offered

That being said, I know Nissan and Renault are related (it galls me to say it). Also, half the country seem to be driving Renaults so maybe I was just unlucky.

Best of luck if you purchase one, however.

The current and last generation Megane are nowhere near as bad as the previous generation.

The Pulsar and new Megane are the same car underneath the styling. Same, chassis, same engines, even most of the interior buttons are the same. It's amazing that some people are fine with buying the Pulsar but wouldn't touch a Megane. Same goes with the Qashqai/Kadjar and Clio/new Micra. Just goes to show you the power branding has over some folks.

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

The current and last generation Megane are nowhere near as bad as the previous generation.

The Pulsar and new Megane are the same car underneath the styling. Same, chassis, same engines, even most of the interior buttons are the same. It's amazing that some people are fine with buying the Pulsar but wouldn't touch a Megane. Same goes with the Qashqai/Kadjar and Clio/new Micra. Just goes to show you the power branding has over some folks.

That wouldn't be difficult though tbh. The megane is definatly a nicer looking car than the pulsar though but I think it costs more too and doesn't look all that great in the lower specs.

bazz26

Base Pulsar starts at 21k, base Megane starts at 19.5k. Now I don't know what either are selling for after discounts/scrappage schemes. Also very few cars would be great in lower spec otherwise there would be no need to justification a a higher more spec version.

Anyway, the Megane is just an option I thought worth mentioning since both cars are so similar to each other.

podge3

bazz26 wrote: »

The current and last generation Megane are nowhere near as bad as the previous generation.

The Pulsar and new Megane are the same car underneath the styling. Same, chassis, same engines, even most of the interior buttons are the same. It's amazing that some people are fine with buying the Pulsar but wouldn't touch a Megane. Same goes with the Qashqai/Kadjar and Clio/new Micra. Just goes to show you the power branding has over some folks.

Same could be said of VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda

Its nothing to do with branding in my case. I will never buy another Renault as I had the misfortune of owning 2 absolutely terrible Meganes. I only bought the second because no other garage would take the first off me - and that included another Renault garage. I finally got shut of the second example to Merlin Motor City. It closed down shortly afterwards, nothing to do with my Megane, I'm sure:D.

Each to his own, however. I have owned many Nissans over my driving life and they have all behaved impeccably.

bazz26

But you are or did, if you think about it.

JohnBoy26

podge3 wrote: »

Same could be said of VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda

Its nothing to do with branding in my case. I will never buy another Renault as I had the misfortune of owning 2 absolutely terrible Meganes. I only bought the second because no other garage would take the first off me - and that included another Renault garage. I finally got shut of the second example to Merlin Motor City. It closed down shortly afterwards, nothing to do with my Megane, I'm sure:D.

Each to his own, however. I have owned many Nissans over my driving life and they have all behaved impeccably.

But nissan is renault.

colm_mcm

The ould fella had a Datsun 120y that rusted terribly after only 4 years. I'll never buy a Renault now.

Cee-Jay-Cee

podge3 wrote: »

If I had to complain about something with the car, I suppose I have 3 i.e.

1. No footrest beside the cluch
2. Small fuel tank - range of about 500KM before filling
3. The looks. The average Nissan has never set the world on fire with its looks, the Pulsar continues this tradition. It looks quite good from the front, OK from the sides but downright bland and dated from the rear. The guy who designed the rear should have gone to Specsavers!

No footrest is enough for me to completely disregard a car. Its an absolute must in my book.

podge3

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

No footrest is enough for me to completely disregard a car. Its an absolute must in my book.

It is a major oversight, unforgivable in this day and age. I have thought about getting a universal fit but never got around to it.

Maybe a Megane footrest would fit:D

b_mac2

podge3 wrote: »

It is a major oversight, unforgivable in this day and age. I have thought about getting a universal fit but never got around to it.

Maybe a Megane footrest would fit:D

http://www.glynhopkinpartsonline.co.uk/product/Sports_Pedals_inc_Foot_Rest_RHD_(MT)_KE4601K082

JohnBoy26

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

No footrest is enough for me to completely disregard a car. Its an absolute must in my book.

Things are bad when a nissan sunny from 25 years ago had a footrest and it's modern equivalent does not.

Cee-Jay-Cee

podge3 wrote: »

It is a major oversight, unforgivable in this day and age. I have thought about getting a universal fit but never got around to it.

Maybe a Megane footrest would fit:D

Is there room for one? Is the reason for it because the floorpan is a stupid French Citroen design with their ridiculous offset pedals???

podge3

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Is there room for one? Is the reason for it because the floorpan is a stupid French Citroen design with their ridiculous offset pedals???

Space isn't a problem.

coolbeans

colm_mcm wrote: »

The ould fella had a Datsun 120y that rusted terribly after only 4 years. I'll never buy a Renault now.

You should get yourself a Nissan. Miles better than that Datsun muck.