Package for Peanuts

Back in the late 1980s Nissan Australia was desperately trying to change its image. In addition to popping out the then-sporty Pulsar SSS and Skyline GTS, the company also released a couple of fairly decent U12 Pintara models. Now before you fall about laughing, let's stack the quickest of Pintaras - the 2.4-litre LSD models - against come of the contemporary opposition. In auto form, the 2.4 Nissan convincingly out-guns the atmo Liberty, 626/Telstar, 2.6-litre Magna and even the 2.5-litre, quad-cam, 24-valve 'narrow body' Camry. Oh, and given the same batch of normal unleaded fuel, the upstart Nissan will also snap at the heels of a turbocharged Mazda MX-6 auto!

Not bad for a comfortable everyday car you can now pick up for around $5000.

The mid-sized U12 Pintara range was released in late 1989. There were four models available - a 2.0-litre GLi and Executive and the much more torquey 2.4-litre T, Ti and TRX. The T was the entry-level 2.4-litre family hack, the Ti was packed with plushness and the sporty TRX received exclusive seats, firmer suspension, wider rims and a body kit. Note that only the Ti and TRX models were treated to a viscous front limited slip diff - the rest of 'em were single tyre fryers.

At the same time Nissan launched their new Pintaras, Ford Australia also made a showing with two rebadged versions - the 2.0-litre Corsair GL and the 2.4-litre Corsair Ghia. Neither of the Corsair models were equipped with a LSD - Nissan wasn't going to give Ford everything on a platter...

The 2.4-litre KA24E four-cylinder (similar to that fitted to the US-market Nissan 240SX) is hardly a technical tour de force with just a SOHC, 12-valve alloy head. It is, however, a very honest performer that pumps more torque than you'd expect from an engine of its specs; perhaps this can be linked to its under-square 89 x 96mm bore and stroke. Despite making a fairly modest 96kW at 5600 rpm, the large-ish four sweats out a substantial 189Nm of torque at just 2800 rpm. Packing ample punch through the mid-range, the KA24 engine is great in everyday driving situations and doesn't need to be spun to high revs. Using a hot-wire airflow meter and multi-point EFI it is also quite tractable and responsive. On the other hand, this is one of the noisiest and coarsest engines we've ever encountered - maybe this can be blamed on the absence of balance shafts. Running a low 8.6:1 compression ratio, the Pintara 2.4 will happily drink everyday 91 RON unleaded. Fuel consumption is not particularly brilliant, however, with a typical average of 11 to 12-litres per 100 kilometres.

Throughout the Pintara T, Ti and TRX range, the 2.4-litre engine could be teamed with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed electronically controlled auto. As mentioned, only the Ti and TRX scored the all-important front LSD - the basic T missed out.

Against the stopwatch, 2.4-litres of Nissan Pintara is deceptively quick - manual versions can hit 100 km/h in a claimed 9.1-seconds, while the auto version takes somewhere around 9.5-seconds. The quarter mile is covered in approximately 17.0-seconds or less - mid-16s for the manual. Needless to say, we're not talking about a rocketship here, but its strong punch ensures it's a threat for anyone who hasn't completely committed to dusting you off.

Lead your prey along a twisty road and the 2.4 LSD Pintara really starts to assert itself though...

Although the T and Ti are very softly sprung and damped the front-drive U12 Pintara can be extremely quick for those drivers familiar with the front-wheel-drive approach to handling. Understeer will appear if you come in too hot or you rip on the steering wheel, but - where fitted - the viscous LSD does a great job letting thrust away from a corner. Power can be applied very early through the corner without any traction issues or annoying torque reactions through the steering wheel. If your driving is a big ragged, though, the T or Ti's body will roll and lurch and you'll struggle to press on with speed and composure. The TRX model - with higher rate springs and dampers - apparently sits much flatter through corners and is more rewarding for an enthusiastic driver.

In any case, the TRX rides quite nicely and the T and Ti models ride super soft. For those looking for a technical description, the U12 Pintara range is suspended on MacPherson front struts and a strut, dual parallel link, trailing arm rear. Swaybars are fitted at both ends.

Power rack and pinion steering comes as standard fitment on 2.4-litre models. It's not a beautifully weighted and direct set-up, but it's certainly not difficult to master. The relatively small diameter, thick-rimmed steering wheel is a nice one.

Standard four-wheel-disc brakes (ventilated at the front and solid at the rear) effectively slow the 2.4 Pintara's 1240 - 1315kg mass without fade or any stability problems. ABS was not available on any models.

Turning attention indoors, the 2.4 Pintara models offer quite good levels of features and comfort. For the ultimate plushness in the range, the Ti (as pictured) scores power windows and mirrors, cruise control, climate control, map lights, remote fuel door and boot release, central locking, adjustable driver's lumbar support, fold down centre rear armrest, 60/40 split fold rear backrest and a decent four speaker 'equaliser' sound system with a CD input jack and power aerial. In the Ti you'll also find a pair of headphone jacks for the rear passengers - not bad for a $5000 '90s car!

Cabin space is perfectly adequate with plenty of headroom for relatively tall front passengers. The dashboard design is clean and modern and instrumentation onboard the Ti and TRX includes a speedo/odometer, trip meter, tacho, fuel level, coolant temperature and oil pressure gauges.

Built to appeal to Mr and Mrs Average the U12 Pintara sedan body is quite bland looking; this situation is improved slightly in LSD models, however. The luxury-spec Ti is distinguished by two-tone paint, chrome door handles, fog lights and 14 x 5.5-inch alloy wheels. The TRX stands out even more with bright single-tone paint, a tasteful body kit, lowered suspension and 'turbine' style 14 x 6-inch rims. None of the standard Pintara rims have much cred these days, though....

Note that a locally designed wagon version (otherwise known as the Pintara Superhatch) is also available in all models except TRX. The wagons are not as common as the sedans.

Being more than ten years of age, 2.4 Pintaras can be tracked down with any number of kilometres. As a guide, however, this 140,000 kilometre Ti auto in immaculate condition was purchased for $5000. Expect to pay about $1500 extra for the sportier TRX model in similarly good condition. High kilometre examples can be bought for less, but be sure to check such a car very carefully.

Although often scorned the Pintara is a fairly simple and durable vehicle. From what we've heard, the KA24 engine is much more reliable than the 2.0-litre CA20E engine fitted to lesser models, and it's not uncommon to rack up over 220,000 kilometres before a major overhaul is required. Interestingly, the Pintara's manual gearbox is reputedly more troublesome than the auto - we're told the clutch doesn't offer a tremendously long life.

In contrast to many of the popular entry-level turbocars the 2.4 Nissan Pintaras cost almost nothing in insurance; this Ti model was comprehensively insured for around $300 per annum! Oh, and note that - with 9.1 - 9.5-second 0 - 100 km/h performance - the 2.4 LSD Pintaras are actually faster than the mega-buck-to-insure Pulsar ET and 2.0-litre 626/TX5 turbo. Unless you plan going to town with mods, why on Earth would you bother with one of these turbo machines? And, of course, there's no reason a high-flow exhaust and air intake couldn't deliver about 10 percent more Pintara power...

So let's put any preconceptions behind us. The 2.4-litre Nissan Pintara models - especially those with a viscous LSD - are relatively quick in a straight-line, competent handlers, comfortable, well appointed and, of course, downright cheap. They really are an excellent all-round package for the money.

U12 Nissan Pintara 2.4 LSD Ti/TRX Fast Facts... 2.4-litre 12-valve four offers strong mid-range grunt Noisy and coarse under load LSD offers excellent drive out of corners Comfortable and practical Ti model is exceptionally well appointed Not likely to be stolen due to its... Bland looks Very cheap to buy, maintain and insure

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