1997 Nissan Truck Consumer Reviews

Better Than Average

Written by: Will on 08/04/2009

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I bought this truck when it was 2 years old and had 29,000 miles. I've owned it for 10 years - it now has 130,000 and still runs fine. The only repairs other than routine maintenance have been tie rod ends and ball joints at about 90,000 and starter at 125,000 miles. It's been a solid and dependable truck. Gas mileage has been about 20 in town and 24 highway (it's a 5 speed manual 4WD). It is a bit underpowered but that hasn't been a problem for me. I've used it off- road and also towed a trailer with it but rarely drive over 60 mph. I hope to keep it for a long time

Favorite Features

Dependability, low maintenance, good gas mileage, high ground clearance.

Suggested Improvements

None, it suits my needs fine.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great little truck

Written by: willshak on 05/10/2009

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I bought it new and still have it. 66,000 miles on the odometer. It still looks new, except for some small dings. I wanted a 6 cyl. instead of the 2.4 liter 4 cyl., but the 6 cyl was not available in the 97 model due to some EPA requirement.

Favorite Features

Rust free body. Never replaced any mechanical or engine parts, except for regular maintenance items and wear and tear parts, like tires, brakes, a battery, plugs, air and oil filters, and distributor parts.

Suggested Improvements

Too late for improvements on an 11 year old truck, but Nissan did a pretty job as is.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

MSRP was half what Toyota was!!!

Written by: humblegenius on 03/17/2009

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Standard Cab SB

Review

Rescuing Toyotas is fun ~ I have owned ALL brands of full size trucks, and both Toyota and Nissan in which my 97 Nis is my third. This one I won't be getting rid of... EVER! It is amazing what this truck can do with 130ish horsepower. I've pulled out every make and model from mud, sand, snow and everything in between and that all done with a completely stock Nissan! This is hands down the best truck I have ever owned and probably the reason they made only cosmetic/minor mechanical improvements in the 14 years of making it. As I’ve read in some of the reviews, this truck being named a poor man’s Toyota is absolutely absurd. No Toyota has ever matched any of my Nissans PERIOD :) Cheers

Favorite Features

Ease of do-it-yourself, longevity, overall perfection to cost ratio.

Suggested Improvements

None, but if I wanted to pay extra... horsepower and a delux interior package.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Nissan Pickup

Written by: R. KOK on 01/04/2009

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Extended Cab SB

Review

I bought this truck new to tow behind our motorhome. It now has 110,000 miles and the first repair was in oct. 07, a temp sensor in the carb. barrel. It is underpowered, but I consistently get 20mpg, and that's with a 4wd vehicle. it's on the fourth set of tires, but part of that could be from towing it 100k miles. In 4wd it has been in places where few trucks have gone in UT, AZ, and CO. It's pretty spartan, but I have driven it 1000 miles straight and I find the seat ore comfortable than a car. I rarely go over 65 because it's geared a bit low, but that little engine just keeps going hour after hour at a steady 3200 rpm. I am looking for another truck, maybe a frontier.

Favorite Features

It just goes and goes and goes. I sure would like to buy another one that would give me the service this has.

Suggested Improvements

A bit more power would be nice, but it's a 4 cylinder. If you want power get the v6.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Reliable but no frills

Written by: ed on 05/13/2008

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought my 1997 Nissan Pickup new when Nissan as clearing them out to make room for the Fronter. It's been a great trunk with no problems, just normal maintenance. which I do myself. Not very good on gas, I average around 21 MPG at times when mostly driving highways 25-26 MPG. Replaced the really weak radio and speakers.

Favorite Features

Reasonably priced, cheap to run. Flip open windows in the back for the dog.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, power windows/locks,

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Love this truck!

Written by: technoguy on 04/14/2008

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE Extended Cab SB

Review

Bought this truck used from one who took very good care of it. It has been a great truck thus far. Would buy again. Willing to trade off it being a bit underpowered at times , loaded on steep hills for dependability and better fuel performance than my one ton truck gas sucking hog.

Favorite Features

Comfortable driving truck,very dependable after 35+ k miles put on it.

Suggested Improvements

Four door would have been nice w/ tools and kids.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

A poor man's "Toyota" pick-up

Written by: Firefighterjake on 11/06/2007

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB

Review

This is the only vehicle I have ever bought brand new and it was only because the dealership had a ton of "stripped not equipped" models that were being sold cheaply. By stripped, I mean there was no radio or even a rear bumper. However, while a bit under-powered this pickup worked well for a number of years and proved to be quite reliable, although it didn't seem to be of the same quality caliber as a comparably sized Toyota pick-up. The gas mileage and handling wasn't all that great either.

Favorite Features

Cheap mini pickup that got the job done. Few problems other than replacing spark plugs and a wiring harness. I hauled a ton of stuff over the years with that little red pickup.

Suggested Improvements

Under-powered and the handling was pretty poor as it rode like a truck (which I suppose is good since it was a truck). Gas mileage wasn't very good either.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

250,000 and still kickin'

Written by: Tom on 10/01/2007

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE Standard Cab SB

Review

I bought my Nissan from my step dad in July of this year, it had 230,000 miles on it. Before that my sister and my brother in law owned it. They had a little problem with it idling and running so when I got it I put some really strong carb cleaner down it and it came to life. Now I'm trying to figure out why it surges on take off from 1st then falls flat on its face, and it doesn't get as good gas mileage as I thought it would. Other than that, it's been an excellent truck.

Favorite Features

Fun off road with 2wd, it's still got ice cold air which is the best in FL.

Suggested Improvements

None.

Report inappropriate post

Tough Truck

Written by: tommystruck on 12/16/2006

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Standard Cab SB

Review

My 1997 Nissan truck has been one of the most dependable, reliable vehicles I have ever owned. The only problems I have ever had in 10 years of ownership are the alternator failed last year and the vehicle speed sensor failed about 2 years ago. One strange original problem was the truck leaned to the right, I also see many others like that. It turned out the torsion bar was not correctly adjusted from the factory, very easy to fix. I have to admit it does have a bumpy, stiff ride and it not the best on gas mileage, around 19 mpg.

Favorite Features

Dependability and reliability.

Suggested Improvements

More powerful engine

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Pretty Good Value in 4 X 4

Written by: Daniel on 10/19/2006

Vehicle

1997 Nissan Truck 2 Dr XE 4WD Standard Cab SB

Review

I bought this truck new and drove it about 150 miles round trip to work for four years before I finally moved closer to my job. It has been very dependable and easy to maintain; I service it every 3,000 miles and try to keep it reasonably clean. I don't take this truck off-road and have only had to use the 4 X 4 for emergencies like ice and snow storms and it has been perfect: I often have been a shuttle for others who are stuck in the parking lot frozen to the ground. I haul stuff to and from our little country home and it really is a pleasure to have for all those little jobs.... every time I think about selling it I stop and remember all it has done for me, and that's it!

Favorite Features

Dependable and Useful. I haul stuff in this constantly and don't know what I'd do without a truck in my driveway. We are into gardening and home improvement and this truck has been like a business partner for us.... Plus we often just find things along the road to pick up and take home!

Suggested Improvements

It's too late to improve anything since this model is long gone and the Frontier replaced it right after I bought this baby. I have driven the Frontier and it is nice, but I'm not ready to trade this old work horse in quite yet.

Report inappropriate post