Aussie question

[rjmhotrod]

I just returned from working in Australia for the last couple of weeks. While I was there I noticed lots of P5s (323 Altina, SP20s, Ford Lasers, etc.). I also saw a car that had lines very similar to the Mazda - the Pulsar wagon. I'm assuming that the Pulsar is a Nissan vehicle, as that was an American (and possibly elsewhere) nameplate for a small Nissan in 80's and early 90's. Is the new Pulsar kin to the Mazda Protege/323 wagons in some way? I'll see if I can find a picture of one to post here for you guys to view.

Also the Holden and Ford utes are pretty sweet looking. Nothing like that currently in the states. At least not yet.

 

[rjmhotrod]

OK so it is a Nissan. I found this pic using Google from an expired ebay item.

 

[chicaboo]

Hi rjmhotrod,

If I could correct you please, the 1.8 Protege5 is called the "323 Astina" for the hatch and the "323 Protege" for the sedan. The 2.0 car is called the "SP20" Astina or Protege (not Sports20 or such).
There's no connection between the "Nissan Pulsar" and the 323, infact the Pulsar was an arch enemy at one time before Nissan dropped the "SSS" hot version of Pulsar and started making them granny transport...
The Pulsar you have shown in your pic (N15) was a very popular car before it was dropped for the recent granny only model. It lacked the space of the 323/P5, but it had a fantastic 105kW/140hp engine that responds well to mods. Although it lacks any bottom end grunt, it loves to rev out and is generally not happy until 4500rpm.
It's pretty much a cult car here, and popular with the hot hatch community.

Chicaboo.

 

[NJP5Guy]

where in australia did you go to??? I'd love to move back there someday.

 

[NorwegianMX-5]

It's called Nissan Almera here in Europe...

 

[rjmhotrod]

Hi rjmhotrod,

If I could correct you please, the 1.8 Protege5 is called the "323 Astina" for the hatch and the "323 Protege" for the sedan. The 2.0 car is called the "SP20" Astina or Protege (not Sports20 or such).
There's no connection between the "Nissan Pulsar" and the 323, infact the Pulsar was an arch enemy at one time before Nissan dropped the "SSS" hot version of Pulsar and started making them granny transport...
The Pulsar you have shown in your pic (N15) was a very popular car before it was dropped for the recent granny only model. It lacked the space of the 323/P5, but it had a fantastic 105kW/140hp engine that responds well to mods. Although it lacks any bottom end grunt, it loves to rev out and is generally not happy until 4500rpm.
It's pretty much a cult car here, and popular with the hot hatch community.

Chicaboo.

Cool. Thanks. I just remember seeing this Pulsar N15 drive past and thinking that the lines (especially in the rear) were very P5ish (SP20ish). We never had this particular model in the states - Nissan dropped the ball. The rest of the world seems to always get the jump on new/interesting automotive models before the US. I remember traveling overseas in the late nineties and seeing all these 4 door Toyota trucks (called the Hi Lux). I remember thinking if Toyota would bring these models to the states, they would make a killing. And then a couple of years later, guess what begins appearing in the states? 4 door trucks. Right now I think you guys have the scoop on the Ford and Holden utes. I think they would be popular here if they were ever introduced. Anyway, thanks for the info.

 

[rjmhotrod]

where in australia did you go to??? I'd love to move back there someday.

We were in Sydney for a day, then north a little to Avoca Beach for 3 days, then to Melbourne for 3 days, then to the Gold Coast (near Surfer's Paradise) for 2 days, then to Hobart for 4 days, then back to Sydney for 2 days. We were shooting scenics and interviews for a couple of upcoming festivals in Melbourne and Hobart. I have to say, the people in Australia are fantastic. Very friendly, good natured and easy to get along with. However, I don't like Qantas airlines anymore. Gotta go with Virgin (though the seats in coach were kind of rough on the back).