Real Road Test: Nissan Prairie (Stanza Wagon). Very boxy, but is it good?

[@graemew7001]

That is pretty much everything you would need in a family car. Back in the day as a 20 year old man I would have laughed it off the road yet now I'd love to own one, funny how opinions change with age.

[@alfamonk]

But a dog’s dinner of a powertrain

[@wartburgjeff6150]

Except for safety

[@PhilOsGarage]

@@alfamonk run forever, and easy on fuel though...

[@graemew7001]

@James M7 Me too, back to the days when you could lift the bonnet, know exactly what you were looking at and fix it without a load of IT crap being needed first lol

[@graemew7001]

@@wartburgjeff6150 I drive a Fiat Panda so I'm used to that lack of safety provisions.

[@TheHorsebox2]

My mum had one with a wheelchair conversion for my brother. The front passenger seat was replaced with an electric swivel which swung out to take the wheelchair in. Clever, really. Mum loved the car, and it never broke down. Steven passed away in 2007, and this lovely example makes me nostalgic for those times and the blue Prairie. Thanks, Ian.

[@danrkelly]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@TheHorsebox2]

@@danrkelly You're welcome, Dan.

[@SvenQ45]

In Japan they have many of these versions in almost every model. From Autech. 👍

[@TheHorsebox2]

@@SvenQ45 Thanks for the information. 👍

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

This is one of the most Hubnut cars out there.

[@TheChill001]

in an absolutely positive way

[@randomd6r]

My parents had a blue 1983 1.5 GL from new. It had both Datsun and Nissan badging. Numerous sessions of rust scraping and painting slowed the rot. We kept it until 2002, and it covered 165k miles. Many happy memories of adventures with that car 🙂

[@realnutteruk1]

I remember its launch day.. the same day the K10 Micra was launched in the UK... There was such hype that I rode to my local Nissan dealer on my pushbike to have a look... I was 17....

[@mrfairsthename7470]

A genuine hubnuttable car , why is it so many older Japanese gars are really under estimated and actually great cars .

[@1barnsie]

I bought a metallic blue one for my Mum and Stepdad to use. It was splendid for a few years until rust in the fuel tank clogged the fuel filter and suffocated it. Then sold for a 405 estate which we all agreed was worse in many important ways. I'm new to Hubnut. My son and I came to the Brooklands social and Miss Hubnut sold us a sticker. Sadly transport was a 2014 Jazz, the alternative of a 2007 Sirion did not appeal for the 224 mile round trip.

[@jarthurs]

When we lived in Wales, our neighbours had one of these except theirs was mostly 3rd party metal.

[@Tukwillie]

3rd party metal: That's poetry.

[@send2mc]

We had a Nissan Prairie here in Australia in the mid to late 90s. Ours was the 1.5litre 7 seater (the only configuration available here). We bought it out of necessity when we had our 5th child and we couldn't all fit into our old car. We weren't expecting much except for transport but it turned out to be a wonderful and practical car. We all loved it. It drove much better than an air conditioned 1.5 litre with 7 people on board had any right to. We even took it 4WDing once and despite being only front wheel drive we couldn't get it stuck. We were following my bother-in-law in his Turbo diesel 4WD Nissan Patrol and he was trying to get us bogged. We got through everything he did. It surprised the hell out of him (and me too but I never admitted that). I'd buy one today if they still existed.

[@stephenjcuk7562]

My old schoolmates' Dad had one, he was properly embarrassed by it as a teenager for being so uncool. 35 years later I've just amusingly shared this video with him. Memories.

[@Eunos]

This brings me back to my childhood, My Gran owned a Prairie. Was a very reliable car, we use to call it the Gran Mobile ;D. Kind of wish she still had it.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

One of my school friend's mum had one of these back in the day, and as I was a frequent visitor to their house after school, I got to ride in the back of it quite often. Ah, the memories ☺️

[@christopherford1800]

I remember these from my childhood what a very practical vehicle nice to see this example still on the road thanks Ian keep them videos coming great job

[@rollingtroll]

I was always convinced I'd own a Prairy one day. A two tone one, preferably. I adore them, such a cute box .

[@johnbudden3630]

I bought one new in 88 when I was in the army in Germany. Just the best family car - used to call it the Tardis as it never seemed to run out of room in the back! 12 years later and 150,000 miles it had been all over Europe from St Tropez to Edinburgh with only normal maintenance - a couple of clutches etc. Very easy to work on. Best car I ever had.

[@johncarruthers4647]

Brings back a lot of memories. My dad had 3 of them during the 80s. A gold 83 a plate then and 85 c plate in blue and last off all 88 e plate in white.

[@nygelmiller5293]

John Caruthers: 3 of these? Your dad was lucky!

[@chrisdowns1987]

I genuinely hadn't noticed no b pillar until you pointed it out 😂 it's been a long week moving house. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Very interesting car that I'd not even noticed before! Perfect Hubnut 😁

[@martinrule1569]

Wow. I’d forgotten they even existed. These were everywhere back in my youth but just blended into the background. I never realised they were so innovative. Thanks for another blast from the past 👍🏼

[@JakobKsGarage]

All of the beige and lots of space. Wonderful car 😎

[@rayjennings3637]

A friend of mine in Hertfordshire used one of these as a wheelchair adapted mini-cab back in the '80s and his was the only one like that in the county, as a result of which he got stacks of business.

[@springy-2112]

I used a prairie as a tour bus in the nineties . It was brilliant.. The duo in the front and the gear in the back ... never saw any groupies but on occasion gave a pensioner a lift home from the gig ... Rock n Roll ! 👍🏻☮❤

[@JohnDoe-ox5ni]

I love Japanese brown chocolate interiors .I really miss that feature of Japanese cars and vans .my Toyota 4x4 townace and my Honda accord and Nissan Micra and Suzuki carry lovely and brown inside.

[@fourthdrawerdown6297]

Yes, I have fond memories of the works runabout that my Dad would bring home occasionally, a Toyota Carina filled with acres of sand coloured velour. Much more inviting than the black or grey that we get now.

[@mrjsv4935]

I agree 100% :) Look how bright, roomy and friendly the interior looks, love it :) Light brown is "warm" and comfortable colour, at least in my opinion. Not dark and sinister at all, as modern cars with boring black interiors. Very nice 80's car that Nissan Prairie! My first car was 1982 Mazda 323 with brown interior and I loved it :) Good visibility too in the Prairie + 80's cars in general. They weren't designed to be crashed, but they were designed for easy driving!

[@AmigaA-or2hj]

GOD! I HATE BLACK INTERIORS! Dark grey and charcoal are just as bad. Gloomy and depressing, especially in winter. It’s like sitting in a coffin! Beige is the best. I can live with light grey. My previous car had a green and red interior, but this was years ago.

[@nygelmiller5293]

John Doe, yes I also love the brown interior, to go with the red exterior! The Triumph Stag was also available in that colour combination!

[@pipishere]

My dad had one of these in that Nissan blue metallic and did have the third row! Likely an import looking back on some of my dad's other purchases at the time. Many a happy family holiday to Humberston, towing a jet ski and my mother shouting so I could hear from the back 😂

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

When a car was a car. Means of transportation. Now a car is a cinema, theater, office, 2nd home. Full of stuff that will break down, or is outdated before that. Wonderful review, Ian!

[@monkeyintensity1]

I had one of these . In Australia they came with the E15 1.5 litre Pulsar motor . Very practical and clever design. With the back seat folded I had no trouble fitting a Honda CT110 in the back .

[@gulfstream7235]

I remember one of my teachers having one in the late 80's. We all took the piss out of it back then, now I'd have one in a heartbeat...

[@kdri155]

My late father in law had a Prairie back in the mid to late 80's, always thought the side profile looked like a Metrocab.

[@chrishart8548]

Whole thing looks just like a metrocab. Taxi drivers really rate those things.

[@David_Owsnett]

My mates parents had one in the 90's. I remember we borrowed it a few times. It was brilliant.

[@JediKnight245]

Wow, the 1990s memories come flooding back, the Nissan Prairie was an excellent car to own and drive

[@dmcars147]

We sold a handful of these back in day in the U.S. We had them in four wheel drive as well, amazingly practical.

[@geezavictoria7089]

I spent many a school holiday going away in one of this awesome Praire !

[@MrGarethDHughes]

I remember getting a lift in one of these in the 1980s to school. Same colour as well !! 👌

[@TheStan80]

I like this one. Huge inside and great 80s interior.

[@bcfairlie1]

Here in NZ we had a five speed column change manual or automatic. Very very rare, even when new

[@chrisryan3770]

My primary school pal’s mum had a Prairie. I remember that the sliding “A-Team Van-esque,” doors caused quite a stir in the playground.

[@warren6815]

I completely forgot these existed until I saw this very car at Festival of the Unexceptional back in 2018. Brilliantly under-appreciated, it's like a Ford B-Max of the 80s.

[@garyburton2926]

I had two of these 84 and 88 great family car. I removed the rear seat and passenger seat to move a three seat sofa . It was more useful than a van !

[@SeasickUpload]

It's always nice when the sandals match the interior.

[@Richard-Bullock]

That is awesome. Not seen one for very many years. When I was younger, my dad had a car workshop/petrol station. We had an elderly gentleman regular customer that bought one new. I always used to pump his petrol for him. Poor old fella was not so good on his feet. He raved about how much easier it was to get in and out of than his old mk5 Cortina. If your friend decides to sell, I would very much appreciate it if you point him in my direction. Thank you.

[@volvo480]

Ah, a Prairie. I remember those from the 1990s when they were widely used a cheap family runabout but haven't seen one in the flesh for ages. I guess what wasn't exported to Africa eventually succumbed to rust. (Apparently the concept of MPV predates the Espace by two years!)

[@Ragnar8504]

I saw a white one in Vienna several years ago, very nice one, still on its original 1980s plates (the plates are tied to the registration in Austria, so every time the car changes hands or the owner moves outside the region, new plates are issued, so the pre-1990 black plates have become incredibly rare).

[@paulsyarduk2045]

Wow, that's a busy vehicle, lots of complicated design everywhere .loads of glass, a conservatory on wheels...I love it!

[@pjday6195]

I had both the 1500 and the 1800 of this shape. They were perfect for bringing up a family and we loved them for their practicality. Very reliable, we never had any problems with them over a considerable mileage.

[@paulwhite9040]

A 1985 (ish) Datsun Stanza remains to this day the most comfortable car I have ever been driven in. The rear seats/suspension were simply perfection.

[@torresalex]

What a treasure you've found. I don't really remember these growing up during the 80s in the UK. Japanese cars always looked a bit too weird at the time but they've aged incredibly well, as this attests

[@neilsheppard6673]

What a great practical little car, if somewhat un-exiting! Years ahead of its' time.

[@peter7624]

Had one just like it in the noughties. A great reliable car, lovely and comfy with enough power and 35mpg. Like having your own personal taxi..

[@christhesnaildriver]

I used to live next door to a Peter with a light green Prairie, which is incidentally perhaps the only Prairie I've ever seen in the flesh before or since! You don't live in Lymington per chance?

[@R-Tap]

When these hit the market back in the 80's, it was like a space ship had arrived. My Dad gave serious consideration to one, sadly he purchased a Kadette instead. Damn.

[@robinwells8879]

I had utterly discounted these for years because of the bizarre postman pat van inspired looks but that b pillar free design is nothing short of inspired. Sometimes beauty is just in the designs fitness for purpose. Remarkable example too.

[@johnalees99]

The last one I saw belonged to a guy I used to work for some 15 years back. Him and his partner upgraded to a Mitsubishi Nimbus mpv after that, before they had a screaming falling out and he ended up with an r31 Pintara. The graph paper gauges were everywhere for a while. I also remember them on the VL Commodore, but that had a Nissan motor so not surprising.

[@steved3702]

Holden had to do *something* after the horrible VK square gauges!

[@AndySnap]

Those alloys really lift the plain, boxy, but utterly practical Prairie ( in beautiful condition, well done owner). The MPV really was the best design for family/spacious cars, such a shame it became subverted into the enlarged fake 4x4 SUV which are everywhere today. One day test drive a mk1 Ford C-Max, an MPV with great ride & handling, and space!

[@antonioercolino6087]

I haven't seen a Nissan Prarie for years. They always reminded me of slightly smaller versions of taxis. As always a thorough review Ian. I know feel like a Nissan Prarie expert. Thanks.

[@hayamburuk]

My dad had one, I loved it and I'd love one for myself

[@michaelb6729]

The missing B-pillar screams ..... body flex ! 💪

[@Jam3sA]

Remember these being quite common when I was young, especially in gold metallic

[@unclejoe6811]

Nissan loved that metallic gold until the early 00's it seemed like every other Maxima was metallic gold.

[@jazzhands7771]

What a beauty. Pity it's not for sale; I would love this in my collection.

[@paulillingworth1242]

I remember seeing those everywhere as a kid, I remember them being quite a big car / expanded stanza/sunny

[@robc5955]

Another car I’d forgotten existed, they just disappeared and like others I never knew it had no B pillar.

[@The_Car_Stalker]

I thought all Prarie's had dissolved quicker than an Alka Seltzer - looks great

[@nickthomas181]

Stunning ....let down by rust. You spoil us sir first a Daewoo Espero now the Prairie. I also love the argyle pattern on the seats never seen that before.

[@eccIefechan]

The last time I saw a Nissan Prairie in the UK was lying upside down in a drained reservoir in Glennifer Braes Country Park here in Scotland!

[@chrisstoddard1144]

Amazing to see this. Our US market '87 Stanza wagon had a fuel injected 2.0 liter engine. In addition to the folding window winders, the driver side rear sliding door actually had a mechanical interlock to prevent it from sliding fully open while the fuel filler door was also open. There was actually a remote volume control high up on the dashboard to compensate for the low position of the head unit. Air conditioning was dealer installed but fully integrated. We bought optional folding seat cushions for the cargo area, with associated lap belts. Nissan NA advertised that a wheelchair user could slide the rear door open enough to lift and store the folded wheelchair in behind the front seat. Very clever.

[@Psymanbee]

My dad had the 50th anniversary two tone model. The dials and vent controls were green tinted instead of orange, and the front seat belt were hung from the roof. In comparison to this Prairie, the 50th anniversary is a little more advanced.

[@MrSuperz00t]

What a fabulous car! I did miss the rear wiper test though 😭 I’m just as obsessed with the things as you are!

[@HubNut]

I know. Fail!

[@eefjuh5533]

I didn't even noticed a missing rear wiper test! I did notice the missing ptsjoeew. But i would have thought thats irrelevant and forgot all about both when i would be (test)driving this particular car!!

[@thatwillcarter]

I was surprised just how enjoyable to drive these were when I had a pootle in one (one of Eddie's previous Prairies coincidentally), far more nippy than you' imagine they're going to be and as you say, far more car-like than you'd expect too.

[@russellb1212]

The style Reminds me of the MCW Metrocab taxi

[@tracysroberts]

If I remember correctly, the original road test in Wheels magazine was impressed by the body roll too. They ran the review with a picture of the prairie heeling over, the door open and the driver leaning out.

[@normanstephens5391]

Those sliding rear doors, operate better than my current, 2014 Ford B max. A work Colleague had one, which I envied. Way Back When. I also envied his next choice a Datsun Laurel Saloon. What a car. See you in the next one. 👍👍

[@dougowt]

The motor industry has since decided to develop ridiculous SUVs instead of these supremely practical options to estate cars/station wagons

[@HubNut]

Yes, but people keep lapping them up in preference to a practical MPV. People are odd.

[@frothe42]

I must agree. Most behind the wheel are women. I believe that says everything! I want to see the return of the station wagon (estate) instead of this nonsense!

[@ajhl9898]

One of these crashed in to my dads Jag about 30 years ago..still can't look at one without feeling annoyed.🤣

[@zebedep]

Great review and nice to see one of these again.

[@philtaylor9038]

Oddly I found this interesting car. Keep up the great work you do Ian.

[@markonmotoring]

Wow, a neighbour had a Nissan Prairie when I was a kid. It served them for while but was traded in for a K11 Micra which for their family of five must have been a tight squeeze.

[@wanderinggentile]

The FF layout was unique worldwide for about a year from introduction until the similarly-sized Chrysler K-platform MPVs were introduced in North America. The Japanese competition from Toyota and Mitsubishi were front-mid engine, rear drive, as was the more compact Nissan Vanette, which remained in production in developing countries into the nineties.

[@BrorAppelsin]

We had a Vanette as a company van in the 90s. It was named the raisin because it was so dented all over. It was so front heavy and light at the back that my coworker managed to get stuck in a paved parking lot in the summer, just because there was a sand filled pothole under the other rear wheel and no traction!

[@eefjuh5533]

Out of the toy-cars i had the Nissan Prairie was the ONE i loved!❤️

[@stephinepaul7483]

Don't forget the Mitsubishi Colt Vista! VERY similar to the Stanza Wagon here in the U.S. Meanwhile the two 'Twin' Silver Stanza's(BOTH bought NEW by their original Owner's Flower Shop delivery service..)have been moved indoors and will be saved.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Don't know the last day I saw one of these in the road! They all seemed to come in a maroon colour and I remember a car magazine describing it as a Micra that swallowed a freight container! But Car also said it was a van sized car that made sense.

[@williamegler8771]

I remember riding to school in a Stanza. It was owned by a neighbor who would raise the garage door start the engine and turn on the A/C. They turned on the A/C to give the vehicle a chance to cool the interior before it got out into the sun. Even pre cooled the A/C could barely cool the interior on a sunny 80° day. With the 2L , with 97 hp, and 4sd auto is was pretty slow also.

[@revolution1one]

Known as "Multi" here in Canada. Extremely rare even here on the west coast where cars don't rust all that much.

[@keef71]

most memorable because of the sliding doors but never realised there was no B pillar! seemed to be popular as taxis for a while

[@whitemoor66]

I remember these back in the day, but had absolutely no idea they had no b pillar! Engine sounded lovely and smooth. Your comments about it pre-dating the Scenic were exactly what I was thinking too. Lovely old bus from when Nissans were still actually Nissans 👍.

[@tomoreilly9932]

A family car that can pose as a small van,and no doubt ultra reliable.

[@Lawrence-ui1hv]

Hi Ian, just a comment on the front indicators, the side 'indicators' were in fact side marker lamps for the North American market as the rest of the markets were this car was sold, the side marker lamps were wired up as indicators instead as both use the same wattage bulb. I hope this helps? Great videos! 👍👍

[@steved3702]

Ah, that makes sense and in the end is more attractive than many side marker lamps in the US versions of foreign models that look like the add-ons they are!

[@Lawrence-ui1hv]

@@steved3702 I'd have to agree👍

[@colinrush6389]

Back in 1994 when I started my business, this was my first work vehicle. Mine was also red, though with the 1500cc engine, which was hideously slow. Overall, a great, practical car with fantastic load- carrying capacity. Unfortunately, it also had the capacity to rust when exposed to even the threat of rain. I went through loads of rust killer and red aerosols during my ownership. But I still remember it with great affection.

[@workonesabs]

We were using a mot failure one at an RAF station a while back, ferrying pilots and staff to and fro aircraft. Always started, but the bodywork was in bad shape.

[@unclejoe6811]

Good to know the government takes all safety precautions

[@lesklower7281]

A car with this degree of practically is worth having a look l have thank you again for reviewing an interesting car van mpv like the door arangement and the fact you can sleep in it

[@nickwatson2167]

Wow I haven’t seen one of them on the roads for a long time

[@oneyelloweric]

I had one for 6 years back in the day, it was a excellent family vehicle and so pratical, but the rust got to it in the end, happy times with it though

[@cornishrider]

Sir John Whitmore 60s racing legend, Daytona Couple racer and all round cool dude used to have one of these as a daily driver and really rated them!

[@TheChill001]

that is a gem of a car, really rare on our continental roads these days, I remember saying a lot of those and the mitsubishi space stars/wagons when I was a kid, nostalgia at its best for me xD

[@mfbfreak]

Holy shit. When i saw the thumbnail and saw it roll up, i thought it was the size of the Tercel wagon. And then the shot of Mr. HubNut sitting in that cavernous space...

[@GG-lx8rp]

Great cars, had 2 a 1.5 which was slow with heavy steering. A 1.8 Anniversary 2 with electric windows and sunroof and I think power steering. Very reliable and easy to service yourself not very quick but the kids never got car sick. The back seat was fixed by 2 screws and 4 bolts once out you had a van size space. I think what killed them was rust at a point where steering, drive shaft passed through the bodywork making welding hard. A car mag said only 1 on road a couple of years ago, your test may be that car. My 2nd favourite car and I have had a lot of cars, favourite is Toyota Yaris Verso my present car. Keep up the good work.

[@chrismckay8349]

It looks like the 80s and i love it for that. Hi from New Zealand

[@MarkieC1990]

Really clean for a prairie! So rare nowadays, most of them have rotted away 😔

[@alansimpson835]

A nice big practical box with many neat touches. I love the wheels. Almost Lamborghini Countach like.

[@aguerra1381]

Smart, functional design. Much more so than today's vehicles.

[@davidtebbitt5537]

Had two of these back in the early 90s. The 1.5 '86model followed by the 1.8 '88 model. Very practical but the later car completely rotted along both sides of the roof!!

[@gkjsooley]

Sold in Canada as the Nissan Multi; the M11 was sold as the Nissan Axxess.

[@jsa274]

The few examples of these I saw when I was young were uncool neglected POSs. But as a sensible adult, seeing the super low boot floor and lack of B pillar, it is extremely practical. I’d take this over a chav chariot Zafira.

[@MrRickp78]

I remember going to Firsway Nissan in Leigh in circa 1987 to look at a 'B' reg one of these with my Dad and I thought it was so cool with the sliding doors and seemed so futuristic (to a nine-year old) compared to our 1980 Datsun N10 estate. He also looked at a Toyota Space Cruiser and a Mitsubishi Space wagon. He ended up with a LWB 3.3 litre diesel Nissan Patrol in the end which he sold just before I passed my test :( Always liked these Prairies though!

[@1greenMitsi]

My dad bought one of these when my brother was born in the late 80s he was the 4th child so we couldnt fit in a conventional sedan anymore. We only got the 7 seater 1.5 in aus