1989 Nissan Pao Hatchback

Sold: $6,795

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Stock Number: 4684

The Japanese embraced retro-styled automobiles nearly a decade before they became popular here in the USA. Cars like this 1989 Nissan Pao were great for consumers who valued a more reliable and modern platform that still kept those endearing 1950's beachcomber looks. Finished in a lovely one-off Robins Egg Blue this 83K verified mile example is in great shape barring your typical little door dings, dents, and scuffs associated with normal wear and tear. Simple, efficient, and recently serviced this unique little import gets as many looks as a Supra yet at a fraction of the price. Who said driving something stylish had to break the bank? 

Nissan took the same design approach on the inside as they did on the exterior. Similar to vehicles sold thirty years before the Pao debuted, a simple, clutter-free design was chosen. The classic twill upholstery is both tough and durable seeing as it has withstood the past three decades particularly well. Sure, like most light interiors we did want to note some staining on the seating surfaces, but they lack any major damage such as rips, holes, or tears. The dash is in good shape lacking any cracks or distortion. Simple manual climate controls are located in the center of it, and a single gauge pod for the driver is right in front of the wheel. The white-faced gauge and blue backlighting look killer at night, and the speedometer is easy to read. Roll down windows are one less thing to break, with OEM rain guards to help quiet down the cabin with the windows fully retracted. Privacy tint keeps interior temps down in the rear of the vehicle and prying eyes away from the cargo area. The interior plastics have held up fairly well, besides the common door card fading that plagues nearly all Paos. The rear windows can be hinged open creating additional ventilation in summer. The rear clamshell opens wide for large cargo to be gobbled up, and the rear seats fold down to increase the carrying capacity. A Sanyo head unit is functional but speakers have to be added before the tunes can pump. 

The chassis and drivetrain maintain the theme of simplicity. The 1.0L Nissan MA10S four-cylinder powers the front wheels. The engine benefits from a fresh oil and filter service and needn't be serviced for another 3,000 miles. Startup occurs quickly with a twist of the key. The little four-banger churns to life and stays relatively quiet unless the throttle is pinned. The automatic transmission works as it should, lacking any clunking or hesitation while shifting. It never displays any urgency but then again, this isn't a Testarossa, its an economy car. The suspension is soft and the Pao prefers to coast over bumps. As a lightweight economy car, we don't want to conflate soft suspension with a luxurious ride quality because they are separate, however, the little Pike Factory car handles US interstates and city roads without an issue. The brakes are confident and the power steering is on the lighter side. The 12-inch wheels are all wrapped in new rubber, which should last for years to come. 

This incredibly special and retro hatchback is one of the neatest exports from Japan. It's frugality, styling, and roomy layout make this Japanese Classic just as viable choice for a new daily driver as it is a vacation beach cruiser. At such an affordable price, this recently serviced, legally imported, retro-ride won't last long!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.

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