Some enthusiasts are forced to compromise. Their budgets may not allow them to park a classic and a daily driver in their garage, forcing them to dream of the day when they can slip behind the wheel of something beyond the ordinary. However, what if a car appeared on the market that was not only a classic but could serve equally well as an affordable and practical daily driver? That is the opportunity presented by this 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX-SE. It presents nicely, is in excellent health, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting an undeniably cheap vehicle. The seller has listed the Nissan here on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon. You could fly in and drive it home once you have handed the seller a mere $3,250.

Japanese manufacturers began injecting some genuine excitement into their model range during the 1980s, and Nissan was no exception. Its approach spawned cars like the R32 GTR, a car that swept all before it in the motorsport world. However, the company also acknowledged that those on a lower budget should taste something special, creating cars like this 1988 Pulsar NX-SE. Below the surface hides the underpinning of a typically economical Pulsar, but the styling guarantees that it would always stand out in a crowd. The seller indicates they are its second owner, with the first ordering the NX in dazzling Hot Red. It presents surprisingly well for its age, with the paint holding a nice shine and panel damage restricted to small areas on both bumpers. The Nissan has been garage-kept since Day One, allowing it to avoid rust and other nasty surprises that can sour the ownership experience. The alloy wheels are a later addition, but the seller includes the original steelies and hubcaps. The party piece for this classic is its body, which is a slice of clever design. It features removable roof panels, and with the hatch also easily detached, the Pulsar provides an affordable wind-in-the-hair motoring experience.

I am disappointed that the seller supplies no engine images, which I always view as a failing in cases like this. However, we know that the ’88 NX-SE features Nissan’s sweet little DOHC 1.8-liter CA18DE four, producing around 125hp. The ponies feed to the road via the front wheels, bringing us to the second disappointment with this classic. The first owner was elderly and must have felt that shifting ratios was a chore. Therefore, they passed on the five-speed manual transmission, opting for the four-speed automatic. That will hinder the car’s outright performance, but I don’t view it as a deal-breaker. The NX-SE was never a jet off the line, and this one will be slightly slower. However, it has enough positive attributes that make it impossible to ignore. The self-shifter would make coping with heavy city traffic a breeze, and with the ability to return fuel consumption figures north of 30 mpg with little effort, this Nissan could function as an effective daily driver. The seller indicates that the car is in excellent mechanical health, having recently received a tune-up and other work. Potential buyers can consider this Pulsar as a turnkey proposition that will provide immediate enjoyment.

If you have never driven a Nissan of this vintage, you have missed out on a great motoring experience. These cars feature what I rate as some of the best seats to ever find their way into a production car. Nissan hit a sweet spot in the design, and many modern manufacturers could learn a lot from their approach. This Pulsar features the supportive buckets trimmed in Gray cloth, with the back seat finished in the same material. The remaining vinyl and plastic largely mimics that shade, and the overall condition is exceptional. There is no significant wear, even on the prone outer seat edges. There are a couple of dirty marks that might respond positively to a deep clean, but no massive stains. The dash looks excellent, and there are no signs of deteriorating plastic. The exception is the cargo area, which has an array of scuffs and marks. The original radio has made way for a Kenwood CD, which appears to be the only aftermarket addition. It isn’t loaded with factory options, but the air conditioning should make life enjoyable for those who don’t want to be buffeted by the wind with the top panels and hatch removed.

I’m a realist, and I acknowledge that this 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX-SE will appeal to a limited number of potential buyers. Many will say that it isn’t a genuine classic, but I beg to differ. Like many cars from this era, they were treated essentially as disposable items, white-good on wheels, if you like. They sold in respectable numbers, but most have already made their final trip to the scrapyard. Sit back for a moment and consider how many you have seen in your recent travels and whether those that you may have spotted present as nicely as our feature car. This one is tidy, well preserved, comfortable, and affordable and provides excellent fuel economy. It would be equally comfortable coping with the daily grind as it would be providing its new owner with an enjoyable weekend motoring experience. It hasn’t been on the market for long, and I suspect you may need to act fast if you want its next journey to be to your garage.