There are certain vehicles that are routinely used and abused to such an extent that it’s next to impossible to find them in decent shape. This also has the effect of making good examples hard to find, and thus immediately increases the price of what would normally be considered a run-of-the-mill vehicle. In the case of the Nissan “Hardbody” pickup, that’s exactly what we’re dealing with here. These were workhorses and certainly not seen as collectible when they were new; these days, a new Tacoma is treated like a borderline luxury vehicle because the price tag is so steep. In many ways, this pristine 1995 Nissan 4×4 pickup listed here on craigslist looks like a bargain at $15,900.

Let’s not overlook the other selling point: those incredible 1990s graphics. This Nissan came from a time when factory styling was somewhat memorable as opposed to the generic blobs we see leaving the factory now (although, to Nissan’s credit, they recently overhauled the Frontier’s design and it looks quite cool; shame they are shuttering the U.S. design studio.) From the colors to the factory decals, it didn’t matter whether you were buying a Corvette or a Nissan truck; everything was capable of being improved upon with some cosmetic tweaks. This Nissan looks terrific in factory teal blue paint with a matching bed cap.

No matter how cool we think they are now, these trucks were simply known for being tough runners. Durable drivetrains, capable 4WD, and simple (if spartan) interiors were defining qualities of almost every small- to midsize pickup truck. The shame of being a reliable vehicle is that it’s often put to the test by owners who buy them solely because maintenance is not a priority. It’s not like the W123-chassis Mercedes-Benz sedans being shipped off to third-world countries when they’re used up here – they go on to lead lives long past their expiration date. The Nissan and Toyota truck market has become increasingly “hot” due to lack of supply after years’ of trucks being almost literally destroyed.

While 90s-era Toyotas have exploded in value, you can still buy the best of the best Nissans for under $20,000. This makes them a very smart buy, in my opinion, since values will likely still climb a bit as good examples like this one become even scarcer. The Nissan shown here is powered by a simple but reliable 3.0L VE-series V6 engine that produces 153 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine bay is super clean in this example, and the seller reports no issues with oil burning or leaks. The truck comes with a recent set of tires and functional A/C. Really, I don’t know how else to say it other than buy now if you’ve been looking for a clean hardbody. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip.