I Bought A 1986 Nissan Box On Wheels

"ethan drives dumb cars" (helloroad) 01/04/2018 at 13:05 • Filed to: econobox, stanza wagon, nissan stanza, 1980s, nostalgia, helloroad, #helloroad

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The Stanza Wagon. These strange yet innovative mini minivans are largely forgotten. But should they be?

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I recently bought another obscure econobox from the 80s—a 1986 Nissan Stanza Wagon! I decided to make a video about the features and history of this strange and awkward vehicle, and drove it through smog-filled L.A. streets to the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys, California:

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The year is 1986. You’re watching an episode of Family Ties . During the commercial break an ad appears for the new Nissan Stanza Wagon. It’s practical! It’s innovative! Perfect for your family! But you nearly spit out a mouthful of New Coke when you catch sight of its awkward shape. Fast forward to today and you’re unlikely to ever cross paths with this box on wheels.

When I came across this low mile ‘86 Stanza Wagon on Craigslist, I immediately wondered how many 31 year old econoboxes are still on the road? Wouldn’t these have been treated as disposable and sent to the junkyard by now? One might argue that all Stanzas deserve the jaws of the crusher, but I have a soft spot for overlooked utilitarian transportation.

A quick test drive and I was hooked. Because dual sliding doors! Because box on wheels! Because cargo capacity! Because ‘80s nostalgia! I foolishly overlooked the electrical gremlins, the whining fuel pump, and a slightly foul odor, and forked over the cash.

Stanza Wagon History

The Stanza Wagon (known as Multi in the land of poutine, and Prairie everywhere else) is a mash-up of a van, station wagon, and utility vehicle.

It’s widely accepted that Chrysler created the first ever minivan with their Dodge Caravan / Plymouth Voyager twins, but I might argue that distinction belongs to this Nissan. It debuted in Japan in 1981, well before the Chrysler vans came on the scene. Though in ‘81, the term ‘minivan’ had yet to be invented, so it was simply referred to as a wagon.

In the ‘80s, import quotas limited the number of cars Japanese manufacturers could bring into the US. Focusing their import efforts on other models, Nissan delayed its US arrival until 1986. By the time we saw it here in the states, the Stanza’s “form over function” styling was showing its age. Too small to be a minivan, too van-like to be a station wagon. Even though it got good marks for being a useful, practical, and versatile vehicle, buyers must have been confused.

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Even though it wasn’t a sales success, it did have one quite innovative feature—dual sliding doors. This was the first vehicle to offer sliding doors on both sides of the car. They latch to the chassis (instead of each other) so they can be operated independently.

It’s impossible to go without noticing the lack of a B pillar, which makes for a frighteningly large, gaping hole when all doors are open. If you regularly drive a Stanza Wagon, do yourself a favor and avoid side impacts. If you guessed that this design compromises structural integrity, you’d be right—make any sort of sudden turn and you’ll immediately notice the flexible nature of the chassis.

Interior

In the driver’s seat you’re greeted with a huge greenhouse providing incredible visibility. You sit up high and are granted with a commanding view of the angular hood. In the back you get 80 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and with the optional jump seats this thing could actually haul seven people. But those seats were really only for kids, or for passengers you hated.

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Under the hood is the 97 horsepower, single overhead cam 2.0 liter motor found in the Stanza sedan. A very strange thing about this car is that each cylinder uses two spark plugs instead of one, as part of a system to reduce emissions. Back in 1986, Motorweek recorded a 13.7 second 0-60 time with their manual transmission version. I couldn’t manage anything faster than 18 seconds with the slush box neutering most of those 31 year old horses.

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Because of the torsion beam rear suspension and the lack of a B pillar, the handling of this car is downright unnerving at times. During hard braking, the rear of the car gets very light and feels like it has a mind of its own, and likes to depart from your trajectory.

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Even with its quirks, I’d suggest this people mover was a bit under-appreciated. It’s abysmally slow and drives like a bowl of Jell-o, sure. But the innovative, industry first dual sliding doors are, many years later, standard equipment on minivans. The high seating position, generous headroom, and space for lots of cargo are now commonplace in today’s small utility vehicles. The styling is awkward for sure, however it’s an honest representation of the vehicle’s utilitarian nature.

But today, this thing still flies under the radar—most have no idea what it is. Other than maybe some random disposable car from the 1980s. The Stanza Wagon was just a little bit misunderstood. No one could really classify what it was. But I think that’s what made it so great.

If you’d like to join me on my journey of trying to not suck at making videos about cars and travel, please follow me at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . :)

ToyotaFamily > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 13:42

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I clearly remember seeing one of these in my neighborhood growing up in the early 2000's.

You should try and find a Mitsubishi Expo and review that.

fintail > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 13:48

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Nice graph paper gauges, too.

I remember in grade school, the family of a girl in my class had one of these. She was Japanese, which made me think this was the most Japanese/JDM thing possible. Not far off.

ethan drives dumb cars > ToyotaFamily 01/04/2018 at 14:19

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Yes! There was the Eagle version of the Mitsubishi Expo for sale nearby (Eagle Summit Wagon) but I must have just missed it—no longer on CL.

ToyotaFamily > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 14:34

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Just amass the largest collection you can of old Japanese toasters on wheels.

I’ve got a deep appreciation for Japanese wagons/hatches from this era. I bought my brother a ‘91 Corolla wagon and it’s surprisingly useful given its size.

XJDano > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 14:35

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I had an 87 Stanza sedan as a first car around 98. I drove the dog shit outnof that car until it lost compression in one od the cylinders and left a white trail of smoke.

Older more mature me would have taken better car and saved money. Oh well.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 14:40

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Occasionally one of these in manual with 4WD would pop up on craigslist and cause me to have a crisis. Luckily, I’ve resisted their charms so far.

Jonee > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 14:47

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I’ve always appreciated how boldly nerdy these cars are.

ethan drives dumb cars > ToyotaFamily 01/04/2018 at 15:05

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I’m a big fan of the form factor as well. Would love to check out a Tercel 4WD, Colt Vista, and Corolla All-Trac. I also have an ‘05 Scion xB, sort of like a modern version of these vehicles.

ethan drives dumb cars > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/04/2018 at 15:06

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Wow! I’ve actually never seen a 4WD version. I know they supposedly exist, but certainly have not seen one in the Los Angeles area.

ethan drives dumb cars > fintail 01/04/2018 at 15:07

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That graph paper trend continued well into the 90s! I had a ‘99 Tacoma with a graph paper design behind the gauges. Felt a bit dated by that era!

ethan drives dumb cars > Jonee 01/04/2018 at 15:09

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That’s a great way to put it. Imma wear plaid pants and a pocket protector and not care what y’all think!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 15:13

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Last one I s aw was in Sacramento , but looks like I neglected to save the CL listing. I think it was around $2k and reasonably clean. So cool....

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > ethan drives dumb cars 01/04/2018 at 16:55

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My grandpa has one of these. Faded blue paint over faded blue cloth interior with an automatic. He brought it home from an auction several years back. I drove it a few times to school when my car was down for a repair or something. Slow, loud and buzzy are the qualities that stand out in my mind. Unfortunately the frame is badly rusted, so it’s no longer safe to drive on the road.

ethan drives dumb cars > Schaef_Camaero Z/28 01/04/2018 at 18:01

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Yep. Slow, loud, and buzzy do indeed come standard with this car!

pip bip - choose Corrour > ethan drives dumb cars 01/05/2018 at 05:58

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Prarie!

Eve > ethan drives dumb cars 04/29/2018 at 21:22

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Ibe been looking for one of these for the last few years. Want to sell?

Eve > ethan drives dumb cars 07/03/2018 at 19:19

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Any chance you want to sell? I’ve been looking for one for quite a while.

Jakeoftoday@gmail.com

Kodi45 > ethan drives dumb cars 02/27/2019 at 23:57

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I just bought a 1986 stanza about 3 months ago !! I love it even if the shape it’s craY 

Karl8 > ethan drives dumb cars 03/02/2020 at 15:38

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Hey! This car is awesome. My wife had one when we met but she sold it when she got a new car...Has regretted it ever since. Is there any chance it is for sale? I am trying to surprise her for our anniversary.

ethan drives dumb cars > Karl8 03/05/2020 at 00:11

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Hey there! Yes actually the car is going up for sale soon. Feel free to send me an email: hello AT helloroad.tv :)