Used Nissan Stagea for sale

The Nissan Stagea is one of the best performance secrets that is hide carefully in Japan.  Initially, the Stagea was produced based on the R33-generation Skyline with a large range of drivetrain configurations and engine sizes, all wrapped in a family friendly estate body style. In this article, we will give our detail review for a Nissan Stagea for sale as each model.

Overview And History

The Nissan Stagea was generated by Nissan from 1996 to 2007, as direct competition for the Subaru Legacy Touring wagon. In the beginning, it was exclusive to Nissan Prince Store Japanese dealerships. Moreover, the Stagea shares many mechanical parts with the Nissan Skyline and Nissan Laurel. Three different versions of the Stagea are the WC34 Series 1 (1996 to late 1998), the WC34 Series 2 (late 1998 to 2001) and the M35 Series (2001 to 2007).

1996: In Japan, Nissan Stagea Series 1 was released.  Solely in estate body style, with either 2wd or 4wd, engine options range from 2.0-litre four to 2.6 twin turbo. Four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmissions offered. Autech performance version with Skyline R33 running gear introduced.

1998: Series 2 version appeared with updated interior trim and exterior styling. At the same time, engine and drivetrain options was remained unchanged.

2001: Stagea was redesigned entirely with new range of V6 engines and chassis based on the V35 platform.

2004: Nissan Stagea range streamlined to only 2.5l and 3.0l non-turbo offerings.

2007: The last model Stagea was built and was replaced by the Nissan Skyline Crossover range or Infiniti QX50 as it is known in the UK.

WC34 Series 1

WC34 Series 1 was produced between 1996 and 2001. The first model has a lot of visual similarities to the R34 Nissan Skyline, giving the impression of lineage to the R34 Nissan Skyline although it is most similar to the R33 Nissan Skyline as mechanical aspect.

The Series 1 was available with 2.0-litre non-turbo rear-wheel drive, 2.5 (turbo and non-turbo) and 2.6-litre turbo four-wheel drive variations. All engines were members of the Nissan RB engine family, with the 2.6L (260RS model) being the same as that equipped in the R33 Skyline GTR. There were range of engine power from 96 kW (129 hp) in the 2.0L to 172 kW (231 hp) in the 2.5L turbo and 206 kW (276 hp) in the 2.6L twin turbo.

Rear wheel drive (RWD) variants of the WC34 used RWD Laurel front suspension of the strut type while all-wheel drive (AWD) versions used RWD R34 Skyline front suspension of the multi-link type. Both AWD and RWD had their chassis platform like the C35 Nissan Laurel, which had the same wheelbase of 2720mm. In addition, the chassis between 2WD and AWD had some differences. The main different point was that the driver’s side chassis rail on the 2WD version wasn’t positioned as close to the lower sill as the AWD version, which was made to make room for the transfer case located on the end of the AWD transmission.

The AWD system (ATTESA E-TS) operated identically with the Nissan Skyline GTS-FOUR and GT-R AWD system. The AWD Stageas was equipped with an automatic transmission also featured a transfer case lock which locked the transfer case in full 4WD and bypassed by the ABS.

Moreover, all automatic Stagea were 4 speed unlike the Skyline and Laurel which has 5 speed automatic transmissions on some automatic 2.5L non turbo versions. Although only 2 models (the turbo RS4 and the 260RS) were available manual, both of them were 5 speed.

WC24 Series 2

Produced in the period of 4 years, starting from 1998, WC24 was upgraded exterior and interior styling. The producer also changed the interior trim choices. Meanwhile engine choices remained nearly unchanged, top versions was specified with a Tiptronic automatic gearbox. The new model had the same engine choices but it was the updated NEO version of the RB series and higher spec models included a tiptronic auto transmission.

The Series 2 was said to be a minor revision of the first model. The manufacturer changed the headlights in shape and material. besides , the fog/auxiliary light was moved into the grill. The indicators were changed to a clear unit, then changed in shaped modestly. At the same time, they revised front aero slightly and matched body moulding colour. The power ranged from 114kW (153hp) in the updated NEO 2L to 206 kW (276hp) for the 2.5L turbo and 2.6L twin turbo. There are three choices of transmissions: 4-speed auto, 4-speed tip-tronic auto and 5-speed manual for the turbo RS FOUR S and 260RS.

M35 Series

The Series 3 was built from 2001 to 2007 and were a totally new design featuring large capacity four cylinder and new V6 engines - based on the new V35 platform. The Series 1 of M35 (2001-2004) had independent, multi-link suspension front and rear. Different from its WC34 predecessor, the rear suspension had coil springs that were mounted separately from the shock absorbers. additionally, the upper attachment position of the shock absorbers was also lowered by 270 mm compared to the WC24 Stagea.

The Series 2 of M35 (2004-2007) was launched in August 2004 and introduced a revised range as the VQ25DET and VQ30DD engines which were discontinued. The VQ35DE engine was offered in a wider range of variants (previously limited to the 350SAxis). Visually, this model can be identified by its new front grille, revised front and rear bumpers, body-coloured side strips and new alloy wheel designs. Moreover, the interior was also updated. The VQ35DE engine was testified to the U-LEV emissions standard in November 2005.

Price Of Nissan Stagea

Depend on spec and desirability, prices are very different. However, in general, decent 2.5-litre turbocharged Series 1 and 2 cars start at around £4000. If you’re looking for the rear 260 RS and Autech models, then you will need up to £12,000 for a good one. The more luxurious and modern series 3 Stagea models can be found for between £5000 and £8000.

Performance And Specs

In conclusion, whereas the first and second generations in full-fat four-wheel drive turbocharged form are the raw performance enthusiasts’ choice, the third generation are the more refined, yet still rapid modern estates. If a vehicle with the performance of a BMW M car, cargo space of an old Volvo Estate and attractive price, Nissan Stagea for sale may just be the car that you never knew you always wanted.