Buying a used Nissan Teana (L33) - a supremely comfortable sedan, from RM 55k

The wonders of depreciation makes once-expensive cars more democratised, but in turn, buyers lose out on the latest and greatest tech.

But good comfort and ride quality is evergreen - and that's how the Nissan Teana - particularly this L33-generation - stays relevant today.

For a car that was once priced circa RM 140k - RM 170k, you can snag one below RM 60k these days. It's an enticing offering, but much like buying new cars, there are things to look out for - we'll run through them for you below.

Variants, powertrain, and features

Launched in 2014 and sold all the way up until its discontinuation in 2019, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) offered 3 variants of the model here with two naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine options:

Other than the engine difference, all levels of the Teana are pretty well-equipped. Here's a quick breakdown of which gets what:

For what it's worth, you're still getting a very premium product. Sure, you lose out on modern niceties like a touchscreen infotainment system or even ADAS, but it's by no means a kosong-spec car.

Standard across the Teana range are digital air-cond controls and rear air-cond vents.

Features aside, the Teana is a comfort and ride quality winner, thanks to rethought suspension, 'Zero Gravity' seats, and supreme sound insulation. Even the fabric seats are nice, with an ergonomic design that naturally relaxes you.

Boot space is a very manageable 516 litres, and there's extra space to be had courtesy of 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Equipment aside, it offers a compelling drive as well. The Teana serves a balanced and confident drive, nothing too soft or hard-edged, made better with a smooth powertrain.

How much are they now?

Scoping around online classifieds, the Teana ranges anywhere from as low as RM 53,000 for a 2015, base-model 2.0 XE, all the way to RM 90,000 for a 2018, range-topping 2.5 XV model.

Unless you're buying through Carsome, these prices are not definitive - there's still a lot of hidden charges disguised as 'processing fees'.

Also read: There's now a way to avoid sleazy used car dealers and their hidden charges

It's not hard to find the exact variant you want as there's an equal mix of them around. However, note that examples with the optional, factory-fitted Nismo kit are rather rare.

Problems and costs to fix

We got in touch with Mr. Noel of Jtech Autoserv who very nicely shared with us things to look out for. Thankfully, the car is generally very reliable aside from a couple of known issues.

One common issue is faulty oxygen sensors, of which you can tell through bad fuel consumption and rough idling. Replacements for these are priced from RM 1,000.

Other than that, keep a close eye on your air-conditioning system. If it starts to blow hot air, emits odd smells, or makes odd noises - it could be the compressor. For this, we were quoted circa RM 2,000.

Then there's also the Teana's lower arms. They can be changed as a preventive step, or when they start to make clunking noises. We were quoted RM 1,000 for these, complete with polyurethane (PU) bushings.

Jtech Autoserv also does oil levelling when you service your CVT. This is to prevent a jerky transmission, and the whole procedure (including service and new fluids) costs below RM 600.

Don't worry too much about the sunroof either - it's not very prone to leaks or motor failures. Just make sure the rubber is clean and its path is not clogged.

Beyond these, cursory research shows that various spare parts are still readily available among parts stockists nationwide.

Conclusion - A model to consider

The Teana shouldn't be discounted simply because it's not a Camry or an Accord - the Teana is truly an underrated model that's a lot more comfortable than either the Toyota or Honda. Buy a well-maintained unit, take care of it, and enjoy a supremely comfortable drive for years to come.

Also read: Buying guide: 5 things to lookout for when buying a used car

For even more insights, feel free to check out an owner's review of his very own Teana, linked below.

Also read: Owner Review: Looking for a reliable car that lasts for 200k km - My Nissan Teana