1996 Nissan Truck As changes loom, bargains beckon. By Helen V. Hutchings, New Car Test Drive .com

No cute or fancy names here. The Hardbody appelation is long gone. There's nothing to

evoke images of lofty mountains, high plains or low deserts. Just a simple declarative

name: Nissan Truck.

But what this vehicle lacks in romantic or adventuresome nomenclature, it makes up in

variations on the basic compact pickup theme. The Nissan Truck is available in four

2-wheel drive models and three that offer 4-wheel drive. And that doesn't include the

options, packages and accessories that can be added to further personalize this pickup

to buyer preferences.

If this is your first foray into the realm of vehicles with open cargo boxes behind

the passenger compartment, it's a good idea to think about what you're going to do

with it before you make choices. Does the idea of a truck appeal to you as a lifestyle

or image vehicle? If so, you can save a fair amount of money by eliminating features

that rarely apply to general transportation use--4wd, for example, or the optional

31-in. tires, good for off-road use but less suitable for street driving than the

standard P235/75R-15 radials.

If it's going to be a working vehicle, what does it need to carry and/or tow? How many

passengers are likely to be on board on a regular basis? Like most pickups, the

Nissan's range of options and packages can accommodate a good many needs.