based on people i know who owned the late 90's L200, may problema ito sa front suspension. palaging nauubos ang front tires because of alignment problems. papalitan nga mga bushings often and it goes mis aligned again after a few months lang. and based on my observation, yes it has a reliable (easy to maintain - maraming mekanikong kabisado ang 4D56 engine) pero madaling umusok. always a smoke belcher, mahirap yan pag tumatakbo ka sa edsa or makati, haharangin ka palagi ng police. hassle. P1,000 first offense. 2nd offense is something like 4k. but as i do on my fuego, i clean my exhaust every week. so andy, think twice before getting an L2.
Giga, it will also help if tsikoteers can give you disadvantages of the different models. sa fuego ko (2000 model), yun lang kailangan din maglinis ng exhaust regularly by hosing the tailpipe with water. matagtag din ang ride as in all pick ups. advantages: matipid (12 to 13.5 kms/liter city driving- loaded), di pako tinirik ever since i bought it. just have the regular PMS. can go deep in the floods. can go in the rough roads - high ground clearance.
nissan disadvantage: rust forming on the bed wall sa ibabaw ng wheel well. lahat ng nissan late 90's pick yan - no exceptions! good engine though.