Nissan Primera 2.0 16v Saloon

On my second Nissan Primera GT - 5dr. Very cheap to buy and run. Driven hard and still 34mpg - not bad for 2.0l engine with 150bhp. Sytling OK if kept clean. Interior has everything and easy to fit DIN MP3 head unit. Great space, comfortable and excellent ride. Handling good but longish wheelbase can mean a bit tail happy.

Reliability superb - I service my own myself and easy to change fluids , plugs and filters. Chain drive so no cambelt replacement. Clutches can go around 100k but £220 to replace from Mr Clutch. NS drivershaft can snap (corrosion due to water trapped inside rubber balancer on shaft) - £250 to replace from Mr Clutch (get £50 cashback if you can give them and old 'non-snapped' shaft - they send back for reconditioning).

Can be heavy on brake pads or is it me ? Lost 'feel' on brakes but Garage loosened up sliders on calipers. Rear calipers can seize around 100k. Replaced exhaust at 110k - £160.

Rust under boot spoiler common but easy to tidy up.

Besides the driveshafts, I'd say these cars don't have any inherent faults and repairs are comparatively inexpensive. However the headrests are too low - so likely neck injuries in an accident . This is not good for a UK designed and built car with a target market of Europeans - I'm 5'11 not 5'4''.

Crashed my first one into a ditch at 40mph - reversed car out with two blown tyres, bumper wrapped around wings and broken foglight. Pulled bumper and it snaped back into place, replaced tyres and drove car home - job done. My mechanic brother was amazed.

Overall the best kept secret in used car motoring if you can still find one with sub 100k mileage.