Hatchback - Front (FWD) - 5 Speed Manual, 4 Speed Automatic, 5 Speed Manual Gearbox - 1240 cc - Max Speed: 104, 96 mph - 80, 65 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: E, Sport, Tekna, Visia, Acenta, SE, S
Advantages: Value, Practicality, Running costs, Handling Disadvantages: Image, Hard ride, Turning circle
Let's get the obvious out of the way - if you are looking for charachter and good looks then look away now! But if like me you are appreciate vale for money, reliability, and practicality then keep reading! (In fact I won't waste your time commenting on the exterior looks - decide for yourself on that one!)
That might be a little unfair on the 'Sport' model which tries hard to please with decent equipment levels, nice alloys, and full exterior colour coding. But if only Nissan didn't fill their cars with acres of tiresome grey plastics they seem to get from the same suppliers as the Korean manufacturers.
I purchased my metallic blue Primera privately in 2005 for £3500 with a full MOT and just 45000 miles on the clock. Immediately you can start to see that it's a lot of metal for your money. The value doesn't stop with the purchase ...
Advantages: Comfortable, safe car to drive with the power when needed. Disadvantages: None spring to mind
I purchased my NissanPrimera2.0 Sport in March, it was 6 months old W plate and had done 3,045 miles. Since then I have covered 11,000 miles averaging 38.5 mpg at a reasonable 70 mph. The car drives and handles very well. We use it at weekends - once a month for a trip to Newcastle-upon-tyne, from Sittingbourne and once a month to Bournemouth. So we do a minimum of 1,500 miles per month. It is comfortable and has enough things to change (seat position for height, rake, steering wheel etc.)when we share driving without it becoming a pain.
All switches etc. are easily reachable. Outlook from the car is good. It is a pleasure to drive. It is my first privately owned car for 20+ years, having had a variety of Vauhalls, odd Ford and Peugeot. Last company car being a Passat, which was the best Co. car I have had. The Primera is ...
Advantages: Cheap, Reliable, Spacious, Handlling, Well Spec'd Disadvantages: Clutch, Driveshafts - wot to buy next !
On my second NissanPrimera 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 ...
