Another what to buy thread - Primera 1.6?

pburns

Ok, back story - friend of mine who is clueless about cars is on the cusp of buying a Panda for commute to the station/second car under the scrappage scheme. By the time delivery charges are added he's quoted about 7-and-a-half (he actually asked for metallic paing 'cos his father in law told him it would prevent rust - which broings the price up to over 8 grand)

He has three kids, lives in the sticks and a future job change MAY mean a longer commute down the road so he's beginning to think there are better options. Reliability is number one priority, decent running costs also.

One car has caught my eye is the 1.6 Primera. They're cheap as chips but does anyone know whatthe 1.6 petrol is like for reliability and are there any other major foibles?

EPM

Father had one in 2003 from new. Never bought a Nissan after that. Was a complete and utter disaster of a car.

Had serious immobilizer problems from day dot that were never fixed. Basically it used to open fine but not start. Could be hours before it would. That was 11 times in the first 12 months back in the dealer. (Almera did the same thing at same time too btw).

Then he has the instrument cluster flicker every so often. The drivers seat collopsed (and he's not a heavy guy). Paint quality was rubbish - front was littered in tiny stone chips in no time. Rear door locks failed.

I also know someone that has had to get their gearbox rebuilt twice on one. Another known issue.

I'd put a deposit down on the Panda

For Forks Sake

pburns wrote: »

Ok, back story - friend of mine who is clueless about cars is on the cusp of buying a Panda for commute to the station/second car under the scrappage scheme. By the time delivery charges are added he's quoted about 7-and-a-half (he actually asked for metallic paing 'cos his father in law told him it would prevent rust - which broings the price up to over 8 grand)

He has three kids, lives in the sticks and a future job change MAY mean a longer commute down the road so he's beginning to think there are better options. Reliability is number one priority, decent running costs also.

One car has caught my eye is the 1.6 Primera. They're cheap as chips but does anyone know whatthe 1.6 petrol is like for reliability and are there any other major foibles?

Assuming you're talking about the 2002-2008 model here

Two things- the 1.6 is slow.

And they have IMO the worst gearbox I have ever experienced in any car.

bazz26

1.6 litre in a car the size and weight of a Primera type car is a false economy as the engine has to work harder to push the heavy body and any passengers in it. The last generation Primera is also generally a poor car and if reliability is a must then that model doesn't cut it.

Presuming his budget is the price of a new Panda (between €7 and €8k) he should be able to pick up a 2006 1.6 litre Focus, plenty of these around, parts and servicing are cheap, 1.6 litre is peppy enough and they are generally as reliable as anything out there.

Here are a few examples:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201007196930860
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201008197047461

E39MSport

Slowwwwww and a b'tard to turn with its massive turning circle. Apart from that its horrible.

__________

The old primeras (think they were 1995-2001) were among the best and most reliable cars ever built. 250,000 miles+ is/was not uncommon. I'd go for one of those instead. Dunno what nissan start doing wrong from 2002 on.

Saruman

Old Primera up to 2001 yes but the newer one is a certain no no.

I had a 2001 model and loved it. My brother has the newer model and the 1.6 eats fuel as it can not push the car due to its weight.

fonecrusher1

I'm quite shocked to hear about the latest primera being a bit of pig. Brother owns the older 2001 version & its been great for him & they're generally accepted as being a very good car with few faults.
My first car was an old shape 2000 almera & it was bulletproof & again the general opinion would concur yet im not hearing great things about the newer 2000 onwards model.

Just an observation; Renault became partners with nissan in 1999. Just a coincidence that quality control takes a bit of a nose dive for Nissan from 2000 on?

Saruman

As far as I know Renault designed the newer Primera and it is a European built car.