Nissan Almera

Crann na Beatha

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futurefarmer

I have had 2 and no big probs apart from Cat Con went in the first but it was a 1.8 and had high mileage, this one i have has all the extras and i think its a great car no complaints at all
Good value for money when u compare to focus or golf

challengemaster

I assume you mean the N15 model (pre-00) as the n16's didnt come in 1.4/1.6...

If you mean the n15, I've a 1.4 myself and while it's nothing to write home about in terms of performance, it's very reliable, quite comfortable (and I've done 3+ hour drives in it) and there's really no issues with it. Great car and can be picked up very cheap

Neither the 1.4 or 1.6 really cut it if you're looking for some performance as well - the 2L GTi with a SR20DE engine would be the one to look for, or a Pulsar VZR which is 1.6 but with NEO VVL, and 175 bhp stock...

Crann na Beatha

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futurefarmer

Haha i should declare that i have a 06 one for sale due 2 getting a van with work, but i would reccomend them drove every day over 500 miles a week and all good

challengemaster

Post 00 come with these engines

1.5L Petrol
1.5 L Diesel
1.8 L Petrol
2.2 L Diesel

There was a facelift in 2003, new styling, suspension, engines and interior

They finished production in november 2006, so if you're looking at a '06, chances are it's got all the bugs worked out

bazz26

Timing chain can be problematic on them, headlights on facelifted 03 onward models also had issues.

Discussed here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055119097

colm_mcm

1.5 diesel wasn't available in right hand drive though?

Crann na Beatha

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taintabird

Obaraten wrote: »

what about the post 00's models?i was looking at an 06 meself

Some of the post oo 1.5 models suffered from timing chain problems and its a costly enough fix so service history would be an important factor when considering one, also the front panel and sills were prone to rust and that's an nct fail if its gone through If you go for 06 07 which has been well maintained with reasonable mileage on it you shouldnt have a problem

toshy321

My parents have the 05 petrol 1.5 model they bought it from new and have not had to spend a penny on it yet touch wood, they have 100kms up on it now. In fairness it wouldn't b driven that hard but it definetly has been a very reliable economic car.

Nissan doctor

The n16's suffered stretched timing chains, faulty headlights(bulb mounting) and sticking calipers but if you are looking at an 06, all these problems bar the occasional timing chain were worked out by Nissan.

The timing chain isn't(read shouldn't be, depending on the garage to speak to) overly expensive to change.

FREDNISMO

I have a 02 model 1.5 got it serviced by main dealer while under warranty, have changed oil and filters myself since, never had any probs thank god, only thing i could moan about I found the lights poor dips and main beam

rickyjb

I had a 1.5L '02 hatchback up to recently (had it for 3 years) and it was a good car, fuel economy wouldn't be anything to write home about but never had any trouble with it except for a handbrake cable sticking. Interior was actually decent enough and was comfortable for long drives, would agree about the headlights being poor but I'm sure you could do something about that. Overall not a bad car to drive.

Edit: I just noticed that you asked for the expert's opinion and I feel obliged to point out that I'm definitely not an expert!

Cookie_Monster

Headlight problems were fixed with a recall/safety issue. I had both mine replaced for free, despite only one being damaged.

I had an 04 petrol one, thought it was a great car. Never had a problem apart from the lights.

si_guru

toshy321 wrote: »

My parents have the 05 petrol 1.5 model they bought it from new and have not had to spend a penny on it yet touch wood, they have 100kms up on it now. In fairness it wouldn't b driven that hard but it definetly has been a very reliable economic car.

My mum had on a Y reg (01) from 2003 to 2010 - 4 tyres, front pads and disc... plus oil services. That was it!

Sis in law has and 02 one.. driven within an inch of its life and never seviced.. so far irt has lasted her 5 years. It did need a weld for the NCT last year though.. front panel.

glenb0

I just got rid of a 01 Almera 1.5 with only 75k on the clock. Had it for 4 years and in that time I probably spent about €1500 on maintenance fees. Timing chain was a known problem on these, gearbox was very soft, endless sensor problems etc. I'm not saying all Almeras suffer the same problems but from what I have read on other forums convinced me to say goodbye to mine.

keithfarrell87

I had a look around the internet before I bought my 05 Almera and from what I read any Almeras post 2003 were fitted with a new gearbox to replace dodgy ones fitted between 2000 and 2003 which constantly failed after a ridiculously low amount of mileage Also got my uncle involved who's a mechanic for the past 20 years and he said the car's are bulletproof.....only things to look out for is wear on the inside of the tyres, if you have the alloy wheels it can be expensive to get new tyres and apparently whatever way the car sits on the road wears the tyres from the inside out so it might look fine but check closer before you agree to drive it away, stick the garage for new tyres rather than shell out yourself :cool: The only other problem is the headlights, 2003 - 2004 models had to be recalled to rectify a headlight problem but even after that the headlights are ridiculously dim, i have to drive with the front foglights on to try get a decent bit of light :eek: Love the car though, plenty of room and very comfortable to drive!

antodeco

I drive one myself. Its driven to its literal limit. Has been for the past 5 years. Keeps going. Its not the most exciting of cars, but it will get you from A to B, with very few problems. Ive had to replace the brake discs twice and the pads around 20 times. Im a hard braker. MPG is alright. Nothing special. Im getting about 8.9L/100Kms