Nissan Almera: any good?

dahamster

Guys,

My punto has been put beyond economic repair so i am currently stuck for a new car. Been looking on donedeal and there seems to be value in nissan almeras: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3083342

Any expert opinions on these as i need a reliable car to do ~250 miles per week.

Cheers Guys!!:D

kojack

Had the hatchback version in 2006. Gearbox is very soft and tend to be heavy on petrol. Car wouldn't go into second gear, changed under warranty, then gearbox started leaking oil. This happened with only 12,000km up on it. I could have just got a bad egg tho cos it was the last year of production or maybe I'm a bad driver!!

bazz26

The timing chain tensions can be alot of problems on that model, headlights are another issue with them. The reason they are cheap is because they were pretty much lagging behind any of the competion at the time, there are so many of them bought by hire companies and Nissan's two for one offer means there are lots of them around.

If all you want is a to b transport and can find a well cared for one with none of the bove issues for small money then consider it.

Esel

kojack wrote: »

Had the hatchback version in 2006. Gearbox is very soft and tend to be heavy on petrol. Car wouldn't go into second gear, changed under warranty, then gearbox started leaking oil. This happened with only 12,000km up on it. I could have just got a bad egg tho cos it was the last year of production or maybe I'm a bad driver!!

Gearbox dying has been mentioned here a good few times....

Miscreant

Esel wrote: »

Gearbox dying has been mentioned here a good few times....

Yeah, my brother has an Almera saloon and had to get the gearbox replaced after 50,000 miles. Car was not in warranty and it cost him about €900 to get it done.
Other than that he actually loves the car. Says it is very comfy and not too bad on the juice.

colm_mcm

Nah, rivals do pretty much everything better. Some observations;

First point of contact, remote locking, it makes a hollow clanging noise on unlocking

Open the door, there's a tinny light feel to the door, on closing the door there's a horrible clang noise

Seat is too low down, as in a 90s car, seat adjustment is a wheel job which doesn't really height adjust the seat, just changes the angle

Stick on some tunes? The post 03 almera has the most infuriating radio, with built in climate control style controls, I say 'style' because unlike any other car I have seen with climate control, there's no air conditioning

Turn on the headlights, they don't work cos they've melted

What's that engine warning light on the dash about, just the timing chain on the way out

Don't worry about the rubbery gear change, you'll be replacing it soon anyway.




I suppose what I'm saying here is that if you want horrid blandness combined with actual reliability, buy a different Japanese car
If you want average enough reliability, wrapped up in a nicer car, then buy a european car.

daltonmd

I have my Nissan Almera 8 years (2001 Model), bought it 2nd hand, got a reputable firm to do a complete check on it for about 200 euro, it's a hatchback.

In the 8 years I have had the timing belt changed at 70k although a friend of mines went at 28k, Nissan covered part of the replacement even though it was not in warranty, and the clutch and gearbox were replaced 2 years ago - it is the most reliable car I have ever driven.

During that bad winter it started first time everytime and was a dream to control on icy roads. I was even able to help another motorist on a freezing cold morning to jump start his engine.
Remote locking, first click unlocks drivers side only great if you're female driving alone, 2nd click all doors. I never got a tinny noise.
Has flew through every NCT.

Never had a problem with melting headlights lol.

I think the main thing is to buy from a reliable source, I'd get the check done, you can PM me for the service that I used and gt the service history. But for my money I'd go Nissan again, but I can tell you that I will be driving this for years. Had NCT done in October and the mechanic remarked on the good condition it was in.

Great car.

shawnee

Have a 98 one in the household since new , has only covered around 70k miles but has cost nothing but tyres and once had a coil problem which was replaced for around 100 euro. Had the same battery for 10 years and never failed to start. Not sure if the later ones were as simple and reliable but can;t sat a word against this one !:D

fatbhoy

From what I hear, the older model was bulletproof, aside from a slighly weak gearbox which is okay if it's not abused. One important consideration is the really poor performance of the older model in the NCAP star safety rating, something like one or two stars for several categories, as far as I can remember. Google for the results if you're interested.

Avns1s

The biggest issue with the older one's (circa 98) would be corrosion. Probably not helped by the salting of the roads in winter.

Explosive_Cornflake

I'm in an 06 one with 150k km. It's alright, no major issues. The head lights are a known issue, I've replaced one at 200e.
Changed the air bag ecu also.
Apart from that, it's been fine.
I would it's hard on petrol for the performance, I'd get about 7.5l/100km.
Look for a model with air con[SXE] etc. there should be loads.
Boot is plenty big it that kind of thing interest you.
Leg room in the back is crap.
The radio/cabin controls thing odd. I'll not defend it, but you do get used to it, driving you probably use the steering wheels controls more, so it's less hassle from that point of view.
I'll keep the car for another while. It just flew through the NCT last week, and I do very little driving at minute. I used to commute about 800-900km a week in it when petrol was cheaper, but luckily I can cycle to work now so I only drive about 200km every few weeks. If I was driving more I would change it.

marzic

my dad had a 97 almera which was a sound car, but a bit heavy on petrol. He was looking to upgrade recently, so we had a corolla in mind but said we'd give a 05 almera a spin. Not a great drive, felt worse than his old one, more like driving an old hyundai accent - tinny, noisy, not much power though it was a tidy enough car which was not abused. We drove a 05 corolla and it felt in a completely different league - nice tight drive, more poke, better quality finish, closer in feel to a focus than almera. Of course he paid probably 800 to 1000 more but there was no comparison IMO.

dahamster

I was looking at the newer models and these seem to be more trouble than they are worth. Thanks for all the opinions.The hunt continues..

colm_mcm

What's your budget?

dahamster

2-2.6k. Want something reasonably reliable around 1.4litre that will last a few years.

Mycroft H

For me the almera is the automotive equivalent of a cheap washing machine. Does the job, but not particularly well and not particularly reliable at the same time.

colm_mcm

dahamster wrote: »

2-2.6k. Want something reasonably reliable around 1.4litre that will last a few years.

swallow your pride, go back a few years on a Corolla. anything from 02 onwards.

dahamster

colm_mcm wrote: »

swallow your pride, go back a few years on a Corolla. anything from 02 onwards.

Thats lookin like the plan now alright, just waitin for the right one to come along, ideally with mileage under 100k. Is there much issue with gearboxes etc when the mileage starts going north of 100k on a corolla?

Thanks for the advice.

colm_mcm

no, the Corolla 1.4 petrol is pretty much bombproof. ovbiously listen for any damage from abuse.

Best value for money always in saloons

dahamster

colm_mcm wrote: »

no, the Corolla 1.4 petrol is pretty much bombproof. ovbiously listen for any damage from abuse.

Best value for money always in saloons

cheers

Carson10

a nissan almera always makes me think of a penny pinching teacher who has the same brown wooly jumper for the last 20 years... personally think they are the most boring car in Ireland, but then again there seems to be very good value on some of them on the net. Id say there a good bet if someone asks you what kind of car you drive and you say, some kind of nissan thing...:D

bubba1990

I recently bought a 2001 Nissan Almera Hatchback and there are a few small problems, first of all the heater knob is broken it looked like it was super glued back on but to no avail so I cant control weather its hot or cold air, secondly my defog button is broken so i cant defog my back window, usually you just press the button in and a light comes on to confirm its on but it doesn't press in anymore and there is no light has gone and this has now stopped working . Can someone please help me an d tell me the bus thing to do!! Would it be expensive to get fixed??

johnj1969

bubba1990 wrote: »

I recently bought a 2001 Nissan Almera Hatchback and there are a few small problems, first of all the heater knob is broken it looked like it was super glued back on but to no avail so I cant control weather its hot or cold air, secondly my defog button is broken so i cant defog my back window, usually you just press the button in and a light comes on to confirm its on but it doesn't press in anymore and there is no light has gone and this has now stopped working . Can someone please help me an d tell me the bus thing to do!! Would it be expensive to get fixed??

In their day they were probably one of the most reliable cars around up to 07. And to the guy that said he got his timing belt done at 70k & his mates at 20k talk to the mechanics as they have timing chains not belts that rarely give trouble if ever.The engine & gearbox is the same structure as the early 70s same with toyota except toyota are far from the best built cars in the world.

dh0011

It was the happiest day of my life when i got rid of mine
My almera sensors camshaft crankshaft lambda all went abd cost about 200 a pop.
Seatbelt stopped working
timing chain stretched
boot leaked
gearbox
brake callipers replaced
and a few other things i cant remember

mickdw

johnj1969 wrote: »

In their day they were probably one of the most reliable cars around up to 07. And to the guy that said he got his timing belt done at 70k & his mates at 20k talk to the mechanics as they have timing chains not belts that rarely give trouble if ever.The engine & gearbox is the same structure as the early 70s same with toyota except toyota are far from the best built cars in the world.

I think the person that mentioned timing belt was just a slip of the tongue. The chains in these are hopeless and are pretty much all stretching requiring expensive renewal. To say they rarely if ever give trouble is very very untrue.

dh0011

johnj1969 wrote: »

In their day they were probably one of the most reliable cars around up to 07. And to the guy that said he got his timing belt done at 70k & his mates at 20k talk to the mechanics as they have timing chains not belts that rarely give trouble if ever.The engine & gearbox is the same structure as the early 70s same with toyota except toyota are far from the best built cars in the world.

anything but - my car had less than 100,000 miles done when things fell apart. Also timing chains in them were made by renault and were utter rubbish - a belt would have lasted longer

Jasper79

dh0011 wrote: »

It was the happiest day of my life when i got rid of mine
My almera sensors camshaft crankshaft lambda all went abd cost about 200 a pop.
Seatbelt stopped working
timing chain stretched
boot leaked
gearbox
brake callipers replaced
and a few other things i cant remember

My experience has been the total opposite. I bought my 2005 almera in 2008 and since then have just had to service it every year, usual brake pads etc. nothing has gone wrong with the car.

It's the main reason I haven't changed cars.....yet.

dh0011

more luck to you Jasper. I gave up on mine after putting about 1500 into it in 9 months to keep the thing going.

In the cars favour it was cheaper than alternatives day one.
I could have just got a lemon.
I got over 500 miles to a tank of petrol (almost all national road driving at 60mph).
It was comfortable for a car of its class.
In spite of everything that went wrong it never failed to start.
It handles better than you might think for what is kinda a grandads car.

That said after my experience I could never recommend it to anybody. I changed it for an avensis - this thing has been great. If it lit it on fire i think it would still go.

mickdw

Thats 2 damn exciting cars you got yourself.
Almera -》 avensis.

dh0011

I know sometimes I have trouble sleeping with the excitement of my driving my avensis

johnj1969

mickdw wrote: »

I think the person that mentioned timing belt was just a slip of the tongue.

Wish i had your crystal ball to be able to read strangers minds.;) All cars give any sort of trouble at any stage but i say again Datsun sunny/Nissan almera were/are one of the most reliable motors ever.

If you want to look at unreliable Peaugoet/renault/citroen,the engines are good but they give untold trouble. Its known worldwide about japanese reliability in cars,except Toyota lately with all the recalls for brakes & EMS's failing...

dh0011

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/motors/how-reliable-is-your-car-here-s-the-breakdown-1.1315815
toyota seem to be doing alright - better than nissan in fact.
Seems to me that you are part of the anti-toyota brigade

antodeco

I've had mine since new (2006). I like the car, as in it's reliable and fairly comfortable. Past few days a belt has started squeaking when I move up the revs (not sure what this is).

I have the brake discs replaced twice and the clutch once. I replaced the headlights myself with xenon projectors, so no issue with the lights. Just shy of 130k kms on it. I wouldn't be against telling other people to buy one. Overall I've been happy.

ianobrien

I've an '05 one and I've 225K on mine. Yesterday I've had my first non service "mechanical" part changed with a rear brake caliper changed (piston rusted in the old one, meaning it wasn't releasing). I've had to change two heater motor resistor packs, but that was when there was a pollen filter installed. Once the pollen filter was removed (a few years ago) the problem never came back.

I'm on original clutch, brake disks, timing chain, bushings, ball joints and it's never given me any trouble. It's used quite hard, being used to set out night navigation events, Endurance Rallies, course car in a Forest Rally (collecting timing gear) and was pressed into service for a Retro Rally when the original (vintage) machine gave up the ghost a few years ago....

The car is serviced every 15K, with gearbox oil & coolant changed every 100K. Headlights are a service item and I'm on my third set. The next item to be changed is the clutch I reckon. It's being getting progressively heavier over the last year or so. It's the springs in the pressure plate getting weak. They will eventually give up the ghost so that'll mean a clutch change, rather then friction plate wear.

shawnee

Probably not the most exciting car but wife has been driving one for the last 15 years and other than tyres and a service every year car has only broken down once. Distributor coil problem. Everything else works perfectly , never failed to start . If you want reliability then hard to beat that , if you want excitement and fun then buy an alfa or a renault and get a new cheque book