Buying a Nissan Primera

jodina2

hey im going to have a look at a nissan primera today ita a 01 1.8, is there anything i should look out for,i know jap cars are reliable,i just wouldnt know that much about cars,just some pointers would be great,thank you

User2611

Dont know if this is any help, but i used to work for a lad that bought a brand new nissan primera in 1995. That car went through A LOT. It toppled in over a ditch and it was fine, then it was used as a farm car in approx 2002 where it was tore to bits! It was getting stuck in muck, backing up tractors and trailers into it, young lads driving the stones out of it in the fields. Was pulling cattle in a trailer and all and never had any trouble with it! Was still running in 2011 when it got scrapped!

jodina2

That's Japanese reliability for you,most of them just keep on going,the cars going for cheap so I'm expecting to find some faults, just if there is anything major costly I should look out for any input would be great

kilograms

my first car was a 00 primera, the 01 model. I bought it from a garage with a new NCT on it. 2 years later i put it through the NCT. Before i put it through i got new tires and got the steering and lights aligned and got my NCT. 1 year later decided to sell it and the chap that bought it worked in Nissan Liffey valley and got the mechanics up There to have a look before he bought and then he bought it. Nothing wrong with it they said.

fatbhoy

My current car is a P11 '97 Primera, which I have for about 5 years now. It's given no trouble at all, and although I suspect that it wasn't looked after for the first third of its life, I reckon it will last another 10 years. It's bulletproof.

That said, I'd only consider that generation (P11 - 1997 - 2000) to be bulletproof, and the one after (2002+) far from it.

jodina2

hey im just back from looking at the car everything seems fine,needs some tlc,but one thing thats wrong is the yellow engine light is on,the car drives fine,i think it could be a sensor im not sure,any ideas what it could be,ive no obd code reader,

biko

Without knowing the code it's impossible to say.
What did the seller say?

Tbh, buying a car with the light on when you "just wouldnt know that much about cars" is inviting trouble.
Then again, it's a great bargain point.

Does it have NCT and tax? Is it generally in great nick?
How much is it?

jodina2

hey the nct is just up,it has no tax its for sale for 600 its in good condition he said it just needs a service thats why the light came on,i know jap cars are reliable,but with the light on,it could cost more money to repair than its worth,ive being looking online for ideas,and im seen things about stretched timing chain,this has me worried

biko

Tbh, I'd just walk away. No NCT and engine light on is not a good sign.
Pay a bit more and get a car with fresh NCT.

Is there a link to an ad and we can have a look ourselves?

zilog_jones

The crankshaft sensor is a common point of failure on these engines, that could cause the engine management light to come on but would also cause poor starting/running, misfiring, etc. It could cost a few hundred to sort out if it is that. And as you said, stretched timing chains also seem to be a problem with these, but would also cause poor running.

I'd imagine there's not an awful lot that could cause the EML light on these - if it's not the above then it's probably emissions related, or the MAF sensor.

Considering the light, no tax or NCT, i wouldn't pay €600 for it...

jodina2

hi the car started on the button,and drove well no rattles or noises whatsoever,the chain wasnt noisey or anything,by driving it you wouldnt think there is anything wrong so maybe its the emissions,if i could get it cheaper do you think it would be worth the gamble

biko

Check with seller if it's ok to have it inspected at a garage.
First check if a local garage is available and what the cost for car inspection is.

jodina2

biko wrote: »

Check with seller if it's ok to have it inspected at a garage.
First check if a local garage is available and what the cost for car inspection is.

Thanks for your help thats good advice ill do that then,id say the seller wont mind he seems ok thanks again

JohnBoy26

jodina2 wrote: »

hey the nct is just up,it has no tax its for sale for 600 its in good condition he said it just needs a service thats why the light came on,i know jap cars are reliable,but with the light on,it could cost more money to repair than its worth,ive being looking online for ideas,and im seen things about stretched timing chain,this has me worried

I wouldn't bother with that car tbh. There are a few steering components that wear out regularly in these and could cost a bit to put right if worn.

If it was me buying id be going down the bangernomics route and picking up something with a fresh NCT.

Also what the seller told you about the light coming on because of being in need of a service sounds like a load of rubbish to me.

bazz26

I'd be looking at a Mazda 626 of that era too, dull as ditch water but no worse than a Primera and generally they tend to be very reliable.

For example:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4841409


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4887422

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd be looking at a Mazda 626 of that era too, dull as ditch water but no worse than a Primera and generally they tend to be very reliable.

For example:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4841409


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4887422

Id have an Avensis of that era ove both the Mazda and Nissan.

bazz26

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Id have an Avensis of that era ove both the Mazda and Nissan.

They tend to cost more though. A sub €1k Avensis might not be in great shape.

zilog_jones

I was looking at similar cars a couple of years ago, and must say I hated Mazdas from that era - on the 626 I found the steering way too light and felt like it had no connection to the wheels, the suspension was pretty hard, and the diesels were very tractor-like. The Primera and Honda Accord from around then were much nicer to drive IMO. I didn't bother with the Avensis due to price and disaster stories about the early VVTi engines. I went for some silly French yoke in the end

I suppose it depends what you're looking for in a car really.

Mr Tibbs

A few years ago i was looking at a Primera and the wife clapped her eyes on a Qashqai. Lovely for a few months until the recalls, 14 in all I got fair p*ssed off. Well the guarantee is well up but this piece of sh*t is still giving trouble. Don't touch these pieces of sh*t. Can't afford to change it now and the resale value is crap.

jodina2

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd be looking at a Mazda 626 of that era too, dull as ditch water but no worse than a Primera and generally they tend to be very reliable.

For example:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4841409


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4887422

hi the reason i was picking the primera was for the boot size,its a hatchback primera i need it for going camping etc and because it is a jap (reliability) and its a family size aswell

zilog_jones

The 626, like the Primera is a large family car, available in five-door hatchback, and also Japanese (arguably more Japanese than the UK-built Primera).

Would an estate not be more suitable if you want something for camping?

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

They tend to cost more though. A sub €1k Avensis might not be in great shape.

I wouldn't bank on a sub 1k Mazda 626 or Primera being any better, they imo would probably be even worse as they don't take the miles or age as well as the Avensis.

Another car that would be a good option imo is a Honda Accord. One of these will give you the best of both worlds, reliabilty and build quality on par with the Avensis and driving dynamics close to the primeras. They are great cars in my opinion.

JohnBoy26

zilog_jones wrote: »

I was looking at similar cars a couple of years ago, and must say I hated Mazdas from that era - on the 626 I found the steering way too light and felt like it had no connection to the wheels, the suspension was pretty hard, and the diesels were very tractor-like. The Primera and Honda Accord from around then were much nicer to drive IMO. I didn't bother with the Avensis due to price and disaster stories about the early VVTi engines. I went for some silly French yoke in the end

I suppose it depends what you're looking for in a car really.

When i mentioned the Avensis I was referring to the earlier cars that had the brilliantly reliable 4e-fe engine. I should of made that clear apologies.