P11 Primeras - thoughts/views

Old diesel

Quick question guys

Started a tread a couple of weeks ago about Carismas (my sister is thinking about buying one).

Have noticed that 01/02 Primeras (old model) seem to be going for handy money.

So just wondering - are they better then a Carisma as an ownership proposition

Also - does the timing chain issue on 1.5 Almeras and the later model Primera affect the late P11s as well.

Thanks guys

big dar

Timing chain went on my old 00 primera 1.8 petrol
Cost me a fortune as for other engines ?????
Nice car to drive

fitzgese

I had two P11 Primeras, a 1997 1.6 and a 2001 1.8, both great cars, mechanically very sound, very good mpg, and comfortable.

Only issues I had were electrical, and a small leak from the power steering system, which didn't cost much to put right, and parts are freely available.

Can't go far wrong with them for cheap motoring, not too sure how they compare against the Carisma though.

Celly Smunt

The kind of cars that can last forever with the right maintenance.With a car that age i suppose it would come down to the car itself and how it was looked after more than anything.

Old diesel

Thanks guys

Still thinking about it - will try and find out more about these cars.

bazz26

I'd be looking at a MkI Avensis too, the pre facelift model with the older lean burn engine. Very reliable and very good on fuel.

unkel

big dar wrote: »

Timing chain went on my old 00 primera 1.8 petrol

That's very unusual for chain to break on a P11! Not like the chains on the later gen Almeras, they went en masse at about 45k miles

A Primera is a much nicer car to drive than a Carisma. Bigger and more comfortable too.

Similar money, more reliable but more boring would be a Mazda 626. Toyotas generally are a bit pricier in this country...

Cee-Jay-Cee

I had a 2.0L petrol model, the only problem I had with it was a sticking rear calliper which took all of 20 minutes to sort out.

The timing chains generally never break but can become rattly in cars that aren't serviced regularly. Mine rattled a bit when starting from cold but once the oil got circulating it was fine.

I think the engine has to come out to change the chain if its being replaced and so its a labour intensive job.

Old diesel

unkel wrote: »

That's very unusual for chain to break on a P11! Not like the chains on the later gen Almeras, they went en masse at about 45k miles

A Primera is a much nicer car to drive than a Carisma. Bigger and more comfortable too.

Similar money, more reliable but more boring would be a Mazda 626. Toyotas generally are a bit pricier in this country...

Toyotas are definitely more pricey in this country - Irish people would drive a tin of baked beans if it had a Toyota badge on it .

I fully take on board the previous suggestion of the Avensis with the lean burn engines though - I know that a well minded one will be a good reliable car. Think im pushing my luck with the Primera though.

Mazdas a good shout - thought about them already - after seeing the blue one that was on the bangernomics tread back around the time I started the original Carisma tread - yes that was me (sorry ).

Think though - that if 1.8 or 2 litre was on the agenda - it would be nearly as well to go Accord. Like I say - pushing my luck with the Primera.

Thanks again

Bpmull

My uncle had a 1.8 primera 01 up until last year he had it 3 years and put up about 50k miles and had no issues with it. Although he serviced it every 6k miles and it would have been highly maintained. I went to Donegal with him one day 6 hours each way and it seemed grand to me. Nice car for what they are reasonably comfortable too.

bazz26

If you are willing to go 1.8/2.0 litre then I would consider the Honda Accord. You would get a decent spec 00/01 2.0 litre Exec for similar money as a Primera these days.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

If you are willing to go 1.8/2.0 litre then I would consider the Honda Accord. You would get a decent spec 00/01 2.0 litre Exec for similar money as a Primera these days.

Good point - I see where your coming from - and had been thinking of the Accord myself. Was thinking along the lines - of Hondas are a good buy as they are very very reliable - that's my perception of them (06 model Civics and some 2.2 diesel issues aside) so was thinking - Civics are dear - so take the hit on the 1.8/2 litre tax - to get a very reliable car.

Not sure thought that 1.8s and 2 litres are going to fly with my sister who would be buying and using the car.

Awesome suggestion though

bazz26

Always found Accords to be a small step above the likes of an Avensis, Primera or Mazda 626 when it came to fit n finish and spec. These days they can be bought for the same money. i-VTEC petrol engines would have been available in that model from launch too in 1999 and are very reliable once not abused or mistreated.

beauf

Had a P11 2.0 GT, used to be very hard on the suspension top links. Heard taxi's complaining of similar. Also very hard on fuel in the city. But good on the motorway. The GT was a fantastic handling car. Mine also went through two alternators but I think that might a GT specific issue.