'07 Nissan primera vs '07 Ford Focus?

Vicki087

Hi

So we're looking to buy a bigger car, currently driving a Suzuki Ignis, it's two small, We have two children so trying to fit shopping and a pushchair in the Ignis boot isn't easy. I want a Focus, my partner wants a Primera. Primera will cost more on insurance, tax etc but my partner thinks we'll get longer out of a primera?? Anymore have info and / or experience with either? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Vicki

Uncle Ben

Vicki087 wrote: »

Hi

So we're looking to buy a bigger car, currently driving a Suzuki Ignis, it's two small, We have two children so trying to fit shopping and a pushchair in the Ignis boot isn't easy. I want a Focus, my partner wants a Primera. Primera will cost more on insurance, tax etc but my partner thinks we'll get longer out of a primera?? Anymore have info and / or experience with either? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Vicki

Primera hatchback = very big boot. Primera saloon = very small boot. Some electrical problems on 05 models. Economical. 42.9 mpg on my 10 year old petrol. I'd stay well clear of models carrying tow bars. I get it serviced twice a year and it does 110 smoothly on the motorways. Very satisfied overall with what I have.

Vicki087

Hi thanks for reply. We were looking at an 05 Primera saloon yesterday. My partner fell in love but I'm not convinced. I got the impression all the extras on the dash could cause problems. The person was asking €1500. I feel is cheap so thinking there's possible problem like I've heard the timing chain goes easily..?

Jayop

Vicki087 wrote: »

Hi thanks for reply. We were looking at an 05 Primera saloon yesterday. My partner fell in love but I'm not convinced. I got the impression all the extras on the dash could cause problems. The person was asking €1500. I feel is cheap so thinking there's possible problem like I've heard the timing chain goes easily..?

You'd be able to get an 05 one much cheaper than that. I had the older model a few yearss back and it was a great yoke altogether. Don't know much about the 05 model though.

You should post what you're looking for in the bangernomics thread and some of the guys there will steer you right. Some absolute bargains to be had around the 1000/1500 mark with test and tax on them.

punisher5112

Go for focus or mondeo.
Before buying anything get it thoroughly checked over.

Nissan of 2002 or before were great but most suffer with major gear box failures.

Get a god low mileage should do you well but remember they are gone since 2007.


If you need a big boot look at skoda Octavia.

Jayop

And I bought a 06 Citroen C5 last spring for 1000 with around 100k kms on the clock. Another great car that's give me very few problems and has a massive boot and good space in the back for the kiddies. They don't have the best reputation so they're cheap as chips.

punisher5112

1.4 focus underpowered and 1.6 primera are badly under powered and also the turning circle on all primera is diabolical.

Uncle Ben

Vicki087 wrote: »

Hi thanks for reply. We were looking at an 05 Primera saloon yesterday. My partner fell in love but I'm not convinced. I got the impression all the extras on the dash could cause problems. The person was asking €1500. I feel is cheap so thinking there's possible problem like I've heard the timing chain goes easily..?

I've an 05 with all the extras ie satelite, phone etc and have had no problems to date. Touch wood. However there was a problem when I first bought mine with an earthing problem in the left rear door opening. Apparently if water got in through a faulty seal and blew the rear break light the onboard computer thought the car was slowing down and reduced the power from the engine.

Too cut a long story short the nissan primera club in UK have a fix on their website to resolve this issue . For less than a €100 my good local mechanic had this sorted in no time.Satellite is excellent and Ive sourced the updated maps on the web. Approx 16 mths behind real time for Irish roads however almost up to date for UK and France.

bazz26

A MkII Focus is not very big on the inside and is in the segment below the Primera. A Mondeo is in the same segment as the Primera, while the Almera was in the same segment as the Focus.

Primeras are really old now, they were launched back in 2002 and were not cutting edge back then. You can pick up 2007 onwards 1.6 petrol Mondeos for small money these days, way more modern and better than a Primera with plenty of room inside. 1.6 petrol will be slow but no worse than a 1.6 Primera or 1.4 Focus.

Nforce

My missus has an '07 Primera 1.8, T-Spec version with full leather,aircon,electrics etc. Never had any work other than routine maintenance in the 4 years she has it. Averages about 9lt/100km which is okay considering 90% of her journeys are around town. Not a fast car or great drive but reliable. The ride on the standard 17" wheels is poor though.