Almera vs Golf

JohnoVC

I have a choice between an 04 Almera 1.5 and a MK4 Golf 2002 1.4.

Neither options great I know but what would be people here go for.(Don't say corolla)

The golf is more refined, more comfortable and has that quality feel but is seriously underpowered, the 1.4s burn oil and the gearboxes are s***.

The almera on the other hand is a bit newer and looks a bit fresher, plus the 1.5 has a bit more power at 96bhp so I reckon it would be more driveable on the open road, however it's a bit tinny, I don't like the interiors on Jap cars and it supposedly also suffers from a weak gearbox among other issues such as timing chains, crankshaft sensors and melting headlights.

Opinions.....

Jesus.

Almera all day long. Golf doesn't even come close imo. Looks better, drives better and will give you no problems.

visual

Go do another search on DD there is lots more to chose from than under powered golf and a questionable nissian

Mycroft H

Did they ever improve the gearbox made out of cheddar on the almera?

colm_mcm

I don't think the Almera is that much better than a Golf to be honest. they're not especially robust so why put up with the lack of refinement and poor safety?

how are these the only options?

bb12

almera has common timing chain tensioner problems. had a 01 that died because of this. wouldn't touch them again. google for info.

blindside88

Is there any reason you only want to look at these 2. Would you consider the likes of a focus or a lancer etc

JohnoVC

MK1 Focus too old not mad on its looks and lancer too boy racer

JohnoVC

Also
307 -supposed to be terrible in every respect
Corolla - Don't like the look and too expensive

bazz26

The Mk1 Focus was launched just after the MkIV Golf.

bear1

My mother has an almera new since 2005.
I hate the bloody thing, it's very thirsty, the seats are crap, very very dull to look at and be sat in.
Very slow car.
But in fairness to it it has never broken down and has over 300km on it.
But you're choice is a lose lose situation.
Getting insurance on the golf might be quite difficult.

colm_mcm

How could you like the look of an Almera and then not like the look of any other given car.

Jesus.

colm_mcm wrote: »

How could you like the look of an Almera and then not like the look of any other given car.

Its like painting or music etc. These things are entirely subjective. I think the Almera looks better than anything else mentioned so far

alta stare

bear1 wrote: »

Getting insurance on the golf might be quite difficult.

Curious to know why getting insurance on the golf might be difficult? Iv a 2001 mk4 gti I got insurance on it no problem and I was qouted by every insurance company I approached.

punisher5112

Jesus. wrote: »

Its like painting or music etc. These things are entirely subjective. I think the Almera looks better than anything else mentioned so far

Gearbox is rubbish and fuel just pisses out the exhaust.

For a 1.5 they are terrible.

Rubbish suspension and very tight driving position.

Build quality is poor.

bazz26

alta stare wrote: »

Curious to know why getting insurance on the golf might be difficult? Iv a 2001 mk4 gti I got insurance on it no problem and I was qouted by every insurance company I approached.

Like Civics they are popular with young lads who like to modify them which can be a red flag with insurance companies.

colm_mcm

Remember when the Almera was launched in 2000, I was in the market for a new car at the time and would have been buying a lot of magazines to see what was out.
In every review there were 3 things every journalist mentioned: the "surf tail" - where the back of the roof raises slightly at the back, the "curry hook" - a hook where you could hang a plastic bag, and the hidden compartment under the cup holders.
Those were the most interesting things about the car 16 years ago.

punisher5112

alta stare wrote: »

Curious to know why getting insurance on the golf might be difficult? Iv a 2001 mk4 gti I got insurance on it no problem and I was qouted by every insurance company I approached.

Some companies are not insuring 1st time to older cars on new policies

George Dalton

Another thing worth mentioning about the Almera is that they fall to bits with rust.

They are one hateful car IMO. No redeeming features whatsoever.

bear1

alta stare wrote: »

Curious to know why getting insurance on the golf might be difficult? Iv a 2001 mk4 gti I got insurance on it no problem and I was qouted by every insurance company I approached.

They are/were very popular for "boy racers" at least back in the day so insurance companies seriously loaded the quotes on them and the bora 1.4 too.

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

bear1

George Dalton wrote: »

Another thing worth mentioning about the Almera is that they fall to bits with rust.

They are one hateful car IMO. No redeeming features whatsoever.

Ah now come on what about the deadlocks? Loved having to open the car twice if I had a passenger.
The radio is ****e as well.

colm_mcm

That's not even deadlocks, that's just stupid electronics.

bear1

colm_mcm wrote: »

That's not even deadlocks, that's just stupid electronics.

Is that thud not the deadlocks??

alta stare

bazz26 wrote: »

Like Civics they are popular with young lads who like to modify them which can be a red flag with insurance companies.

Like engine and suspension modifications or just the usual skanged look, I presume the first bit given thankfully we aren't being financially screwed for individual taste.....yet.

colm_mcm

bear1 wrote: »

Is that thud not the deadlocks??

It's more of a clang! Nah, it does that when you lock the doors from inside too. Just horrid engineering.
The door clangs when it closes too, where other cars aim for a thunk.

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

bazz26

I'd doubt many young lads declared modifications to insurance companies up front. I'd say they probably gathered data based on claims and the age of drivers involved, what they were driving and type of accident, etc. It really doesn't take much to see that young lads have a boner for Golfs/Boras and Passats these days. Just go onto the likes of donedeal and take examples of each of these models and see what percentage of them are modified either mechanically or just cosmetically. It used to be Civics and Integras back in the 1990s, for the last 10 years or so it's Golfs, Boras Passats and A4s.

alta stare

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd doubt many young lads declared modifications to insurance companies up front. I'd say they probably gathered data based on claims and the age of drivers involved, what they were driving and type of accident, etc. It really doesn't take much to see that young lads have a boner for Golfs/Boras and Passats these days. Just go onto the likes of donedeal and take examples of each of these models and see what percentage of them are modified either mechanically or just cosmetically. It used to be Civics and Integras back in the 1990s, for the last 10 years or so it's Golfs, Boras Passats and A4s.

I do laugh (and kinda die inside) seeing cars souped up to the last all while being little 1.4s and the likes. To me it is a waste of money doing up cars of that kind. Fair enough my golf is just the 1.8t 150bhp but at least it has some little bit of go. That's why I find it mad if someone who wants insurance on a 1.4 golf may find it hard to get cover when I got it no bothers. Insurance companies seem to go all crazy with quotes when they hear gti or turbo so I was surprised at the price I got. I can only imagine what quote I would of got a 1.4.

JoeA3

The Nissan Almera is a dreadful car in every way. Buy something (anything) else.

kala85

Had an Almera.

Found it to be bullet proof.over 300km on the clock.serviced as per manufacturers service intervals. Replaced the gear box around 90km and also the lights.

No other issues. Found it to be bullet proof car.

Would buy something more economical if buying again however.

bear1

Hardly bulletproof if you needed to replace a gearbox and I assume lights due to them melting.

visual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HisD_pqlRHQ

Noccy_Mondy

bear1 wrote:

Ah now come on what about the deadlocks? Loved having to open the car twice if I had a passenger. The radio is ****e as well.

There's a nack to change that, just hold down the lock button or something, for a few seconds and that'll mean when you press the unlock button once, everything opens. I googled it and got the answer.

kala85

bear1 wrote: »

Hardly bulletproof if you needed to replace a gearbox and I assume lights due to them melting.

Both are a known issue.However that's all that's gone wrong after 320 km on the clock.

Green farmer

Had a new Ford Focus in 2000. Lovely car to drive, ultra realiable. Got years out of it. Changed to a golf because focus had no abs. Kept golf for a year or two. Hated it. Slow and was the most boring car I've ever driven. even to this day, Still miss the focus . Brilliant car.

antodeco

I've an Almera the last 11years. It's fairly bulletproof. Replaced the clutch 100,000kms ago, but that's really it. Drinks petrol though. Seriously burns through the stuff. Little bit noisy at motorway speeds, and suspension is like a soft horse. Still, it's served me well.