Is the mark 1 Almera the greatest car ever?

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 10:16am

kupus wrote: »

I only had a quick look. Are my eyes deceiving me.

there is no engine in the corolla?

That corolla was actually the safest car in it's class in 1997 according to the german tuv.

zilog_jones · 08-06-2018 10:25am

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

That corolla was actually the safest car in it's class in 1997 according to the german tuv.

That would have been the E110 Corolla though, which was new at the time. The video is from Australia, where the previous generation (E100, 1992-97 here) was still being manufactured in '98.

I remember when those Almeras and Corollas were commonly used as taxis in Ireland, and I'm glad to see the back of them as they were so cramped and uncomfortable. Absolutely no legroom in the back, and I'm not tall.

The last person I know who had an Almera had to get rid of it due to excessive rust underneath. Still know someone with a '98 Corolla and over 250k miles.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 10:28am

zilog_jones wrote: »

That would have been the E110 Corolla though, which was new at the time. The video is from Australia, where the previous generation (E100, 1992-97 here) was still being manufactured in '98.

I remember when those Almeras and Corollas were commonly used as taxis in Ireland, and I'm glad to see the back of them as they were so cramped and uncomfortable. Absolutely no legroom in the back, and I'm not tall.

The last person I know who had an Almera had to get rid of it due to excessive rust underneath. Still know someone with a '98 Corolla and over 250k miles.

No the e10. There is a vid on youtube from the old top gear in 1997 where it won the customer satisfaction survey for the 3rd or 4th year in a row and i'm sure jeremy clarkson says that the german tuv had voted it the safest car in it's class

H3llR4iser · 08-06-2018 10:33am

Depends - I would personally never consider an "A to B" dullbox to even come close to be considered a "good" nor "decent" car, nor I would ever consider "reliability" or "economy" as a factor in judgement, but people with completely different priorities will. At the same time, I can see exactly how considering some Ferrari or Porsche the "best car ever" is a pointless exercise - they're quite specialized vehicles.

You also have to consider the geographic distribution - people is specific parts of the world won't even know a model that is popular everywhere else; Case in point, the Corolla never had any real commercial success in Italy, at least not even remotely close to what sells here or in the UK (e.g. http://www.lastampa.it/2018/01/02/motori/mercato-auto-ecco-le-auto-pi-vendute-in-italia-fiat-panda-sempre-la-regina-0el5NP4XUmQjG48IZN0dyK/pagina.html - scroll down to see the "top 20" most sold cars in 2017). If you as an Italian about the "best car ever", they will say "Panda" without a doubt - and mean the 1980 model, not the current one

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 10:40am

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Depends - I would personally never consider an "A to B" dullbox to even come close to be considered a "good" nor "decent" car, nor I would ever consider "reliability" or "economy" as a factor in judgement, but people with completely different priorities will. At the same time, I can see exactly how considering some Ferrari or Porsche the "best car ever" is a pointless exercise - they're quite specialized vehicles.

You also have to consider the geographic distribution - people is specific parts of the world won't even know a model that is popular everywhere else; Case in point, the Corolla never had any real commercial success in Italy, at least not even remotely close to what sells here or in the UK (e.g. http://www.lastampa.it/2018/01/02/motori/mercato-auto-ecco-le-auto-pi-vendute-in-italia-fiat-panda-sempre-la-regina-0el5NP4XUmQjG48IZN0dyK/pagina.html - scroll down to see the "top 20" most sold cars in 2017). If you as an Italian about the "best car ever", they will say "Panda" without a doubt - and mean the 1980 model, not the current one

Probably the reason for that is that there isn't any great presence in terms of toyota dealerships in italy. When I was over there I only seen one and it was a very small setup.

08-06-2018 10:41am

Bought an almera mk 1 new in 2000 with a nice discount as the Mk 2 was due. Drove it for 15 years with no work needed except for normal maintenance and a rust repair. It was never an exciting car to drive, and the gearbox ratios seemed wrong to me - the car would be doing nearly 3000 rpm at 60mph in top gear meaning fuel consumption was higher that I would like. But it was super reliable.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 10:44am

Deleted User wrote: »

Bought an almera mk 1 new in 2000 with a nice discount as the Mk 2 was due. Drove it for 15 years with no work needed except for normal maintenance and a rust repair. It was never an exciting car to drive, and the gearbox ratios seemed wrong to me - the car would be doing nearly 3000 rpm at 60mph in top gear meaning fuel consumption was higher that I would like. But it was super reliable.

The rust really was the killer on them. Im sure you had the sills welded at some point?

08-06-2018 10:49am

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The rust really was the killer on them. Im sure you had the sills welded at some point?

Indeed I did :pac:

Cee-Jay-Cee · 08-06-2018 10:49am

Augeo wrote: »

Surely the carb' ones had a mechanical pump where the diaphragm could rupture / wear out?

No they were gravity fed. I think it was only bigger engines that used mechanical pumps.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 08-06-2018 10:52am

Deleted User wrote: »

Bought an almera mk 1 new in 2000 with a nice discount as the Mk 2 was due. Drove it for 15 years with no work needed except for normal maintenance and a rust repair. It was never an exciting car to drive, and the gearbox ratios seemed wrong to me - the car would be doing nearly 3000 rpm at 60mph in top gear meaning fuel consumption was higher that I would like. But it was super reliable.

Yeah we had an 02 saloon at work and the gears were completely wrong on it, the engine was always screaming no matter what speed you were doing. It was however ultra reliable and as it was a company car it got dogs abuse for about 7 or 8 years until one of the lads killed it when he reversed over it in a huge front loader.

Bigus · 08-06-2018 11:04am

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

That's not a 1998 corolla though. It's a 1992-1997 corolla.

Right so what's your point a later model Corolla would be substantially better ?...and be comparable to a newer car ?

Ok I hope there's nothing wrong with this ,slower speed Almera crash test video, of an example why newer cars are a better idea in ANY crash scenario.

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

fancy pigeon · 08-06-2018 12:03pm

Bigus wrote: »

Right so what's your point a later model Corolla would be substantially better ?...and be comparable to a newer car ?

Ok I hope there's nothing wrong with this ,slower speed Almera crash test video, of an example why newer cars are a better idea in ANY crash scenario.

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

It's e-mickey waving and ramming opinions down others throats. The same type that are high and mighty behind the veil of the internet then block your comments when met with a differing opinion, yet are the opposite in reality; if they ever get out of the parents basement/dormitory

Some idiots will never grasp that some people like cars they don't in their tiny little blinkered world, which does give me something to laugh at.

If the OP likes their car, has been reliable and they intend to keep it I can't see what the problem is, but it seems others don't see it like that and just have to sneer at their choice, just to be pedantic

draiochtanois · 08-06-2018 12:06pm

This post has been deleted.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 12:11pm

Bigus wrote: »

Right so what's your point a later model Corolla would be substantially better ?...and be comparable to a newer car ?

Never said it would be comparable to a newer car but a 1998 corolla is an e11 which is a safer car than the e10 shown in that video.

kooga · 08-06-2018 12:14pm

just to add I cant fault my 1993 Mitsubishi colt 1800 gti 16v - seats are a bit ripped but going strong

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 12:20pm

Badger2009 wrote: »

Just because farmers like a car wouldn't make it 'the greatest car ever' for me. In fact, I have no interest whatsoever in towing a trailer with my car so I wouldn't rate that at all.

The thing about it is that a farmer will be likely to subject a a grunt car such as an Almera or a VW Vento to the harsh conditions you'd see on a farm - rough roads, dirt, dust, water, and likely subject it to uses, often abusive uses, that it was never intended for such as pulling a cattle box or driving across a field with the back laden down with a quarter ton of feed in the boot and back seat. Couple that with hit-or-miss servicing and the sons rallying it around the local backroads and you have a very very good test of the durability and robustness of the car.

Any car that can put up with that sort of use for a decade or more and not fail has proven itself in my eyes for reliability and robustness. And that is also what I value in a car when buying - something reliable, robust and economical. I couldn't care less about the latest gadgets or they style of the bumber and headlights.

Zubeneschamali · 08-06-2018 12:26pm

The Almera was so good that Nissan stopped selling cars in that class altogether after its run, and disguised the replacement as an SUV in hopes people would forget the Almera completely.

Which was easily done, since it was a boring car with no memorable features at all.

Mr.Cool2015 · 08-06-2018 12:28pm

I've got a 2002 N16 Almera,have had it for 9.5 years now and it's pretty reliable,Before that,I had a 2003 N16 Almera for 2 years but that unfortunately ended in a road accident.The 2002 one drives like a dream on the road,starts up and drives the same since the day I bought it in 2008.MK1 Almera's were good but MK2 Almera's were better in my opinion.We need the new Almera back on Irish Roads.

JoeA3 · 08-06-2018 12:34pm

Do they still do the Pulsar here? That's basically the "new" Almera with a different name.

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 12:41pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

No they were gravity fed. I think it was only bigger engines that used mechanical pumps.

Well unless you had the fuel tank on the roof how could it possibly be gravity fed? That's nonsense. It probably had an electric in-tank delivery pump or a mechanical diaphram pump driven off of the engine.

08-06-2018 1:19pm

https://www.motor-doctor.co.uk/products/7634861-fuel-pump

for ..........NISSAN 100 NX, NISSAN ALMERA, NISSAN PRIMERA, NISSAN SUNNY, NISSAN SERENA, NISSAN VANETTE;

ednwireland · 08-06-2018 1:27pm

used to love my mk2 primera despite paint peeling off rust finally got it when one of the straps holding the petrol tank rotted through had a front crossmember replaced , think the guy said a lot of almeras had the same issue.

colm_mcm · 08-06-2018 1:27pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

The Almera was so good that Nissan stopped selling cars in that class altogether after its run, and disguised the replacement as an SUV in hopes people would forget the Almera completely.

Which was easily done, since it was a boring car with no memorable features at all.

What about the Tiida that replaced the Almera, or the Pulsar that replaced the Tiida?

lardzeppelin · 08-06-2018 1:37pm

2CV, and a pocket full of open ended spanners...maybe not as sturdy as your Japanese cars, but little or nothing to go wrong, everything mechanical, no computers, no coolant, and you can lift the engine out by hand... Really, what's there not to like...

Arthur Daley · 08-06-2018 1:46pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about the Tiida that replaced the Almera, or the Pulsar that replaced the Tiida?

Presume people are mixing Almera up with Primera. Primera mk1&2 being fine cars.

zilog_jones · 08-06-2018 1:50pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Any car that can put up with that sort of use for a decade or more and not fail has proven itself in my eyes for reliability and robustness. And that is also what I value in a car when buying - something reliable, robust and economical. I couldn't care less about the latest gadgets or they style of the bumber and headlights.

I don't see value in a car that can take punishment. I'd much rather have something that is comfortable, safe, handles well with reasonable performance, and isn't boring as sin to look at - while being totally dependable if you actually look after the thing.

I had a French car that was reliable (outside of normal old car stuff), and it probably couldn't take an awful lot of abuse or neglect but I had no interest in doing that to it so it didn't matter to me. That's not to say I wasn't afraid of "spirited" driving or flooring it...

Zubeneschamali · 08-06-2018 2:06pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about the Tiida that replaced the Almera

Sorry, no car called the Tiida ever existed in this timeline.

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 2:25pm

zilog_jones wrote: »

I don't see value in a car that can take punishment. I'd much rather have something that is comfortable, safe, handles well with reasonable performance, and isn't boring as sin to look at - while being totally dependable if you actually look after the thing.

I had a French car that was reliable (outside of normal old car stuff), and it probably couldn't take an awful lot of abuse or neglect but I had no interest in doing that to it so it didn't matter to me. That's not to say I wasn't afraid of "spirited" driving or flooring it...

I get you. I suppose we just have different priorities in what we value in a car. I'd have no interest in looks, va-va-voom, or the gadgetry - none of it is any good in my eyes if it breaks your heart with problems.

I have a 2004 N16 Almera saloon, 1.5 petrol with a few years.

It doesn't get regular servicing. It's reactive hit-or-miss at best.

I went to change the oil about 2 years ago and the plug was so tight the sump metal ripped. I patched up the tear with JB Weld epoxy putty and filled new oil. Due to this botch up, it will never get another oil change.:D

I haven't washed it in about 2 years. It did get a blast of a power hose from a Polish mechanic about 6 months ago when I had him replace my worn down to the metal clutch that had been slipping for about 6 months. He removed 80% of the dirt and I've no intention of washing it again myself either.

There is a leak into the boot somewhere that makes it damp. I don't care.

Some of the backlight bulbs on the centre console are blown and the drivers seat fabric is badky frayed in places. Meh.

The bodywork has had a hard life, lots of dents n scrapes but its OK because the dirt hides most of it.

It's got 2 alloys and 2 steel wheels. The front tyres were worn and I had two steel wheels with good tyres that I put on instead of buying new tyres.

The car cost me 1100 when I got it because its an unpopular model presumably. Despite all the abuse and neglect, it starts and drives every. single. time. period.. It suits my needs and it is fairly economical to run. I will not be parting with it until it is shagged or until insurance costs become unacceptable.

It costs me nothing and I think I'd be mad to get myself into debt just to have a 3 year figure numberplate and the headlight style de jour.

I'll stick with my jalopy dull-box thanks!

08-06-2018 2:25pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Sorry, no car called the Tiida ever existed in this timeline.

Nissan Tiida hatchback
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan
Production 2004–present
Body and chassis
Class Subcompact/compact car (C11)
Compact car (C12)
Chronology
Predecessor Nissan Sunny (B15) – Japan
Nissan Almera/Pulsar/Sentra/Sunny (N16) – international

08-06-2018 2:28pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

..............

I went to change the oil about 2 years ago and the plug was so tight the sump metal ripped. I patched up the tear with JB Weld epoxy putty and filled new oil. Due to this botch up, it will never get another oil change.:D............

Could use an oil extractor or just drain it through the filter spot after removing the filter. If you were so inclined

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 2:33pm

Sure it wouldn't drain through the filter hole. It's too high up.

And I'd have to buy an oil extractor. Nah.

Zubeneschamali · 08-06-2018 2:33pm

Augeo wrote: »

Nissan Tiida hatchback
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan
Production 2004–present
Body and chassis
Class Subcompact/compact car (C11)
Compact car (C12)
Chronology
Predecessor Nissan Sunny (B15) – Japan
Nissan Almera/Pulsar/Sentra/Sunny (N16) – international

Nope nope nope

horseofstone · 08-06-2018 2:37pm

lardzeppelin wrote: »

2CV, and a pocket full of open ended spanners...maybe not as sturdy as your Japanese cars, but little or nothing to go wrong, everything mechanical, no computers, no coolant, and you can lift the engine out by hand... Really, what's there not to like...

Would the 2cv pull a cow trailer ? Not a chance.The 2cv was for hairdressers.

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 2:41pm

I know a lad that pulled a Welger round baler around with a VW Vento from time to time if they were stuck for a tractor to move it.

horseofstone · 08-06-2018 2:47pm

There's loads of mark 1 almera's on the road,mainly saloon models.when you drive an old almera you notice them more.keep an eye out for them.and they're usually in pretty good condition.

the dark phantom · 08-06-2018 2:52pm

Had a 99 1.4 sport model, Top car, Rust got it in the end 2016, The manifold exhaust pipe rusted through but honestly no word of a lie her last journey home she drove like a new car straight out of the garage, I loved that car once all serviced parts were maintained she never let me down, her handling on the road was superb.

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 2:53pm

Mk 2 Almeras (N16) are known to have weak gearboxes. I don't think this was a problem in the Mk1 or N15.

Brian Scan · 08-06-2018 2:54pm

horseofstone wrote: »

Is the mark 1 Almera the greatest car ever?

No.

TheBoyConor · 08-06-2018 2:55pm

But definitely one of the most enduring in every day use.

There are a fair number of 90s Almeras driving around. It's comparatively rare enough to see a 90s car that is not either a Nissan or a Toyota. They just don't last as long or are prohibiitvely expesive to fix.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 4:43pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

But definitely one of the most enduring in every day use.

There are a fair number of 90s Almeras driving around. It's comparatively rare enough to see a 90s car that is not either a Nissan or a Toyota. They just don't last as long or are prohibiitvely expesive to fix.

The almera didn't really last that long though. They were prone to rust. I was looking for one in 2006 and most I seen had developed a good amount of rust underneath despite being only 6-7 years old at the time.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 4:45pm

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Presume people are mixing Almera up with Primera. Primera mk1&2 being fine cars.

The primera was a better handling car but apart from that the almera was a better car than the primera, they certainly were better built.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 4:49pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Well unless you had the fuel tank on the roof how could it possibly be gravity fed? That's nonsense. It probably had an electric in-tank delivery pump or a mechanical diaphram pump driven off of the engine.

Probably mechanical as the electric one on the later 1993-1995 sunnys was prone to wearing out and i've never seen the same issue with the older carb setup.

JohnBoy26 · 08-06-2018 4:53pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

No they were gravity fed. I think it was only bigger engines that used mechanical pumps.

Well you seem pretty sure just as you were that they were all carb'd :pac:

Yer Da sells Avon · 08-06-2018 4:56pm

If the criteria is longevity and reliability, then the second generation Micra must surely be one of the greatest cars ever. A fun little car to drive too.

Zubeneschamali · 08-06-2018 4:57pm

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

If the criteria is longevity and reliability, then the second generation Micra must surely be one of the greatest cars ever. A fun little car to drive too.

Yes, yes, God no.

horseofstone · 08-06-2018 5:08pm

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

If the criteria is longevity and reliability, then the second generation Micra must surely be one of the greatest cars ever. A fun little car to drive too.

Micra wouldnt tow a large trailer.to be the greatest car ever it has to b an allrounder, good at most things.micra was for grannys.

Yer Da sells Avon · 08-06-2018 5:19pm

horseofstone wrote: »

Micra wouldnt tow a large trailer.to be the greatest car ever it has to b an allrounder, good at most things.micra was for grannys.

Honestly, how often does the average person need to tow a trailer?

horseofstone · 08-06-2018 5:32pm

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

Honestly, how often does the average person need to tow a trailer?

To draw a load of turf,tow a cow, draw a caravan, there's always a reason.ðŸš˜

Yer Da sells Avon · 08-06-2018 5:38pm

horseofstone wrote: »

To draw a load of turf,tow a cow, draw a caravan, there's always a reason.&#55357;&#56984;

If you have a '98 Micra, you could use the money you save on tax and petrol to pay someone to tow your cows.

horseofstone · 08-06-2018 6:13pm

Hapax Legomenon wrote: »

If you have a '98 Micra, you could use the money you save on tax and petrol to pay someone to tow your cows.

Yeah but what about my caravan.

Is the mark 1 Almera the greatest car ever?

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