Nissan Primera GT - modern day equivalent?

[samhodgson]

Hi all,

Long time reader of forum - such a varied mix! Great place. 

Is this the right place to post?

There's been a few mentions of the primera GT on this forum  but not much reference to how it compares to modern cars. 

Ever since I sold my old Nissan primera I've yet to drive a family car that handles any where near as well. I only had a 1995 mk1 1.6 Sri back in the day, but it drove superbly and what felt like quite a benign shuttle at low speeds came alive when the driving spirit took hold. I had such confidence on b roads that hasn't been matched since. 

Have since owned a sport + but the cam chain snapped. Still quite good apart from that. 

The p11 GT is the ultimate primera and was wondering if anyone had found a modern day car - last 10 years or so - that comes close? Remember the primera was a good value car so no exotica, and needs 4 or 5 seats!

Was thinking the skoda octavia vrs but people who have compared say it feels a lot heavier. Is that going to be the case for any car with modern safety? 

Be interesting to see what sort of responses I get!

Cheers,
Sam

[nismo48]

A good post and interesting...
I've owned 2 gt's a saloon and a hatch..
Very capable machines standard,but with a few tweaks
can be even better..
Regards todays comparisons..
Things have moved along as regards many things..
Probably 4 or 5 door saloons these days don't compare..
Struggle to think what is equivalent..??
A Seat Leon perhaps..

[Herbs]

Mazda 6 is meant to be highly regarded.

[davepoth]

Any newer car will feel heavier - they are a lot heavier! Octavia VRS is probably quite a good call.

[buggalugs]

I always thought the early Octavia vRS saloons reminded me of the p10 GT, don't know what they're like handling wise though.

[samhodgson]

I never drove a mk1 octavia. I always thought the torsion beam rear suspension was a backward step from the multi- link loveliness of the primera. Funny how the new octavia has gone back to it for cooking models. It was probably still a good drive though - much more pace.

Never tried the Mazda 6. Maybe I should.

I guess the Leon is a little like the octavia as it shares the platform.

Do any premium cars from BMW and Audi have the same talents?

Edited by samhodgson on Sunday 3rd March 17:46

[MG CHRIS]

MG ZS in either 1.8 or 2.5 v6, it was praised when launched for it's handling. My fathers zs is still going strong after 12 years and 120,000 miles been a good car and have no intentions to get rid of it.

[JREwing]

I think that the MG ZS and ZT were pretty similar.
A Mondeo with a larger engine?

[Gary C]

Have a friend who worked on that Primera's suspension. I remember it was well received. He went on to the v6 clio after that.

I seem to remember it was well balanced.

[nottyash]

How is a Rover/ MG a modern day equivelent?
They must be 10 years old now.

I think Ovtavia VRS, or some of the more powerful 3 series M sports. Maybe a A3 S line black edition, that sort of thing.

[Welshbeef]

I remember having a drive in one of these back in the day. Not much power relative to today's mundane cars but was a very good steer and back then seemed quick.

What do you have today....guess it would be the Covic Type R

[fartIN'ajar]

More specifically an fd2 civic type r. Depends on budget though, and insurance is a pain.

There was a primera gt round the corner from me which I was meaning to leave a note on incase they sold it. Sadly went before I did

[buggalugs]

Gary C said:

Have a friend who worked on that Primera's suspension. I remember it was well received. He went on to the v6 clio after that.

I seem to remember it was well balanced.

I did a couple of track days in my P10, which had the multi-link rather than the later torsion beam. It was indeed very neutral for a FWD and very happy to hang the tail out on lift-off then hold it at almost any angle you wanted. Brakes were the weak point on mine, too prone to fade.

IIRC it felt quite solid, nice door shuts etc. not the tin can I would have assumed.

Sold mine for an E30, spent the first few months thinking what the feck have I done!

[TheJimi]

Honda Accord Type R?

Or is that too old?

I'm struggling to be honest!

[s m]

TheJimi said:

Honda Accord Type R?

Or is that too old?

I'm struggling to be honest!

That is the closest match in my opinion of the newer stuff

[TheJimi]

Mondeo ST220? Never driven one, but they seem to be pretty highly regarded.

[SooperDan]

TheJimi said:

Honda Accord Type R?

Or is that too old?

I'm struggling to be honest!

Accord Euro R CL9?

[Wadeski]

The 4-door civic type R (JDM import) is probably closest in weight, but its quite expensive.
Isnt the Laguna GT thingy with the active steer supposed to be quite good, too?

[samoht]

I reckon can help in the other direction - a spiritual predecessor would be the Peugeot 405.

[Welshbeef]

BMW 320Si?