Discussion
Yes, Yes, I know - boring motoring personified.
However, I am after another shed, one which my girlfriend would be comfortable parking. Thus, after some poking about the trader and PH classifieds, it would seem that I can get quite a lot of car for not a lot of money in the Almera.
I'd be looking at the MY2000 year onwards, and the 1.5 engine model.
Have any of you lot driven or owned the 1.5? What's it like? Does it at least have a wee bit of poke?
However, I am after another shed, one which my girlfriend would be comfortable parking. Thus, after some poking about the trader and PH classifieds, it would seem that I can get quite a lot of car for not a lot of money in the Almera.
I'd be looking at the MY2000 year onwards, and the 1.5 engine model.
Have any of you lot driven or owned the 1.5? What's it like? Does it at least have a wee bit of poke?
Had one as a hire car in Ireland a year or so back. If its the same engine, its feeble. No bottom end, *something* in the middle, and then runs out of puff really early.. I found it quite off putting to pull out of junctions as it just didn't have anything there at all, unless I slipped the clutch and revved it a bit harder than I thought neccesary. Fine once rolling, cruises along quite happily.. it just felt a bit "old man".
Maybe I'm being harsh, I'm used to a half decent, fairly powerful, responsive engine.. and this wasn't any of those things.
The 1.0 Micra my mates missus has is nicer to drive...at least the engine feels like its trying in that.
Maybe I'm being harsh, I'm used to a half decent, fairly powerful, responsive engine.. and this wasn't any of those things.
The 1.0 Micra my mates missus has is nicer to drive...at least the engine feels like its trying in that.
Had one a couple of times in the neverending trail of pool cars at my last job.
Better than a Fiesta, not as good as an Astra, nowhere near as good as a Focus.
I don't remember it being overly offensive, or particularly slow or particularly fast. I remember the dash being horrible though.
Better than a Fiesta, not as good as an Astra, nowhere near as good as a Focus.
I don't remember it being overly offensive, or particularly slow or particularly fast. I remember the dash being horrible though.
Mum has one. '02 plate Almera Twister.
As above. Very little low down poke makes moving off from a stop briefly frightening until the 'power' arrives at about 3.5k rpm.
Hasn't gone wrong in 4 years of ownership even with sharing it and driving like a tit for 7 months in the first year though.
As above. Very little low down poke makes moving off from a stop briefly frightening until the 'power' arrives at about 3.5k rpm.
Hasn't gone wrong in 4 years of ownership even with sharing it and driving like a tit for 7 months in the first year though.
If you are set on buying one, try and get a 1.8 as it uses the Qg18de engine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_QG_engine#QG18...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_QG_engine#QG18...
I've borrowed two almeras for a couple of weeks and used to commute in a sunny hatch which pretty much felt the same. Chain timed engines so pretty bombproof. Dull but fairly economical only had a problem with the lights on the later Almera.
If you want something that is easy to park though I wouldn't suggest the almera my wife found it awkward and my mother-in-law pranged it twice misjudging distances. Fairly long bonnet and they are fairly big for what is basically a hatchback, but roomy inside I suppose, perhaps a micra might be better.
If you want something that is easy to park though I wouldn't suggest the almera my wife found it awkward and my mother-in-law pranged it twice misjudging distances. Fairly long bonnet and they are fairly big for what is basically a hatchback, but roomy inside I suppose, perhaps a micra might be better.
I have a 2001 1.8 sport. It's reasonably lively and will cruise happily at speed, but once you get past 60mph road noise becomes intrusive.
I bought it last October, but 7,000 miles later it just seems to be plagued with irritating problems. There's a strange whining noise from underneath when the engine is at idle/low revs, the gearstick has a lot of free play and rattles like mad (great on long journeys), the boot is leaking, and switching on the air conditioning produces a sound like a petrol driven lawnmower from within the dashboard. Also little niggles like bulbs blown in the dash, interior rattles, and a squeaky driver's seat.
I've also had a sticking brake caliper which caused the pads to wear out prematurely, as well as two broken wires which caused the third brake light to stop working.
If you're looking at Almeras of that age, it's worth checking whether they've had the front crossmember replaced/repaired. These are prone to corrosion apparently, and can be expensive to sort out. Fortunately mine had already been done when I bought it so I was spared having to shell out.
Generally, you could say that the Almera is reliable in that it has ever had any fault that rendered it undriveable. However, based on the amount of niggly problems I don't think I'd have another.
I bought it last October, but 7,000 miles later it just seems to be plagued with irritating problems. There's a strange whining noise from underneath when the engine is at idle/low revs, the gearstick has a lot of free play and rattles like mad (great on long journeys), the boot is leaking, and switching on the air conditioning produces a sound like a petrol driven lawnmower from within the dashboard. Also little niggles like bulbs blown in the dash, interior rattles, and a squeaky driver's seat.
I've also had a sticking brake caliper which caused the pads to wear out prematurely, as well as two broken wires which caused the third brake light to stop working.
If you're looking at Almeras of that age, it's worth checking whether they've had the front crossmember replaced/repaired. These are prone to corrosion apparently, and can be expensive to sort out. Fortunately mine had already been done when I bought it so I was spared having to shell out.
Generally, you could say that the Almera is reliable in that it has ever had any fault that rendered it undriveable. However, based on the amount of niggly problems I don't think I'd have another.
ApexJimi said:
Have any of you lot driven or owned the 1.5? What's it like? Does it at least have a wee bit of poke?
My missus has a 2001 1.5 S. It's got 90k on the clock and has minimal servicing (I'm talking and oil change every two years sort of thing). First parts it needed was a full set of discs at 88k, other than that there's nothing else been replaced. Subframes are very rusty on them, hers is going to need a wire brushing and painting before MOT, I know others of similar age needing a whole sbframe as the original had rusted out.Approx 100hp from the engine, it goes reasonably well, and she gets 40mpg from it. Disc brakes all round, too.
Only thing I'd say is the steering doesn't have much lock, so it's not as easy parked as you'd expect. Steering and pedals are very light, but my Mondeo will turn in a smaller space.
My dad had one and did 100k miles in it, chain driven 1.5 petrol engined variant, nothing ever went wrong on it and it only ever needed oil, filters, brakes and tyres, the most reliable car I've ever known, interior and paintwork still looked good when he sold it on.
However, the engine has less pull than my qualcast lawnmower, it has no power, no torque, totally gutless.
However, the engine has less pull than my qualcast lawnmower, it has no power, no torque, totally gutless.
yellowbentines said:
My dad had one and did 100k miles in it, chain driven 1.5 petrol engined variant, nothing ever went wrong on it and it only ever needed oil, filters, brakes and tyres, the most reliable car I've ever known, interior and paintwork still looked good when he sold it on.
However, the engine has less pull than my qualcast lawnmower, it has no power, no torque, totally gutless.
Exactly what I was going to say, almost word for word. It's not a total disaster and goes well enough once you're moving, but out of junctions it's too easy to stall because it has no power at what most people would consider appropriate revs for starting. Major error.However, the engine has less pull than my qualcast lawnmower, it has no power, no torque, totally gutless.
ApexJimi said:
Hmmm 
On balance, it looks as though these things are cheap for a reason then. Bugger.
Back to the drawing board then!
I've had my 2001 1.8 Sport since 2002 and apart from tyres, pads, filters etc it's only ever needed the drivers window fixing once (cost £40). They score very highly in reliability surveys and mine has never let me down. 1.5 is underpowered, 1.8 is much better. You get a good spec for the money (a/c, abs, Cd player etc), much better than you would on an Astra or Focus of the same age.On balance, it looks as though these things are cheap for a reason then. Bugger.
Back to the drawing board then!
MG511 said:
ApexJimi said:
Hmmm
On balance, it looks as though these things are cheap for a reason then. Bugger.
Back to the drawing board then!
I've had my 2001 1.8 Sport since 2002 and apart from tyres, pads, filters etc it's only ever needed the drivers window fixing once (cost £40). They score very highly in reliability surveys and mine has never let me down. 1.5 is underpowered, 1.8 is much better. You get a good spec for the money (a/c, abs, Cd player etc), much better than you would on an Astra or Focus of the same age.On balance, it looks as though these things are cheap for a reason then. Bugger.
Back to the drawing board then!
Equipment is good on the top models - 6cd auto changer, sunroof, AC, etc. The 1.8 has better suspension, progressive PAS, and obviously more power than the other models. A much better experience all round. I personally quite like the engine but it does need revs, it's not a low-down chugger, you need to wind it up for it to go.
Had NA53NXX a 1.5S until three years ago. The "Facelift" 1.5S engine has better low down grunt and is generally capable. Mechanically bullet proof but put decent tyres on it. It handles like a go kart but the communication from the wheels is minimum especially on cheap tyres. Inside is "plasticky" but comfortable barring the height adjust on the drivers seat which is a bit of a "bodge job". Overall it was OK as a "shed" but don't expect to out power or out handle anybody. Oh and lastly the Later lights have fragile bulb mounting. Mine broke on the Off side leaving me without Dip on that side. Having thought I would need to purchase a new light Nissan recalled all the Facelift Almeiras to replace the whole unit. So if you do buy one make sure that both front light units have been replaced.
Edited by telecat on Wednesday 14th April 08:52
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