Almera GTI - any good?

[damci]

So what’s the PH opinion on the Almera GTI? Seem like a good buy for little money and with 140 odd bhp should be fun to drive. I’m not keen on the looks or interior but that doesn’t bother me too much as I just need some cheap reliable motoring for winter whilst my bike is off the road.

The one I’m looking at has 140,000 miles but it does have a full service history and looks in very good condition. Anything I should be looking out for in particular? I believe they are chain driven so I won’t have to worry about a cambelt change, how long is the clutch good for? Any help appreciated!

[HellDiver]

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

[LuS1fer]

Sit in one and transport yourself back to the 80s.

[Garlick]

The Almerea GTI was always said to be good fun by the motoring hacks of the time. I reckon it would be a giggle, the one I drove years ago was great.

We did one as a SOTW in fact, so it gets a from us

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=162&i=193...

[fido]

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

[Plotloss]

Turn left here

Why?

Makes the car look good.

They're seriously underrated, I had a few of them in a row for a week or so at a time as run-ins, nippy, decent steer and now they're less than a big night out a proper bargain.

[HellDiver]

fido said:

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

Handling is on par with a Mk4 Astra (you won't die at every corner, but it's no Focus), despite disc brakes all round the brakes are rubbish, steering feel is non-existant, they rot like fury, the seats are rubbish, and I can't really cope with the mix of shiny yogurt-pot and fake black rubber dash components.

A decent engine doesn't make a car good. There's lots of alternatives that are far better.

[damci]

Plotloss said:

Turn left here

Why?

Makes the car look good.

They're seriously underrated, I had a few of them in a row for a week or so at a time as run-ins, nippy, decent steer and now they're less than a big night out a proper bargain.

The one I'm looking at is a 99 model and only a grand. The mileage does put me off a little but I heard the engines are solid.

[Hitch78]

Almeras had really funny gearsticks too - they were too far back and too high.

The GTIs were expensive when new though, and were pretty well received by the motoring press at the time.

[Targarama]

fido said:

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.

For someone looking for spend £1000 or so the Almera GTi is a little cracker and a good warm hatch. Handles well and has a strong engine (I think the same as the Primera 2.0GT).

Or you could buy a Mondeo 1.8lx like Helldriver.

[Garlick]

The one I drove was a hoot, and most unlike a Mk4 Astra.

[GravelBen]

The Jap-market Pulsar VZ-R is supposed to be pretty good, has the SR16VE in it - revvy little 175bhp 1.6 VVT, or 200bhp in nismo 'N1' tune.

[damci]

HellDiver said:

fido said:

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

Handling is on par with a Mk4 Astra (you won't die at every corner, but it's no Focus), despite disc brakes all round the brakes are rubbish, steering feel is non-existant, they rot like fury, the seats are rubbish, and I can't really cope with the mix of shiny yogurt-pot and fake black rubber dash components.

A decent engine doesn't make a car good. There's lots of alternatives that are far better.

So what are the alternatives for a grand?

A Focus is a contender but I'm guessing a 1000 pound Nissan will be more reliable than a 1000 pound Ford?

Not too bothered about the looks as long as it starts on a morning and is decent to drive!

[300bhp/ton]

Targarama said:

fido said:

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.


Or you could buy a Mondeo 1.8lx like Helldriver.

[damci]

Garlick said:

The Almerea GTI was always said to be good fun by the motoring hacks of the time. I reckon it would be a giggle, the one I drove years ago was great.

We did one as a SOTW in fact, so it gets a from us

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=162&i=193...

I had a read through that and there's hardly a negative comment. Bit of a Golf GTI slayer by the sound of it with Japanese reliability!

Edited by damci on Friday 17th September 10:02

[HellDiver]

Targarama said:

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.

First, it's HellDIVER. No R. Hard of reading, are you?

Second, I've had a long driving career in companys with extensive fleets, covering 60-65k a year, so I've driven pretty much everything with wheels. Just because I personally own what you consider junk, doesn't mean I haven't driven the car you're talking about.

[rallycross]

HellDiver said:

Targarama said:

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.

First, it's HellDIVER. No R. Hard of reading, are you?

Second, I've had a long driving career in companys with extensive fleets, covering 60-65k a year, so I've driven pretty much everything with wheels. Just because I personally own what you consider junk, doesn't mean I haven't driven the car you're talking about.

If you'd ever driven the Gti version you wouldnt have written the rubbish you wrote, they drive surprisingly well.

An even bigger suprise is how well the Primera GT drives, they are great to drive might be worth looking for one of them as an alternative.

[300bhp/ton]

damci said:

HellDiver said:

fido said:

HellDiver said:

If you think any Almera is "fun to drive" you're sorely mistaken. Seriously, they're rubbish.

In what way were they rubbish? .. i thought the handling was pretty good (at least compared with its rivals of that period). Engine is pretty solid as well.

Handling is on par with a Mk4 Astra (you won't die at every corner, but it's no Focus), despite disc brakes all round the brakes are rubbish, steering feel is non-existant, they rot like fury, the seats are rubbish, and I can't really cope with the mix of shiny yogurt-pot and fake black rubber dash components.

A decent engine doesn't make a car good. There's lots of alternatives that are far better.

So what are the alternatives for a grand?

A Focus is a contender but I'm guessing a 1000 pound Nissan will be more reliable than a 1000 pound Ford?

Not too bothered about the looks as long as it starts on a morning and is decent to drive!

Check out this weeks SOTW or any of the other SOTW's. You can get a heck of a lot for this money.

Honda Prelude or maybe a Porsche 924 might be worth a shout.

[damci]

rallycross said:

HellDiver said:

Targarama said:

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.

First, it's HellDIVER. No R. Hard of reading, are you?

Second, I've had a long driving career in companys with extensive fleets, covering 60-65k a year, so I've driven pretty much everything with wheels. Just because I personally own what you consider junk, doesn't mean I haven't driven the car you're talking about.

If you'd ever driven the Gti version you wouldnt have written the rubbish you wrote, they drive surprisingly well.

An even bigger suprise is how well the Primera GT drives, they are great to drive might be worth looking for one of them as an alternative.

I considered a Primera GT as the added practicality would be a bonus but the insurance is £150 more than an Almera GTI. The budget is very tight!

[300bhp/ton]

HellDiver said:

Targarama said:

Personally I don't think Helldriver's view is that valid, his car history seems to be a selection of rotty Vauxhalls and now a boggo Mondeo.

First, it's HellDIVER. No R. Hard of reading, are you?

Second, I've had a long driving career in companys with extensive fleets, covering 60-65k a year, so I've driven pretty much everything with wheels. Just because I personally own what you consider junk, doesn't mean I haven't driven the car you're talking about.

Everything with wheels... excuse me while I just burst out