Micra K11

[Merlot]

Following on my thread from yesterday, I'm looking at the Micra for a cheapo runabout/station car.

I'm interested in the '96-'00 which I believe is the "K11" series, most I've looked at have the 1.0 16v engine. I'm expecting it to be utterly reliable and fantastically dull which is exactly what I'm after. I have a Nissan dealer 3 miles up the road for parts and they look pretty simple to work on myself. At my price range (£500-750) most don't have full service history (understandable) and I understand these have a timing chain so no worries about belt failure.

Has anyone run one and can testify to their reliability or otherwise?

[JTeb]

I've been running a '94 1.0-litre K11 for the past 3 years, doing on average 150 miles a week. Never broken down on me and the only reason it has failed its MOT in the past is due to a rusty front cross-member. My grandad and my sister have both has K11s too with the same reliability. Gearbox is nicer on the earlier K11s I find though

[Gareth79]

Yes, they pretty much totally reliable bar a few common faults which are relatively cheap to fix. The K11 was actually 92-02, 98-02 was a facelift model. There is one problem. to do with the soldering in the throttle body that causes high fuel consumption. Another common problem is rust in the rear sills and front crossmember, "cheap" to repair but quite expensive in comparison to the value of the car.

[G_T]

We've got a 2003 k12 1.0 micra. I believe it's the same engine (CG10DE) or at least similar. 80,000 miles and utterly solid despite years of abuse.

Quite frankly I wish it would die but there's very little sign of that.

Expect nothing from it apart from abuse from your peers and you'll love it.

Edited by G_T on Sunday 10th October 21:23

[Merlot]

Gareth79 said:

Yes, they pretty much totally reliable bar a few common faults which are relatively cheap to fix. The K11 was actually 92-02, 98-02 was a facelift model. There is one problem. to do with the soldering in the throttle body that causes high fuel consumption. Another common problem is rust in the rear sills and front crossmember, "cheap" to repair but quite expensive in comparison to the value of the car.

Ah. Most I've looked at that have been anyway half decent have been 96-00 (My budget doesn't stretch to post 00 evidently!). Like the first poster, I will be doing about 100-150 miles a week.

What sort of MPG could I expect tootling around, mostly A-road commuting stuff. I'm expecting mid 40s?

Wouldn't mind spending a couple of hundred a year (in addition to consumables) to keep it roadworthy, but anything much more than that and I'd be questioning my purchase.

[Merlot]

G_T said:

Expect nothing from it apart from abuse from your peers and you'll love it.

Ha! I have already got a few things lined up for that

1) "I'm just borrowing it from the girlfriend, honest!"

or

2) It is just a cheap reliable stter to get to work and back, it's not my proper car!

[G_T]

Merlot said:

G_T said:

Expect nothing from it apart from abuse from your peers and you'll love it.

Ha! I have already got a few things lined up for that

1) "I'm just borrowing it from the girlfriend, honest!"

or

2) It is just a cheap reliable stter to get to work and back, it's not my proper car!

I drove ours when the GFs was learning. I had my an old XJR at the time and couldn't afford the petrol. It's also saved the day when my cars have packed in so often it's ridiculous.

She smashed it up the wall the other week. I just kicked the panels back into shape and it's off again! All K12s have dents afterall..

[JTeb]

Merlot said:

What sort of MPG could I expect tootling around, mostly A-road commuting stuff. I'm expecting mid 40s?

Mine does between 40 and 45mpg. I spend about £20 a year on servicing it myself, and the tyres usually last ages. Also take in mind that because it's pre-2001, road tax is £125 a year.

But as has already been said, open up the bonnet and check that the front crossmember isn't rusted away. My local garage charged me well over £300 to order and weld in a new one.

Edited by JTeb on Sunday 10th October 23:42

[shalmaneser]

Mine was totally reliable, but failed it's MOT on rust at the bottom of the b pillar, on the sill. Apparently its something of a weak point, take a screwdriver and do some poking.

[CatfishCKY]

I've run two K11s. A prefacelift 1.0 for 4 years and facelift Cabriolet 1.3 (which was about as fast as a one litre) for one year. Both of them have been stupidly reliable and have never wanted for anything - even the uber-rare JDM cabriolet never shat its electrics or anything either!
The early ones are tremendous fun too - they will deal with no end of abuse and just keep on going!
They're so good I'm planning to get another one now I have to commute for my job.

Get one, even if it's a little snotter, it'll run and run and run and hopefully won't have you replacing parts left right and centre!