Faults:

Front tyre wear can be severe even when driven gently. OK you may think, but it is a rare tyre size so you will pay heavily for replacements. I get 8000 miles from a set.

General Comments:

I first bought the car because it was different. You don't see many on the roads.

The performance is surprisingly strong, boosted by the fact that the car is so unknown and as such under-rated.

I have added a stainless steel exhaust, induction air filter and chip. The performance increase is more than noticeable.

0-60 time is deserving of respect and the car keeps going and going all the way to 140.

Typically Japanese, the interior is comfortable if not bland. But seats are supportive, and leg and headroom are good.

Handling is crisp and responsive with good feedback to the driver.

Criticism, well for £6000 I can't find fault.

If you look for one, make sure you go for the one with the sports pack (body-kit).

Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

Not the most fashionable car in the world but I love it. Fast, safe, practical and so far utterly reliable.

Rare, (only made up 2/3% of UK Almera sales) but faster than many of its competitors.

Not much torque but it flies above 4000 revs. Has a bit of a drink problem if you drive it hard although mid-to-late thirties miles per gallon probably attainable if my wife drives it.

Secure but fun handling from multi-link suspension and standard strut braces flatter my mediocre driving. Resultant ride can be a little 'jiggly' on bad roads. Power steering communicative at speed.

Generous standard spec with anti-lock brakes, airbag, air con and CD player.

Interior has been criticised for being dull but its fine and certainly no less practical than a new Focus I drove recently. Build quality was better than the Ford too. Controls light and easy but gearbox a bit stodgy. Front sports seats not that comfortable after 2-3 hours driving. Loads of room in the back.

Styling not to everyones' taste but big alloys and GTI adornments make it look quite aggressive and sporty. Just don't buy the 5-door. Don't pay too much either, its rarity means prices are all over the place.

Faults:

The front brake discs wore out at 33,000 miles.

The engine idles at under 1000 revolutions per minute.

General Comments:

The Nissan Almera handles better than most cars, and is faster than any other of hot hatch I have come across.

The car is impractical for everyday use as fuel consumption is terrible.

If it is not driven fast, it seems as if it is not running properly.

However for the price of these cars second hand, there is nothing that comes close for value for money.

If you do buy one be prepared to lose a lot more money than you would on say a Golf, but this is reflected in the value for money when you buy one.

It does turn heads, due to its unusual styling and looks.

Faults:

A really annoying clicking clutch pedal. Cured by tightening loose mounting nuts for the pedal box, also the pedal pivot bolt nipped up.

Tyre size is hard to get, and expensive. It seems if you go up a size, it solves the problem (generally much cheaper).

General Comments:

This car goes and handles with the best of the hot hatches.

However, it is much too quiet for a sporty car, and lacks the quality interior of other GTI's (VW's).

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Really good fun to drive hard. Feels like it is on rails. It doesn't roll or feel like it's going to skid ever.

Could be more interesting in the cabin, but the new shape Almeras have rectified this.