Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Good cheap to run, little car I average 39mpg which is good being a student its nippy as I've had 120mph out of it (yes no lies 120mph).

I believe the car's sub frame is based off the old mini so it does handle quiet well (as long as it has been lowered over wise it jumps all over), and for noise, an induction kit or exhaust gives it a nice tone.

I have had no problems with it and can't say anything bad about it.

It still has the original exhaust on (now that's build quality)

Faults:

Slight transmission leak.

Faulty cassette player screen, seems to be cured now.

Rattling of back speakers.

Gear lever rattling.

Stiff sunroof.

Nothing mechanically, so far a reliable runabout.

General Comments:

The car has very good acceleration, I also have a Mazda 1999 323F 1.5GXi. The micra is on par with it for acceleration, but the Mazda is a bigger and heavier car with only 200cc more, so I guess this is expected.

Fuel economy is very good rather than outstanding. If you drive it hard, it uses a lot more fuel.

Cramped for long journeys for anyone over 5ft 10.

Seats are flecked in a rather gruesome pinky-red with grey.

Styling is not particularly great, but Nissans never have made particularly good looking cars until 2003.

Steering is light and it is very easy to drive.

Engine is very noisy and not at all smooth (1998onward models are much better).

Top speed of 104mph is good for a small car.

Petrol warning light-does anyone know if it should have one?

This is the last of the 'SLX' models before the faceflift (it then became 1.3SE), they stopped on 1998/R plate, which is ours, but overall the car is very good. One impressive thing is the way the central locking can be activated from either front doors and when unlocking the doors, the interior light comes on before even opening the doors. The Mazda has this, but it is unusual on a small car (Toyota Yaris doesn't have this feature.)

The Mazda is a better car to drive and is better all round, but as a small cheap car, look past the styling and few cars can better this Japanese gem. I guess I should be comparing it to a Peugeot 106, not a Mazda 323F as it is in a different class, but I have been impressed with the car, if only it drove as nicely as a Clio.

Faults:

The foam on the seat back has been replaced twice, and has collapsed for a third time.

Since owning the car, I have had the heater matrix replace 6 times.

The E.C.U. blew, leaving me stranded.

The gearbox has had to be looked at three times whilst under warranty.

The passenger side door has started to rust with no prior damage to paintwork.

General Comments:

The car is fairly quick for a 1 Litre and handles quite well.

Inside is a bit bland, however, for a cheap car you cannot really complain.