Faults:

Constant-velocity rubber boots split.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable - no serious faults encountered despite age and mileage.

The ride can be a bit bouncy - could do with new shock absorbers.

Engine bay still dry as a bone - not a leak to be seen.

A bit lacking in room, more 'Escort' size than 'Mondeo'.

Engine very willing, good fun to drive, maybe not as relaxing as it could be.

Brakes feel a bit dead, but are OK.

Faults:

Clutch wore out pretty quickly (but I have ragged it a bit when I've seen Evos, Scoobies and RS Turbos) and it cost £330 to replace.

Front nearside suspension is on its way out and needs replacing (a very annoying noise and a lot of wallowing is the result)

Boot lid has annoying rattle when on the move.

Power has dropped after regular long haul trips.

General Comments:

The SRi Primera wasn't the quickest car in the world, but it's a darn site faster than my 1100cc Metro.

It has TSW alloys (195/50/15s) and has lowered suspension and really ooks the business.

It goes well, especially over 3500 revs and motorway driving is effortless.

Top speed is good (I've had it up to 140mph) but it's not the quickest of the mark, but it's OK.

Comfort is a big thing for me because I do a lot of long journeys and the cabin is well laid out and very spacious. There's also plenty of leg room (I'm 6ft 4ins) and the boot space is cavernous enough to fit all my fishing kit inside.

It's also got a big spoiler... life is sweet, no?

Faults:

1 rear shock leaking, starter motor "slips", brake judder, leak from steering rack, handbrake won't hold on hills. I am a mechanic so this was all no problem, and I am more particular than most...

General Comments:

Handles superbly, after fitting 195/60/15 tyres, standard wheels too small. Performance could be better, should have bought a 2 litre.

Very comfortable to drive, and plenty of equipment, with a nice interior, which I prefer to later Primera's, big boot and tows my caravan quite well.

Faults:

Spongy clutch.

CV joint needed replacing.

Untraceable rattle from the steering column.

General Comments:

Superb handling and ride as standard thanks to a spot on chassis set up. Apparently, handling can be improved even more by lowering and adding different alloys. I am considering this myself but have heard that different springs/wheels can upset the passive rear wheel steering so it's worth looking into.

Performance is great. Always puts a smile on my face and it eats the miles up quickly. The engine note is quiet at slow/cruising speeds, open it up though and you get a fantastic roar from 3500 up to the (7500) redline, particularly if you change to a nice Janspeed backbox.

The interior has been criticised for being bland. It's not flashy that's for sure, but if you get the leather seats, it's one of the comfiest, best built interiors you'll find in this group of vehicles.

The main problem with my car has always been the clutch which suffers from a spongy feel and grind (from the cable). It's a mystery to my local dealer since I've had the car and has not been cured even after a new clutch kit and 2 new cables. Still, it doesn't make too much difference and I can live with it for all the car's plus points!

I was close to changing my car for a newer Almera GTi (Git) but have decided that it's still got plenty in it after 95k and will keep me entertained, and more comfortable for some time yet.

I'm considering doing the wheels and suspension thing after reading some favourable comments on the site. So, if anyone knows of a store that does Primera tuning bits (suspension, engine) for reasonable outlay, please let me know.

rapster@ic24.net.