Faults:

When I was driving the car above 25mph, I could hear a humming sound coming from the off side rear; thought it was gonna be expensive!! Possible wheel bearing etc. Decided after a week of driving to check the tyre PSI, which was showing 16 bar. (should be around 32psi)

On sorting all 4 corners with air (costing 20p) the car stopped making the noise and felt more composed, and overall more enjoyable to drive. Amazing!

General Comments:

After searching and getting desperate to buy anything reliable, I stumbled across this baby. I paid £1060, knocking the guy down from £1250. Full service history, tax and test, electrics and A/C... bonus!!!

Very impressed with the condition both inside and out, but have to put up with the colour (red).

Very airy cabin and a massive boot in contrast to my previous car (Astra 1996).

Super smooth engine on start up/drive. No nasty noises; it's chain driven as opposed to cambelt, so no worries their.

Fuel economy wise?? It's good 75 miles (motorway/city) with £10 unleaded (at a frightening 1.10 per litre and going up as per usual!)

Originally looking for a diesel, but I'm so glad I didn't buy any of the dogs I viewed.

For the money I couldn't have done better. It may look like a taxi, but I suppose that's a testament to the success of such cars.

If you're gonna get one, you won't regret it.

The car does everything you would expect from a Japanese hatch!

Faults:

Strange rumbling noise at 30mph, traced to pitted tyres.

Drivers door rattles as though something is loose inside.

Rust blisters around the rear spoiler.

Whirring noise around 50mph as though a wheel bearing is worn, although these have been checked.

General Comments:

For a 2.0 petrol car it is incredibly economical when used as a motorway car, where it is also comfortable and smooth, albeit quite noisy. My true average mpg is about 33, though I've found the fuel computer to be optimistic to the tune of about 3-4mpg.

Half leather seats with lumbar support are very comfortable, although they are trimmed in questionable velour down the centre. Glad that mine has the optional side airbags.

There isn't really enough interior storage space compared to newer cars, and the placement of the cup-holders behind the driver's left elbow is awkward to say the least.

There is plenty of power to the engine, although you have to use the full rev range (red line is 7000rpm) to make the best use of it, below 3500 it could be a 1.6 and feels a little sluggish, but at least the fuel consumption is low enough to match - use the power and watch the fuel gauge plummet. The worst I've seen it say is 16mpg after some exuberant driving. The engine is surprisingly torquey for a non-turbo car, enabling it to be driven in traffic, feet off the pedals in first - almost like a diesel.

Handling is very good, with great power steering, although the rear suspension sometimes feels a little soft when pressing on. The ride is OK, but at low to medium speeds every bump is felt to some extent.

I get the impression that my particular car was not well looked after by the previous owners given it's general condition and the standard CD changer, stereo, spare wheel, tool kit and first aid kit were all missing when I got it - presumably they ended up on an auction site somewhere.

Looks-wise it's certainly the best looking Primera mk2 model, although the base car is not the prettiest to begin with. With the mesh grille and spoilers it does look quite mean, especially in a dark colour. Mine is the only deep metallic red GT I've seen to date.

When all is said and done, it's coping with 500 miles a week in some very heavy traffic extremely well, with only the heavy clutch causing minor irritation - as an all rounder with good performance, comfort and economy for less than £2000, I don't think I could have made a better choice.