24th Mar 2004, 03:00
Interesting to see a bad review of an Almera. Owners generally like them.
Personally I'm a big fan of Nissan. I've owned 3 and had great reliability. And my current Primera's a real driver's car, although it doesn't much look like one and has only a 1600 engine.
I have driven rented Almeras a couple of times, and I'm not sure what to conclude. They show up well in the reliability surveys, but the motoring press don't seem to like them much. Their moan goes that Almeras are uninvolving to drive and that reliability and comfort ain't enough in a sector that features (in the UK) the Golf, the Focus, the Corolla, the Megane etc.
I have to say I think they're a touch dull to drive, that they don't stir the blood much. The 1.6 in my car feels muted and torquey, but the 1.4 in the Almera felt thrashy to me. For all this though, I'd still have one as a second car. Knowing that the thing will cover massive distances trouble free (while you look at Astras on the hard shoulder) is a powerful incentive.
21st Jul 2005, 13:28
I have just purchased a 2001 Almera saloon in Black and I'm delighted with it. It looks good and having driven a Ford Escort, it's very well equipped and laid out. It's very quiet and comfortable. If I only keep it for 12 months I can still sell it and hold it's value, no problem. It may look a bit dull, but it's superior to the tinny Focus or the even more sedate corolla or Poorly finished Astra. Well done Nissan.
15th Jun 2003, 10:29
An excellent car all round. This is about the best car we have ever owned and would recommend it to anybody. The car is very versatile, with the back seats folded down flat, giving ample space for luggage, shopping or even lawn mowers! It sits nicely on the road and runs very smoothly. The only criticism I have is that there is no light in the glove box, and the interior light is placed too far back behind the front seats, making it difficult to reach.