1989 Nissan Micra LX 1.2 from Finland

Summary:

A budget car!

Faults:

Nothing major, some bulbs, interior light broke.

Oil leaked from valve cover gasket.

I service it at home, this car has never seen garage.

General Comments:

On negative side, this car is uncomfortable, slow and dull. Or may be I felt so, since I switched from a Carina to Micra. It's very reliable, and easy to fix and service at home.

This is not my first Micra, I have owned a 1996 K11 Micra, which actually is much better than this one. 16V engine delivers great power and is much more comfortable than the K10.

On positive side, this car is cheap to maintain, hardly any spare part is over 20 bucks. Cheap on insurance as well. It won't let you down ever on the roadside. It's very easy to drive and park. Steering, clutch and gears all have a fluid feeling.

I'd definitely not recommend Micra k10 to anyone who is looking for a comfortable or speedy car. But I'd highly recommend it if you are on budget (like I am) and need a reliable, simple and friendly car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2009

1989 Nissan Micra LS 1.0 carb from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reliable as a horse

Faults:

Nothing really, petrol filter one time, wasn't in the mood for starting one day. Suffered a lot from dampness.

General Comments:

I loved this car, for a 4 speed it was fairly good on petrol.

It was surprisingly quick.

Has to be one of the most reliable car ever! Shouldn't have sold it; I got a Polo after and it was slower, heavier and burned a hell of a lot more petrol.

It's an ideal starter car in my opinion, so easy to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2007

1989 Nissan Micra GS 102 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very good if image isn't a problem

Faults:

Radiator, and just 2 new tyres.

General Comments:

Very nippy. Perfect for a single guy to get around in very cheaply.

This car will cruise at 85 mph and get 35mpg if you push it, and 48 if you drive light footed. I reckon on about 40 in normal use.

I bought the car for £150 after losing my job. I got a temporary job in a local bar, and wanted a cheap car to get me there, and the Micra did that so well, that I ended up keeping it.

I got a new job, which involved an 80 mile round trip. It never failed me.

Once I got in it, people laughed, but I knew that when I turned the key, it would start rain or shine. When cold, you had to press the gas for about 15 seconds or so, so the choke could sort itself out.

I would say it's above average on the country lanes. It handled better than my mark 3 Fiesta, but not as well as my 205, but you can't have everything.

Get one, you will be hooked!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2006

1989 Nissan Micra LS 1.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great little run-a-round, light, cheap to run, would loved to have had it in 1989

Faults:

Never had a problem until this week. Car just stopped all of a sudden. Cam belt broke - serious damage to motor.

Could be up to $2000 NZ dollars to fix.

I only paid $1000 for the car to start with so, unfortunately, have to say goodbye to my wee car. It's public transport for me again until I save enough for another wee run-a-round.

General Comments:

Purchased car in a private sale so knew nothing of its maintenance history.

Very tidy, great looking, gleaming, wee red car with a sunroof and fabulous heater!

Thought it would be just the ticket for getting me to and from my place of work. Was never intended to be used on the motorway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2005

24th Aug 2005, 03:42

Oops! It was a Hillman Superminx.

It's not so easy to get wee parts for my wee car as it is the only one of it's kind in New Zealand. The only parts I can find are in Canada, UK or Japan.

31st Oct 2005, 17:28

I have just bought a 1989 Micra LS for our son.. what amuses me is we used to have a Hillman Super Minx 31 years ago. I loved that car, had a starting handle.. which I used a lot.. the Micra seems to be a throwback.. look under the bonnet (hood) lil engine with lotsa space around...simple..as it should be.

8th Dec 2005, 06:19

Iv got a 1989 nissan micra ls 1 litre very reliable got a ton out of it it was load as hell going to keep it till it dies.

20th Jul 2007, 16:00

Got an '86 Micra with a 1235cc. All smiles. You can see what it was... the cheapest car ever made... in a good way. Light parts easy to make and fit together. If the K-10 had caught on it would be bigger than the VW Beatle. However, gas and motoring in general was subsidized to an astonishing degree during the '80s. Messed up this project which should now be the dominant car on the planet. Down with over-horse-powered cars.