2008 Nissan Note Acenta 1.4 petrol from Finland

Summary:

Everyman's car and very nice too!

Faults:

Had it for 2 months and as expected, no problems with the electrics, engine or finish.

Driver's door latch will need adjusting at 1st service as it needs too much slamming.

Otherwise, first class.

General Comments:

I can't understand why there are not more about. Perhaps the conservative-minded are put off by the looks?

PROS:

Extremely frugal on petrol, worst 8.2l/100km best 5.2l/100km. Engine powerful enough for long trips.

Very comfortable and the interior space and stowage is breathtaking for such a compact car.

Strong headlights, good ventilation AC, comfortable front seats, rear less so.

Excellent steering & brakes, parking it is simplicity itself, no need for parking sensors!

Rear tables are a very nice touch for when having a break or picnic. A car for all walks of life and ages.

CONS:

The sun visors are too small and this is annoying.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2008

10th Oct 2011, 14:50

Update.

Car is now out of its 3 year warranty, and in that time did not have to go back to the dealer for anything. Very pleased. Apart from a scratch or two, the car looks excellent inside and out; proven durability.

Fuel economy is very satisfying, will go to 4.8 l/100kms if run at 80 kms; who needs a diesel with this parsimony? A wonderful small car that has lots of space and desirable features.

2006 Nissan Note SE 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Snazzy Silver Japanese Gem!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing...

Unless you count the missing storage bin, but this was supplied very quickly, with no fuss.

General Comments:

The sales-agent at the dealership was great with us from the second we stepped through the doors. He was friendly, helpful and polite. What more can you ask?

The car is quite sporty to look at, despite the fact it's classed as a "mini-MPV."

Inside, the cabin is awash with acres of grey plastic and beige trim, but I suppose this is pretty standard.

The grey-cloth seats are comfortable, if a little firm, and the driver's seat being height adjustable is a great plus. In the back, there is a ton of room for even the lollopiest teenager!

The "SE" grade comes with 4 X electric windows, electric mirrors, air conditioning, three power points dotted about and literally hundreds of little "storage solutions" - including the ingenious split-level boot - as standard.

The 1597cc engine makes for a nippy drive around town, delivering 25ish MPG, and it's a total breeze to park in even the tightest of city spaces, the power steering making this task even easier. She handles the motorway with no problems at all, giving out around 40MPG.

The smooth, apt, 4-speed auto gearbox can seem a bit sluggish sometimes, but once you get going, it's responsive, and doesn't seem to have that awful "shift-shock" that my previous cars have had.

All in all, I love my Note, and hope to keep hold of her for many years of hassle free, Japanese motoring.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2007

1st Apr 2009, 10:50

It's not Japanese, it's French now!!

Undo some of the plastic shroud from around the handbrake to see Renault stamped on the sub-frame.

Just wait for your problems to start with handling vibrations, excessive tyre wear, and then engine jolts that happen on start-up.

Tevel in the drop-link failures waiting to happen, and to boot the poor after-sales and expensive service you get from Renault/Nissan Qualified Technicians' (HA! HA! I use that term loosely).

ENJOY your Renault MICRA in disguise, after all, same chassis, new bodyshell, more money!?? All the way to the BANK...

2nd Jun 2009, 16:52

My brother has one as an hire car, just had it today, and I've been driving it and the first thing I noticed was the interior mirror was the same as the one in both my C2 and my brothers C3.

I am a Citroen fan and always will be, but I will say this must be the nicest hire car my brother has ever had. He had an 2006 Nissan Almara once and I didn't like, and when I was given the key today and saw it was Nissan key, I thought oh no, but I got it in it and the features it has are brilliant, and the auto gearbox seems smooth and responsive, and also it seems to do more mpg than my brothers Citroen C3 1.6i 16v Auto.

And now it seems Renault had an input, so no wonder it felt like a nice French car like the Citroens, unlike other Nissans.

In reply to 1st Apr 2009, 10:50

1st Nov 2012, 17:55

The car is British built in Sunderland by a Japanese company. It regularly gets in the top ten of reliability surveys - yes, there is a connection to Renault, but the testimony of 'real' owners in reliability surveys will back the other owners experiences on here.

Sadly a misguided, prejudiced comment, from someone who 'probably' does not own one...