1998 Nissan Primera GX 2.0 gas from Chile

Summary:

Great economical fun to drive car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Very reliable car. Reasonable performance and gas mileage.

Very uncomfortable driver seat, automatic transmission does not shift smoothly specially between first and second and when engine is cold.

Suspension is rather sporty (hard).

Engine is very responsive above 2500 RPM, style is rather anonymous, but good looking. Good trunk capacity, very comfortable and spacious back seat, very good upholstery.

After 5 years of use car runs great and has any noise, proving that fit and finish is well done.

My car was made in Japan.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 2003

1998 Nissan Primera GT 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A genuine performance hot hatch that makes a statement without having to scream boy racer

Faults:

The interior lights dont come on when the door is opened, but other than that it is perfect.

General Comments:

This is without doubt the best car I have ever owned.

The ride is a little hard and you feel every bump, pothole or manhole cover you hit.

Cruises at speed on motorways comfortably and economically.

Fantastic sound system and handling.

For a performance car it is comfortable and relaxing to drive and in no way boring.

A hot hatch for the adults amongst us that does not need any fancy body trims or silly overtaking stunts to make a statement.

Understated elegance, class, reliability and performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2003

1998 Nissan Primera SRi 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

If you REALLY enjoy driving, this is your budget buy!

Faults:

Windscreen Wiper pivots were replaced under warranty (a known fault with Primeras).

Nothing else has gone wrong in 60,000 miles!

General Comments:

This is a very misunderstood car.

Road-holding and handling beat all contemporaries, and are close to the best of the current crop.

Ride can be choppy around Town, but soon sorts itself out above around 45mph. Then the handling of the car really comes into it's own. Roundabouts and corners are dispatched with Glee!

Performance is brisk, but not startling from the 2.0litre petrol engine. Why Nissan never put a V6 into this car will always remain a mystery. The handling though means corners are taken at speed which in turn disguises any shortcomings in the performance department.

Extremely well built and comfortable. One or two rattles are beginning to make themselves heard now, but I've heard worse on newer Fords and Vauxhalls.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th January, 2003

1998 Nissan Primera Profile 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Economic and reliable

Faults:

Almost nothing.

The drivers door stay came loose at 8000 miles and needed the bolts tightened.

General Comments:

The "Profile" model was one of the limited editions which Nissan produced to keep sales up - basically a GX with air conditioning and a lower price.

I have done a low mileage for the age of the car and it has not been driven hard.

Mileage is excellent at 40 miles per gallon, but the 1.6 engine only gives modest performance.

Service costs are reasonable. Reliability is outstanding.

Depreciation is very high - Cost £12,000 new, worth £2500 as trade in today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th January, 2003

17th Mar 2003, 09:27

UPDATE BY ORIGINAL AUTHOR.

An accurate petrol consumption test was carried out over 3 days. Miles run 515.1 Fuel used 12.67 Gallons (Metric equivalents are 829 Km and 57.58 Litres)

This gives 40.6 Miles per gallon.

Weather conditions were good, with dry roads. Journey included about 50 miles of unobstructed running on dual carriageway. Rest of the travel was on ordinary roads, with a little stop/start town driving. Car has 28,000 miles since new, serviced per manufacturers schedule, and is in good condition.

8th Sep 2003, 15:39

UPDATE BY ORGINAL AUTHOR.

The car is now 5 years old with 30,000 miles on the clock. During the last year it has needed the usual consumables - a set of tyres (it's first), one brake light bulb, and back brake pads. The car passed the MOT test (the annual UK government road worthiness test) without any problems.

The only fault that has developed during the year is with the radio/cassette - the radio works fine, but the cassette deck is giving garbled playback.

The shells of the door mirrors are showing signs of fading -they are red to match the car body. The shells are plastic and I think the pigment may be in the plastic rather than painted on. The rest of the red body paintwork is still bright, no fade or any sign of rust.