2001 Nissan Primera Sport+ Estate 2 Litre from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best car I've ever owned

Faults:

It's a Nissan and is therefore very reliable.

General Comments:

This car has the quickest acceleration of any car I've owned, but doesn't advertise it's potential to would be thieves except via a discrete "sport+" badge on the tailgate - who wants to steal an estate anyway?

The vehicle holds the road exceptionally well except when you set off where you have to be very careful with the right foot to avoid spinning the front wheels. Why did they not fit Traction Control?

The interior is superb although not as decorative as the SE+ version.

There's plenty of room inside for our family of five.

Seats are half leather and very comfortable even after a long run.

Plenty of gadgets and driving extras are provided including 6 stack CD changer, on-board computer, front fog lights, ABS and, most importantly, Xenon headlights.

These are, in my opinion, a vast improvement over the standard Primera halogen versions which gave poor lighting and constantly needed bulbs replacing on a previous Primera.

The only downside to the Xenon lights is the main beam flashing from one or two other approaching motorists who assume, that because the lights are so bright, I must have them on main beam.

I think there are only two things missing from this car;

1) Traction Control.

2) Cruise Control.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2005

2001 Nissan Primera Sport 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Huge fun factor

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong, reliability has been exemplary.

General Comments:

This car has been a revelation to me, its probably the only car I have ever owned that I drive just for the sheer pleasure of it.

My first impressions were how low you sit in the car, very similar to an old mini I used to own, the performance is adequate, but that's not what this car is all about, the handling is simply fantastic.

It grips, turns and rides the road superbly, you just feel suctioned to the tarmac in all conditions. I cannot imagine more driving fun is possible for the price, plus there are loads of extras and reliability chucked in as well.

The seats are very comfortable, the driving position perfect, everything is to hand. The interior is typically Japanese, functional and efficient.

I just love this car, it has been worth every penny so far, a real drivers car in the true tradition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2004

12th Feb 2004, 07:03

I also own a Primera Sport, I've done 60,000 miles in mine with no problems, it is a great drivers car, and even though it it is front wheel drive it is easily as entertaining as a RWD car.

My only gripes are the chassis can take a great deal more power effortlessly, Nissan really should have had the option to put a 2 litre Turbo or 3 litre lump in it.

Also I'm not too sure the paint is that good either, these things aside I would recommend one to anyone, no it doesn't have looks to die for, but if you enjoy driving it will meet all your expectations.

23rd Nov 2005, 04:31

I am on my third Primera Sport, they have all been faultlessly reliable, a pleasure to drive and in my opinion, the best styled mid range car of the time. The handling, performance and reliability have made them a consummate pleasure to own. My next car will be as late a model Primera Sport as I can find (2002 I believe). I am at a loss as to what I will have after that, with only the new Saab 9-3 ticking all the boxes my Sports have and looking good from all angles.

1st Mar 2007, 03:46

Hi.

I have been planning to buy a Primera for sometime. All the comments here only add to my eagerness to buy it soon. However, I am buying it primarily due to the fact that I am partly disabled and I need a car with the driver seat which can be lifted. I hope Primera has this feature. Can someone please tell me if the automatic version is really reliable?

Is it expensive to maintain?

Thanks.