1999 Nissan Primera Si review from UK and Ireland

Air con has packed up - haven't bothered to fix it.

Driver's electric door window is sticky.

Handbrake does not operate very efficiently due to rear disc brakes having a tendency to seize.

Car suffers from the creaky front suspension referred to in other reviews, but for the price we paid, and the mileage the car has done, then we can live with that.

Most importantly, nothing major has gone wrong.

Bought this car as a general runabout. It was previously owned by someone who kept horses and it was in a bit of a state inside.

It didn't take long to realise that these cars are absolutely amazing and I subsequently bought another cleaner example. Our son now runs about in the model subject of this review.

If you are on a low budget, or like us, grudge paying over the odds for second and third rate more fashionable models, then this has to be one of the best secondhand cars available today.

Fuel economy and performance aren't the best, and they do cost a fair bit to tax, but the driving experience is first class, way better than our newer Peugeot 307.

Therefore, if you don't cover a big mileage (best I can manage is 38mpg with an admittedly very heavy right foot), and don't care that you are not in an up to the minute motor with all of the flashy modern extras, then a 1600 Primera should suit you fine; especially if you need loads of luggage room in a car as we do. I'm told that the 1800 engine does a better job, but there are not many of these about, and the 2 litre would make sense if you can find the right one (we couldn't in our area).

Servicing costs can be kept to a minimum by using a reliable local garage (they all know the Primera, and some of the dearer Nissan parts can be substituted if required.