2001 Nissan Almera SE+ review from UK and Ireland

Noisy electric window solenoid.

I bought this car new. It has never gone wrong.

It still has the original battery and exhaust after nearly 60000 miles and 6.5 years.

It has developed no annoying rattles or small faults, unlike all my other cars.

Its only visits to the garage, other than for servicing, have been for cosmetic repairs to a bumper after a small prang involving a garden wall.

I have been advised by every mechanic I know to cherish it forever, because these cars never let you down.

The longer I keep it, the more fond I get of it. Its 1.8 engine is more than adequate on the motorway, and for fast getaways from roundabouts, and the seats are much better than all the other cars I have owned. Plenty of storage space, and with the rear seats down, there's room for big loads.

When I purchased this car, I planned and budgeted to change it after 5 years for an Audi A3, but I haven't the heart to do it now. In fact I am devastated that Nissan has no replacement model for the Almera on sale in the UK, unless you count the Qashquai, which will not fit my garage.