1998 Nissan Primera SE 2.0

Summary:

Nothing better in it's class

Faults:

Nothing other than service items you would expect from mileage. Exhaust, brake disks and pads.

General Comments:

What can I say, these cars are first class. I have owned loads of cars due to my annual mileage, but nothing compares to Primera's. They are bland, but this isn't a negative feature always.

These cars are super reliable, trust them they have never let me down. They last like nothing else in their class. They perform well and give excellent economy.

Don't be talked into a Fix-Or-Repair-Daily Mondeo. The Primera is a far superior built car in my opinion. It's bland styling leaves it discreet and unpopular with the Kev's. Next door Mondeo man will be green with envy when your Primera still sits on the driveway years after his Mondeo was crushed.

The only bad thing is the turning circle, truly appaling in car parks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th September, 2006

1998 Nissan Primera SLX 2.0

Summary:

Bulletproof bargain

Faults:

I replaced the original battery when the car was 4 years old.

General Comments:

This car is virtually indestructable. I have used and abused it for over 60,000 miles and it has never let me down.

Niggles include:

Insatiable appetite for windscreen wipers - I replace them every 6 months.

Doesn't like going into reverse.

Huge turning circle.

Fuel light comes on too early (13-15l left in the tank) and the resolution on the fuel gauge is poor

Brake pedal needs a good shove when braking hard, and there is poor feedback through the pedal.

Tall people complain that headroom in the back is tight.

It's a 'Grandpa' car.

Good bits:

Due to the nature of my work I would leave the car standing in the open for 3 weeks, then leap in a drive 600miles. It never missed a beat.

It is comfortable (I am 5'6")

It is fun to drive, and reasonable quick.

Other bits:

I get 33-38mpg

D.I.Y servicing is easy

The Front discs were changed at around 60,000 miles

It had a new section of exhaust at 70,000.

I had the air-con recharged at 100,000 - it was very week, and was almost out of gas (100cc left out of 600cc)

Other than oil and brake pads it's not had any major work in 120,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th June, 2004

19th Oct 2004, 12:06

Regard to air-con, and this applies to any car using R-134a refrigerant.

Please do use the A/C regularly, all year round - 30 minutes a week is worthwhile.

A/C system lubricant is gas-bourne and non usage causes seals and bearings to fail.

Similarly, it's worth having the system drained/vacuumed and re-gassed every couple of years. Find a good local specialist; main dealers user 'em anyway, and charge you double for taking the car over.

My 97 Primera (130,000 miles) still freezes you rigid within seconds of switching on.

It's never been low on gas volume (mass, even) and this is largely attributable to the system having been used regularly.

Cheers.

1998 Nissan Primera GT 2.0

Summary:

A quick, comfy, reliable car

Faults:

Haven't had it long, but nothing.

General Comments:

Car is lively and is very comfy, looks good and has all the trimmings. a real head turner with japanese build quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2004

1998 Nissan Primera GT 2.0

Summary:

A car for all occasions

Faults:

With the exception of the odd rattle, absolutely nothing.

'Consumables' have been replaced: shocks, brake disks, exhaust, etc. Still on it's original clutch with no signs of failure.

General Comments:

I can't rate this car highly enough. Its done 50k since I've owned it and except for routine maintenance, it simply keeps going and going and going.

It's a car for all occasions. You can quite happily drive like your grandmother without a problem, or open the throttle and annoy 'GTI' drivers on demand.

I've had some cars which do some things better, but this generally does everything well.

The only real downside is parts availability and Nissan dealers. OEM parts, like oil filters, are difficult to source correctly (they often aren't the right part when you try to fit them). Dealers are fairly useless - they never have anything in stock when you want it.

However, the car is simple enough to maintain - it's best you find a good private mechanic and simply ignore main dealers where-ever possible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st March, 2004