Faults:

Nothing to really write home about - as it's a Nissan! A few little niggles, such as a couple of interior trim rattles, but that was nothing a little silicone spray and foam couldn't sort out! Just a couple of other things really, the top link bush has started knocking, although that's not a big issue, as it's a known fault with this car, the part's only £30~ from buypartsby.

There's a resonation from the middle of the car, it's been to three garages, (Main Nissan dealer, independent Nissan specialist, and my local garage) and none of them can find out what it is - I'm led to believe that it could be the flexi-pipe for the exhaust - another small job to do!

General Comments:

The reason I bought this car was due to the fact that I've grown up with Nissans in the family, my father owning a '00 2.0 CVT Sport+. He later changed that for a "new shape" '02 2.0 SVE, and my uncle owning a '00 1.8 S.

I've always been impressed with the Primera, as it handles really well and is stylish and comfortable - and reliable too. I've got the SE+ model, which comes with the usual 4x electric windows, electric sunroof, and other such gadgets as heated, electrically adjustable leather seats, H.I.D Xenon lights, alloy wheels, driving lights, trip computer, leather steering wheel with (real!) burr walnut wood inserts, burr walnut centre console, headlamp washers, chrome accents on the interior and a six disc CD changer.

The engine is one of the finer points on this car; anyone in the know about Japanese cars will know about the SR20DET engine that features in the 200SX - the Primera has the non turbocharged version of that, and it's a great engine, with a timing chain rather than a belt, it needs regular oil changes, but that's a small price to pay for a long timing chain change period.

The car's great on a trip - the only notable feature missing is cruise control, which is a shame, but isn't crucial.

The handling on the Primera is critically acclaimed, and I can see why - it has a razor sharp turn in, tenacious grip and excellent steering feedback - it's very entertaining, although the SE+ has a softer spring rating than the "Sport & Sport+" models - but it's a fair trade off, as you don't get the "coal mine" interiors of the aforementioned models!

The seats are very supportive and grip you in all the right places, and feel nice as they're leather, and warm in the winter too, as they're equipped with 2 heat level seat heaters, which have elements in the base of the seat, and also the lower back, which is very soothing! The seats are also electrically adjustable - which is a great boon; especially if you're sharing the car with another person.

My car's in a dark grey pearl, which Nissan called "Tornado grey", it's a very moody colour, and has a green/blue hue in certain lights, and is a nice contrast from the cream leather interior.

I've made a few subtle modifications to my car, like a black leather anatomic gear knob to replace the nasty polyurethane effort that came as standard, a black 'stubby' aerial and a billet aluminium oil cap - I'm a sucker for a bit of bling!

if you're interested in Primeras or own one and want to join an owners club, there's the Nissan Primera Owners Club - http://www.npoc.co.uk/

Nik Canning

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.