1997 Nissan Primera GT from UK and Ireland - Comments

Leather seat side bolsters wearing on drivers side.

Having always owned "hot hatches" I was pleasantly surprised to discover how sporty this car is. The handling too is also superb and compares well to my previous car (Renault Clio 1.8 16 valve)

Where it really excels though is on the motorway, I have quite easily kept pace with Subaru Imprezza turbo's and Honda Civic type R's. Know wonder Nissan won the British Touring car championship with this car!

I take it that your unhappy rating was a mistake. I also find it amazing that you could keep up with an Impreza turbo. They have over 100 bhp extra on tap as standard. Strange.

In responce to your comment standard Subaru Imprezas only have around 50-60 bhp more than the Primera, so on the motorway top speed is down to gearing. I do admit that on twisty roads the impreza is king.

For four glorious years, I owned a 1999 Nissan Primers 2.0 SRi which was supposed to have 20 HP less than the GT, but personally, I found very little to choose between them. My SRi would thrash all, but the fastest M3 and M5 BMW's on a winding road, and even a friend's full rally spec. Impreza couldn't shake me off. On European motorways, it would cruise all day at 125 MPH with loads to spare.

Why the hell Nissan chose not to carry on with the proper development of this car I will never know. Instead, they went on to produce very mediocre machines which have seen many thousands of buyers go elsewhere for their kicks. That could be down to the French influence, and if so, they should be shot a dawn for spoiling a great marque. How could anyone other than a buffoon take a car that was so right, develop it, and produce one that was so wrong?

My Primera was nothing, but fun to drive. It was also comfortable, reliable, roomy, and economical. Some say the car has bland styling, but with front fogs, stylish alloys, and rear spoiler, my SRi in shining silver looked absolutely great.

In choosing my 2.0 litre SRi's replacement, I made a massive mistake. I listened to the garbage spouted by so-called professional motoring journalists, and opted for a brand new Ford Focus C-Max 1.8 Zetec which has proven to be an absolute dog of a thing in reality. I hate that bag of crap so much, I feel like throwing a lit match into the petrol tank. After 15 months of bitter regret, I am now buying its replacement - a new Mazda 3 series 2.0 litre Sport saloon in the hope it will put the fun back into my driving - the fun I once had with my beloved Primera. That car was just phenominal, and I miss it dearly.

Tad, Cambridge UK.

I had a p10 e.g.t on a L reg slightly faster than the newer models e.g p11 gt there is a possibility of beating an imprezza turbo on a motor may turbo dosent last for ever if ur bouh going down the motor way at letsay 100mph in 5th gear a egt/gt/sri would easily pull away greatest car I ever had.

I sold mine & when wanted it back a guy put it through the railings on the motor way the japanese geniuses.