Faults:

Top timing chain tensioner, engine was running fabulously until Halfords used engine flush against my recommendations.

I hate this stuff, it drags all the crap out of the bottom of the sump and through the engine into all the oil holes.

Exhaust, original lasted 7 years, carshack replacement lasted 12 months. If you intend keeping the car buy an original.

Rear shocks getting creaky when stopping at lights.

Parts are dear, but you very rarely need any.

General Comments:

Very reliable car (touch wood), good acceleration. Fuel consumption is average.

The 1.6 SLX is a rare for Nissan multi point injection, chain driven (no cam belt to change), twin cam 16v giving over 100 bhp. I have surprised a few people at the lights with mine. The new Almeras would not pull you out of bed.

When I first got it, it was like driving on oil with the standard 175 Dunlops. I binned them and fitted 185 Goodyear Eagle NCT's and it handles excellently in the wet.

Unusually for a FWD, if it does go, only the back end slides.

Only buy Japanese built Nissans. I had a British built 2.0 Primera after 3 Sunnys and found the build quality very shabby, both cams knackered after 27,000 miles, luckily under warranty. Flogged it after 12 months and bought the SLX Sunny.

The front seats are very comfy. Full electrics. Rear legroom only good for children, I am flogging mine as my family has since expanded and I am going for a QX.

A lot of motoring magazines call Nissans boring. Is it because you never have to lift the bonnet to work on them?

Faults:

I bought this car second hand. I got it as a replacement car, when my AX was being fixed. I liked it so much I switched my AX GTi for this sporty version of the Sunny.

Battery (the original that came with the new car) broke in 2000.

Besides that nothing wrong, nothing had to be replaced!!

General Comments:

Compared to a Citroen AX GTi, this car flies!!! The engine is so powerful. Even in the lower rev-range, you still have all the revs you need. Needless to say, overtaking is not a single problem for this car.

Maybe the suspension is just a bit too stiff. Although I can imagine some people who would like this. Personally, I think it's just too stiff for me.

The car easily transports 4 grownups (it's a 3 door Sunny) and you still have room for some hand luggage.

The truck is also quite big for a 3 door car.

The only thing I can think of that might be a turn-off, would be the fact that the car is damn ugly when it isn't fitted with a back-spoiler that "lengthens" the roof. At least I think so, seeing the rear window is bent near the top.

Faults:

So far nothing has gone wrong with my new car.

Although I was a bit annoyed when trying to overtake a Ford 4x4 turbo. It was trying to match me speed for speed and managed to do so for a bit. Lucky I was turning right otherwise I would have blown it away.

I plan to get a power boost put on my car, just to make sure none of the other cars on my level take me on. Maybe I might also get an air filter K&N induction kit.

General Comments:

I recently bought a Nissan Sunny 1.6 SR which I've been meaning to get for some time now.

I had a Nissan Sunny 1.4 LS which I kitted up quite well, but it was not really doing it for me on the performance side of things, although it can be very fast at times.

I bought my new SR up in Newcastle and drove it back to my home in London. All I can say is what a test drive back home, tearing up all the other motors on the motorway.

Super power and overtaking (come and get me).

I'm just glad I didn't see my big brother the GTi-R, otherwise it would have left me for dead.

Tomorrow I plan to fit on my GTi-R bonnet and spoiler to transform my car into a GTi-R replica, but it would look even better as my SR has front fog lights and rear head rests which the GTi-R hasn't (ha, ha).