1999 Nissan Micra Si from UK and Ireland - Comments

The ECU failed and left the car stranded at 2000 miles. The radio code was not supplied and the car spent a day off the road to sort this out. It has been constantly returned to the dealer for poor fuel consumption (worst 28mpg, best 34mpg)which remains unsorted after 6 months use.

Rather lack-lustre performance - but then it's only 1.0 litre. The road holding is poor for a modern car being rather 'nervous' and prone to understeer. The petrol consumption is AWFUL for a car of this size and the dealer seems uninterested after having made the sale.

I have had three 1.0 litre micras and the fuel consumption with all of them has averaged 56 miles to the gallon on long runs and 45 miles to the gallon on short runs. If anyone says that their car does less than this, then they should modify their driving habits.

We unfortunately owned a Nissan Micra once, it was a complete LEMON it was obviously built on either a Monday or a Friday.

The car had suffered from a whole host of problems -oil leaks, clutch faults, and faulty suspension, my local dealer knew me by first name terms, I have never been so glad to get rid of a car, even though it cost me dearly.

Myself and a friend who owned a Micra also found the fuel economy rather poor.

I'm just getting rid of my micra, which has done 90000 miles (1.3 N-Reg). The engine is very well built and would go on for another 20000 miles. However, the body/chasis is gradually being shaken to bits by London's potholes and speed bumps.

Apart from the noddy styling it's an excellent supermini and can get over 400 miles on a tank when driving at a steady 55 mph. To get low fuel consumption you must have got a Friday/Monday car - or it hasn't been serviced on a regular basis.

I've owned my 1998 Micra 1.3GX for 2 years now and find it to be very reliable apart from replacing the rear brake cylinders (not bad for 45,000 miles).

However, I find the fuel consumption very poor for a car of this size. I used to drive 40 miles to work each way with 24 miles being motorway and got an average of 42mpg - that's with driving below 60mph in the slow lane!!! With mixed city (off peak few traffic jams) /open road driving it averages 35mpg when driven within the ped limits. I used to get 32 mpg out of my 16valve GTI and 40mpg out of my Mk1 GTI which were driven hard, I also know people who own 2 ltr cars that get similar mpg as the micra!!

I now drive the car hard and get 32 mpg, I am considering selling it to get getting a bigger car that returns similar mpg, but with power and comfort.

You should have bought a second hand VW Lupo instead.

I've had my Nissan Micra from new and have NEVER had any problems with it. I think it's a great little car and fantastic on fuel consumption. I don't know what everyone is complaining about. Saying that I do look after the car and get it serviced at least every 12 months.

We have 2 Micras our L reg 1.3 (from new 10 yrs) and a new (apr 2002) 1.3. Both automatic and PAS.

I used to have a large Merc 380SE, but could never park it in London! the wife's Micra always parked easily... we paid extra for power steering which was v. unusual 10 yrs ago, but worth it.

I now drive the 10 yr old car with no problems and 70K on the clock. One or 2 warranty claims... can't remember what nothing serious.

The new one (wifes) gives only c30-35 mpg which is not great I know and subjectively seems less than the old one.

6500 miles in 14 months. I've just upgraded to a Becker radio (£600 but free from my old Mercedes) and fab Infinity speakers.

I like them... anonymous, large inside and easy to park. I am 54... if I was a single raver would I impress in my micra?... DISCUSS.

Crash tests? yes I know there are safer cars.

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My mate owns a purple Micra. Yes, you read that right, "purple!" It is easily the ugliset car I have ever seen with the exception of the Suzuki Alto! Another beast!!

I have had a brilliant run from my (Australian) 1996 (purchased new) 1.3 litre K11/manual.

There have been nil mechanical problems in the 220,000km's I have done in the car. Engine still uses no oil between services and gearbox is still quiet.

There are a few squeaks and rattles starting now, but I enjoy my car so much I intend to get a 2nd for spares.

Fuel economy varies between 42-48mpg. I have managed 600km's from a single tank of fuel.

Mike.

I bought an M-reg 1.3LX, the only complaints I have is with the dealership, the car has been perfect. Solid, sound, and rock solid reliability. 55mpg has been improved on by adding an Ecotek Valve, as has performance.

I was also involved in a high-speed crash resulting in the car spinning and crashing off road. I was very lucky, and the parts and repair were very cheap. The body shop did a superb job on it. Regular oil changes and services have kept this car going, and I haven’t got the budget to take it into a Nissan dealership despite buying it from one.

Any problems in drivability or performance, is likely down to poor maintenance, the wrong type of HT leads, cheap spark plugs, or at worse the throttle body.

My fiancé, has just bought her first Micra, K-reg 1.0 L. Superb little car, solid underneath, 45-50mpg, and has just developed it’s first fault. Which, is the throttle body, parts do eventually wear, and with in a day or two I’ll have her back on the road. Bad Micra’s are rare, despite hearing about them, if you’re worried or in need of advice try this superb site I came across, www.micra.org.uk.

My '95 1.0 has consistently given around 50mpg, even with far-from-ideal circumstances. Just keep tyre pressures at 36F/33R, and change oil every 3K miles, air filter (genuine Nissan) at 15K. No problems at all!

I've had a 99 R reg 1.0 equation for 4 years got it with 32,000 on it and its at 55,800 now and I love it, its easy to park fun to drive and I like the looks of it. Only things needed changing on it has been the brake pads and tyres. the only thing I hate about it is the woeful mpg it struggles to get over 200-250 miles on a full tank and this is mixed miles not just town stuff the car is service every year and I only do about 5000 miles. Oh and it doesn't seem to like it when you put the petrol in as the fuel pumps click off ervery few seconds so it take ages to fill it. Thinking of getting a new shape one, but I'm not sure.

I bought my wife a 1998 ex-Japanese K11 March, 1.0 auto. It is a nice little car, and, with only 18,000 kms on the clock as I type, it is in as-new condition. However I'm not so sure about the handling having now driven it on some twisty roads, and the fuel consumption is awful for a car of this size. I've had it checked out and nothing wrong can be found, but for whatever reason the car barely cracks 30mpg. Granted it does almost exclusively city driving, and is an auto, but shouldn't it still be better?

I got super s model, it is a sportier look version of the 1.0 ltr, no problems with it wat so ever well did have to change the battery once.

I purchased a 1995 micra on Jan 2000. Its now Feb 2007 and the wee things still going.

It gets its yearly service. When I bought it there was 35000 on the clock now I have nearly 103000.

Recently it let me down for the first time - the fuel pump needed replacing and for a car of this age I went to the scrapyard - I had to take 20 micra's apart to find the correct fuel pump. (Mine is 1300cc).

I get just over 300 miles to the tank which is not great. I can park this supermini anywhere.

However I do not like the shape of the new micra - so as I am considering changing - I may just have to go with another older shaped model.

Great Car if well looked after.