1997 Nissan Almera GTi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

Wow, the first bad review of the Almera GTI.

This was possibly the worst car I've ever owned.

Nothing major went wrong with the car in the time I owned it, in fact the only thing I ever bought for it was a new tyre because a previous owner had put a dodgy remould on.

However, the annoying traits of this car made it such a pain to own.

The gearbox was very stiff, especially from cold, making it a pain to engage a gear. Fifth gear was hard to select no matter how long the car had been running.

The clutch was far too sensitive, leading to the 'kangarooing' effect as I call it whenever changing gear.

There was an annoying 'click' every time the clutch was dipped.

In the short time I owned the car, the front tyre wear was ballistic.

Insurance is too high for a car of its appearance and ability. I've driven cars that look / handle and perform better than this car that are in group 7 as opposed to 14...

The seating position is absolutely rubbish as there is not enough control over the driver's seat position.

Absolutely unbelievable fuel consumption: the worst I got was 190 miles on 30 pounds' worth of petrol.

Unless you were driving fast, it felt like it was knackered...

Disastrous fitting of the original Nissan bodykit.

Other road users looking at you with pity; you can imagine them saying "poor b*****d, he's got an Almera"

I seemed to be forever defending my Almera among people who laugh at them and think they're crap...!!! But they didn't listen, and though they were rubbish.

All of the above are common Almera traits according to the Almera Owners' Club.

Terrible secondhand values. These are rare cars' because they actually go for under book because no one wants them. It took me ages to sell mine. And it was a two owner, FSH, 49K mint example..

Apart from that it was a reliable car and reasonably quick, but don't let people fool you, this is not the quickest 2.0 16v out there by a long, long way, and it's also not the best handling despite the strut braces...

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not an Almera-hater. When I see a GTI on the road I still have fond memories... but I'm glad you're driving it and not me!!!

Your comments seem a bit harsh. True you have found all the common problem traits. My gearbox has 70k on the clock and is silky smooth with regular oil changes, and i`ve fixed the clicky clutch pedal. My tyre wear isn`t too bad.. with good tyres and i`ve got 42mpg out of mine... about 27mpg at worst round town. You buy diesels for economy not 2.0 petrols!

True it looks bland... but the thieves walk straight past it.

Poor residuals yes.. but cheap to buy in first place so you shouldn`t loose out.

Jerky.. again yes, but mainly when cold, but with carefull use of the clutch no problem at all.

It is fast and does handle very well, MUCH better than say a 2.0 16v golf.

I know your are entitled to your opinions though and respect this.

Hi and thanks for your comment about my review.

I appreciate your comments, but when I get into my car I just want to drive. I don't want to worry about how gentle I have to be with the clutch etc, and I definatley don't want to have the gearbox oil changed on a regular basis.

I have driven and in fact owned much more refined, faster and definatley more economical 2.0 16v cars in my time, lets just say that I was a little upset at the SR20DE. I would have thaught that Nissan would have made a much more powerfull engine given its fuel consumption.

To sum it all up id like to say this. I would probably have another Almera GTI, but only as a weekend car. Its far to hard work, cumbersome and un-comfortable as an every day car.

You obviously need driving lessons mate.

How can you not use the clutch properly.

All respect to this comment.

These traits could annoy an owner. The car is an acquired taste although I'm Very happy with mine.

One thing to bare in mind is to get tire tracking checked.

I would do this on any second hand car.

My almera had initial tyre wear, tracking re-aligned and three years later tyre wear is fine.

I have to agree owning an almera is hard work in the last year I have blown the bottom end, then put a new bottom end in. three weeks l8r the hydraulic liffters started rattling then a power steering leak then the ecu went haywire so I decided to buy another engine and had it chipped, kent cams, skimmed head ported and polished uprated bottom end with stronger crank and bigger shells and bearings induction kit power flow exhaust and power boost valve its now pushing over 210 bhp and I must say this car is now extemly quick and loves to be redlined I would never sell this car no matter how much it costs me.

Its not to everyones taste...agreed, but in the hands of a `good` experienced driver its true qualities shine through. I wouldn`t have kept mine 3.5 years if it was cr*p!

Taking mine on the track soon...can`t wait to annoy all those bigger engined more expensive cars!

I have previously owned a Mk2 Golf GTi 16V and enjoyed that car for 4 years. This is regraded as an all time classic hot hatch.

I now own a last of the line Almera GTi. The Golf felt faster and had better handling, and came with better brakes. BUT the Almera is not a bad car. I only bought the Almera after some thorough research, and this resulted in a shortlist of 2 cars: Almera GTi and 306 GTi-6. Although the GTi-6 was the first choice, I would have ended up paying double for a 306, and I did not feel that the 306 was twice the car the Almera was. In fact, Performance Car rated the Almera the 3rd best hot hatch in a group test of thirteen (306 1st, 106 Gti 2nd) and What Car? tested the Almera as faster to 100mph than a 306 Rallye in another test! Top Gear Magazine tested the Almera on a race track and said the car had excellent handling. The main criticism of the Almera is always it's looks (in and out) so the car is not for posers.

People may laugh at the Nissan badge, but the same people have respect when they hear Skyline (and yes, the same engineers that developed the Skyine helped develop the Almera GTi). Go figure.

I own a 306 Gti-6 and I've gotta say that I've never driven an Almera GTI before, but I'm sure a gti-6 is a lot more comfortable, nicer handling and quicker than an Almera.

That's my opinion.

Will.

Will, how can you comment if you've never driven one?

As for Pug ownership, I've been in plenty of 306s and myself have owned a number of 205 GTis. Very fast and fun cars, but at the end of the day French build quality is pap. I'm always wondering what is about to start rattling next or go pop, although the AA card will probably get me out of any sticky situations. I've got an Mi16 in my 205, and although it's had no problems in 6000 miles, I'm sure it will probably have a few annoying recurring mechanicals as time goes on.

I drove a 1.4 base model Almera about 2 years ago, and for its size and engine it was a very quick and nippy car. Also very comfy and with the creature comforts (PAS, aircon etc) above my 205 GTi. I am considering getting an Almera GTi and am test driving one on Friday this week, since my job now means I drive 67 miles per day and mileage like that will kill a Pug in no time.

As for the Almera, this is the first negative review I have really found, and they seem to be niggling little issues that are insignificant compared to every other review there is. Consensus is: learn to use a clutch...

Will, on paper the GTi-6 may have more horses, but run it under the exact conditions as an Almera GTi and I would almost put money on it lasting longer, less potential of it being nicked (Pugs are so easy to get into with no damage it's ridiculous) and being safer in a crash.

My mind will be made up when I test drive this potential new car of mine, but I have no doubts it will be a cracking drive based on how good the base model Almera was compared to other manufacturers' base model variants, and how 9 reviews out of 10 say how underrated it is.

Iv owned my almera gti for 8months now touch wood nothings gone wrong they have a great rep umong true enthusiasts and mechanics for being a reliable car if looked after by servicing, it isn't a animal compared to new 2ltrs ie civics focus rs'it has 150bhp standard and after 30mph its basically a 106gti - vts up to 130no1 can deny that, it is faster than a golf gti as I've played with a few my self, I bought the car for its reliability/performance as this was a lot more of a good decision than getting a vts/106 for performance/reliability.

I love the looks of mine, lowered sitting on 18 metallic blue in colour with full body kit I think it looks good can't see how its any more boring looking than a vts they just look like a girls car nothing beefy about em, get the gti body kit and it looks good in my view from front and sides (obviously everyone has there own taste) either way for performance/costs/reliability I doubt theres many cars that are gonna be a better choice.

QUOTE ""The worst car I have owned...??"

What things have gone wrong with the car? Nothing."

Does the above make sense?

The worst car I have owned had a lot more than nothing go wrong with it.

If you ask any engineer what is the best approach to achieve reliability and focus they will tell tou "keep it simple" which as any owner will tell you the Almera GTi is.

If you want a car for posing in and not driving don't buy a one. If you want a reliable car you can drive to work all week then take to the track on the odd weekends and have a bloody good laugh buy an Almera GTI. If you are a crap driver don't blame the car.

'However, the annoying traits of this car made it such a pain to own'.

If nothing went wrong with the car, I assume all the 'annoying traits' were there when you bought it. So if its that bad why did you buy it?

How can people complain/moan about their car, if it was like that when they bought it?... Its their own fault!!!

I quote:

"Insurance is too high for a car of its appearance and ability. I've driven cars that look / handle and perform better than this car that are in group 7 as aposed to 14..."

WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!!! name these cars please, I am intrigued...

Just bought one, and what an understated car! Sure on the outside it looks very bland, but put your foot down and what a noise that engine makes! I knew the SR20 was fast, but this has a lot of torque to make it feel quicker. Mine has just hit 110k, gearbox is fine, brakes are solid, although the clutch is a bit jerky when you first start driving. Very nice handling, I absolutely love it!

To Will, and anyone else, who made the ASSUMPTION that a 306 Gti-6 is quicker than an Almera GTi, please follow the link: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/downloads/carmotorcycleperformancecharts1.htm

and then find the 1/4 mile time for Almera GTi and compare it with 306 GTi-6 (and a 306 Rallye if you can be bothered). This isn't the only review I've read that records an Almera GTi as faster.

Don't get me wrong, a 306 Gti/Rallye is probably a better drivers car than an Almera GTi, but it ain't worth double IMHO (the point I was clearly making), especially if you include criteria like reliability and fuel consumption. Anyhow, if you buy a 306 GTi-6, and drive it hard, prepare to spend money, coz it will go wrong (it's French).