Nissan Primera 2.0 LX Diesel Hatchback

Hi. I have owned a Primera for the last 4 years and now have just turned 111k miles on it and it drives, starts and sounds exactly like the day I bought it. Never let me down once. I've used it loaded to the gunnels with stuff many times to bring goods for my business from Manchester to Glasgow. I don't care what it looks like. As far as I am concerned, a lot of people drive cars that are a lot worse looking than mine.

Why people would rather spend their money on a slightly smaller but newer car is beyond me. You tell me what looks better, 6 people crammed into a Fiesta or a Primera? I have lost count of the number of times I have thanked God that I have a CAR THIS SIZE. I hope people keep bad mouthing the Primera because it means that their values are much less and I can afford a much newer model. Just wish they would bring out the new common rail or high pressure diesel engine out quick. Word is that it will 2003 before it comes here! Best bonus of this car is that it has a timing chain so no costly replacement belts and no more extortionate bent valves!!!!

I have driven a number of Primeras, all with a 1.6l engine and it is simply put the best handling car I've driven. Incidentally this is in comparison to a Mk1 MR2 (which was great).

The P. simply flies around with no fuss, involving you in all that it does. I cannot explain I simply want to drive it more and more and more......

What I have never understood is the reference to a dull looking car. Yes it is about as bland as you can get, that's not the problem. The problem I have is all the other people in the world who seem to think it looks bland compared with a Cavalier or worst still, a Mondeo.

The 1st incarnation of the Ford Mundano was, quite simply, THERE. No more. The Primera was also THERE in the looks dept.

The Mondeo was hailed as a great handling car. WHAT!?? I've driven quite a few of those too, and it is sooooo boring boring boring. The steering wheel is attached to the rest of the car with treacle and the wheels have no grip. One sponges along the road trying to stay awake.

Primera-best kept secret in years. Wonderful car with typically Japanese style...none.

Andrew Horne
Bangor, N.Wales.

Jay Singh <ikang@cableinet.co.uk>

I too own a Primera, and have to say what a fantastic car it is. I've now done over 180,000 miles and I'm still getting 43-50mpg out of my 2.litre diesel.

I'm a student who purchased this car in 1998 with 82,000 and all I have done is part time mini-cabbing which is worse on the car, and my only expenses to date are service costs at private garage @ 6000 miles, Timing Belt, water pump and lastly indicator buzzer.

Not bad for a car that's done over 100,000 in the last 26 months. That diesel just keeps turning. The only snag is at 122mph ( Yes on a straight diesel, it will do it ) it sits on 4,400rpm in fifth and you can't rev any more. Not that I want to do any more as I generally keep it at 60mph. Economy wise it's fantastic although doing 227 motorway @ 60mph gives 50mpg (painstaking 4 hours) and coming back @ 115mph + gives about 24 mpg (gasperating 1hour 45 mins).