Nissan Almera 1.5 SE

Never again will I buy one of theses. I drove 10 ton trucks that

Cost less to run fuel wise. Could not adjust the fan heater while the

Radio was on. On winter morning school runs the heater would just start

To work as I returned home, thats after 4 miles of drivng.

Pulls to the left,had the tracking done a month later its pulling

To the left again. Never again.

great small family car. we are just about to trade in for another car that bigger for the needs of our growing family. The nissan almera is a seriously underated car. I've never had any major problems, only general wear and tear that you'd expect. if you're considering buying one then i can't recommend it highly enough, great car.

AVOID THE NISSAN ALMERA! AVOID ANCASTER GARAGES.

I am astonished that this car is so highly rated. I bought a low mileage Nissan Almera from a reputable local car dealer and had nothing but problems with, mainly sensor and electrical ones that cost a fortune, as an example each cylinder has an individual high voltage coil pack that will set you back nearly £80 if it goes wrong.

I also had the misfortune of having to deal with the local Nissan main dealer Ancaster Garages, Bromley, Croydon and Penge when having a full service done, the fiasco of them trying to solve an engine management problem, they were the only people who had the necessary diagnostic equipment supposedly and to buy massively expensive parts. Their shoddy work cost me £100s.

And to cap it, as you try and solve and engine problem, the dealers love to goad you with the prospect that it could be the result of the very expensive inherent design floor of this model, the timing belt, which costs £800 and upwards to replace. If you're buying this car make sure that that the timing belt is right because it's going to be cheaper for a lot of owners to scrap second hand Almeras than replace that belt.

When the car did drive it was good to drive, a little noisy at speed, definitely thristy but the problems I had really overshadowed my ownership of this car. I was really glad recently to see the back of it.

Oveall good, for Nissan Almera after 2001 model you get free headlight box replacement from Nissan dealers as being faulty. For people bought second hand Nissan like me, this piece of information is like a treat.

After having an Almera 1.5 SE, I will be buying Nissan again! It is reliable, spacious, has an excellent MPG and all the extras and safety features you could want. It is a little slow to get going when fully laden, but once going extremely comfortable at speed.

This car is extremely reliable, and practical, with a well laid out instrument panel, with a wealth of extras including CD player, air conditioning, electric mirrors, all round electric windows. I like the little extras like the sunglass holder, four airbags, active headrest. Excellent fuel economy delivering 350 miles per tank in-town rising to 450 on motorways.

Altogether it is a smooth, reliable car, and would highly recommend for anyone without a bottomless pocket.

The Nissan Almera 1.5SE is a lot of car for your money. Comfort and safety equipment are standard in abundance. ABS, CD Player, multiple front and side airbags, active head rests, electric windows, velour seats, four reading lamps, heated electric mirrors, air conditioning etc are all standard and very nice.

Few cars at this price offer such features, let alone the realiabilty and longevity of a Nissan.

However, the car is by no means 21st century modern. It is very much a tarted up mid 1990's hatchback. The exterior is far better built than the interior, which feels distinctly cheap although relatively attractive by class standards.

The first indicator of the aging design will be the gearbox, which is surpassed by the lovely unit in the Ford Focus (which I have also had company with and dislike in comparison to the Nissan). 1st and 2nd are virtually useless, with the car more at home in 3rd and 4th. 5th is awkward to select smoothly.

The 1.5litre petrol engine is good although too weak for the weight of the car and is exceptionally lacking in low down torque. Acceleration is poor and hills are a pain to go up.

The clutch is tiring to use and the car is very awkward to judge in proximity to the kerb for some unknown reason. Grip is reassuringly good while steering is positive with the exception of the car's reluctance to want to turn in large ratios. The Almera loves centrifugal force and obides by it to the fullest extent.

The ride is unsettled. Neither tailored to sport nor comfort, it feels choppy and makes the car horrid over speed bumps and across Britain's endless pot holes. ABS assisted all round disc brakes are very strong and responsive.

Costs are good for fuel and parts if not sourced by Nissan. 8,000mile interval servicing at dealers is over £240, for something which you can do or have somebody else do for less than £50. Wiper blades are £5-8, oil filter £7, air filter £6, set of 4 spark plugs £5, brake pad sets £23, SO DON'T GO TO NISSAN.

As a 22year old male in London, insurance is well over £2000! This is horrendous, so make sure you can afford to run it before opting for a bargain car.

Overall the Almera SE is very likeable despite some drawbacks predominately because it is a very cheap and dependable means of transport (insurance excluded). It offers all you could want at an unbeatable price and will last you many decades if well looked after. The Ford Focus does not and costs a lot more.

buy for: VALUE, RELIABILTY, EQUIPMENT, LONG-TERM

don't buy for: PRESTIGE, IMAGE, DRIVING EXPERIENCE