Nissan Micra - Beware

goldspanners

lincroft1710 wrote: »

I see both 20yr old plus Citroen Dyane and 2CV around town. A Renault 11 I once owned was still on the road at 15 yrs old. Plenty of 10 yr old plus Fiat Puntos still around.

not too much to go wrong with the 2cvs! and the guy with the renault 11 must have stripped the electrics out and started again,they were terrible.

Inactive

I agree with the comments of the OP, Nissans were far better before they got tangled up with Renault.

balsingh

Inactive wrote: »

I agree with the comments of the OP, Nissans were far better before they got tangled up with Renault.

BUT have Renaults got better since they got 'tangled' up with Nissan?

photome

t8769 wrote: »

>The previous Micra wasn't a japanese car either, it was built in Sunderland >as is the current model.

>The current Micra chassis was developed with Renault, not bought in from >them and the only Renault engine used in it is the diesel.


Yes, it was built in sunderland, but to Japanese specs. It was a car of extraordinay quality. I can see old Micras everywhere I go, many of them 10, 15 or 20 years old

How many Italian or French cars do you see of that age.. few. But old Nissan and VWs can be seen everywhere you go.

The Sunderlaond plant produced these for years, but Nissan is no longer run on Japanese standards, I think its boss is French.

I was told by the mechanics at Nissan that many of the parts are Renault, and that my petrol engine was a Renault. Something like going to dine at the Ritz and finding out the cook nipped out to Macdonalds to get the food.

I have read many horror stories on this site. Yes, the sensors have a reputation for failing on the Micra. My door lock died after 9k. My radio died at 8k, my wing mirror fell apart at 7k, and other problems followed.

I had a 15 year old Nissan, there was not a single thing wrong with it, exept the transmition, apart from that, it was basically the same condition as the day it lef the factory.

A friend of mine was driving an 18 year old Micra, until it finally gave way, she drove that every day for 4 yeras without any serious problems.

I keep hearing about people with newish Micras putting in new steering columns, timing chains and now sensors.


I'm just warning people, stay away from this junk, get yourself a good quality car from a good brand, and don't make the mistake I made, in thinking that this was the Nissan of old.

Personally, I think Nissan are commiting business suicide. They spent 20 years building up a reputation, and in a few short years, will trash it. Something Toyota, Honda, VW, or even Ford would not do.

I'm looking to sell this and get something good, but until then its fingers crossed.

Happy driving!

The old shape (bubble shape) are reliable, but you havent seen a 20 year old one as they were only launched in 1993!

Is yours the current shape, I thought they were only released very recently ?

BillScarab

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Honda Jazz is built in China, Honda Civic is built in Swindon and I think the old Suzuki Swift was built in Hungary. I see both 20yr old plus Citroen Dyane and 2CV around town. A Renault 11 I once owned was still on the road at 15 yrs old. Plenty of 10 yr old plus Fiat Puntos still around.

Not sure about the old Swifts but the current model is deifnately built in Hungary.

cyclonebri1

The old Micra engines were throw away units, they only used a 3 bearing crank and if there was ever an issue with the valve timing not only did the head cop it, but the crank bent as well. Result - new engine required. Quite a common problem at the time.:eek:

pulliptears

At the end of the day, some people will have fabulous experiences with a make, some wont.

I had a hell of a time with a 94 Punto, head gasket blew up in the end at 39,000 miles. Wouldnt touch another fiat with a bargepole. Thats not to say there arent folk out there happily driving 15 year old punto's that have never had a problem.

Ive been pretty hassle free with a 99 clio, but again Ive heard people say they wouldnt touch them.

t8769

>Thats not to say there arent folk out there happily driving 15 year old punto's that have never had a problem.


Yes, but they're few in number.


Taking a walk around my local area, I can see dozens of Honda, Nissan, Volvo, Toyota, VW cars that are 15 - 20 years old. I'd be hard pushed to find many British, Italian or French cars of that age... though there are some around.

I know one chap who's still driving his old Nissan Micra at 150k, its still going strong.

I'm not sure what happened to Nissan. I assume its not where a car is made, by who by. I'd trust a BMW made in Africa, over a Peugot made in France.


I hope that my email, (and those from others) reporting horror stories with this model, prevents others from making the same mistake, in thinking they were getting a quality Japanese car, and ending up with a piece of French junk.

I can't fully describe the awful quality of the car, from the poor design, the cheapness of the parts, the flimsy construction to its terrible reputation for mechanical failure. Its sad to see a quality car company go down like this, but such is life.


Happy motoring!

Idiophreak

t8769 wrote: »

>
I know one chap who's still driving his old Nissan Micra at 150k, its still going strong.

Not sure this is the right turn of phrase...don't think I've ever seen a Micra going strong, new, old or otherwise...

Did you mean to say "I know one chap who's still driving his old Nissan Micra at 150k, it's still going slowly" ?

Inactive

balsingh wrote: »

BUT have Renaults got better since they got 'tangled' up with Nissan?

No they always were and still are carp.

They just ruined Nissan.