Opinions on the old Nissan Micra (98-03)?

angeltreats

It's looking likely that DH and I are going to end up working in opposite directions, meaning we'll have to buy a second car. It needs to be cheap to insure, tax and run, and as reliable as possible, and I've heard that the old Micras were virtually indestructable.

Does anyone have one, and if so what do you think of the running costs, comfort, niceness to drive etc etc?

Also, there seem to be a lot more 1.0L models around than 1.3L (although there are plenty of 1.3L automatic but I will only drive manual). I'm a bit concerned about a 1.0L being a bit sluggish and not ideal for motorways/overtaking etc. Would I be better off holding off and/or looking a bit further away from the local area to be able to find a 1.3L?

Any advice gratefully received. I'll test drive one anyway but really want to hear from people who have actually owned one/driven one on a regular basis.

edde

The 1.0 is fine nothing quick for the motorway but round town etc its fine its a light car so only at higher speeds is the hp lack any issue enought for most motorway trips its fine.
IMO I'd look at the 1.0 over the bigger 1.3 unless youintend to load the car up a lot. with weight.

Very reliabel and economical I used to get 50mpg from a 1.0 all the time which isn't far off what a bigger diesel car will get

ride is a bit soft and grip limited but its not a racy car so your not going to realy love to drive it its a reliable cheap car nothing more.

djheath

We just sold my girlfriends micra and it was very sad to see it go, It was the best car she has ever owned and I have ever worked on. It never went wrong! I just serviced it each year and apart from a cv joint boot, I didnt need to replace anything extra apart from wear and tear items. Always passed and MOT.

It's a bit slow and loud for motor way driving but is still a great car and cant be beaten I say!! Would recommend them to anyone!

photome

My dad has just sold his r reg 1.0l micra (been in family since new) never had any major issues with it and was a very reliable car, of course it was a bit slow getting to motorway speeds but fine for cruising at 70, and great round town

financequest

A very fine and economical car, my sister had one for years. However, they were a favourite for joyriders/car thieves, easy to steal. If you buy one, have a decent alarm and immobiliser fitted, and get a good quality steering wheel immobiliser. You can move these onto your next car when you next change.

cyclonebri1

The most boring, mindless thing anyone who values the flavour of motoring could buy.

banal.
too plain
very fragile
!!!!!!! ugly to boot.


But they were reliable, but so is a piece of 4 x 2 timber,

Errata

I'm on my second Micra 1.0 and I use M1 and M62 regularly with no sluggish/overtaking problems. Never had a moments trouble with either of them. They have been economical, reliable workhorses and do what it says on the tin.

cyclonebri1

Errata wrote: »

I'm on my second Micra 1.0 and I use M1 and M62 regularly with no sluggish/overtaking problems. Never had a moments trouble with either of them. They have been economical, reliable workhorses and do what it says on the tin.

Compared to what?, a 20 tonne juggernaut? Sorry but they are slow, dam slow, and absolutely sluggish. If they break, and they do, it is terminal;)

goldspanners

angeltreats wrote: »

It's looking likely that DH and I are going to end up working in opposite directions, meaning we'll have to buy a second car. It needs to be cheap to insure, tax and run, and as reliable as possible, and I've heard that the old Micras were virtually indestructable.

Does anyone have one, and if so what do you think of the running costs, comfort, niceness to drive etc etc?

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

The most boring, mindless thing anyone who values the flavour of motoring could buy.

banal.
too plain
very fragile
!!!!!!! ugly to boot.


But they were reliable, but so is a piece of 4 x 2 timber,

your right bri but looks weren't high on the list of wants.

for sensible A to B motoring then you cant go far wrong with an older shape micra. (don't touch a new shape though.

Errata

Compared to what?, a 20 tonne juggernaut?

No, compared to anything I need to overtake. Sometimes that is a vehicle with an engine twice and three times the size of mine !

angeltreats

Hm. Thanks everyone. Think I will need to test drive one on a motorway or at least a decent A road to see what I think of it.

Looks-wise I actually quite like them, and it can't be as utterly horrible to drive as our Mk II Punto is, but I'm not the most patient driver in the world and if it annoys me I might be better off with something else, maybe a Skoda.