Nissan Almera Hatchback (1995 - 2000) 1.4 Activ 5d (1997/R) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I don't care about having a new car - I want something practical and reliable.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Not much.

Would you buy this car again and why?

If Nissan still made the Almera I would seriously consider it.

What are you likely to buy next?

I have my eyes on a 2004 Almera Tino.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£550

When did you buy the car?

August 2009

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I'd worked for a Nissan dealership when these came out and always fancied one - I knew how reliable they were and this was for sale locally and at a very good price.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

I'm not going to deny that the 1.4 petrol engine struggles on hills - it's a large 5-door hatch and can feel underpowered at times. Other than that, it holds motorway speeds with no problems and handles quite happily on winding country roads. It's just really comfy - I can't stress that enough.

What's it like to park?

The rear bumpers protrude quite a bit and can easily be caught. Other than that, the visibility is pretty darn good.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Required welding on both sills. Fan only works on full blast. Rev counter works sporadically. Rear washer jet no longer functions. Central locking occasionally engages while you're in the car. Light rusting in certain areas (particularly around "drip" zone under door mirrors). Replaced clutch cable after gear change became notchy.

What's most practical about your car?

It's the old Almera cliche - the space! Though we have no kids, we do attend lots of events which require us to carry bulky boxes - the load space and width is superb. The driving seat and position are amazingly comfortable, the visibility is great and it's really quite cheap to maintain.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Air con. Electronically-adjustable door mirrors.