I've had the dubious pleasure of running an X-reg Primera 2.0TD E hatch for the last month, so FWIW:
Ergonomically there are a few quirks, firstly the tailgate can't be opened from the outside with the engine running (anti-hijack feature apparently! Growler - comments?) and the tailgate release button is on the dashboard directly behind the wiper stalk, so I keep operating both at the same time. Also the fuel filler flap release is a lever on the floor that looks like you should lift it, in fact you push it down a la Mondeo estate. Why they couldn't incorporate the hatch release into the same lever I do not know. Thirdly there don't appear to be enough oddment storage spaces in the cabin, but then I suppose I have a lot of oddments to carry! (Notebook, pen, phone, cigs, bottle of water, streetmap, headache pills, tapes, tissues, torch/club, receipt cards, etc etc)
The diesel engine is several years behind any of the european manufacturers, slower, noisier and thirstier, although unfortunately I don't have any experience of the petrol derivatives you have asked about.
What I *do* like about the car is its cornering ability, although I find this is at the expense of a harsh ride, which is certainly firmer than either my (base model) Skoda Octavia or my (top of range) Mondeo. Or my friend's (lowered, stiffened) Cavalier SRi. The seats are comfortable and supportive though, I find no trace of backache after 12 or more hours' driving.
Finally, from the outside they do look quite sharp, I can certainly think of less aesthetically outstanding cars.
It seems well put together, with no squeaks, rattles or broken bits of trim, but the heater fan is rather loud compared to other cars.
Overall, apart from the engine in the one I've got, the Primera seems to be at least as good as the competition, which is no bad thing.
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Oh, and the indicators do a mini version of what the new Vectra does, in that they "hang on" to the end of the current flash when they are cancelled. Which is better than flashing a minimum of three times, but still slightly annoying when you accidentally tap the lever enough to briefly make contact.
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> The diesel engine is several years behind any of the european manufacturers, slower, noisier and thirstier, although unfortunately I don't have any experience of the petrol derivatives you have asked about.
Yes, this has been the achilles heel of most Japanese manufacturers for a long time now. I think it's because the Japanese people will not buy diesel engined cars, especially as, unlike say a French car, Japanese petrol engines do last just as long as the diesel equivalents -- even a 1.0 Micra engine is capable of 250K without rebuild (the rest of the car won't take it but the engine will).
Nissan petrol engines are as good as any other on the market -- superbly reliable, quick even at low revs and quiet. Diesel engines, although still very dependable, are sluggish and noisy. I understand the new Nissan diesels will incorporate a PSA/Renault lump which is a lot more advanced (but may lose that Japanese toughness).
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The thought of Nissan being owned by Renault must have sent a few share portfolios plunging. The best Nissans were the early ones. Locally they have an inferior image to Honda/Mits/Toyota\, although I would back the old box shape Nissan Patrol against any 4WD on the planet.
But the tailgate anti-carjack feature is interesting.
It's not a bad idea but why only the tailgate? Why not all doors?
In the first place it is an interesting tacit admission that carjacking is a serious enough issue in UK (I'm presuming) to be addressed.
As one who has trained managers based in hardship locations in personal security (inc carjacking attempts) and been the butt of one attempt myself not too long ago, I'm just wondering about the value of that. Traditional carjackers (like the steal-to-order or kidnap-for-ransom charmers like we have here)will shunt your car and then get you to stop thinking it's an accident, or will assail you at gun-point at traffic lights (that's the hardest one), dress up as police at fake checkpoints, or even BE police!!, or simply box you in and run you off the road. But I never heard of anyone trying to get in the back. I suppose if they had a gun they could execute a carjack that way, but it would be difficult otherwise to take over in a confined space.
Car-jackers anyway don't operate singly as a rule but in organised teams.
For me it's perfectly simple! When I move off from a standstill all the doors on my Ford lock automatically. When I stop and switch off they unlock. I would have thought that's an obvious answer to any security issue. Or is that in fact the case with cars now and am I missing something? I don't think the two ghastly little rentals I picked up at LHR in Dec and Jan had it, though. Mind you, who'd want to steal a Punto...LOL
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We're going seriously off topic now, but Renault doors do lock automatically and even my 14-year-old has a button on the middle of the dash that lets you lock all the doors. (Just putting the button down on the door doesn't, though. I don't know if it was ever meant to.)
As for not being able to open the tailgate with the engine running - are you sure it's not just an alternative to linking it to the speedo to stop accidental opening on the motorway? I can see how it might be useful as an anti-jacking facility at the extremes, although you'd presumably want automatic door locking as well. Otherwise you'd be relying on people to lock their doors manually - and anyway, why open the tailgate if you're not getting out or giving access to someone legitimately?
I suppose it could be to prevent people from forcing the tailgate by leaning in, but even then, it seems like an extreme length to go to unless it's just an extension of an automatic door locking system.
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If you do consider one, make sure you go on a good, long drive. I find the driving position very uncomfortable (I'm 6' but have quite long legs) - I can't get the chair back far enough, and the lumber support is in totally the wrong place. The diesel is a dog no two ways about it (and I'm a diesel fan!). I also found the headlights annoying as they are vertical and catch all the rubbish off the road meaning they need to be cleaned every journey in the winter (and sometimes during as well!). From a servicing point of view the front of the engine bay appears very open, and the whole engine is covered in road grime - particularly the ABS pump which is right at the front, and also right next to the washer filler, so it gets a liberal soaking every time the washers are filled up.
I agree with DTD that it handles well - but not much better than my Xantia - and that doesn't try and shake your teeth out....
Richard
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Well I'm 6"2' with long legs and didn't have a problem... ah well! I sometimes think it has a lot to do with individual cars -- one Citroen AX I was looking at for my brother I couldn't even get into (couldn't get legs under steering wheel), another I had no problems with at all.
As for the engine bay, yeah all Nissans seem to be like that, but on the flipside it doesn't seem to affect their running and I've always found them easy to work on -- unlike some stupid back-to-front French cars!!! lol ;)
As for the firm handling, I like it that way. it instills confidence in me that I can feel the road as I drive along. Some larger Citroens I've been in (BX, Xsara estate, C5) have been wafting along, like you're bouncing on a marshmallow, and it makes me feel quite ill. Just personal opinion at the end of the day....
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Very personal thing. I;ve loved the Primeras I've driven but hated the C5 - I found that I would drift out of lane. I guess it comes down to whether ride or B-road handling is more important to you.
Never found a Primera uncomfortable.
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I think the problem here as well is we've picked two cars at opposite ends of the scale to each other -- a typical modern Jap car with an agile chassis and good handling but suspension which is set up for Japanese roads which are smoother than bowling greens, vs a typical French car which feels like your favourite old sofa and just makes you want to sit back and fall asleep in it...
Most cars are somewhere in the middle.
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