Dear Back Room
I own a 96 2.0 Primera auto saloon . I would like some advice regarding the more recent models.
How does the 1.8 compare to the 2.0?
Are any of later models CVT?. I understand this should be avoided.
I am looking for longevity, reliability and low running costs. I would probably looking for a 4-6 year old auto estate
Where is the best place to look, is this age group too old/risky for auctions.
All advice gratefuly received.
Best wishes
John
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John
As you can tell from my name, I have a Primera hatch, which is a 2000 SE+ petrol.
Can't really comment on differences between engine sizes and the CVT transmission, just on my car and where I bought it from.
I know a lot of people don't like the looks of the Primera, but personally I think it looks very purposeful at the front, although the rear doesn't look so good. But the advantage of the Primera is that, because they are under-rated, they are cheap. Mine is quite quick and rewarding to drive. It certainly encourages fast driving (dare I say a little speeding!)
The SE+ has a great spec - full leather, climate, 6CD autochanger, alloys.
I bought mine 7 months ago for £5,600. I know it's lost a lot of value since, but I bought from a main dealer (Martins Nissan of Winchester - assume I am allowed to name them because I am being complimentary!) because I wanted to be sure to get a car in good condition - which it was because I made them service it, change tyres, pads, discs etc all as part of the price. The alloys tend to corrode, so I also got them to swap the wheels for those on another car they were trying to sell.
In the circumstances, I don't think that was a bad price. I think the trick is to keep an eye on the stock lists for a while. When the cars get stuck on the forecourt, they do drop the price quite a lot to get rid of them.
I guess what I am saying is don't rule out going to a main dealer and getting the added reassurance they provide. If you wait for those cars which aren't otherwise selling, you can get a bargain.
I personally like driving an under-rated car with such a great spec. So far, the car has been very reliable - no problems at all apart from the odd squeak and rattle, which I guess you have to accept on a 5 year old car. It feels like it should last a long time. I get 36 mpg which isn't great but could be worse. I have just had a quote from Martins for a major service at £245 which again I don't think is too bad (because it is the biggest service they do at 54K).
Best of luck in your search.
Peter
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Assuming you are looking for a P11-144 model (the '99-on facelift) then these are great cars, the 2.0i engine is excellent and will easily run for 250k miles if it has regular oil changes. These cars are easy to service too.
Avoid the CVT (in fact avoid *any* CVT).
A decent 'straight' car will handle very well indeed and feel 'tight' - they're a nice car to drive.
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HJ,Primera Man and Aprilia thanks for the helpful advice.
I have searched auto trader for the 2.0i and came away a little confused and surprised by the results
1. there were only 22 in the search results
2. some cost three times more than a car two years older
Where should I be looking for a 99 onwards 2.0i. Are auctions out of the question. How much should I pay.
Regards
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Remember that the range was facelifted (fairly majorly in fact)again in 2002 (see the car-by-car breakdown). There aren't many P11-144's around (they were only in production for 3 years) and the most common I have seen has been the 1.8 S
It may be that the cars you saw that were 2 years newer and more expensive were the revamped models from 02-onwards.
Nissan dealers can be seriously over-priced. I have a 1.8S and would have preferred a 2.0 but these were mainly held by dealers and I wasn't prepared to pay the premium prices commanded by them (I don't like spending money on cars). As an example, a local main Nissan dealer to me (in the NW of England) had a Y reg 1.8S with 44k-ish on the clock for £5495. Now that to me is about £1500 over top-book, if not more.
Far too expensive. I was only looking at it to see what the panel gaps were like so I could line the bonnet up on mine correctly....
How much should you pay ?
As little as possible of course. Primera's depreciate like falling masonry so this should be reflected in the asking price.
You can get the P11-144 for under £3k in a private sale. Just make sure any Primera you think about buying hasn't been minicabbed into oblivion.
I have a 1.8S which has had some front damage, and, if fixed up properly would be worth about £3000, maybe a little more ? once done.
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Cheers Gingereous One
Aprilia how do rate the you rate the 1.8 against the 2.0i. Is it worth pursuing the 2.0i into the 2002 and later range.
I am an infrequent poster but I am always impressed and humbled by the breadth and depth of knowledge and willingness to help displayed in the Back Room
John
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The SR20DE engine ran until 2002. The 2002-on 2.0i is a different engine design. Probably a very good engine, but as yet relatively unproven. The SR20DE has proved capable of being tuned to massive power outputs without problem, and has covered 500k miles in taxis!
Personally I wouldn't bother with the 1.8 engine. Fuel economy similar to the 2.0i but a bit less power. You might as well go for the extra 200cc's.
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Earlier on today i saw a new shape Primera estate and it looked a hell of a lot better than the hatchback version
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I think the new shape Primera looks less attractive than the old one. Also, the dashboard is weird, with the main instruments in the centre.
I accept this is all a matter of taste, but I think lots of people would agree with me, given the rate at which Primeras depreciate.
Also, I thought I read somewhere that Nissan are due to stop making the Primera, presumably because there is not enough demand and they have to discount them so much. I believe they are going to concentrate on the niche markets - X-Trail, Murano etc.
A pity, really, as my old shape Primera is great to drive and, so far, very reliable, if a little prone to squeaks!
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I do agree with you there - the older one may have been a bit dull to look at but i could live with an old shape one (especially a GT) but the new one just looks so wrong.
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