The OP is looking at a 2003 car, so won't be affected by timing chain stretch problems (which was a metallurgy problem on 2000/2001 cars IIRC). I believe it only affected some 1.5 litre engines. Clue is the MIL light coming on with 'cam sensor' error code - new sensor doesn't cure the problem.
If you can, then go for the 1.8, not much difference in economy but useful extra power.
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Aprilia
I think that Nissan would like people to believe that it was just a limited "metallurgical" problem. [Didn't stop them washing their hands of it! Remember the sensor "recall" whitewash?]
Feedback comments, directly from the workshop floor, would suggest differently.....
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This has come up before.
I've Googled the info in a number of differennt ways, read hundreds of user reviews on this car and looked at the reliability surveys which emphatically do not put the car in the bargepole category.
So, if anyone could point me towards an independent, detailed report on this problem I'd be very grateful as I have looked seriously at this car a number of times, having owned a 1.6 Sunny for some years with zero problems.
Screwloose is presenting this fault as something even more widespread than the K-series HG problem, so where is the evidence?
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Reliability index ... car scored 3.18, the lowest in entire survey
What Car and every other mag scores reliability very highly
Parkers gives it 4.5/5 for reliability
Nothing mentioned on What Car user reviews about the problem.
Or Carsurvey.org
Or PeachOrLemon.co.uk
Or Honest John
Or Parkers
Google shows up nothing.
Two local mechanics say the engines are the best in the business, only Honda bettering them.
Screwloose clearly knows something others don't.
Screwloose kindly throw me a bone here.
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This is annoying me now, I can't find a damn thing on this alleged epidemic of Nissan engine failures.
Either there is a conspiracy of silence at the major reviewing outlets, or Screwloose is wrong.
I don't believe in conspiracy theories, and if SL is the same SL over at Parkers then the SL is wrong hypothesis can't be the case.
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jase1
Thanks for the kind words. I've been at this game too many decades to ever claim infallibilty where cars are concerned! However it can't be just me and my local dealer who sees all these failures; [tiny rural dealer's direct quote "done dozens."]
I [try] and answer questions on half-a-dozen various car problems forums and this comes up at least once a week; see just one:- [not even one of mine.]
www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6610.0.html
And yes; I have done an '03 plate one - two days after it came out of a household-name dealership with a £300 bill for two sensors and a comment of "we've no idea what it could be."
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jase1 Thanks for the kind words. I've been at this game too many decades to ever claim infallibilty where cars are concerned! However it can't be just me and my local dealer who sees all these failures; [tiny rural dealer's direct quote "done dozens."] I [try] and answer questions on half-a-dozen various car problems forums and this comes up at least once a week; see just one:- [not even one of mine.] www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6610.0.html And yes; I have done an '03 plate one - two days after it came out of a household-name dealership with a £300 bill for two sensors and a comment of "we've no idea what it could be."
I don't think anyone is denying that there has been a problem with some of these 1.5 litre engines. If I was buying one then I would certainly check for timing chain problems and possibly look at the tensioner protrusion. I haven't heard of any post-2002 cars with this problem.
I really don't think the sensor recall was a 'whitewash' - there were problems with sensors on several engine variants. If the cam chain has stretched then replacing the sensor doesn't 'cover up' the problem, the MIL light will still come on so no-one would be fooled.
BTW - the 2003 car you mention would have been under Nissan warranty so sensors and/or cam chain should have been fixed for free by the dealer.
Having siad all the above, I would try to find a 1.8 model - better engine, better performance, similar economy to 1.5.....
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Aprilia
Just to clarify; the '03-plate one had been having the usual symptoms for a while and had been, IMHO, "fobbed-off" until it's 63,000 mileage took it out of warranty.
On reflection, maybe "smokescreen" would have been a better term than "whitewash." I still don't agree with changing pairs of sensors on recalls to simply delay the inevitable day when the root cause of the fault has to be addressed.
By that time, it must [or should] have been apparent that it was variances in sensor synchronicity, not failed sensors, that was causing the sensor codes.
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jase1 Thanks for the kind words. I've been at this game too many decades to ever claim infallibilty where cars are concerned! However it can't be just me and my local dealer who sees all these failures; [tiny rural dealer's direct quote "done dozens."] I [try] and answer questions on half-a-dozen various car problems forums and this comes up at least once a week; see just one:- [not even one of mine.] www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6610.0.html And yes; I have done an '03 plate one - two days after it came out of a household-name dealership with a £300 bill for two sensors and a comment of "we've no idea what it could be."
Lordy.
The more I read about horror stories on new cars -- even from bulletproof makes like Nissan -- the more I think I should just stick with the humble 1.3 Hyundai I have now which has given no trouble so far.
I was put off the Primera due to potential reliability problems. The Almera looked interesting because I could get a 1-year-old example from Motorpoint for around £3000 plus the Hyundai (probably getting most of this £3000 back after 3 years in a private sale as well).
Are there any reliable cars any more?
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I wouldn't worry much about timing chain scaremongering, it's sorted, done and dusted ages ago.
Driven plenty of Almeras and currently own my third N16 Almera and the only problems they suffer from, as far as I can see, are minor "sunday shift in factory" issues - such as headlamps loosing focus and reflection because plastic injection points are not cleaned up properly after moulding and once heated by halogen bulb they basically melt changing shape of a mirror surface they're attached to. Or snapped bits securing centre console shelf or radio surround to the dashboard that rattle slightly at idle. Little things every car assembled in British factories usually suffers from.
Mechanically they are built like tanks - inside and outside - one look at the rear suspension and it's clear it was designed to go on any pothole ridden country path between Uzbekhistan to Spain. Bulletproof engines, and, speaking from experience after two accidents - believe me, unbelievably sturdy body around them too.
Besides that Almera also suffers from terrible dealership chains. Poverty sales and low internet prices make them do stupid things, so you have to keep your eyes open. I had my car returned after service with nets missing in the boot, rubber bootliner "accidentaly" removed (what were they looking for in the boot I'll never know). I was charged for full service and yet oil filter still had clearly months old rust around it. Stuff like that. And of course, all that now is at Renault service prices - you pay top bananas, you get monkeys. ;)
Almeras don't have to be slow or . I have 136bhp diesel version and it does 0-60 in respectable 8.9 seconds with massive torque delievered to traction control secured front wheels. Standard equipment includes climate control, colour screen, sat nav and full Sport Appearance Pack. That's faster and better specced than VW Golf GT TDI and at almost exactly half price of one too. And it's the kind of car thiefs don't steal and joyriders don't burn.
Choosing one make sure none of the plastic trims or stereo surroundings are loose, headlamp beam is sharp and straight, carpet in the boot is not soggy (they have carton underneath, if it gets wet it gets soft like a rag), rear clusters are not misty (again, quality control issue - some of the holes in clusters are clogged by plastic and they get misty after rain) and that the both speedo dials and tacho/clock LCD is lit evenly with headlamps on. It's one hell of a job to get those tiny bulbs replaced and if one is not inserted properly at factory.
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Dad's company (he's self-employed lol) runs a 55-Nissan Almera 1.5 S 5dr, on hire for £30/week (10,000 mile/year deal).
It's certainly well-built, adequately spacious (not as big inside as my Focus), and fairly refined. It's not quick, and it's certainly not exciting, but if this doesn't matter then it's a fine value car. The SE-spec and higher are notably better equipped, however...
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The motor industry is historically littered with cars that were underated due to image/fashion reasons, eg VX Omega, Nissan Bluebird, Last Ford Granada etc, and as such are a bargain if you are not a badge snob. I definately think the Almera is one of these cars, as when it came out the advertising 'tag-line' was "the car they dont want you to drive", and as such people didnt !
So go on get yourself a bargain !
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If its not essential to have an Almera now, why not wait until March 1st when '06' plate comes out with resultant knock-on effects of values of older cars!
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We have a 54 plate 1.8 SE Auto.
Excellent car - nice to drive, and with loads of power when you kick down the accelerator. Well built and very reliable, like most Nissans, though parts are expensive when you need them.
I'd definitely go for the 1.8; fuel economy seems to be about 10% worse than the 1.5, but you get a lot more than 10% extra power.
The only irritating feature is the lack of a light on the glove compartment; what were they thinking?
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If its not essential to have an Almera now, why not wait until March 1st when '06' plate comes out with resultant knock-on effects of values of older cars!
As the new Amera is inflicted with many major Renault components I suspect the knock-on effect will be to enhance the value of the outgoing model!
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Frightening, I've just bought a 1.5 Flare because I thought they seemed a remarkably cheap car. I've just done a search on Auto Trader, and decided I paid too much!
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