Nissan Almera

CliffyBiro · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:08

Hey guys.

Today, I have been offered my parents 2000 1.4 Nissan Almera Equation for £1000. This is because they were already thinking of selling it and getting a Mondeo (my suggestion by the way after hearing good things on here

) and I'm not a big fan of my Saxo.

Looking at the likes of AutoTrader, I should be able to sell the Saxo for £1000 so it will be pretty much a straight swap leaving me neither out of pocket, or up on the change. Insurance also seems to be virtually the same. The only thing likely to change is how much I spend on petrol. Personally, I like the Almera over the Saxo for two reasons:

1. There is room for my big feet, meaning I can wear something other than my narrow Puma's when driving.

2. The gear stick is in a more comfortable position.

The only down side is that there is some damage to the passenger side wing where some numpty has hit it with something while walking past it one night leaving it badly dented and quite a bit of paint has come off.

So my question to you is: Would you pay £1000 for a 2000 Almera?

Not the one in question, but same colour, 3dr etc.

PermaBanned · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:21

My Mam had a Saxo, it was a great little car. It's your decision though, if there's not much in it then is it really worth changing? Still, really just depends on your opinions. What do you prefer driving, and which is cheaper to run?

paradigm · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:28

I'd rather have the saxo, at least it's fun to chuck about. The almera is just plain dull.

Just keep saving for a proper upgrade.

Fr0dders · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:30

nevermind.

paradigm · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:33

MrLOL said:
id guess this will be your first car ?

your first car will always be crap anyway. Better the devil you know and if its been serviced and well looked after and been reliable then thats all you want from a first car.

If he already owns a saxo, how will replacing it with an almera make it his first car? :confused:

Fr0dders · 13 Dec 2009 at 14:35

misread the post completely.

Thought you were suggesting a saxo as an alternative. Nevermind.

Nick1881 · 13 Dec 2009 at 16:08

I don't like the colour and yes they are boring looking but its a big step up from a Saxo.

They are also pretty reliable and generally last for ever.

paradigm · 13 Dec 2009 at 16:13

mr_x_plosion said:
its a big step up from a Saxo.

In what way? Assuming he has a 1.1 saxo, he is gaining 300cc's of engine capacity, but gaining a shed load of weight, so there will be no performance increase of which to speak. It's a dull drive, so the essence of driving, the feedback, the involvement, the chuckability, the superb (for its class) handling will all be lost. You lose the quirky French interior, but gain a mass of snooze inducing japanese 90's tat, built from the same scratch plastics as the french car, but without the styling, it will rattle less though.

I'd see it as more of a sideways step than an upgrade. The ONLY upside is the size increase, but given what must be sacraficed, I'd not necessarily see that as a benefit. It's not even like he will gain the practicality of 5 doors.

GT3 · 13 Dec 2009 at 16:13

Sounds a horrific deal. My mate only a grand for a 2000-V plate 2 litre GTI Almera and that must have been 4 years ago now!

paradigm said:
In what way? Assuming he has a 1.1 saxo, he is gaining 300cc's of engine capacity, but gaining a shed load of weight, so there will be no performance increase of which to speak. It's a dull drive, so the essence of driving, the feedback, the involvement, the chuckability, the superb (for its class) handling will all be lost. You lose the quirky French interior, but gain a mass of snooze inducing japanese 90's tat, built from the same scratch plastics as the french car, but without the styling, it will rattle less though.

I'd see it as more of a sideways step than an upgrade. The ONLY upside is the size increase, but given what must be sacraficed, I'd not necessarily see that as a benefit.

If it's a 1.1, anythings a step up really. They drive nothing like a vtr/s, shocking bodyroll, no grip, crap brakes, worse seats, 60 bhp and most have absolutely nothing inside and horrible full solid plastic doorcards with no trim. I had one for a bit, oh lord it was bad.

Tinders · 13 Dec 2009 at 16:16

Not a great deal for the Almera tbh.Not a worthy swap, its a nicer car inside the Almera, but the Saxo is a more enjoyable car to drive.

danza · 13 Dec 2009 at 17:26

No deal IMO. It would be even worse if it was the newer version. If you can get £1k for your Saxo, then do. Buy something that's actually an okay car, not an Almera just because it's available.

That is unless your parents will be hugely offended if you turn it down.

CliffyBiro · 13 Dec 2009 at 17:30

Ah, OK guys, thanks.

Weird as an Almera was actually suggested my a few on here when I was looking for my first car.

I get around · 13 Dec 2009 at 17:37

£500 for it maybe.

I wouldn't have a saxo for the reputation of it though, so i'd be looking to replace it with whatever i could.

Nick1881 · 13 Dec 2009 at 18:20

paradigm said:
In what way? Assuming he has a 1.1 saxo, he is gaining 300cc's of engine capacity, but gaining a shed load of weight, so there will be no performance increase of which to speak. It's a dull drive, so the essence of driving, the feedback, the involvement, the chuckability, the superb (for its class) handling will all be lost. You lose the quirky French interior, but gain a mass of snooze inducing japanese 90's tat, built from the same scratch plastics as the french car, but without the styling, it will rattle less though.

I'd see it as more of a sideways step than an upgrade. The ONLY upside is the size increase, but given what must be sacraficed, I'd not necessarily see that as a benefit. It's not even like he will gain the practicality of 5 doors.

He doesn't have a VTR or VTS.

The Almera might be boring but its built well, reliable and in my eyes has a better status than a Saxo.

kieranv · 13 Dec 2009 at 18:27

Almeras are fantastic first cars, I've had 2 1.4 si's. A grand for one is too much, I got my current one for 450 in pretty good condition. As far as them not being as fun as saxos that's a load of balls. Having driven a friends vts id say it was marginally better in handling and speed but nothing major and certainly doesn't make the Saxo a better car with all its flaws. Anyhoo, almeras area cheap, relaible and fun. What more can you want? But don't pay a grand for it, 650 - 700 at most.

MagicBoy · 13 Dec 2009 at 18:29

No.

The Nissan Almera has to be the nastiest car I ever had the misfortune to drive, and that was a top of the range 1.6. A poverty spec 1.4 can't be any less tedious.

At least the Saxo is a bit of fun to chuck around.

GT3 · 13 Dec 2009 at 19:08

kieranv said:
Having driven a friends vts id say it was marginally better in handling and speed but nothing major and certainly doesn't make the Saxo a better car with all its flaws.

PMSL Don't be daft.

iaind · 13 Dec 2009 at 19:17

kieranv said:
Having driven a friends vts id say it was marginally better in handling and speed but nothing major and certainly doesn't make the Saxo a better car with all its flaws.

ROFLcopter.

The Saxo is a horrible car in almost every way, I'd rather have herpes and walk to work than own one, but handling is the one thing they have going for them.

Almeras have nothing whatsoever going for them

PermaBanned · 13 Dec 2009 at 19:19

What's with all the Saxo hate? It, like most small cars, is a joy to throw around. Sure, it's no 205 but it's a decent little car...

kieranv · 13 Dec 2009 at 19:20

To be fair mine does have a few suspension mods and good tyres but I'm not kidding when I say there wasn't much difference.