BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 A while ago now i posted about a Primera i was going to buy and it being Cat B, since then i have bought a house and had some other financial issues But im now in the position to buy again I have about 800 quid to spend and considering thier current value i should get a half decent one hopefully I have heard a few good things about them but im after more info from my learned friends on here please Or if you like other suggestions for the same money or less, it has to be big enough to go camping in as the whole reason for buying one is so we dont have to cram everything in a 206 for a week away and secondly so i dont just go out and buy another 205 All opinions welcome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boombang 2 Posted April 30, 2010 Xsara VTS is another option, although only ever heard good things about the Primeras. Both suffer from massive image issues mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul_13 212 1 Cars Posted April 30, 2010 There's a VTS for sale in Marlow near me, £1500 67k on clock. Light blue looks mint, probably owned by a granma. If you go through Marlow and head towards Stokenchurch it's on the left before you go up the big hill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue_haddock 2 Posted April 30, 2010 if you get a primera you can go out mini-cabbing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul_13 212 1 Cars Posted April 30, 2010 What reg you looking at? My grandad has a Primera 51 plate, been good apart from window mechanism braking (but look at 306's!) and a constant knocking/flapping noise from front suspension which he has tried to get fixed many times but no luck. Been like it since he got it. Been faultless otherwise. Did have an annoying problem with the rear seat uprights, they kept shuffling to the side and making a clonking noise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue_haddock 2 Posted April 30, 2010 and if you are looking for a project the SR20DET from the 200sx drops in very easily...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 Yeah because im really good at getting engine transplants done kev!! beer, barbecue and Mi remember Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastairh 47 Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) Good cars. I have owned a couple. I sold my second to a very good mate of mine and still clocks up 35+ mpg on a daily basis and i still own my original. Just like any cars, there are down points / weak areas. The Primera being the gear box (typical Nissan..). But good second hand / rebuilt gear boxes are plenty available. Keep an eye out for rust being Jap also. They are fairly capable cars though. A well balanced chassis and once the engine is wound up you can expect to hastle modern warm/hot hatches. Opt for the hatchback over the saloon. Not only do they look better but they are a million times more practical! Al Edited April 30, 2010 by Alastairh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 Good to hear Im looking at P11 GTs and im yet to see a saloon one but i have seen plenty of rust! Should i be worried about mileages above 120K? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,000 Posted April 30, 2010 Yup, very underrated cars - it was me that suggested Al looked at one, and I don't think that he's looked back since Comfortable, quick, handle well, largely reliable and pretty well equiped (for their age) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 The things ive heard are nothing but positive Good reliablity, good handling, punchy engine I suppose the only negatives ive heard are rust on bootlid and rear arches, bad for stonechips and ABS faults Anything else i should be looking out for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) Good point! Matt Neals team dynamics replica here i come! NOT! http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...%26tbs%3Disch:1 Edited April 30, 2010 by BusEngineer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveW 6 Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) I wish i got one rather than my mk2 mondeo now Edited April 30, 2010 by DaveW Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 Thats my thinking, i could buy an ST24 for similar money but the Q car aspect of the Nissan is pulling me towards it If i could get an ST24 estate without a squillion miles on for the money though id probably be swung! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveW 6 Posted April 30, 2010 ST24 is good car but when they go wrong its a nightmare to work on... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) Im sure they are, too many stories of head gasket failure for my liking! A primera that looks and goes like the one below will do http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...a_BTCC_1999.jpg For 800 quid!!! haha Edited April 30, 2010 by BusEngineer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickie 3 Posted April 30, 2010 http://touringcarspares.com/part_list.php?cat=carbon here is the splitter to start you off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feb 47 Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) I haven't driven one but I remember reading in car magazines back in the mid 90's, they were one of the best in their class. Edited April 30, 2010 by feb Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BusEngineer 7 Posted May 1, 2010 http://touringcarspares.com/part_list.php?cat=carbon here is the splitter to start you off Very nice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars Posted May 1, 2010 Out of all the road going versions of the BTCC cars from that era only one came close to having the handling of the BTTC car. The 405 Mi16. Well, according to Top Gear anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Popshot 0 Posted May 2, 2010 I had a Mk1 eGT. Excellent handling for a FWD and a nice revvy motor. Given it was 8 years old when owned I was surprised to see everything worked including the ABS which to that point was a novelty for me as almost every other 8 YO car I'd owned had at least something not functioning correctly. They often sound like a bag of spanners for a couple of seconds from a cold start. It's not at all unusual or anything to worry about so long as it's just a couple of seconds until the hydraulic tappets pump up. I never got more than 25mpg out of mine on local running though I regularly used the performance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites