Nissan Primera (1990 - 1999)
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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A family-sized medium range car that's still among the best cars to drive in the sector. The sixteen-valve engines are willing and relatively quiet (though those observations can't unfortunately be made of the older diesels). Build quality is generally very good and, as you might expect from a Japanese car, equipment levels are mostly high.
Prices start at under £600 for the earliest 1990 1.6-litre L-specification four and five-door Primeras. A more typical 1992K variant would set you back around £800, while the first of the 1993 Series II cars with ABS start at under £1,000. Allow from £1,300 for 95M-registered models.
Facelifted Series III cars start at around £1,500. If you want a 2.0-litre model, prices start at £700, but more typical 1992J and 1993K cars are usually priced between £900 and £1,400. For a Series II model with ABS, pay from £1,100, while a facelifted Series III variant should cost you from around £1,500.
The potent 2.0eGT can be found from as little as £1,500 in 1992J guise, though more plentiful Series II cars start at about £1,600. Want a diesel version? Then expect to pay from around £800 if you can find a 1992 version. More typical 1993K and 1994L cars cost from £1,200 depending on trim and specification.
Estates, as a whole, will cost you a premium of at least £200 on the saloon or hatchback price regardless of which engine you choose. The comprehensively revised cars from late 1996 start at under £1,600 for a 96P 1.6 Equation 5-door hatchback. The two-litre cars begin at about £1,700 for a GX saloon with air-con.
More typical 98R prices range from £1,875 for a GX five-door to £2,050 for a two-litre SE. Diesels range from under £1,700 for a 96P GX saloon, again with air. The third generation cars from late 1999 are becoming more readily available on the used market. You might secure a 2000W plated 1.
6-litre car including air-con and anti-lock brakes for under £2,650, a big saving on the £13,820 new price.
Avoid entry-level L-specification models which didnt have standard power steering from early 1992. Also avoid non-turbocharged diesels if you can; apart from anything else, many will be ex-taxis. Bear in mind that pre-1993 Series II cars don't have ABS or side impact bars. Try for an LX as a minimum spec choice for pre-September 96 models or GX on the later cars. These variants offer central locking and all-round electric windows on the LX and include air conditioning on the GX. Special editions are plentiful but few are worth paying more than about £150 extra.
Check a standard car to see what youre gaining. Also note that first generation estates (built in Japan rather than the UK) werent replaced by a new UK model until May 1998 even though the second generation saloon and hatchback arrived in September 96. Check for ageing, smoky engines on first generation cars which are also known for out of balance wheels and faulty power windows. Trim can get a bit untidy, too.
Second generation cars are much improved with no makor niggles make all the usual checks and try to find a car with full service history. This is important as many second and third generation examples will still have some of Nissans three-year warranty left.
(approx. based on a 1995 Primera 1.6) A full exhaust will be around £275. An alternator is about £140 (exchange) and a front headlamp will be close to £90.
A radiator is around £140 and a starter motor around £100. Brake pads are £35 for the front and £30 for the rear and a full clutch assembly will be around £125
Primeras are exceptionally reliable you'd expect that from a Nissan. What might come as something of a shock is the way that the car drives. This was the first model the company produced that was genuinely satisfying to hustle around twisty roads. The suspension still puts more recent efforts to shame, while providing a smooth and comfortable ride.
Inside, the interior is easy to live with, though reversing isn't helped by thick rear pillars which obstruct your view.
One of the most sensible family buys around. It might cost you a little more than an equivalent Sierra, Mondeo, Cavalier or Vectra but it should be worth it.
