My cars being finished off by Jabba & I needed a car this week so I had to rent, I asked for a Focus or Equivalent, all they had was an Almera.

Now Ive had a few low spec Fabia curtosy cars & thought they were a tadge basic but at least they had a bit of character & were fun

This Nissan is JUST HORRID, Im actually trying to find reasons not to use it. I had a Nissan Stanza years ago that was forced on me by a company & hated it, it seems that the run of the mill Nissans havent improved, strange how one car can be so characterless yet the 350z (OK Its a sports car) can have so much character & be a joy to drive.

Ah well Roll on Saturday when I collect the Octy

yet the 350z (OK Its a sports car) can have so much character & be a joy to drive.

It's an Audi TT rip off in my opinion. I wonder when the Japanese are going to design THIER OWN sports car without just copying everyone elses designs ?

It's an Audi TT rip off in my opinion. I wonder when the Japanese are going to design THIER OWN sports car without just copying everyone elses designs ?

I was sceptical until I drove one on the track, it really is a rewarding car to drive, its not quite a TT being rear wheel drive & was V6 from the begining, something Audi added later.

If you ever get a chance try one, even with the traction control off the slides are really predictable & controlable.

My cars being finished off by Jabba & I needed a car this week so I had to rent' date=' I asked for a Focus or Equivalent, all they had was an Almera.

[/quote']

:eek: .....at least my Celica is fairly enjoyable to drive but still not a patch on my Octy.

So you should be able to make the mini meet on the 16/03?

Almera GTI was very much a good car... quite light, revvy 2.0 16v engine, great handling (strut braces were standard). A mid 90's equivalent to a mk2 Golf GTI 16v apparently. Pity they were hideously ugly.

I had a Nissan Micra as a courtesy car a couple of months ago, it truly was terrible to drive. Acceleration non existent, handling was awful and it was so uncomfortable ! At first I thought I was being unfair (I currently have a TT and my last car was an Octy vRS), but then I hired a Hyundai Getz on holiday. It was nippy, handled reasonably well and was comfy even on a 4 hour journey. I just can't believe anybody in their right mind would buy a Micra when they could get a Fabia, or a Getz, or whatever instead for the same (or less) money.

However I do like the 350Z, looks good and drives well. It probably drives better than the TT in fact, certainly in the dry. They could have done better with the interior IMHO, and I know which one I'd rather live with on a daily basis.

I have had an Almera GTi, Sunny GTi and Primera GT (Still have that one) and they are great cars. Cant speak for the basic models but those three all have the SR20DE engine and are great. quick and great handling. Only bad things are they look a bit like bread vans and the interior is very plasticy.

But when u look at the price of them they are excellent.

I bought the primera for

I They could have done better with the interior IMHO, and I know which one I'd rather live with on a daily basis.

Aye.....I think Nissan were trying to recreate the 280z from the late 70s early 80s....well the interior is certainly that. IMHO....very poor for a

Not sure on the Almera, but Mum's new 05 Micra is pretty good. Sure its not sporty, but it's functional and goes OK. (for a 1.2)

Sorry Jason I just can't accept that a Micra is "good" ! I can honestly say it's the worst car I have ever driven.

One of my mates had a Primera GT and he raved about it. But the only Primeras I've been in were clapped out minicabs so probably best I don't pass judgement.

Sorry Jason I just can't accept that a Micra is "good" ! I can honestly say it's the worst car I have ever driven.

I respect that view - I'd hate if I had to drive it, but for my dear Mum, learning to drive at the age of 50something its pretty good. Good visual space all round, tight turning circle, goes well enough for her (not for me ) and the auto box seems ok. Bits like remote locking, CD player, leccy windows are a bonus.

It kinda depends what you want. Second hand they're cheap as chips, cheap to run, full of toys and absolutely indestructible. They're not the nicest looking and the interiors are very plasticky. But inside and outside are very well built, practically rust proof and they dont rattle after a week.

The lower spec models are never gonna be a great drive. But how many people would say a basic fabia or octavia is a great drive. If you go for the decent models they are xcellent to drive

I

Well

Managed to persuade Wendy to let me use her Octy today as I had to go a tadge further than her & she had the Nissan Alcrapmera for the local runs, thankfully it goes back tomorrow.

Lady Elanor, agree your comments on the 350Z, trying my mates on the track again next week, first time since it was twin turboed, a mere 420 bhp now

Well

Managed to persuade Wendy to let me use her Octy today as I had to go a tadge further than her & she had the Nissan Alcrapmera for the local runs' date=' thankfully it goes back tomorrow.

Lady Elanor, agree your comments on the 350Z, trying my mates on the track again next week, first time since it was twin turboed, a mere 420 bhp now[/quote']

420 bhp!!!!! My God!!! Don

another anti-almera fan here, got a hire one today as my octavia which was stolen recovered is back at the repair shop for various items .

i must say its horrible, really dated interior, awkward control stalks and i cant for the life of me figure out the combined radio/heating setup.

the build quality/materials are brutal and i couldnt believe its an 05 model and another thing is the headlights are cr@p- dont go any distance at all, which all explains why they cant give them away here(ireland).in fact (dont know if its the same in britain)if you buy one this year 06 ,they will replace it with an 07 free of charge- just to shift a few.

420 bhp!!!!! My God!!! Don

I downgraded from my Octy vRS to a 2001 Almera Sport +. At first I thought what a pile....but to be honest its got a fairly pokey yet economical 1.8 engine that OK only knocks out about 120bhp or so....however its got a fairly substantial kit, non OTT roof spoiler and is a good colour and is group 7 insurance.

Fair point the interior is a bit crappy compared to the interior of my other 3 Skodas as is engine noise....but after three months, some new TSW wheels an induction kit and some new number plates it still goes to shows and cruises and recieves a better reception than my vRS ever did surprisingly!

However...I could imagine the lower spec models to be bad

Horses for courses. Luv my Furby vRS, but have also enjoyed driving my wife's 1.0 Yaris and now 1.2 Micra but for different reasons. Driving a much lower powered car makes you think and plan ahead more rather than just blasting your way out of (or into!) trouble and probably improves your driving awareness. Had the most basic 54bhp Classic Furby as a courtesy car last Sep - still found it fun and managed to overtake a couple of times. Certainly made you realise really what a fat boy the vRS is!