Nissan Primera?

[Az]

Is the Nissan Primera a good car? How is the fuel economy + other features? I'm asking because recently I've seen so many advertisements on Autolanka, HitAd etc. and the prices range from 2M to 2.2M and was wondering why the market value was a bit low for such a car. Thoughts?

[Ripper]

Is the Nissan Primera a good car? How is the fuel economy + other features? I'm asking because recently I've seen so many advertisements on Autolanka, HitAd etc. and the prices range from 2M to 2.2M and was wondering why the market value was a bit low for such a car. Thoughts?

it's a bloody good car IMO

I'd say it's a very good car for the money when you look at what the car is offering when compared to other cars in the same price bracket...

the price is low cos it's a 2000cc, parts are supposedly a bit pricey and some are scared of the CVT box cos if not well looked after once that goes kaput you need a lot of moolah to get a new box cos to my knowledge CVT boxes can't be "fixed"

considering present fuel prices and lotsa people focusing more and more on fuel economy than anything else... maybe the biggest single reason might be the 2000cc factor

[L board]

The maintenance is quite expensive from what I heard recently from an owner. I met him at the garage when I took my vehicle for a repair. Some rear suspension related arms have bushes which have electronically controlled oil within them. When the oil from these bushes leaks due to wear and tear, you have to replace the entire arm rather than the individual bushes and these are quite costly it seems. That is just one example. I was told that the fuel consumption is not too bad for a 2000cc. It does about 7.5km/l in city. Apparently the car has loads of features to offer and a real value for money as long as you can afford the maintenance aspects.

[VVTi]

it's a bloody good car IMO

I'd say it's a very good car for the money when you look at what the car is offering when compared to other cars in the same price bracket...

the price is low cos it's a 2000cc, parts are supposedly a bit pricey and some are scared of the CVT box cos if not well looked after once that goes kaput you need a lot of moolah to get a new box cos to my knowledge CVT boxes can't be "fixed"

considering present fuel prices and lotsa people focusing more and more on fuel economy than anything else... maybe the biggest single reason might be the 2000cc factor

IT IS a good car. I have a P11 (1997) and I have had no major issues with it. Not sure about the P12. Too much gizmos for my liking. The P11 is a great run-about with plenty of power, features and economy. besides parts are freely available, though a tad expensive. Idiot proof as well... any idiot can fix it!

[Jayathu]

I was told that the fuel consumption is not too bad for a 2000cc. It does about 7.5km/l in city.

How about the fuel consumption for an 1.8l version...

[Ripper]

How about the fuel consumption for an 1.8l version...

oops... looking at the market prices the initial poster was using i assumed this was about P12

Lboard.

yep...P12, V35 etc all have that suspension issue... I think it got little to do with the car and a lot to do with our roads...

If i'm to go for a P12 my main concern would be the CVT box... Suspension is something you have to deal with if you're going for a car that can boast a bit about it's "handling" abilities

one of my buddy sold his p12 sometime ago and he had very few mechanical issues... but maybe that was an exception and he looks after his cars very well

[VVTi]

How about the fuel consumption for an 1.8l version...

The P11 manages 9.5 with a bit or sensible driving habits... The SR20 engine can take a beating yet purr like a kitten. Especially if it's a manual.

[Jayathu]

The P11 manages 9.5 with a bit or sensible driving habits... The SR20 engine can take a beating yet purr like a kitten. Especially if it's a manual.

You mean in the cities, right. It is quite a reasonable value I should say. Overall the P11 looks like a very good car for its value.

[milindu]

We have a '96 P11 Camino Auto which I used from around '99.

There is a big difference between the 1.8 which feels more like a Bluebird or a Pulsar and the 2.0 which comes with the SR20DE engine.

The Caminos come with the body kit, sport seats, leather wrapped wheel/ gear stick and most importantly the Nurburgring tuned sports suspension. Its like the GT spec found in the Euro market.

Autos do about 7km/l while the manuals (we also had a '99 B'New spec SR20DE manual) do about 9km.

Our cars have been reliable with no major problems over the last 8 or 9 years of regular use. Its not Nissan Sunny cheap to maintain but its in another league when it comes to smiles.

I would say its a great buy for someone looking for a quick and enjoyable car with the not so high used car prices.

The P12 is a comfy but a tad thirsty and not that cheap to maintain. A Cefiro A33 will give you similar levels of comfort and fuel figures at a fraction of the price. A Toyota Grande Mark II GX 100 will also be worth considering if fuel and comfort are big concerns. Looks a bit aged now though.

[ash]

HP11 styling and looks are absolutely good and better than the HP12 I would say and the handling as well. HP12 has more power than the HP11 though slightly heavier than the 11. The 12 I’ve got is a manual and the 11 was a multitronic CVT. I’ve only had couple of mechanical repairs with the P11 with its stay with me for 1.5 years, and touchwood not a single repair with the 12 yet. Interior looks great in both with sports fabrics leather wrapped steering and gear knobs and more.

My HP11 did 7-8 (I’ve a heavier foot) and extremely good on outstations in the 6th gear could do 12+ and doing around 8 in the HP12 in city.

If you ask me the question which one I like best… The answer is P11. Great styling, great handling ++ Then comes the HP 12 with more power, 6 speed with 10k RPM. Really good interior and newer generation.

If you wanna go for a P12, go for a manual and in P11 go for either manual or a multitronic. Don’t worry abt the CVT if you can change your CVT oil in time and if you don’t really abuse the car. & if you can always go for the HP’s since they’ve got oomph.

Both great cars all around.

[Jayathu]

We have a '96 P11 Camino Auto which I used from around '99.

There is a big difference between the 1.8 which feels more like a Bluebird or a Pulsar and the 2.0 which comes with the SR20DE engine.

The Caminos come with the body kit, sport seats, leather wrapped wheel/ gear stick and most importantly the Nurburgring tuned sports suspension. Its like the GT spec found in the Euro market.

Autos do about 7km/l while the manuals (we also had a '99 B'New spec SR20DE manual) do about 9km.

Our cars have been reliable with no major problems over the last 8 or 9 years of regular use. Its not Nissan Sunny cheap to maintain but its in another league when it comes to smiles.

I would say its a great buy for someone looking for a quick and enjoyable car with the not so high used car prices.

The P12 is a comfy but a tad thirsty and not that cheap to maintain. A Cefiro A33 will give you similar levels of comfort and fuel figures at a fraction of the price. A Toyota Grande Mark II GX 100 will also be worth considering if fuel and comfort are big concerns. Looks a bit aged now though.

Thanks for the first hand info on the Primeras.. I am big fan of the Primera Camino and seriously considering getting one as my first car next month. What would be a reasonable value for a 2.0 manual or an auto? I can dispense about 1.4Mn for the car...

[Ripper]

Thanks for the first hand info on the Primeras.. I am big fan of the Primera Camino and seriously considering getting one as my first car next month. What would be a reasonable value for a 2.0 manual or an auto? I can dispense about 1.4Mn for the car...

camonos do go for quite low these days due to the 2ltr issue mainly and not being a sunny or corolla factor...

about an year ago when i was hinting for a car a 301- camino in kandy went for a shocking 10.5... I narrowly missed out on the deal and ended up with a corolla

[Jayathu]

camonos do go for quite low these days due to the 2ltr issue mainly and not being a sunny or corolla factor...

about an year ago when i was hinting for a car a 301- camino in kandy went for a shocking 10.5... I narrowly missed out on the deal and ended up with a corolla

Hope you could explain what you meant by the 2ltr issue. Believe it is the high fuel consumption... If it does at least 8kmpl it is good enough for me... Wouldn't a 2ltr Camino do something in that range and would it be worthwhile to go for a 1.8l one due to the better fuel efficiency forgetting about the SR20 engine advantage????

[Supra_Natural]

Hope you could explain what you meant by the 2ltr issue. Believe it is the high fuel consumption... If it does at least 8kmpl it is good enough for me... Wouldn't a 2ltr Camino do something in that range and would it be worthwhile to go for a 1.8l one due to the better fuel efficiency forgetting about the SR20 engine advantage????

The "2ltr Issue" is the perception in Sril Lanka that large capacity vehicles are horrible on fuel, therefore engines bigger than around 1.8l on everyday cars are looked upon as a negative issue, with attendant effect on value...

there was a 301- camino with a manual box that was up for sale on the AL classifieds. 301- 0303 if i remember correctly, was originally used within A*W....

here's the ad

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=7314

[Jayathu]

The "2ltr Issue" is the perception in Sril Lanka that large capacity vehicles are horrible on fuel, therefore engines bigger than around 1.8l on everyday cars are looked upon as a negative issue, with attendant effect on value...

there was a 301- camino with a manual box that was up for sale on the AL classifieds. 301- 0303 if i remember correctly, was originally used within A*W....

here's the ad

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=7314

I like the word "perception" since it means it is not quite true... Except that, are there any other issues related to the 2ltr engine..?? from what the above posters have claimed I gather that the 2ltr one will do around 7-9kmpl which is good enough for me..

I also happened to notice that AL ad and was quite interested in it. Hope it will stay unsold for one more month until I round up my finances...

Value your advice before I make the final decision as I would be travelling about 8-9kms per day to work. (from Nugegoda to Union Place). So I expect at least 8kmpl on my car...

[Ripper]

I like the word "perception" since it means it is not quite true... Except that, are there any other issues related to the 2ltr engine..?? from what the above posters have claimed I gather that the 2ltr one will do around 7-9kmpl which is good enough for me..

I also happened to notice that AL ad and was quite interested in it. Hope it will stay unsold for one more month until I round up my finances...

Value your advice before I make the final decision as I would be travelling about 8-9kms per day to work. (from Nugegoda to Union Place). So I expect at least 8kmpl on my car...

supra has nailed the 2ltr issue...

lotsa folks i know are under the impression that 2000cc means it's going to guzzle gas,,,

not necessarily the case

one of my uncle's got a older corona 1.5ltr that's barely doing 8kmpl

[Arc Angel]

The "2ltr Issue" is the perception in Sril Lanka that large capacity vehicles are horrible on fuel, therefore engines bigger than around 1.8l on everyday cars are looked upon as a negative issue, with attendant effect on value...

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=7314

very true. It's suprising how much mileage 2ltr's are capable of giving when driven somewhat less-abusively.

[Jayathu]

very true. It's suprising how much mileage 2ltr's are capable of giving when driven somewhat less-abusively.

Also heard that cars above 1.8l are categorised as luxury and there are aditional taxes to be payed...

Is that info correct and if so what sort of a tax am I looking at...?

[ash]

Also heard that cars above 1.8l are categorised as luxury and there are aditional taxes to be payed...

Is that info correct and if so what sort of a tax am I looking at...?

You'll have to pay a semi luxury tax for the 1801-2000 to category. Starts with Rs. 25,000/- annually decreasing by Rs.5,000/- goes up to 7 years....

ie-

1st year Rs.25,000/-

2nd year Rs.22,500/-

3rd year Rs.20,000/-

4th year Rs.17,500/-

5th year Rs.15,000/-

6th year Rs.12500/-

7th year Rs.10,000/-

And for late payments there's a penalty of 50%

Normally a petrol car with 1800cc has 1798cc in the book (I guess) so there's a greater chance a 1800cc car could avoid this tax bracket. And most probably the tax payment for the mentioned car must be over by now.

[Jayathu]

You'll have to pay a semi luxury tax for the 1801-2000 to category. Starts with Rs. 25,000/- annually decreasing by Rs.5,000/- goes up to 7 years....

ie-

1st year Rs.25,000/-

2nd year Rs.22,500/-

3rd year Rs.20,000/-

4th year Rs.17,500/-

5th year Rs.15,000/-

6th year Rs.12500/-

7th year Rs.10,000/-

And for late payments there's a penalty of 50%

Normally a petrol car with 1800cc has 1798cc in the book (I guess) so there's a greater chance a 1800cc car could avoid this tax bracket. And most probably the tax payment for the mentioned car must be over by now.

Thanks for the clarification Ash. Since most of the P11s are more than 7 years old, I guess this tax must have been paid off by now..

[nira74]

You'll have to pay a semi luxury tax for the 1801-2000 to category. Starts with Rs. 25,000/- annually decreasing by Rs.5,000/- goes up to 7 years....

ie-

1st year Rs.25,000/-

2nd year Rs.22,500/-

3rd year Rs.20,000/-

4th year Rs.17,500/-

5th year Rs.15,000/-

6th year Rs.12500/-

7th year Rs.10,000/-

And for late payments there's a penalty of 50%

Normally a petrol car with 1800cc has 1798cc in the book (I guess) so there's a greater chance a 1800cc car could avoid this tax bracket. And most probably the tax payment for the mentioned car must be over by now.

Primera 1.8l has the SR18DE engine which is actually just over 1800cc (1838 cc to be precise), so you still have to pay the semi luxury taxes as above. - depending on the date of First Registration

Edited September 10, 2008 by nira74

[john cooper]

Never buy a Primera. i stuck with ma car gear box. my car is Primera TP12 model YOM 2002.it has the gear shifting problem and garage person said "need to replace da gear box". it cost more than 1 lack and i have find it in Kurunegala and Wijerama but no 1 has da stock.

[Ripper]

Never buy a Primera. i stuck with ma car gear box. my car is Primera TP12 model YOM 2002.it has the gear shifting problem and garage person said "need to replace da gear box". it cost more than 1 lack and i have find it in Kurunegala and Wijerama but no 1 has da stock.

sorry to hear about your problem but it's rather absurd to say "never buy a primera"

you were unlucky to get a bad example of the car or the box wasn't looked after properly...

this is the CVT box right... the CVT fluid has to be changed properly and shockingly some garage fellas not knowing the technology have been known to use normal ATF...

maybe that can be the case or maybe it's something else...

but one thing for sure is that the TP12 is a bloody good car...

my best buddy had one and to my knowledge he only had to replace the radiator fan... also he knows his cars and looked after it properly...

and also on your issue... get a second opinion too...it can even be an electrical/electronics related issue too...

[Elvis_Pil]

Never buy a Primera. i stuck with ma car gear box. my car is Primera TP12 model YOM 2002.it has the gear shifting problem and garage person said "need to replace da gear box". it cost more than 1 lack and i have find it in Kurunegala and Wijerama but no 1 has da stock.

Nonsense. Our household has both a TP12 and a HP12- of course we've had a few issues here and there- but nothing to indicate that they are weak vehicles. On your gear box, the previous owner has not taken care of it or it has had some physical damage- its would be the same case with any CVT box regardless of who makes it.

Anyway- Sympathies for your situ. Have you got a pricing from the Agents?

[ash]

If everybody thinks like you do when they have a problem with their vehicle, there won’t be any vehicle on the road today. NONE of the brand or make is indestructible. In the case of the Primera CVT (I guess you had a CVT AUTO TP12) it’s the maintenance and maintains it correctly. When I had the HP11 M6 one of the supervisors at Auto.M recommended me normal ATF oil. Luckily I knew what to use for CVT’s. I could have busted my GB as well as if I’ve listened to him. As Ripper and Pila mentioned somebody must have used an ATF or must not have maintained it properly.

I can feel your situation in a position like this. My advice to you also is taking it to a proper mechanic who knows his stuff and gets a second opinion.