Have a picture of Nissan Micra 1.0 LS?, please send it to us.
Picture courtesy of Kyle.
| Performance | 8.5/10 |
|---|---|
| Practicality | 9.1/10 |
| Reliability | 9.6/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.8/10 |
| Reviewer Rating | 9.4/10 |
| Overall Rating | 8.9/10 |
By Phil MEng
on 21st Jul 2004
| Year Manufactured | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Length of ownership | 3 Years |
| Performance | 7/10 |
| Practicality | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 10/10 |
| Value for money | 10/10 |
| Overall value | 9/10 |
| | |
Unusually quick standing start (Good close ratio gearbox, Power to Weight - quicker than most 1 litres of the mark = Handy)
Fuel economy excellent 50+mpg
Reliabilty excellent (MOT's no problem)
Performance is a little weak
Paper thin trim
Horrendous engine noise at speed inside the cabin
This was my first car in 1998, My G-reg Nissan Micra 1.0 LS
At the end of its life it had done 140,000 mls. (Superb for 1 litre engines and it had more in it too)
Before that time however, the car was excellent the inside was very roomy for a small car (Corsa's are even smaller!) Unfortunately the trim was a bit rough, cockpit rattle and centre console shaking at speed, the steering wheel was thin so I fitted a leather cover to increase the wheels thickness to suit my bigger hands.
On the outside the arch likes to rust so nip this in the bud before it eats your car (Aluminium mesh and filler for bigger holes!) the door handles and hatch operated with ease due to greasing and care. There didnt seem like the was a door welt or weather strip cushioning the door as it would make a 'Metal on Metal' contact. Suspension was okay it would bounce once or twice on tight corners but the wheel never left the ground (This quality of dampening is ok) so cornering if fine just remember that its tires are 145 or 155's so be careful about how fast you go around corners!
Performance wise its not a road burner 50 bhp with a 0-60 of 13 - 14 seconds so high speed driving such as motorways and dual carridgeways are a struggle getting up to speed, overtaking takes military planning so be careful here. Winter morning starting is very good, automatic choke on carburettor is potent for cold days hence adding to excellent reliablity.
Value for money is very good, definately low cost motoring with 50+mpg and cheap insurance group 3 in my day, cheap pattern parts if required, routine maintenance a doddle (oil changes, plugs, ignition cables, ect.)
Practicality is very good too, the micra as a commuter is great, shadowed now by newer rivals and by the new micra, but for a cheap run around as mine was it was great never broke down, many examples now unloved so check them out first.
Overall Very Good car

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