Item: Used Nissan Almera Saloon 2000 - 2006
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

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<p dir="ltr">Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.</p>


NISSAN

ALMERA

<p>The Nissan Almera is solid, reliable and cheap, but with a staid image</p>


Used Nissan Almera Saloon 2000 - 2006

<p>If you see a large queue snaking around the corner, you can be pretty sure it's not made up of punters eager to snap up second-hand Nissan Almera. Still, that lack of desirability means low prices - there are bargains to be had.</p>

<p>The biggest engine, the 134bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel, promises 47.9mpg, whereas at the other end of the scale the small 97bhp 1.5-litre should be good for 42.8mpg.</p>

<p>Even having work carried out by a main Nissan dealer need not be too dear because their hourly rates are about as cheap as they come. The work will be cheaper still at an independent garage, where the rates are very competitive for the class.</p>

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The Nissan Almera is solid, reliable and cheap, but with a staid image

<p>Later models came with only one engine: a 97bhp 1.5-litre petrol. However, there's plenty of choice if you go for an older model. With fuel economy of 42.8mpg, the 1.5 is particularly attrcative if you spend most of your motoring life in town, but the 1.8-litre petrol pulls better in the lower gears - although its long fifth gear means it's ultimately not so flexible on the motorway.</p>

<p>The diesel is a 2.3-litre direct-injection turbo and comes in two versions, with 110bhp or 134bhp. The more powerful unit has noticeably better low-down performance, yet the weaker engine is perfectly okay.</p>

<p>There was a face-lift in late 2002, with all models getting air-con, remote central locking, electric front windows and a CD player. Stretch to an SVE and you get a leather-trimmed steering wheel, alloy wheels and an electric sunroof. But an SE, with parking sensors, electric rear windows and climate control gives you everything you need.</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

<p>The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;</p>

Family

<p>Nissan, like most Japanese manufacturers, enjoys a well earned reputation for reliability. So, you can expect an Almera to run and run.</p>

<p>Pretty much all you need to check is that the appropriate recall work has been done. There haven't been too many, but there was a major one that affected the petrol engines and it's important that this work was carried out. Issued on January 29 2002 and affecting cars built between March 2000 and the end of July 2001, it concerned the crankshaft and camshaft. If not rectified, it could cause engines to stall and, in the worst-case scenario, prevent them from restarting.</p>

<p>In June 2004, diesel engines built up to the end of 2002 were recalled to have possible camshaft problems rectified, and all models built between December 2000 and September 2001 were called into dealers to fix a possible handbrake problem.</p>

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<p>The idea of a Nissan Almera trying to compete on equal terms with a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf is a bit like Stirling Moss pitching up at Silverstone, hoping to have a crack at the current Formula One hotshots. However, if you can live with all the pensioner jokes, the Almera doesn't make a bad second-hand buy.</p>

<p>First, the downsides. It's cramped by class standards and rear room is particularly poor, although the boot is a decent size. Refinement is lousy, with lots of road, wind and engine noise making its way into the cabin. The handling is reasonable, but while the ride can cope with smooth roads, its composure soon disappears on rough surfaces.</p>

<p>On the other hand, security is impressive and safety is good, with a four-star Euro NCAP rating. Build quality is sound, even on original cars from 2000, and all post-autumn 2002 face-lift models come with decent kit.</p>

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Used Nissan Almera Saloon 2000 - 2006 review

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Used Nissan Almera Saloon 2000 - 2006 review

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