Nissan Micra advice required

[beemerbird]

My aged mother is, naturally, a Nissan Micra driver. Her current one which she's had for more years than I care to remember has reached the stage where it needed seat belt anchor point area welding on one side to get it through it's MOT, and the tester advised that the other side would need doing prior to its next one in 11 months time.

She has therefore decided to keep, er, Sidney (as she calls 'him') over winter and then buy a replacement next year.

The issue is that with a brother who doesn't drive, a father who's been pushing up daisies for over twenty years, I feel I should put myself in the firing line for finding her a 'new' Micra (very brand loyal is the old girl).

Where do these despicable turds rot / fail / suffer? There seem to be lots of sub 25K mileage ones on the bay for less than 2 grand.

Finally, has anyone ever managed to successfully palm an automatic car onto someone who has always (badly) driven manuals? I'm kind of thinking that if I can source a solid more door auto for her it will soften the blow of the departure of Sidney from her life

[B7]

You probably saw my last one on ther for sub 2 grand then??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310335665992? ... 1562.l2649

They do rot but not as badly as most other cheap runabouts out there. These are a bit of a speciality of mine. Get me 10 cheap ones and the phone will ring off the hook.

Basically, check the sills, right underneath where they join the floorpan. This will normaly be either below the rear door on a five door or below the rear quarter on a three doors. They bubble like fook along here and most pre 97's have now seen welding (as per your mums by the sound of it). Apart from that and the odd crusty front crossmenmebr, they are actually very sound.

What year is your mums and what spec?

I'd certainly be looking at an old shape low miler with few owners. Search for an SE for electric windows, Central locking and AC. The chances are it will all still work an' all!

The later ones are a bit like an e39 compared to an e34? They lost some build quality and they got a bit more technical and hence suffer with locking issues, management lights etc.

That one above was a true peach. It was like brand new. Just before that obne i did a 97 blue Passion from my late mother in laws estate. That went to my best mates sister and she reckons it's a little blinder. I'd known the car since 2003 and 30k. now has 67k and drives excellent still.

For a shooping chariot, I don't reckon you can beat them, even now!

[daimlerman]

What a wonderfully loyal daughter you are!

I discounted Micra's from my small car search on the basis that most that I see on the street are rusty....
Generally,ultra low milage cars may well have engine issues due to constant use of a cold engine,something that's done 4/5k miles a year may be a better bet.

Autobox should be an easy sell,'Ohh look,mum,no clutch pedal to worry about,you just put this thingy in the middle to D to go forwards and to R to go backwards'.....good luck,keep us posted!

[B7]

One thing to note on these, the autos are CVT, so unlike conventional autos. And I have noted lately, many for sales spares or repairs with goosed boxes. And with not many miles on either. May be something to bare in mind?

Engines are bullet proof. I've NEVER known one burn oil, or get noisy for that matter regardless of mileage. You'll see these with 120k up with no mechanical issues. A really nice engine really. More than you can say about all the Fiestas and KA's for sale spares or repairs needing new engines.

Personaly, i love 'em.

[beemerbird]

Cheers for the words of wisdom there, chaps. Good bit of knowledge about the auto boxes too, Trev. Thanks.

Hers has central locking,electric windows, 2 door, around 88K on the clock, red, possibly a P reg? I seem to remember saying she had some kind of 'sport' spoiler over the rear window , no alloys, no AC, cloth. Grim, really, but she loves it. Not immaculate, certainly. Walls are cars don't get on too well

[B7]

Sounds like an LS or GX or maybe a sport (although I don't think the sport came out till later and had alloys).

Mother in law had an L plate LS before the Passion and that had electric windows.

Another point to watch. They eat electric window regulators as they are fairly powerfull and the motor does not cut power when at the top. Ths flexes the regulator which eventually fractures.

Well worth hanging out for Power Steering which the later SE's had as standard. Makes for a completely different (better) drive.

[beemerbird]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-W-Nissan ... 1225wt_937

This looks like the kind of thing that would put a smile on her face.

LS sounds likely, Trevor. Regarding window regulators, my Mother is the kind of person who would only use her electric windows when safely parked with the hand brake applied

[B7]

I obviously outed Mothers too cheap!

Thats actually top money considering thats a PRE facelift SE. Not many of those about but note the gawdy trim and the offset door rubbing strips. Nice colour though and you are right to look for a 5 door. Probably more like 1600-1700 quid though.

I'd be searching though for something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-MICRA- ... 4aae3fb63d

Good colour for one of these, later full facelift and reasonable mileage.

[pacerpete]

Wow ! Check out the micra paedofest ! I can smell the stale urine from here !

[B7]

Wow ! Check out the micra paedofest ! I can smell the stale urine from here !

You of all people can talk having been seen in a PINK FAGaro! Which of course ARE Micra based

How about a Cooper S donk conversion Pete? You and Barry up for it?

[sweep]

Old micra's never die the only ever need welding on the inner rear sills and outer sills and the front cross member under the radaitor, all the mecanical items last forever!unlike ka's fiesta's etc...if a family member needs a small car and they never lift the bonet my own motto buy a micra!

[Felix79]

Wow ! Check out the micra paedofest ! I can smell the stale urine from here !

You of all people can talk having been seen in a PINK FAGaro! Which of course ARE Micra based

How about a Cooper S donk conversion Pete? You and Barry up for it?

Fi would your mum go for a "Fagaro" , as said they are auto micras but look more cute and may ease the pain of her old motor?

[beemerbird]

Dan - no way! With a big bucket of chuckling on top, TBH. Having had some VERY FINE advice from Trev, and having had a good chat with the old girl, I'm now looking for a 5 door Auto (thank feck for that).

As for the parting of her old motor? I said that I'd sell Sidney on for her. His heart would go into this Micra, his interior into that Micra, his wheels to another. Whilst Sidney might die, through him, lots of other Micras would live on.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

Fragging never sounded less selfless

[Felix79]

Lol Fi you samareton to all thing that are Micra