the_boy

I'm thinking of getting a runabout to go to work and back whilst I keep my eye out for a nice weekend car.

Basically for reliability purposes I have plummed for the Nissan. It's decent handling and overall reliability are what makes it stand out from the rest. Cheap to service and the fact it also has a cam chain rather than belt gives it those few extra marks.

Now I was all set to buy this 1.0 Micra. It's done 40, 000 miles and has 12 months MOT and 6 months tax etc. It's got full SH and MOTs to abck up the mileage.

However a few people have commented on the fact that because I'm looking to do approx 270 miles a week in it up the A19 then this would kill the engine and I'd be better off upgrading to something like the Primera.

The Primera will cost my full budget for this runabout and will need tax on it at the very least. It is obviously bigger and a better drive but to me the Micra seems more economical. It's just to go to work and back.

So my question is can the Micra happily do those sort of miles a week and would it be driveable (25 minute driving stints). Can it take it or should I get the bigger engine / car?

Anyone got experience of this sort of run in a similar car?

Cheers

FlightMan

I've bought a 52 plate Yaris for exactly that sort of mileage. I do 250 a week, 50 miles a day. Normally 45-50 mins into work, 30 mins home. Car is perfectly acceptable for those sort of trips.

Is it cheap? Yes. £16 a mont fully comp. Tyres are £35 a corner. Fuel consumption? Mines a 1.0 VVti. 60mpg. I get 480 miles out of £35 of 95 octane.

Can't comment on the Micra, but the Yaris is a good car.

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Micra's fine for that sort of commute. Wife had one for a year with no problems. Cost £15 for an oil change in that time and 5000 miles. Swapped to a 1.4 Almera which has more space but still cheap tax and insurance. This ones cost a lot more £16 X2 for oil changes, plugs, air filter and 33p for a bulb. 2 MOTs without problem. Go for it...Bob

hades

I recently finished doing 6 months of 800+ miles / week (1 1/2 hours each way every day). Prefered the option of a slightly older but also cheap to run 306 D Turbo, at ~£1500, Gp 5 insurance, cheap bits - although nothing broke on it in 20k+ miles - decent economy etc and allegedly about the most reliable engine out there (albeit the electrics are somewhat below Jap standard!). OK, 306 is a little bigger than a Micra, but a lot smaller than a Primera, and with 92bhp Turbo Diesel engine was certainly no problem for much more miles than you're looking at. As long as the Micra doesn't feel really gutless/noisy at motorway speeds, shouldn't be a problem.

Everyone will have their own opinion as to what's a good runabout, I'll just say the 306 was good for me, sod all depreciation when I sold it a couple of weeks ago, but it might not suit you.

Luan Pra bang

buy my astra for 200 quid and get a real runabout.

tath

Micras are reliable by JDM standards... Now that's impressive.

I know a bloke who took one to 300k miles! Engines are built to tolerances that would have Vauxhall getting their rule book out, will be fine for motorway work @ 70

Castrol

My ex Wife had 3 Nissan Micras and did about 20K a year in each. Totally hassle free, plus it's an excellent car out of town. The engine revs and revs and even driven hard, I used to get 50+ from it. It'll have no probs at all with the kind of miles you're talking about. I found it would cruise nicely at 90mph on Motorways and we used it to go to Cambridge (from the North East), a number of times.

Cheers

Gutmann pug

My rover 420sli cost me £350 and in the last 4 months I have had to pay

£1.49 air freshener
£14.99 rear brake pads

An absolute bargain and well recommended.

Gary

the_boy

Some nice replies coming through.....cheers for the recommendations.

I think you've sold me

aggs

would need to buget for a pair of dark glasses if driving and old Rover!!!!!!

Gutmann pug

or a 205

njkmrs

And tinted glass is preferable!!!!!!!!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Just watch out if it's done close to 150-200,000 miles - that's when the cam chains can break. But they normally start rattling about 50,000 miles beforehand, so they usually give plenty of warning.

A friend of mine has always used Micras as a tution car for learners - clutch averages about 50,000 miles. Not bad seeing 99% of the time its driven by people who can't drive

Generally, as long as it's good runner and none of the suspension joints or bushes have worn, it'll fly though MOT's day in day out

Achillies heal of Nissans are the parts prices aren't that cheap. Other than that, it's a winner.

v15ben

I am currently driving an 02 Micra 1.0 and they are very reliable. The only criticism I'd have is that they are a bit gutless on motorways once you get to anything resembling a hill. They just lose speed relentlessly as the slope gets steeper which is rather irritating! Nice little car though and a good cheap runabout.

CyprusScooby

I was finding running my Type-R STi about down here abit expensive, especially with the only Optimax garage round here being a 38 miles round trip away and costing £1.05 a litre!

I bought a Ford Escort LX 1.8 Turbo Diesal for a run-a-bout. Havent got it on the road yet but looking forward to it being cheap to run and not being bothered where I leave it.

I also 'accidently' ended up buying a Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 to use as a track car/rally car.