No Budget Reviews: 1989 Nissan Micra (K10) 1.0 LS - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

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-One 1989 Nissan Micra (K10) 1.0 LS
-One Mobile Phone
-No Fancy Outfits
-No Obscure In-Jokes
-No DSLRs
-No Shotgun Microphones
-No Fluid Head Tripods
-No Idea about Exposure
-No Budget Whatsoever
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It is time for the newest instalment in that beloved cinematic automotive KZbin experience where we film practical cars that can be bought for less than £1,000 in a manner befitting of their inexpensive value! This may go horribly wrong...
This time, as we test a 1989 Nissan Micra (K10) 1.0 LS, we discover some quite severe body roll, an issue with one of the doors, less than scintillating performance, a manual aerial in the front wing, extremely low mileage, the lack of a passenger mirror and a rear wash/wipe and continue to get even more nostalgic than ever before. Nothing untoward, then...
Alex's Assets' channel: / alexandraphillipsrover...
As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
Facebook: / lloydvehicleconsulting
Instagram: / lloyd_vehicle_consulting

[@Lot76CARS]

I learned to drive in white one (an ‘84 or 85, I think) I still remember the very slick knife through butter gear-charge and such light delicate controls. What a great car to learn in. Great memories.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, absolutely fantastic, sir! Very, very nice gearbox, controls are very light for a car of the era and certainly a great car to learn in.

[@chrislockey7706]

Great to see an old Micra again , my Dad had a 1983 GL version and I got a 1985 Micra L as my first car If I came across a good condition SGL or GSX version I'd be very tempted to buy it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, not sure which are the most common types still left, but I would certainly prefer one of the higher trim versions. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@markonmotoring]

My Grandad had a red F reg three door and my Aunti a red J reg five door. Both were same spec as this one from memory. The K10 were always a very sensible though not especially exciting option. They do seem to be the generation of Micra that people look back on most fondly. The boxy design was very functional. I remember the little bubble that superceded these in the early 90s wasn't all that well received initially as people preferred the boxy style of the K10.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, easy to see out of, very smooth gearbox and not that heavy, despite the lack of power steering. Still a very sensible option as a starter classic now! The styling of the K11 was very, very different from this. That isn't quite a nostalgic car yet, as they are still relatively common (albeit disappearing fast).

[@seancooke7332]

The K10 Micra was exactly what you described, a simple, reliable, easy to drive, economical and practical supermini. It had no sporting credentials but it was painless and frugal to own and run. Thank you to Alex, I am now subscribed, for choosing this rare base model and sharing it with us all. Classic No Budget Reviews Material.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I thought you would enjoy it, sir! It was a lot of fun, that is for sure. It is worth subscribing to Alex's channel.

[@sunilayya8948]

We had one for 30 yrs and i remember it as a super pleasant car to drive and one which you can go even on a 2000km trip without any worries about reliability . It will always have a very, very special place in my heart as it gave us so much faithful service for so little money. Even my new suzuki swift has the same attributes that made me love the k10 : great visibility provided by an upright, curved windscreen and low set dash . Thank you for a great review that brough back memories of a happy era!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No problem at all, this was a most enjoyable review! There are a surprising number of these still around and prices are still surprisingly low. The reliability of these is surprising. If you like Suzuki Swifts, then you will find a treat coming up on the channel tomorrow morning...

[@sunilayya8948]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Appreciate your response. Looking forward to your treat for swift lovers . I switched brands after the bland k13 micra. I had a k12 too and it was a really fun and comfortable car . But I love the little swift 1.0 turbo because it handles so sweetly and its engine is really pokey. Its also promises good reliability unlike today's nissans .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@sunilayya8948 , yes, Suzuki is amongst the most reliable modern brands of car. Not necessarily the highest perceived quality in terms of the interior, but very reliable cars nevertheless. The K13s were a bit of a mis-step for Nissan, unfortunately.. Never driven a K12, but I do have many reviews of 1980s and 1990s Nissans and Datsuns on the channel now.

[@sunilayya8948]

After 5 yrs , my swift 1.0 turbo is proving its reputation for reliability. Actually Ak12 micra was really good to drive and v comfortable too. Visibility is possibly the best of any car.

[@roygardiner2229]

Keeping things simple has many benefits. Fewer systems, less to go wrong. The car obviously charmed you and I think it would me, too.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I would prefer a 1.2 with a higher specification, but this was still absolutely amazing fun, and I can't believe these are still in No Budget Reviews territory.

[@michaelkeen5010]

My sister ran an ‘85 K10 Micra 1.2 for years, until it finally became uneconomic to repair, I drove it a couple of times and thought it a great car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They are surprisingly good cars. They don't look like much, but they are much nicer to drive than they look. Unfortunately, they are getting rare now for the reason you mentioned.

[@Jaxs2]

My Grandad had one .. on a G plate and he loved it... it was his last car unfortunately 😕 but it zipped along like a little sewing machine nice to see Joseph.,Alex 🙂 👍

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, these did up as first cars and last cars, unfortunately! This one was fine in town, but a big challenging on the dual carriageway....

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great little review Sir, I am more of a K11 Micra man after owning two but I can appreciate the K10 now compared to when I was driving my K11 Micra back between 2001 and 2004.I cannot believe this has only covered 12000 miles from new!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes sir, well we may have more Micra action coming up soon, sir! Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@kenbakie4590]

My sister had one of these. It was a one litre with a slightly better spec including a rear wiper in a lovely metallic bronze colour. I drove it a few times and it didn't half go well, particularly round town. It also did the basics really well. Things like starting up first turn of the key and never breaking down. That looks a lovely example and it should be around for a long time once the body has been tidied up.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, Alex has excellent mechanical skills, so I am sure that it won't be long before it is made incredibly presentable. The 1.0 litres are very nippy around town, but a bit out of their depth on a dual carriageway, as I found out! Absolutely impeccable reliability for their time, and very easy to drive for a car designed in the early 1980s.

[@TheAllyMor]

Almost 20 years ago when I was a car salesman, I remember one of these being p/x'd. When I got a valuation from my manager I remember him sitting back in his chair and exclaiming that these cars were, "bulletproof"!.... And what a clean, low mileage example. Would be a great wee runabout.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it is a very good example, actually. One or two cosmetic things to do, but not too bad. It was a lot of fun, and they are extremely reliable for a car of this age.

[@frothe42]

Thank you Joseph, and Alex, fr featuring this Nissan. What baffles me is the rear window defroster switch, which is located where the air conditioning switch would be instead of that huge blanking plate to the right oh the steering column! I also went on Google to looks up its weight in pounds and it is under 1,500 pounds! This is the period when Nissan put out cars everyone wanted, and needed, that were extremely reliable, dependable and good value. The next owner of this will be getting a well-loved example. I believe Alex mentioned that this Nissan is too modern for her. Oh, I do like Alex, and yourself Joseph ! That is why I have subscribed to both of your channels!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, 630 kg for this base model. Nissan got a really good reputation in this country with cars like this. For its age, these cars were very reliable indeed.

[@alansimpson835]

Yay, Joseph gets his hands on a K10 Micra. The ultimate practical modern classic in my eyes. Reliable, practical and easy to drive with very very little to go wrong. Autochoke and ability to take unleaded without modification is always a bonus too. You can see why driving schools loved them. I do have a penchant for simple cars that you just have to drive and this fits the bill nicely. I remember looking at a few back on the late 90s and many had developed "Micra wheelarch". 3 arches would be totally solid and one would have rotted away (but never the same one). AFG Nissan a wonderful throwback too

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Came through at quite short notice, sir, but we did have a go in one last week! That is right, I don't know about E10 with these, but certainly unleaded is fine. The driving schools did love them, very, very easy to drive, if a bit slow in 1.0 form. The dealer sticker and dealer plates interesting, of course!

[@petersimpson5859]

Fond memories of my friend's mum's 1.0 Collette. I joked about it until I drove it and found it to be an utter delight. You need to try an Aygo, very much the same philosophy but with modern power and conveniences. Fuss-free, fun motoring.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I have driven a first generation Aygo. Not a massive fan of them, to be honest, I much prefer something like an MG3, but that is just my preference. This car was quite slow on the dual carriageway, but otherwise it was just brilliant fun.

[@mrothello7403]

I had my 1st k10 for £100 in my struggling days, went on to own a number of these, brilliant, reliable, & easy to use, light on fuel too. Classic

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! Yes, you can definitely still pick these up for a three figure sum. It was a lot of fun, although it wasn't great on the dual carriageway at 70 mph, and they do roll a bit, but ever so easy to drive and very economical, as you say!

[@1963TOMB]

I bought a face lift model new in 1989 when they also introduced the 1.2 engine. I went for a top spec 1.2GSX: I ordered a 3 door as I couldn't stretch to a 5 door and I was single at the time. However the dealer sold the one that was allocated to me so I ended up with a five door. I had it 11 years until I needed more space for a pram! Green over silver and a reliable car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! Yes, the brochure which came with this car from 1989 mentioned the 1.2 models. They can still be very reliable these does with regular servicing. I hope you enjoyed the video, interesting two tone paint you mention.

[@mattw8332]

At least this K10 will fit quite comfortably in an en bloc garage. My Almera N16 didn't. 😕 I need to check out more of Alex's videos. Just seen the one with the burgandy Allegro 1100 so far.

[@frothe42]

Matt, Alex has several classics on her channel; Peggy the Allegro, and Mr Jenkins, which could be her Rover P4. She has a P6 as well. I do like her channel a lot, and very glad to have subscribed!

[@Alexsassets]

@@frothe42 thank you for your kind words and subscription 🥰 . Mr Jenkins is my Purple P6 💜 and Jessie is my Rover P4 x ⚫

[@frothe42]

@@Alexsassets I knew I would get them confused Alex! Names I am awful with! I thoroughly enjoy your channel, it definitely makes my day no matter what you put on! I also commend you for doing all the work, maintenence, etc., on each and every vehicle of yours! I loathed doing oil changes when I owned a car!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I did enjoy this car, sir! We have more to come from this trip to Gloucester, should be up in about ten days or so. Yes, fits nicely into one of these garages.

[@PlanetautoUK]

Sooo much potential for mods, and they can easily and tastefully be modded like a Mk1 Golf, decluttered to a point, very cool cars.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Absolutely! 49 bhp may be a bit too little for some, maybe a more powerful engine and some new wheels and tyres for better handling could be a place to start.

[@TheGreatestPlayerInTheWorld]

Yessss my very first car mine was in red E reg 4 door automatic I got it in 2001 for £500 best car I ever owned no power steering no electric windows but a great drive

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Glad you approve, sir! We have an awful lot more old Nissans to come on the channel over the next ten days or so. I did enjoy this one!

[@mpersad]

The 1st Gen K10 Micra was my learner car and the model I passed my test in. Very forgiving if memory serves me right, good gearbox but a very sensitive clutch. It took me 5 lessons not to stall it when leaving home.🙄

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, this clutch was very high, despite the mileage. They were quite popular with driving schools back in the day. Lovely gearbox, very good visibility.

[@fredsmith1970]

I had this exact same model and year - 1989 Micra 1.0 LS in metallic "gold". I bought it brand new direct from a local dealership, and had it for about 10 years. It was a crap basic car, but I loved it at the time. 🙂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was a lot of fun, I tried it at 70 mph on a dual carriageway, and it didn't like it very much.... Thank you for watching!

[@Richard-Bullock]

I have a 1991 Micra Premium. Basically LS spec, but only available in white with a brown interior. I hated the fact it only had a driver's door mirror, so I sourced a pair of NOS genuine Nissan internally adjustable door mirrors for only £70 plus P&P. Easy to fit. Spares are easy to get, as most K10's are scrapped because of terminal rot, there are stacks of cars stripped for spares. I even found one specialist that has a number of old K10's being broken for spares at all times. I would recommend anyone wanting a 1980's or 1990's supermini to check out a Micra. Cheaper to buy than a Fiesta or Nova, as the Micra hasn't yet caught on with many car people. Even now it's still seen as a driving school car, or something your elderly spinster aunt would drive.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, we discussed the mirror situation just before filming! You are right, so many cars of this era were scrapped due to rust. The driving experience was actually very different from a 205, Fiesta, Polo or Metro, all of which we have had on the channel so far this year, either on No Budget Reviews or Sensible Secondhand Classics. Values do remain low for the reason you mentioned, although I don't really know why, as they are surprisingly practical as a starter classic. More 1970s, 1980s and 1990s Datsuns and Nissans coming up on the channel soon!

[@alaricbragg7843]

Well done on another classic (Found the time on my trip to view this!). We did get some of these in New Zealand but I think that they were mostly imports. There was a brief factory effort in our local rallying scene back in the day with the turbo/ supercharged version. I remember that one from my old Gran Turismo game!

[@alaricbragg7843]

PS my Mum's 1989 Skyline also had the funny key release!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the Super Turbo may have been in Gran Turismo, can't quite remember now (the game came out in 1997, so it has been a while since I played it)! Many, many more like this to come.

[@hoddy121john]

One lady owner wow, what a find, use to be a common sight on the road, don't see them now, great interest in older cars now, especially judging by the crowd's at NEC part 8 of 16.back to basics, you can keep your modern cars with your lap tops that are stuck on top of dash boards😆. poor Alex hope she's OK

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I don't think you even see many of those at shows, really. She is fine now, just getting over a heavy cold, I think, we kept her window open just in case.

[@Alexsassets]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I'm still alive . 🤧

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Alexsassets , and we kept the window open for you throughout the driving section!

[@Alexsassets]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting good job it wasn't raining 😮

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@Alexsassets , my goodness me, we were blessed with the weather!

[@viennguyen8402]

Viet Nam, xe năm 1989 mà vẫn đang đẹp quá, nội ngoại thất vẫn nguyên bản, xe này ở nước Anh giá khoảng bao nhiêu tiền? trả lời mình nhé.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Most cars from this age in Britain have been scrapped by now, this is a rare survivor. No Budget Reviews is all about cars under £1,000, so you can still buy one relatively cheaply.

[@jimtaylor294]

I've been considering one of these (ideally a 4 door manual) as a next-to-no budget option, chiefly for medium range commuting. I've seen listings for runners as cheap as under £300, granted they're typically with light dents and TLC needed, but compared to even a resto' job Mini costs many times more than this, one of the cars inspired by her.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh gosh, the Minis are much, much more money, even for a basket case one! Those are firmly out of No Budget Reviews territory now. These are surprisingly good to drive for an old car, and I can't believe how cheap they still are. Thank you for watching, Jim!

[@jimtaylor294]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting You're welcome. Agreed re' the Mini, especially with at least one UK company making special coil springs for the car, which solve the rough ride characteristic of the original rubber cones. Come to think of it: cheapest Mini I've ever seen was one the Police stopped in the 00's: the owner had bought her for £5 ... though unfortunately for him this was a little bit obvious to the Traffic Cops, as the car's A pillars were more rust than metal XD. (needless to say they gave him and his passengers a ride home, being unprepared to allow a car that badly corroded drive another inch)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@jimtaylor294 , yes, I drove a classic Mini in 2020 on Tweed Jacket Reviews, a 1989 Mayfair. I also drove a 1983 Metro Vanden Plas last year, which had many excellent characteristics of a Mini (such as that gearbox whine and the excellent round town capability), but was much more comfortable and spacious as well as having a better ride. People kept buying the Minis, however, and so they ended up outlasting the Metro, which was never properly replaced. I remember all those ropey old Minis being around in the 1990s and 2000s!

[@rushy0157]

Great review Mr Lloyd, I love all generations of the Nissan micra but especially these early cars, out of interest what speed did you manage to get up to on the duel carriage way?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you, sir! We got up to 70 mph, but it took a long time, and it was incredibly noisy, so I wouldn't recommend it.

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

You do get something a little oversize on this model without being an option though..rear license plate lights on steroids...

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They are absolutely enormous, aren't they?

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

It’s weird but the said cars became bigger and heavier.. but with the Micra i have the feeling that it became smaller. This first generation looks like “more car”. Than the later models. The later models looked more funnier or playfully more rounded .. smaller.. mom’s or granny’s shopping car with all respect. But with the first micra my brain tells me. This is a car. For different situations. This can be grandma and grandpa’s car. But also someones first car or e second car . But also a car for a small family . But not really a city or shopping car like the newer models.

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

I have this feeling also with the toyota starlet. The aygo replaced the starlet. But the starlet is just so much more car than a aygo.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

This Micra weighed 630 kg. You are right that these are a popular first car or a last car, if you see what I mean. We have a K11 Micra coming up quite soon as well on No Budget Reviews!

[@Bates.N1]

Appreciate these are good cars they just don't interest me :) too sensible 😆 really enjoy your videos

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, I think we know what you prefer from Alex's collection! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@Mjk10957]

I see one of these cutting around in aldershot a lot same colour to

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, and there was one in the thumbnail for the first part of the Shambolic Shuffle around Festival of the Unexceptional too, sir!

[@TheAllyMor]

Someone on Auto Trader looking for a grand for a C reg with 56k!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

As is the way so often, sir!

[@TheAllyMor]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting there's a few other better priced examples. To be honest, I love every incarnation of the Micra, including the latest iteration. Sleek.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@TheAllyMor , got more Micra action coming up next month, I believe...

[@Alexsassets]

Fantastic 😄 I'm glad my coughing didn't ruin your filming too much 😬 Was so glad when we stopped to get a drink 😆 . Little Micra looks great and was so much fun laughing on the duel track 🤣

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It wasn't too bad, actually, and this is No Budget Reviews after all, so I am sure that it is fine. Yes, good idea to make that stop. The Micra has come out very well on video.