The Most Hyped Car Of 1997 - Nissan Primera Review

Ginny Buckley test drives the most hyped about car of 1997 - the British built Nissan Primera, she finds out how it performs and handles, as well as seeing if it's worthy of all the hype. Plus we speak to a sales director at Nissan - David Archibald, who talks about what the company was hoping to achieve with this model.

[@energymc22]

These were pretty much standard Japanese fare - grey bland interior, bland styling, bulletproof engines. However, it was the handling that was in another league. Fast, sharp, precise steering with a small diameter steering wheel, unbelievable grip (mine was a 1.6 GX base model with 15" wheels but had cornering speeds faster than any other similar car I've driven, including current models), very little understeer, and lift off oversteer on demand (and, sometimes not on demand!). I really enjoyed mine.

[@EskoMorko_]

P11 handling is exceptional for a family car.

[@utubeleplague]

Is the facelifted one just as good? I want to buy one but the facelifted looks more modern.

[@EskoMorko_]

@@utubeleplague Yes, it is. The chassis is basically the same, only some cosmetic upgrades and QG series engine.

[@konohaarchive150]

People say "bland" but in reality, it was no different to other popular hatchbacks of the time, ones that got higher praise for styling.

[@mrfrancy0154]

Like Alfa Romeo 156, great handling

[@kinglouis1310]

310k km and still running well

[@Vollification]

290k km going here and pretty much the same over the internet. It just doesn't break down.

[@avixs1543]

Nice I just got one as my first car 240km but runs great, awesome first car

[@user-sf5iq2fl1l]

@@avixs1543 I bought one some months ago, diesel variant, 180k km, runs great. 190k now, more to come :)

[@avixs1543]

@@user-sf5iq2fl1l Nice!

[@paulanderson79]

I bought new in 1997. 2.0i SLX Auto. Very very appealing car. Tyre and engine noise a bit invasive at times, but it handled and drove beautifully. Reliable as well.

[@mishalchotai4721]

Dad bought a 2.0 white Si version from work as company car. He fell in love. Then purchased a 2.0 GX T523 UEW. I was lucky enough to drive it.

[@RalfFinne]

I had just started as station manager for Hertz when this was launched. Although it felt like a cheaper and more "simple"car compared to Volvo S40, Renault Laguna and Ford Mondeo that we had int the fleet, it made an impact as a trustworthy car. The car just felt bulletproof as someone stated here before. It was very good to drive ( not the comfort of Renault and Citroen of course) , great handling specially in the winter, and the heater was very effective. On the other hand, too sensiteve to rust in the long run. On the Finnish west coast it sold like butter

[@mishalchotai4721]

Dads car was an ex rental T523 UEW lol.

[@kenzohkw]

I owned and maintained 3 Primeras from 2004 to 2014. A 1.6 GX, a GT hatch and GT Saloon. The GT Saloon was treated to a GTiR engine and turned into a track day car. I absolutely loved all of them, they were so damn reliable, cheap to run and changing parts was easy and logical. They all handled and drove brilliantly, controls were all perfectly weighted. Its the car I wish I could buy brand new today. They did all suffer from poor rust protection and that's what killed most of them. Nissan has lost its way since the Primera and it's acquisition by Renault. Makes me sad.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Rust doesn't generally seem to be an issue for them here in NZ, but we get the Japanese models, so maybe it's just the UK version.

[@tramlink8544]

I just bought an SRi with online 50k on the clock owned by an old lady. Closest thing ill get to a brand new primera!

[@Krezo200]

it IS a drivers car, i have never expected that but this nissan is the only car that comes close to the joy i had with my bmw of course it has a four cylinder with way less power but steering, ride and the direct feel is absolutely great, especially for the price i paid!!!!!!!!!

[@mrrn100]

Just bought one with 220 thousand Km, had to replace the water pump, new tyres, and I cannot believe the tremendous good grip, the precise gearbox, the comfort. Was at 100 km/h in a steep mountain road and it felt like i was diving at 60 or 70 Km/h. Paid 400 euros as the previous owner upgraded to an BMW M5 ad was taken aback by the weird cracking sound of the damaged water pump. My mechanic told me to buy it right away without hesitation. Maybe I just made the best car buy of my life. previous car: FORD Mondeo 1999 SW 1.8 turbo diesel. The engine literally exploded at 190 thousand km. Caboum....

[@Valde3333]

Very common car in Finland. Body’s rust from inside out giving them bad look and cv-axles rust and break in half. Suspension parts wear because of the multilink system.

[@energymc22]

Yes, those drive shafts were a weak point around the mass damper and the rear spoiler on the GT was a common point for rust to start. Mine at 7 years old everything under the hood was covered by surface rust.

[@NaYru1337]

I own a P11 sportline, very rare with the whole sport package! I drive it everyday like a racedriver and it never has any problems! quality at its finest!

[@NaYru1337]

***** thanks mate

[@lonefighterfn491]

Hey do you know how fast it is? Im thinking to get one

[@RealBVT]

@@lonefighterfn491 The Primera is what you make it. The reviews say that it's a slow car, but if you know your power band you can make her fly.

[@lonefighterfn491]

@@RealBVT i ve got the car what do you mean by power band

[@Krezo200]

@@lonefighterfn491 right rpms

[@avixs1543]

Just got one these as my first car 245km but she's a blast to drive

[@vojtechklepetko5520]

After spending a lot of time in car parks, they could make cars turning circle smaller so you could park it. It's really terrible, biggest weaknes of Primera in my opinion. The car is really great tho. I bought it very cheaply 3 years ago as my first car and I still have it. I did more that 30k km in it without single problem. I only changed rear shocks. Other than that I change only oil and brakes :). And as mention below, the grip in corners is really unbeleaveble feels better than my friends e46 BMW. You can sense it's made by the same company as a GTR :D

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Indeed, it's not ideal when you want to do a U-turn etc. Presumably it's also part of the reason they're nice to drive on the open road though. I think the P10 models also had a poor turning circle.

[@energymc22]

The development test driver for the P11 was Dirk Schoysman. The same test driver who helped develop the R32 Skyline, and its not even a joke, look it up 😎

[@ExCenterProductions]

I bought myself a 1.8 caravan from 2001 as a cheap car. And i am surprised by the qualities of this car. There is still a lot of life in this old car.

[@user-yk7fw8fn4n]

i have primera p11 good car and power

[@RoobehTunes]

You can view a longer, more detailed edit of this video here: /watch?v=q8KXZz3WMgo

[@user-cg5xr8qt2x]

I need the car

[@vix121]

Times have changed lol

[@user-lq1yt1vi7n]

PLEASE VIDEO NISSAN PRIMERA GX P11 PRODUCTIONS AND ROVER ALL MODELS

[@jdmguy44]

A much better product than the crappy Renault Qashqai or Renault Micra of today. What the hell happened to Nissan.

[@Krezo200]

the fusion with renault happened

[@nabeelshaikh1103]

It looks soo similar to the B14 Nissan Sunny

[@mehmetatak1478]

Fiyatı nekadar KARDEŞİM

[@terryvideo1]

Not intending parting with my78k, '99 Nordic P11GTLE anytime soon. Find me a better car.

[@robertsmith9810]

sunderland is still there where is dagganam now my new 19

[@user-xp5bz8tz2z]

عندي واحده مشاء الله

[@user-yk7fw8fn4n]

عندي 2001 من اقوى وافضل السيارات

[@hondamanvtec2894]

Prey merA 😅😅

[@stupitchannel]

I have one. Super over fuel consuming. mine is 6 km/litre with SR20VE and MT. I hate it.

[@HostileLemons]

Something is wrong with your car.

[@thenikoxgtr]

Did you any type of maintenance to your car ?

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Definitely sounds like there was something wrong with it. I have a 1.8 automatic(not CVT) wagon(ie: heavier) and it does far better than that.