What do you love most about your car?
I bought this 2008 Nissan Micra 25th Anniversary model 7.5 years ago as a trade-in for only £3,000 and it's the best car I've ever had (that sounds quite bold for someone who's been driving cars for nearly 40 years, but bear with me!).
One previous owner, 38K on the clock, FSH - a minter - and Nissan threw everything at this car 17 years ago. Air conditioning, Bluetooth, electric windows and mirrors, lumbar support, height adjustable seat and steering column, radio controls on the steering wheel, moveable rear seat bench to increase boot space, sports seats, full body kit including a rear spoiler - to name but a few features - and the a/c is ice cold.
It's a practical, reliable car that does what it says on the tin and underrated as well. The free revving 1240cc twin cam 16v engine packs a punch and will happily sit on the motorway at 3500rpm at 70mph with more to go.
It averages over 40mpg around town, 44 - 48mpg on a run (bit less if you drive it enthusiastically) and is a practical city car with plenty of storage space. I like a car with a CD player, good speakers and simple controls - no touch screens or technology that costs a bomb to fix and replace.
I don't do many miles nowadays, but I wouldn't sell it. You couldn't buy a car as good as this for what it's worth in monetary terms, and it's worth more to me.
It's a great, reliable car that nice to drive and deserves more credit than it gets.
If you could change one thing about your car, what would it be?
Probably better lumbar support for longer journeys, but that's probably more to do with my age than the car's capabilities.
What would you say would be your overall verdict on this car?
It's a nice, reliable, city car that can hold its own on longer journeys. Rear space is limited but that doesn't matter to me. If you're looking for a cheap, reliable runabout, you can't go wrong with a Micra - the Henry Hoover of cars - bombproof.
Go for the K12 Micra if you can find one - minimal (if any) faults and they stand the test of time.
CB