This section publishes reviews of Nissan Almera owners, photos of these cars, personal experience in operation, maintenance and repair. From the reviews you can find out about all the pros and cons of this car, its advantages and disadvantages over other models.

• Optional: reviews and tests Nissan Almera

Nissan: reviews Reviews of Nissan Almera 01 October 2012

Choosing a car in this price category, my eyes fell on the Chevrolet Laceti and the Nissan Almera. On the one hand, the Lacetti is big, beautiful, but not "Japanese" after all. Nissan is modest, smaller in size and interior, but quality. In addition, the assembly of the car is not some kind of Russian or Uzbek, but Korean. And having weighed these pros and cons, he settled on an empty Almera.

The car is of high quality, economical and vigorous engine, the control is simple. And even if you want to go fast or accelerate dynamically, the flow rate will still be no more than 10/100, and you can keep up with 6.5 in the city. Everything is there for driving - air conditioning, hydraulic booster, soft clutch. However, do not expect a luxurious Japanese car from Almera. It has a modest cramped interior, its finish is also not up to par, there is no such thing that the eye rejoices at the sight of some lotions. But for a hundred thousand run, I changed some kind of gas spring (like Almer's disease) and ball. Everything. True, the ball had to be changed twice due to the fact that I ran into a fake.

If you want to buy one - be careful when repairing, do not repeat such mistakes and Almera will never let you down.

Almera, a car that, thanks to its relatively low cost and amazing reliability, managed to acquire many supporters in its time. After its production was curtailed in Sunderland, Note took the place of Almera in the European market, and we were offered a simplified version, originally from South Korea - Nissan Almera Classic.

The most important difference between the updated version and its predecessor is the affordable price. The second significant difference between the novelty was its new appearance.

Interior design is perhaps the weakest point of the Nissan Almera classic. Finishing materials look much more attractive than they actually are.

The ventilation system control unit located on the center console looks antediluvian. Horizontal, "a la VAZ" nine "," runners "look generally like a complete misunderstanding. Although, with all this, it is still convenient to use the equipment - there are no special claims to ergonomics.

The same cannot be said about the level of comfort. Firstly, the Classic interior is very cramped, the range of adjustment of the driver's seat is limited, designed for a driver up to 180 cm tall. The driver's seat cushion is too much.

The advantages of the Classic include, perhaps, a roomy trunk, a full-size "spare tire" and decent driving performance, provided by a really decent power unit. 1.6-liter engine with 107 hp characterized by good traction at low revs and economy, adaptability to 92nd gasoline.

There is no fundamental difference in the dynamics of the 5th "mechanics" and the 4th "automatic" machine. In both versions, the power unit provides the car with smooth and rapid acceleration, which is, in principle, uncharacteristic of this type of car.

The most significant drawback in the operation of the engine is the noise, which starts from medium speed just to strain. The steering and suspension are set to mid-range.

The latter, although it provides good smoothness and stability while driving in a straight line, allows noticeable lateral rolls. At speeds above 150 km / h, the buildup is noticeable, there is a need for constant steering.

The steering wheel itself, although not informative, is highly productive (only 3 turns from lock to lock). The effectiveness of the brakes is not at all satisfactory. The pedal accurately measures the effort, the electronics are unobtrusively connected.

The basic configuration, with the PE index Nissan Almera Classic, including central locking, driver's airbag, front power windows and power steering, can be purchased from $ 14,090.

The PE + version is presented in 2 modifications for $ 15,690 (with automatic transmission - $ 16840) - where the car is additionally equipped with a passenger cushion, Isofix mounts, heated seats, belt pretensioners and $ 16,490 (with automatic transmission - $ 17640) - ABS, Brake Assist, EBD, audio system with 4 speakers. The most "stuffed" version of SE nissan almera classic buy can be done for at least $ 17,590 (with automatic transmission - $ 18,740).

Despite its shortcomings, the car makes a good impression, which is confirmed by the high sales results of the Almera Classic.

The appearance of this model is quite curious. Despite the Japanese brand, it is produced in Korea and initially even bore a different name - Samsung SM3. At the same time, it was created on the platform of the Nissan Almera sedan (N16) and was conceived by the marketers of the Renault / Nissan alliance as a budget car for third world countries. To reduce the prime cost, its production was established at the facilities of the young Korean auto company Samsung Motors, which is also a member of the French-Japanese alliance. However, under a brand little-known among manufacturers, the model sold poorly, so in 2006, after a slight restyling, it was decided to rename it. In Ukraine and Russia, Samsung SM3 received a more prestigious name - Nissan Almera Classic, under which it is sold today. This car can be purchased both new in car dealerships and used in car markets. Early versions with SM3 nameplates are extremely rare on our roads.

In new clothes

Anyone who knows Nissan well will see many similarities with the Almera sedan (N16) in the design of the Almera Classic. However, the new "face" and "stern" gave the Nissan model fresh individual features, making it more modern and a little more solid than its progenitor.

The classic 4-door Almera Classic body is notable for its good corrosion resistance, characteristic weak points in it have not been identified. Unless the protective moldings on the sidewalls of the body can disturb (see "Weaknesses").

Weaknesses of the car

The plastic trim and the interior trim are of high quality and resist the effects of time quite well - there are no extraneous sounds in the cabin, the velor of the seats is quite wear-resistant. Inside there are many pockets and shelves for various small things. The budget of the model can be felt only by the weak sound insulation (starting at 3000 rpm, the sound of the engine persistently sneaks into the cabin), the absence of handles above the rear door openings (offered as an option) and the trim of the trunk lid (when closing, you can injure yourself on the sharp edges of the inner part ), as well as non-convertible rear seats (the useful volume of the trunk cannot be increased). As an option, there is a hatch under the rear seat armrest for transporting long items. It should be noted that the "travel" volume of the cargo compartment of the Almera Classic is one of the largest among competitors (see photo).

Fan, stop!

The hero of our material was equipped with only one power unit - a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, which was also used on the Nissan Primera (P12). At the same time, the creators eliminated all the weak points of this engine - problems with the catalyst that led to its premature failure, air flow meters, a short-lived timing chain and its tensioner, camshaft and crankshaft sensors. In Almera Classic motors, such problems are not noted, but they can still present unpleasant surprises.

For example, new cars may experience increased oil consumption. This is caused by a factory defect - cracks in the cylinder head at the valve guide seating points that occur when the guides are pressed in. However, its official dealers will liquidate it under warranty, changing the cylinder head free of charge.

In addition, the electric fan of the cooling system can surprise, unexpectedly turning on for permanent operation. The cause of the malfunction is not at all connected with the cooling system - it is caused by the breaking of the electrical wiring for connecting the power steering pressure sensor, laid near the engine shield. The fact is that this wiring is common for connecting these nodes.

Otherwise, there are no comments on the Almera Classic engine. The only thing for which he can still be criticized is a considerable fuel "appetite". According to the passport data, in the urban cycle with "mechanics", it consumes 9.5 liters per 100 km.

Almost equally

The Almera Classic was produced with two gearboxes - a 5-speed manual gearbox and a 4-speed automatic gearbox. In our market, both units are presented in almost equal proportions.

Maintenance of both units consists in regular lubrication changes: in the manual gearbox - every 90 thousand km, in the automatic gearbox - 60 thousand km.

Only the clutch can cause trouble. It is equipped with a hydraulic drive, in which the master cylinder is not reliable - it can suddenly leak. The problem is solved by replacing the cylinder assembly. Another weak point is the clutch pedal return spring - it often bursts.

In a calm mood

Structurally, the suspension is similar to its predecessor - an independent McPherson is used in front, and a semi-independent with a twist beam at the rear. It is distinguished by good energy consumption, confidently copes with the unevenness of our roads, but it is not suitable for active driving - due to the lack of an anti-roll bar and narrow high-profile standard rubber with dimensions 175/70 R14, during sharp maneuvers, Almera Classic rolls strongly and creeps out of the corner. Therefore, it is more pleasant to drive it calmly and measuredly.

The advantage of the "running gear" is different - it is quite durable. Front suspension consumables (silent blocks, ball joints and bearings) can withstand at least 100 thousand km, and the “rubber bands” of the rear beam are generally considered “eternal”. Only the shock absorbers anthers criticized the mechanics - they are less durable and cracks may appear on them by a run of 50 thousand km.

There are no complaints about the steering, equipped with power steering - as a rule, it is problem-free, and the tips and tie rods are able to withstand about 150 thousand km.

Given the budget of the model, the creators equipped the rear axle with drum mechanisms (in front - ventilated disc). In the Almera Classic braking system, the front brake discs are not durable enough - even with a measured driving style, they can wear out up to 50 thousand km. Failure of the ABS sensors was also noted.

What's the secret?

The Almera Classic is a decent budget car. Since it is built on the basis of old Nissan models, the manufacturers were able to eliminate all the weak points in the components and assemblies used in it. Thanks to this, the model turned out to be quite reliable. However, it is important to know that spare parts for a car and its maintenance are expensive in Japanese. Due to the specific suspension settings of the Almera Classic, we would recommend this car to those who prefer a quiet, measured ride.

History

2000-2006 Nissan Almera (N16) was produced.
09.02 On the basis of Almera (N16) in Korea at the Samsung plant, the production of the budget SM3 sedan has begun.
02.06 Restyling Samsung SM3. Started selling SM3 in Ukraine and Russia under the Nissan brand. The name of the new model is Almera Classic.
12.11 Almera Classic is still in production.

From $ 9.3 thousand to $ 16 thousand	According to the catalog "Avtobazar"
Total information
Body type
Doors / Seats
Dimensions, L / W / H, mm
Curb / full weight, kg
Trunk volume, l
Tank volume, l
Engines
Petrol 4-cylinder:	1.6 L 16V (107 HP)
Transmission
type of drive
	5-st. fur. and 4-st. ed.
Chassis
Front / rear brakes	disk. vent. / drum.
Suspension front / rear	independent / semi-dependent
	175/70 R14, 185/65 R15

Prices for new neorig. spare parts, UAH *
Front / rear brake pads
Air filter
Oil filter
Front / rear shock absorber
Front / rear bearing hubs
Spherical bearing
Front arm bushing front / rear
Front bushing / strut stabilizer
Tie rod end
Clutch kit
Timing chain tensioner
* Prices may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and vehicle modification. Prices are provided by the store "Trassa E99"

Driver - about Nissan Almera Classic

I bought an Almera Classic at a car dealership. For a new Japanese car, the cost is low. I do not like fast driving, but after driving on the highways I will note that the 1.6 liter motor paired with the automatic transmission is rather weak - it is difficult to overtake fast, as the car accelerates slowly. I think a 1.8 liter engine, like, for example, the Chevrolet Lacetti, would be just right. When choosing a car, I also considered Lacetti as an alternative, but still the image of the Japanese brand prevailed. Another important note about practicality - it's a shame that the volume of the trunk cannot be increased, the rear seats do not fold. Otherwise, I really like the Almera Classic. The salon is quite spacious, if necessary, it can accommodate five people. "Automatic" is convenient in the city, while driving in traffic jams. The ground clearance is decent, I can easily park, even driving on high curbs. The suspension copes well with our roads, after 2.5 years of operation, it still does not require repair. Of the problems that I had to face, it should be noted the breakdown of the brake pedal spring, the failure of the ABS sensor and the rapid wear of the front brake discs.

Alternative

Chevrolet Lacetti is produced by SKD in Ukraine at the ZAZ plant in Ilyichevsk. In 2005 at the competition "Car of 2005 in Ukraine" the model won in the nomination "The best price / quality ratio". Lacetti will attract a large selection of different bodies and a spacious interior. The upholstery on many cars is made in non-marking dark colors. The chassis copes well with our roads, provides good stability, and is quite durable. 1.8 liter engines guarantee good dynamics.

Hyundai Elantra (XD) is presented in two modifications, but 4-door sedans are the most common in Ukraine. After the termination of production in Korea in 2006, the model experienced reincarnation - in 2009, its production was mastered at LuAZ (small-knot assembly). Thanks to the generous luggage compartment, the Elantra will appeal to household buyers. It features a soft, durable chassis. Remarks - poor corrosion resistance, increased fuel "appetite", problems with the cooling system and clutch.

Yuliy Maksimchuk
Photo by Sergey Kuzmich

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➖ Rigid suspension
➖ Quality of finishing materials
➖ Quality of body painting

pros

➕ Manageability
➕ Reliability
➕ Cost effective

The advantages and disadvantages of Nissan Almera Classic 2007-2008 are revealed based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Nissan Almera Classic 1.6 with mechanics and automatic transmission can be found in the stories below:

Owner reviews

A simple car, sat down and drove off, no problems! Easy to maintain, repair and operate. No special bells and whistles, just the essentials! The car is fully consistent with its price!

The car is relatively playful for acceleration, very reliable and durable suspension both front and rear. The engine and gearbox are excellent.

The iron of the body is like paper - a little touched and a dent! No paintwork! They just regretted the varnish, so if there are scratches, then they can be polished a maximum of 1 time. The suspension is very stiff, and the interior trim leaves much to be desired - everywhere there is cheap plastic that is easily scratched. The car simply does not have noise insulation!

Vladimir, review of Nissan Almera Classic 1.6 mechanics 2008

Video review

For the entire period of operation, the car has shown itself to be very worthy. I bought it with mileage of 75 thousand km. Sold for 120 thousand km. The oil was changed every 10 thousand km. The car always started up in any frost and delivered it where necessary. I was never dragged in tow, and I did not get up in the middle of the road all of a sudden. On vacation I rode 4,000 km in one direction, also without incident.

Review of Nissan Almera Classic 1.6 (107 HP) MT 2007 onwards

I took it in the cabin, in 8 years I dashed off 415 thousand km. The entire suspension was changed in a circle by 2 times, but there were no serious breakdowns. Of course, the engine is weak and the interior is meager, but what do you want from a state employee? Now we need a new car, but it's a pity to part with a faithful friend.

Dmitry drives an Almere Classic with a 2008 mechanics

I bought Almeria in October 2009, a sub-dealer 110 km from home. I have a car for two years, mileage 93,000 km. No problem. Not a single breakdown. I drive mainly long distance, from 400 km or more! The biggest 8,000 km in a week. Nothing knocks, does not rattle, very warm. The air conditioner works great!

I give a big load on the car, on the highway 140 km / h almost constantly. At this speed, the car feels the road perfectly. The 1.6 engine on overtaking, of course, is too small, but the manual transmission is still not an automatic, the trucks bypassed as standing.

I give such a load on the suspension that sometimes I feel guilty in front of it. I went on such roads, I thought that there was and I will leave everything that is below the car! No! He still drives. Does not hold anything together, does not knock, does not make noise! I'm even surprised!

I keep the car on the street, it starts up perfectly in the cold! It was -30 and even -35, and for several days I did not go to the car, I thought the battery was over - no, everything is fine, it starts from a half-pipe!

At the beginning, the consumption was 8 liters per hundred on the highway, after about 20,000 km it came to the passport "norm" - 6.5 liters per 100 km. I was already scared, I thought that the fuel sensor had deteriorated. But this is if you drive 100 km / h, and if you drive 140 km / h, then about 7.5-8.0 liters per hundred.

The only thing that I don't like a little is the very low seating position of the car. Other cars of the same class will pass and not hit by the bottom, but Almera will certainly hit! The paint is still weak. Chips are visible, and quite solid ones. Although, of course, after my exploitation, it may be my fault.

Alexander, review about Nissan Almera Classic 1.6 manual transmission 2009 onwards

The overall impression is good. The car impresses with its reliability and strength. I often travel around Russia, different regions and roads. There were both breakdowns and blows - so far everything holds. I regularly do maintenance at the dealer, they say that all the components and assemblies of the suspension are in order!

The car started quietly at -36 from the floor kick. The handling is good, even at 160 km / h. Consumption somewhere around 10-11 liters (depending on driving style). Good brakes. In general, it just works, and that's it!

Of the shortcomings, first of all, they finish off the door locks - the sound of closing is like a kick on a tin can !!! Quite tangible rolls in corners. Slightly harsh suspension.

Eric Azbaev, review of Nissan Almera 1.6 with automatic transmission in 2012

Interior and exterior. It makes no sense to write about the interior and exterior. Not enough: longitudinal adjustment of the steering column (height 186 cm, so either bend your legs more or make your back straighter), no navigator light, no outside temperature sensor. I like: the seat, the instrument lighting (orange), the stove is good, it heats up perfectly.

It is immediately clear that much has been saved: there are no ceiling handles and ESP in the back (we drive 99% of the time together), there was no mirror on the visor (pasted by the collective farm), the trunk opens only from the passenger compartment, there is no BC. But there are heated seats, mirrors, wiper zones, air conditioning and ABS.

Exploitation. I left the salon on summer tires, changed shoes across the road to Goodyear Ultra Grip Extrime. This is how our great and long friendship began with Almera. The first three years of operation was on the highway, worked in the north of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, traveled often.

On the suspension: not a gourmet European handling. I think that it is a little tough, sometimes it hits the rebound, roll when cornering, but it suits me.

On an electrician: about once a year, the right low beam bulb burns out, regardless of the brand of the bulbs themselves. Condensation has formed on the right-hand fog lamp.

The paintwork is weak, due to the high mileage on the highway there are many chips, but there is no rust. Consumption on the highway is about 6.0-6.5 liters at an average maximum speed of 110 km / h. About 10.5 liters in the city. Gasoline 95th, strictly Lukoil or BN.

As a result ... We are with her for the seventh year, drove 105 thousand kilometers. And she gave me everything that was required of her. It does not cause problems, unforeseen expenses, it is moderately economical, moderately comfortable, but it has everything you need. She has a reliable engine, with her I am always sure that you will get where you planned, you will not freeze, you will not cook.

The owner drives a Nissan Almera Classic 1.6 (107 hp) MT 2011

If you are looking for a reliable budget car, then you probably paid attention to the classic sedan Nissan Almera Classic, which is widely represented in both the primary and secondary automotive markets in Russia. An inexpensive car, assembled in Korea, has a lot in common with the Almera sedan (N16). Even though the model is of the "budget" class, the quality of the interior trim and its overall dimensions do not cause any particular complaints: there is enough space, good visibility; so that even large passengers will feel comfortable. The rear seats are not transformable, but at the same time the trunk of the car is one of the most spacious in the category of budget cars. Noise isolation is mediocre, however, in many more expensive cars this indicator does not fundamentally differ.

Corrosion resistant

The body of the model is distinguished by a pronounced individuality, while the fact that its paintwork is sufficiently resistant to corrosion is encouraging (the only weak points are protective moldings on the side surfaces of the body).

Possible nuances

Of course, the car also has weak points - for example, brake discs, which after the 50,000 km mark may require urgent replacement, or ABS sensors, which often fail. Also (if we talk about the "running") the shock absorbers anthers deserve fair criticism - they are not very durable, they tend to become covered with cracks.

Suspension features

However, the "chassis" itself pleases with its reliability: with proper operation, it is quite capable of serving for a long time and trouble-free. For example, front suspension consumables (such as bearings and ball joints) can “stretch” up to 100,000 km. By the way, it should be noted separately the energy intensity of the rear semi-independent suspension, which easily withstands "problem" sections of the road. But sharp maneuvers should not be performed on this car: the absence of an anti-roll bar makes the car unpleasantly roll when cornering. But for a measured ride, this car is perfect. The front suspension, like its counterpart on the predecessor model, is independent.

Features of the only engine available

As for the engines, buyers have little choice: all Nissan Almera Classic cars were equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine (similar to the Nissan Primera engine). All the shortcomings that were identified during the operation of the Nissan Primera model were successfully eliminated, so the Nissan Almera Classic engine does not "please" the owner with problems with a short-lived catalyst, quickly failing crankshaft and camshaft sensors, as well as a "weak" timing chain. But there are also disadvantages, which include increased oil consumption (this disadvantage is usually caused by a factory defect and is found quite often in the Nissan Almera Classic). In the event of such a problem, it will be eliminated by authorized dealers under warranty, free of charge. Another common problem is the unexpected turning on of the cooling fan, which starts to work in a constant mode. The reason often lies in the breaking of the electrical wiring for connecting the power steering pressure sensor (common to both nodes). The motor also loves to "eat": the average fuel consumption when driving around the city (with a manual transmission) is 9.5 liters per 100 km (according to the manufacturer's data).

Transmissions

Nissan Almera Classic is presented with versions with both manual and automatic transmission, and on the Russian market the ratio of copies with “mechanics” and “automatic” is approximately 1: 1. Both options are quite reliable; maintenance is reduced to regular oil changes (every 90,000 km in the manual transmission, every 60,000 km in the automatic transmission). The only possible source of trouble can be the clutch, or rather, the insufficiently reliable master cylinder of the hydraulic drive. The solution is to replace the cylinder assembly. Also, the return spring of the clutch pedal is not reliable. With an automatic transmission, a car on average spends almost 1 liter more per 100 km, while the dynamics of acceleration to 100 km decreases from 12.1 seconds for a “mechanic” to 13.9 seconds for an “automatic”.

In general, despite the small flaws and weaknesses, the Almera Classic can be called a good, durable car, offered at a fairly modest price. Based on the Nissan Primera and other older models of this brand, the Almera Classic is considered an affordable and decent model, but its maintenance can be expensive, so when buying a car in the secondary market, you should not spare money for diagnostics. The car is ideal for those who prefer a measured and not too fast driving.

Dynamics

Modifications	Maximum speed, km / h	Acceleration time to 100 km / h, s	Cd (Drag Coefficient)
1.6 AT	177	13.9	-
1.6 MT	184	12.1	-

Fuel consumption

Modifications	In the city, l / 100 km	On the highway, l / 100 km	Average consumption, l / 100 km	СО 2 emission, g / km	Fuel type
1.6 AT	10.4	6	7.6	-	Petrol
1.6 MT	9.2	5.3	6.8	-	Petrol

Price

The cost of the new Almera Classic with a manual transmission starts at 487,000 rubles and, depending on the configuration, can go up to 583,000 rubles. With an automatic transmission, prices start at 563,000 rubles. The cost of copies of the first years of release starts at 270,000 rubles.