HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

[Hertz]

Looks like the wiper should "park" on the left handside of the screen.

[Zelandeth]

Saw a few of these through the garage.  The absolute definition of "dull but utterly effective" sums them up in my book.  The automotive equivalent of the colour magnolia.

I seem to recall them being surprisingly pleasant to drive and riding better than most of the competition aside from PSA's offerings despite also handling quite well.  Just lacked any character...bit more of a growl from the engine when pushed...but more feel through the steering...any one thing would have helped.  However it was all just "Precisely good enough." Very much felt like a car conceived by years of very clever people in focus groups and research studies then designed by equally clever Japanese computers.

Bit of a cosmetic tidy up, a good service and you've probably got a decent motor there if those arches are anything to go by.

Condensation is likely linked to the rear light damage...if there are bungs in the spare wheel well (assuming it's inside) it would be worth removing them if there's any signs of water in there until the lights are sorted.

[AnthonyG]

That rear wiper looks like a giffer add-on, although it’s obviously factory. I think it looks so naff because it’s ‘parked‘ in the wrong place.

BT Cellnet aerial indicates a company or fleet was the likely first owner.  

This generation of Primera just seemed to disappear quickly from the roads, I don’t think they were as durable as the P10s and they were a lot less likely to be sold to the private buyer new - the Toyota Avensis and Honda Accord had it beat in that market.

[HMC]

Collection caper pending tomorrow It’s a sort of trade with another shiter and a familiar forum vehicle.  The golf V5 (with actual paper v5) all ready. Looking forward to a final fun blast across a roads and onward to the new vehicle...........

[cort16]

I seem to remember Nissan went to great lengths to make these primera's handle and ride great but made the interior out of sprayed takeaway cartons. Theyrealised making a nice driving didn't sell cars so the next generation didnt drive that great but got a tv in the middle of the dashboard.

[HMC]

I’ve just spent 12 minutes of my life watching a corporate vid with Tiff Needel basically hammering home that point and comparing it to 406/mondeo/vectra/ a4/318 They looked almost entirely at driving dynamics and avoided all reference to the interior except ergonomics and spaciousness;  “above average” on that one apparently.

[HMC]

Car with fuel. Driver with coffee. Cat sleeping.

[SiC]

The most inappropriate wiper addition to the back of cars is on coupés. Porsche offered it as an option on theirs and looks just wrong. I suspect they only did it to please customers.

 

[HMC]

Y UR SAD?

[HMC]

Quick refreshment break en route back.

@Cookiesouwest was great to finally meet (socially distanced obvs) virtual hand shake at you, very happy with the Alfa!

Pantograph wiper just kicked in yo

 

[Cookiesouwest]

Great to meet you too. That golf is bloody loud

 

[HMC]

I actually ended up with 2 Alfas in the end. One is in mint condition.

 

[HMC]

Doesn’t Lack appeal. Does have lacquer peel. 

Plus period tasteful Alfa cloth seat, almost cord like material. (Whisper it) I think I prefer these to leather.

 

[HMC]

Alfas to my knowledge From circ mid 90s-mid 2000s (possibly to more recent that that?) all have a small reflective foil sticker on the inner bit of the boot lid panel that tells you the colour in full fat Italian.

“Nero vulcano” which makes even a lacquer peel sound sexy. Volcano black to you and me. It’s more a dark aubergine. 

[rickvw72]

That Alfa looks a nice place to sit. Lovely.

[wuvvum]

That looks the same colour as my V6 one.  That was a lovely car spoiled by its Sportronic gearbox.

The 166 is actually one of the very few "moderns" I've owned that sell for more now than they did when I bought my first one about 13 years ago.

[Six-cylinder]

Lovely, good choice.

I kept looking at it when it was for sale and fighting the urge! 

[HMC]

26 minutes ago, Six-cylinder said:

Lovely, good choice.

I kept looking at it when it was for sale and fighting the urge! 

It would make a nice partner to the 156 v6 saloon. Although small body/large engine vs big body/small engine It would be very sluggish in comparison!

[Six-cylinder]

17 minutes ago, HMC said:

It would make a nice partner to the 156 v6 saloon. Although small body/large engine vs big body/small engine It would be very sluggish in comparison!

Maybe, but fast compared to a W124 200TE 8v auto!

[HMC]

Been using the ‘99 primera 2.0 as my daily.   You don’t have to make allowances. It just all works, and works well.  The things you touch and the sounds you hear that perhaps clinic well with VAG products were probably not spoke highly of when new. But the secret is that they stand up well to use and remain in full working order 21 years on. Respect. Plus it’s actually good fun to drive.

[HMC]

Also- all my fleet are double digit prefix numbers . Dollywobbler approved.

[Marm Toastsmith]

You know what, I think I remember admiring this in Lidl's car park.

[Matty]

Hey did a primera gti(??) Didn't they? Always wondered how good they are, people speak very highly of, and the talent always has to come from the car its based on

Edit, same year as my golf gti 20vt. More proof of my theory that mid 90s to mid 2000s is the absolute high spot of car

[DVee8]

44 minutes ago, Matty said:

Hey did a primera gti(??) Didn't they? Always wondered how good they are, people speak very highly of, and the talent always has to come from the car its based on

Edit, same year as my golf gti 20vt. More proof of my theory that mid 90s to mid 2000s is the absolute high spot of car

They did a eZX,a eGT  and a GT also a GT SE and a GT Chromaflair

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, marm said:

You know what, I think I remember admiring this in Lidl's car park.

Belonged to an old Jamaican dude if memory serves.

My mate's got a GT. He's had it for years and loves it. Reckons he out ran a police car that was chasing him once.

 

[Matty]

49 minutes ago, DVee8 said:

They did a eZX,a eGT  and a GT also a GT SE and a GT Chromaflair

God i remember that paint. Apparently easy to damage repair cos your never looking for a break to hide the paint match as it never matches anyway 🤣

[wuvvum]

2 hours ago, HMC said:

Been using the ‘99 primera 2.0 as my daily.   You don’t have to make allowances. It just all works, and works well.  The things you touch and the sounds you hear that perhaps clinic well with VAG products were probably not spoke highly of when new. But the secret is that they stand up well to use and remain in full working order 21 years on. Respect. Plus it’s actually good fun to drive.

Every time you post "scenic" photos of your cars I remember how much fun those roads were in the Rover 45 and, going back in the opposite direction, in the 156.

On 10/16/2020 at 9:46 AM, Six-cylinder said:

Maybe, but fast compared to a W124 200TE 8v auto!

Yes, 2-litre 166s aren't a slow car at all, although you do need to rev them.  They're not too bad on fuel either for what they are.

Obviously the one to have is a 3-litre V6 with a 6-speed manual, but they're starting to make what I consider to be daft money now.

[tooSavvy]

Primera GT...... The 'car boot spoiler you always promised yourself'.

Washingtons finest graces the arse end of ToMM©, top totty vote there then

Roffle bidders note*

[HMC]

I decided to have a late 90s BTCC sticker on the back window. Nissan had a primera in the series for several years, plus as we know at times it could be very elbows out, which given that this primera has had a tap up the back seems appropriate .

[big_al_granvia]

Couple of those primera's survive and are still racing... Epic machines