Only picked it up on Sunday, but already run up around 600 miles - including a very entertaining drive through mid Wales [1]
In true car magazine style I've broken it down with points for everything (marked out of 10 and relative to similar cars, IYSWIM)
Model: Primera 2.0SLXi Styling - 7 OK, so it's a little dull, however, I do think that they're a well proportioned car - and it hasn't really aged over the years (more or less the same shape was on sale until the latest Primera, which, IMHO, looks a bit silly and will date rapidly).
Interior - 7 Another respectable score. Lots of soft blue plastic, and blue velour. Standard Jap- issue interior. However, it's hard wearing (120k miles and no sign of wear), well assembled (no sqeeks or rattles), and comfortable. Multi-way adjustment of the drivers seat means I can change my driving position every hour or so to remain comfortable for several hours of non-stop driving.
Equipment - 8 Can't think of much else I'd want. Apart from electric seat adjustment and electric roof. These, though, are minor points. It has all the 'essential' bits - 'lectric windows all round, electric (heated) mirrors, tilt/slid roof, individual lights in the front (so the passenger can navigate in the dark without illuminating the whole car). Plus the stuff we take as read these days - electric ariel and central locking. Shame it doesn't have alloys, though.
Engine - 7 I'd love to give it more - after all, it's a very good design (twin-cam,
16v, chain rather than belt), very smooth and quiet. However, without variable timing and only single point injection it feels a little gutless compared with my last couple of cars. Still, 121bhp isn't tragic, and it seems to be economical.Handling & ride - 8 What more can I say. It's beautifully poised, has good grip, doesn't roll and manages to be firm without crashing over the bumps. I reckon I could cover a twisty run faster in this than I could in my 75. OK, so it doesn't have the liveliness of an Alfa, but as a mainstream family saloon it really is very good.
Total: 37/50 = 74%
In conclusion, I'm not sorry I bought it, and would certainly consider a later, more sporty model - I hear very good things about the SRi and eGT models. Although I'm still an Alfa man [2], for covering silly mileages, I can't think of much to beat it - it's streets ahead of it's peers from Vauxhall, Ford and most other mainstream manufacturers.
[1] Merthyr - Brecon - Builth Wells - Newtown - Wrexham - Oswestry - Chester. [2] I _really_ can't afford the costs of doing 24k miles / year in an Alfa.