Bangernomics Best Buys: Nissan Qashqai Car News

Nissan Qashqai

Like it or not, the Nissan Qashqai was the future of the used car market. It looked like an SUV, but otherwise it’s just a big hatchback with a huge trunk. Did someone say Talbot Matra Rancho? The difference is that the Qashqai has become Britain’s favorite family car, unlike the Rancho.

Here it was a Ford Focus but which drove usefully higher. It’s what the buying public wanted, just without all that weight and 4×4 plumbing.

Fairly small engines meant decent economy. Right off the bat, there were 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrols. Obviously the 2.0 liter diesel delivered more MPG (40) than the 2.0 liter petrol (35), but in reality the 1.6 liter petrol was much better (43), but not as impactful. Later, the 1.5 liter diesel could manage over 60 mpg, so that’s the answer.

Unnecessary 4×4 plumbing has indeed arrived, at the twist of a dial delivering power to the rear wheels when needed.

A Qashqai was introduced in 2008 with a pair of extra seats, but they’re aimed at children rather than adults, and the trunk shrinks.

Specification levels were decent, with air conditioning and power windows, Visia trim and more. Acenta had rear parking sensors and Tekna heated seats, keyless entry and a panoramic roof.

Facelift action in 2010 meant a different interior and front end, so second-hand prices sag a bit there.

The ones we found

2012 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi N-tec+, 96,000 miles, £5,995: Here is a top-of-the-range diesel in apparently immaculate condition, with two ex-owners, recent maintenance and almost a year’s technical inspection. Sunroof and rear view camera to brighten your day.

2010 Nissan Qashqai +2 1.6 Acenta, 90,000 miles, £4,775: If you need seven seats, here’s the cheap but slow way to do it. Although it is in Acenta trim, this +2 has a panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors and air conditioning.

Or try this…

2011 Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline II Elegance, 106,000 miles, £5,495: This is a tidy, well-maintained car sold by a dealership with two previous owners, warranty and service history. Upholstered in leather and should return a solid 60 mpg overall.

idol fantasy

MG F and TF, 1995-2005: I’ve always rather liked the MG F in the shape of a bar of soap. Mid-engined, small and rather nippy, it’s exactly what a budget roadster should be.

It ran in 1995 with two versions of the 1.8-liter K-series engine, located behind the seats. The 1999 revisions meant a slight restyling, a Steptronic gearbox and electronic steering. Five variants were offered from 2001 with the 1.6 liter engine.

The TF wasn’t all that different or even better built than before; it looked a bit neater with Hydragas replaced with normal coil springs. Last-minute mods in 2005 included a heated glass rear screen, the suspension was tweaked, and the trim was changed.

The cooling system could have been better, so check the radiator and piping. Otherwise the usual issues are a wet cabin (because the door and trunk seals weren’t up to snuff and the first door glass didn’t fit very well) and the front wheel alignment went wrong. straying from the truth and ruining your tires.

Experts say Japanese-market air-conditioned models returning here may be light on service history and will have missed vital recall work.

Buy now

Renault Twingo, 2007-2014: This Twingo isn’t quite as adorable as the bugeyed original, and there are plenty of very capable rivals. It’s only average to walk around but it’s ok in town.

Pushing the Twingo from behind (which incidentally gives it a tighter turning radius) are a variety of four-cylinder engines. The base 1.2-liter atmo delivers over 50 mpg and stop/start boosts that exceed 60 mpg. The turbo version is decent and for excitement there’s a GT with a slightly more pokey 1.4-litre. Oh, and there was a 1.6-liter RS.

There are five trim levels, but Dynamique would be our pick, as it offers climate control and rear seats that do their own sliding and folding thing.

Faulty coil packs and bad spark plugs cause erratic operation, plus there can be water leaks in the cabin and questionable electrical components in the cockpit.

One we found

2007 Renault Twingo 1.2 Dynamique 67,000 miles, £1990: Here’s a dealer-supplied Twingo with the fairly perky 1.2-liter engine and more-than-decent Dynamique trim, reveling in a power sunroof. Its mileage of 67,000 is justified. The only previous owner had taken care of it, so there are all the stamps in the service book. In very clean condition and with good tyres, it is ready to go home.

Readers’ corner

Sixties Swede is ready for the rally: Alternative energy is a big thing these days, so hats off to Richard, who bought this 1964 Saab. -he. “You can only imagine what it looks like!” Again he set a wonderful example, proving that there is a world of truly fascinating classics and very different potency to buy…