Just had a quick 197 testdrive

[Gareth]

Just popped down to SMC Woking on the off-chance of getting a test-drive, had about a 10-15 minute drive in their already damaged (reversed into a post) week old 197. I have to say I wasn't impressed overall, out of everything it just shouts out OVERPRICED for me, no leather, no auto wipers/lights/climate/cd changer/spare as std and I really fail to see where all the extra money has gone.

Nice car to drive, gearbox is a massive improvement, didn't really get a good chance to really test it as roads were busy and I wasn't driving it for long, but when I got it up to speed it was getting thrown around just as much as my 172 did with 17"s. I am going to wait to drive it again at Brands but at the moment I have been put off. I also got offered 4.5K trade in for mine, lol.

 

[kully]

Just popped down to SMC Woking on the off-chance of getting a test-drive, had about a 10-15 minute drive in their already damaged (reversed into a post) week old 197. I have to say I wasn't impressed overall, out of everything it just shouts out OVERPRICED for me, no leather, no auto wipers/lights/climate/cd changer/spare as std and I really fail to see where all the extra money has gone.

Nice car to drive, gearbox is a massive improvement, didn't really get a good chance to really test it as roads were busy and I wasn't driving it for long, but when I got it up to speed it was getting thrown around just as much as my 172 did with 17"s. I am going to wait to drive it again at Brands but at the moment I have been put off. I also got offered 4.5K trade in for mine, lol.

ppl feeling the same thing ....................not much for it at the moment

 

[Justin]

i was a bit disappointed aswell mate.. we drove past it again yesterday, in the car park, so i could show my mate, and without even getting out my car, the salesman was all over me!

 

[Gareth]

the sales man was giving it big time with it. Lots of media interest etc, expecting to sell lots. I was impressed with its composure until I took it beyond 50mph and it started to get chucked around a lot, this could have just been the particular road but in all honesty I don't think it was, but aside from all that, as I say, when you sit down and seriously think about what you don't get and have to pay extra for over the initial £15995 it is well overpriced, as expected the dealers are not prepared to budge on this price at the moment, which is a shame as I was interested in it as an option.

 

[172 Dave]

nissan micra at its best on that chassis/platform!

 

[gazcaddy]

I like the 197 but would be commiting financial suicide in buying one, they would probably want £16k+ with a few extras and they would probably give me 8k for the 182.

So I would be paying 8k for a car that is not faster, more expensive to run, has less equipment in it but better built, bigger and more refined. Surely the 225 makes more sense

 

[tameracingdriver]

I like the 197 but would be commiting financial suicide in buying one, they would probably want £16k+ with a few extras and they would probably give me 8k for the 182.

So I would be paying 8k for a car that is not faster, more expensive to run, has less equipment in it but better built, bigger and more refined. Surely the 225 makes more sense

Not to mention the fact, depreciation in about 2 or 3 years will be almost crippling. Think about it, RRP of the 182 is about £15k and yet after 1 year they are fetching £11k tops.

 

[Rich_16v]

Depreciation is about 40% after 3 years hence why i'd never ever buy a new car especially a reno as much as i love their chuckability

£15k buys you alot of car if you don't mind having a nearly new motor

 

[tameracingdriver]

40% and the rest.... if it only lost 40% that would be good. I cant see it being worth £10k after 3 years TBH, especially once they start with the discounting (which they will, because lets face it, they arent gonna sell many @ £16k+).