Trading in a Beast for a Tiny Red Ball: My Wild Ride with a Used Nissan March

You'd think I'd never have to trade in my old V8 for a tiny runabout, but that's not the story I'm here to tell – it's about the tiny runabout that really came through for me.

So, my trusty old Nissan March from 2002.

Nissan March, 2002 model yearNissan March, 2002 model yearNissan March, 2002 model yearNissan March, 2002 model year

Technical specs:

Engine: 1.2-liter petrol engine

Power: 90 horsepower

Transmission: automatic

Drive type: front-wheel drive

Body style: hatchback

Colour: orange

Mileage in Russia: yes

Mileage, km: 120,000

I'm pretty sure it was already well-used when I got it.

Steering wheel: right-hand drive

Vehicle ID: AK12-******

Tip number one!

When choosing a used car, I think it's a total waste of time to check for scratches. You've got to assume the car's seen its fair share of life over more than 10 years, so focus on cracked parts, check the screen, and look for welding marks on the wings.

If tip number one checks out, then let's move on:

Tip number two.

Ideally, take the car to a trusted mechanic or a reputable garage to inspect the suspension and give the engine a little test drive.

Be super careful with this one, though – modern mechanics might have their hands in the wrong place, and their eyes might be blinded by 40-degree temperatures. So, you might only get a glimpse of a heavily-tinted blonde in stilettos and a mini skirt (all coincidences, of course, but it's happened!). If you can, stick to a trusted mechanic or someone with experience with used cars. (I, unfortunately, learned this the hard way).

A test drive is non-negotiable. Listen for any clunks, whines, or groans, and check if the transmission is slipping. Also, make sure to inspect the engine oil and transmission fluid!

Tip number three.

It's worth noting that a low number of previous owners is a good sign, and in this case, it's a bit of a challenge to find one. However, it's definitely worth paying attention to. If the car is sold every six months and never stays with one owner, it's a red flag. I'd even say it's a warning sign.

Tip number four.

In the cabin, I recommend checking every single button, turning the air conditioning dials, testing the headlights, hazard lights, and horn. In fact, I'd say it's a good idea to thoroughly examine all the buttons. You should also check the window regulators.

Nissan March, 2002 model year

Tip number five.

Now, this might sound like a weird thing to do, but it's something I personally like to check. In the trunk, I lift up the floor covering, open the spare wheel compartment, take out the spare wheel, and take a look at how the water reservoir is set up. If everything is sealed with soundproofing material, it's a good indication that the car might have been rear-ended (I'm not sure how this is set up in higher-end cars, but in the 200-400 thousand ruble price range, I think this information is relevant).

Next, I pay special attention to the arches and sills. If there are any signs of 'red spidering' on the arches, you should be prepared for potential anti-corrosion treatment, but it depends on the size of the damage – it might be a matter of days or weeks before it becomes a serious issue.

Now, let's take a break from tips and talk about my experience with the car.

I had the car in my possession from February 28th, 2016 to October 22nd of the same year (8 months). The car was needed to get me through a tough time and help me save up for a more reliable vehicle.

Investments in the car:

Overall, this car has been a real gem. I've had to replace the engine oil twice, and I was surprised to find that it didn't get gunked up at all.

In August, I was involved in a pretty lucky accident - the damage was limited to a wing, and I only had to pay for the repair costs of the wing itself, which was just 1,500 rubles. The good people who helped me out even managed to get the wing painted to match the original color perfectly.

Nissan March, 2002 model year

It was a pretty good deal, considering I didn't have to pay for the repair itself. The scratches on the doors were polished out, and the wing looks like it was never damaged in the first place.

Nissan March, 2002 model yearFuel efficiency.

On a 1,000-ruble fill-up, I could drive over 600 km on the highway. The fuel economy was around 4-5 liters per 100 km.

Of course, in the city, the fuel efficiency was much worse, at around 8-9 liters per 100 km.

I could get away with 15 liters of fuel (around 500 rubles at the time) for a whole week of driving, which was pretty great for my daily commute and weekend trips to see friends.

And now, the downsides:

As a girl, I have to mention that the light-colored interior is a real pain to keep clean - it's always getting dirty. I'm not a fan of the trim, and getting it cleaned can be pretty expensive, so I've had to get creative with cleaning products to keep the interior looking its best (I still haven't found the perfect cleaner, so if anyone has a recommendation, I'd be super grateful);

Nissan March, 2002 model year

I was really surprised by how low the ground clearance is on this car. It's so low that I couldn't even fit it in my garage, which has a slightly steeper entrance than usual. The Nissan March would scrape its bumper every time I tried to park it there.At first, I thought I was driving faster than the car was actually going. Anything over 70mph felt pretty scary, but I did manage to push it up to 120mph once. To be honest, it felt like the engine was going to give out at any moment, and I was just trying to hold on in the passenger seat.The lack of a tachometer was a bit of a problem for me. I know it's not like the car has a ton of power or anything, but it would've been nice to be able to keep an eye on the RPMs every now and then.

I started this review with some advice, but it turns out I was wrong on all counts. Luckily, I knew from the start that this car wasn't going to last forever. When I first saw it, I was planning to buy it for the long haul, and I would've been really disappointed if I'd known it was going to be so temperamental.

My car was battered from all sides, the long beams were bent, and the wings were just welded on. The paint on the passenger door started flaking off in chunks, and the filler was visible.I took two cars to the service center before buying, and the service reps recommended this one, even though it was obvious the second March was way better. So, I've lost trust in the service reps ever since.In the car's history, there were eight previous owners, and I'm number nine. That's a lot, in my opinion. I was relieved to see that most of the previous owners had kept the car for over a year, but it was a letdown to see that all of them were women.I had issues with the air conditioning not working, the horn not working, one of the passenger doors not opening, and one door not responding to the alarm (I found out about it a year later, though). The plastic around the ignition started to crack, and I suspect someone had been messing around in there before me, given the signs of glue.And to top it all off, the cargo area was completely sealed up. They later told me that the car had been battered and had rust issues.

My Takeaways and Recommendations.

I've complained about the low ground clearance, but when it unexpectedly snowed on May 9th, I was able to drive out proudly with my head held high.

Nissan March, 2002 model year

I also took it on a trip to the nearby lakes, and it performed surprisingly well (I wasn't trying to bury it, but I saw others doing it, and I was cautious).

Fuel efficiency is a real treat compared to my previous car, which devoured 98 octane like it was going out of style. The Maruti feels like a kid's toy.

I'd say this is the perfect car for a newbie with a limited budget. You get a Demio in an old body, and some crummy Vitzes (nothing against Toyota, though). But the Vitz is a rip-off.

Despite its compact exterior, the interior is surprisingly spacious. I'm 178 cm tall, and my knees didn't hit my ears, so it's quite comfortable. And the parking space is small, which is a huge plus in a crowded urban setting.

The spacious boot, quirky exterior design that made me smile every day, and the fact that it looks cute – all of these things make up for its slow speed.

I initially thought I'd heard it all when people said, 'Nissan – fall in love with it.'

But, you know, my experience was a little different. I wrote a review, and I ended up falling for it. Although, when I was selling it, I thought that would never happen. And after re-registering it with the DMV, I literally ran away from them

I thought they'd figure out what I'd done, take back the money, and return the car.

I sold it for 10,000 rubles cheaper, at 170,000 rubles. Considering I put zero effort into the car, I think that's a success.

I wouldn't even lower the rating, unless you approach the purchase more rationally, and you'll be happy.

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A hole in the neck (or piercing?!)

I've shared my own experiences with getting rid of acne for under 120 rubles here;

Check out my story on fighting acne with a common soap that's actually worked for me.

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Thanks for reading!

And remember, it's not about being perfect – it's about being real!