No Budget Reviews: 1998 Nissan Micra K11 1.0 Tempest - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

-One 1998 Nissan Micra K11 1.0 Tempest
-One Mobile Phone
-No Fancy Outfits
-No Obscure In-Jokes
-No DSLRs
-No Shotgun Microphones
-No Fluid Head Tripods
-No Idea about Exposure
-No Budget Whatsoever

It is time for the newest instalment in that beloved cinematic automotive YouTube experience where we film practical cars that can be bought for less than £1,000 in a manner befitting of their inexpensive value! This may go horribly wrong...

This time, as we test a 1998 Nissan Micra K11 1.0 Tempest, we discover some subtle modifications, find a very agreeable driving position, marvel at all the headroom, get excited about a rev counter, mention banger racing and drone on about very little of any importance at all. Nothing untoward, then...

As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.

[scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great review Sir, this brings back many memories as my first car was a 1998 Micra Twister which was the second special edition alongside the Tempest, Twister spec was just as basic, you got Air Con over a Sunroof. Another special edition if you never mentioned it was the Dot aka Micra Dot. A few years ago I bought a inspiration model but it was too far gone to pass a mot, but the K11 Micra is a car I would have again in a heartbeat.

[MattysCars]

These cars are having something of a renaissance but this time appealing to more younger people than old

[alansimpson]

One of my favourite cars ever. The ultimate in shoestring motoring with frugal engines and dependable mechanicals. I had 3 - 2x 1.3s and a 1.0 - and they sort of became more endearing the more basic they were. This one looks great in Peridot Green.

I keep checking the Classifieds and being very tempted, especially when a low miler with a sunroof and tape player comes up

[frothe]

I like this Joseph!
More rounded than the previously reviewed Micra. Excellent visibility! That Nissan steering wheel went into many global Nissan vehicles.
Another excellent example as well as the review, thank you very much!

[LosAngelesRaiders]

Good review. Very strong cars these. My Mum has had 2 of them and we still own the old one which is exactly the same as the one in review here, although ours is an 'Ally'.

I noticed you mentioned that this car was a 'Tempest' in fact it is a Micra 'Passion'. The Tempest was on the later models (final K11 facelift 2000 to 2003).

These Micras are so easy to up-spec with OEM 'posher' bits. I visited many a scrapyard in the mid 00s and picked up so many higher-spec bits and pieces such as a rear parcel shelf with speakers (some Micras didn't get them) tweeters in the A-pillars, OEM floormats, etc...

[alistairrobinson]

Ooh I’m actually starting to hanker after one of these now. Great review!!

[markonmotoring]

I remember a neighbour buying one of these on a 93 L registration. They were a good little car though the styling was a little controversial at the time as not everyone liked the bubble styling. Some people preferred the boxy K10 body style. These were popular with elderly drivers, some driving schools and once no budget review money they probable ended up as takeaway delivery cars and for good reason. Very sensible and very reliable.
The 16v engines punched above there weight and were more advanced than many of the competitor power plants. Love the colourful upholstery trim.
It's easy to forget there was a time when manufacturers used velour or cloth in colours other than black.

[adamtoms]

Have a lot of love for the Micra's, really good little cars. That one is in lovely condition. Another stellar review Sir.

[markonmotoring]

.with you on that front bumper and fog lamps Joseph. It does look better. Being a very soft bubbly shape it gives the car a more assertive looking face.

[danghaf]

What great content I've discovered!
Really like your style of review; and really like the cars.
I'm sure I'll ask for your help when its time for me to buy a car here in the UK; and I'll enjoy the videos in the meantime
Best of luck

[LotCARS]

Joseph, some memories for me too, tough little cars. Back in late ‘98 I got my first OEM job with Nissan and the Micra was the single biggest nameplate we had, most of our Motability business comprised of the Micra. We imported some parts to convert for the severely disabled from Nissan in Japan, however only at the point I asked my tech colleague to fit them did we realise the Japanese market car floorpan was a bit different, whoops.

[alaricbragg]

Nearly bought a 2001 1.3 version this year in New Zealand. Choose to stick with my Honda Civic sedan because I needed space for big trip. Micras are good though! Plenty of these around here in good condition!

[seancooke]

The best Micra of the lot, in my opinion. The pre facelift was a great little car but a bit basic looking.
People tend to forget how good the 1990s superminis actually were. Peugeot 205s, Renault 5s, Clio's, Fiestas, Corsas, Polos, Rover Metros, Saxos, Seat Ibiza's, even Skoda Favorits and Felicia's along with these little Micra's.
All of them were good enough to be first and only family cars or second cars. They could cover most bases.
It's also overlooked how great the Nissan Brand was at the time and still is to this day. A Nissan Dealer could cater to most needs. For example, the Micra, the Almera, the Primera and Primera Estate, the Almera Tino, the 200 SX, the Serena, the Maxima, the Terrano II, the 300 ZX, the Navara, the Patrol. Quite simply, you need never buy any make other than Nissan.

[Mjk]

My first car was a beaten up 1998 micra 1.3 SI loved that little battle bus, it was dented up but the engine was solid never let me down. I was really sad that I had to scrap her in the end because idiots kept wanting to crash into her. I paid like £600 for her when I got the insurance pay for the first person that decide to rear end her I got £900 back and kept her on a cat c then a jag decided it wanted to ram into the side off me insurance then paid out £470 after that I decided she probably wasn't safe to drive so I scraped her and got £130 for her. I paid £600 for that little car as my first ever set of wheels and got back £1500 on her and she kept me safe when other drivers decided they wanted to play bumper cars with me, I had 6 months off fun with that little micra, that car will always have a special place in my memories. I would Rather have a micra mk2 over a crappy corsa C any day of the week

[Pinyoo]

The K11 Micra is what the Mini should have been...

[colinhicks]

I had 3 of these as courtesy cars when the Primera kept breaking. The 1L manual was fine, the 1.4 quite fun as what torque there is, is quite low down.
But, avoid avoid avoid the 1L cvt, the slowest car I have ever driven. It had a sport button, which made the engine louder, but no faster.

Some interesting upgrades to this car, I don’t think any grade of Micra came with a Rev counter until the K12.

[reuben]

Honestly I’d love a micra for a first car, only thing it’s missing is a cup holder, so dunno where I’d put a bottle, might have to put it in the glove box.

[TheGreatestPlayerInTheWorld]

Another good review my first car was. Nissan micra k10 great cars

[notouriosdja]

iv had 2 of these in the past a L reg 1.0 manual and a M reg 1.0 cvt

[leeallen]

Wonder if you warm your dinner up in a Nissan Microwave