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Nissan Note
by pob_1976
My father got one of these through the goverment scheme mobility as he has a bad back. He finds it easy to get in and out of, but there seems to be a lack of a drivers side handle for some reason that would help getting in and out of the car. Overall, the car is very comfortable even on long distances, very spacious, and quiet. The ... only negative comment I would give is on the 1.6 automatic models, it tends to over rev sometimes trying to change gear, but I think if this was a 1.8 model, it would be better. The room in the back is outstanding with loads of leg room and excellent for long trips. The boot is quite roomy and has a separate area under the main boot area that can hold tools and stuff without getting in the way of your shopping. Also if you have frozen food, it tends to stay cooler in this part of the boot.
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Nissan Note
by clockface
I think that one of the most useful things about DooYoo, is that you get such a wide range of opinions, all of which are valuable in helping others make purchasing choices. I make that disclaimer before I write this review, for I am not a driver and I know nothing about the technicalities of cars! Nevertheless, I think a review by a ... passenger just adds another dimension!
For many years, as a family, we've had string of Peugeot cars, except for one unfortunate episode with a Ford Focus. When the opportunity arose to trade in an old car under the Government's scrappage scheme, we decided that we would also trade in our three year old Peugeot for a new car. The obvious choice was another Peugeot, but we tried them and they seemed terribly basic. We also tried a Honda Jazz, but it turned out to be too expensive; and also a Citreon which apparently felt very heavy to drive.
Never before had we considered a Nissan, but we thought we'd give it ago on the basis that you don't know unless you try! Both the Nissan Note, and the Nissan Micra were within our price range, though eventually the boot of the Micra was found to be a little on the small side.
So, what about the Note? Well, we went for the five-door n-tec model as it offered interest-free finance over three years (an excellent deal alongside the scrappage money). For me, the Note is an extremely comfortably car to sit in as a passenger both in the front and back seats. You have the option to increase boot space by moving the whole of the back seat forward. Even with this placed as far forward as possible, there was still plenty of leg-room in the back without any need to adjust the fronts seats. Of course, you can also fold down the back seats to give a greatly enlarged boot. If I had one criticism, neither the headrests in the back or front are particularly comfortably, but I guess it's a personal thing - I prefer something a little less hard!
There is plenty of leg-room in the front passenger seat, and at just under six foot, I can stretch both legs out straight with the seat in a position as to still allow room for another adult in the back with plenty of leg-room. Certainly, the general space is impressive both in the back and front.
A feature which was new to me was to have the back windows slightly tinted. This isn't something generally noticed from the outside, though in a funny sort of way, it does make the back feel much more cosy than it would with large expansive clear windows...but maybe it's an illusion!
The n-tec offers a built in SatNav which is very effective. For several years, we'd had a TomTom which plugged into the cigarette lighter, but the Nissan version is much better, and easier to use. One feature which it lacks is the option to put in a whole series of destinations (useful when house-hunting!), but again, that's really a 'nice extra' rather than a necessity. You can use the radio when the SatNav is running, and it very cleverly reduces the radio volume when the SatNav wishes to speak. It also has an auxiliary socket to attach an iPod or MP3 player.
On first inspection, the boot doesn't seem very big, but this is an illusion. Firstly, as mentioned above, the seats move forward adding another six inches or so. Secondly, the base of the boot lifts out creating a deeper boot, again adding another six inches. The panels which you remove can cleverly be inserted again in a vertical position as to ensure you shopping bags do not fall over!
The engine is very quiet. We have a diesel, and thank goodness, these days we seem to have been saved from (a) the need to wait several seconds before you can switch on the engine; and (b) that 'heavy' diesel sound! In fact it's much quieter than the petrol Peugeot we'd had previously.
I would like to have had a pocket in the rear doors, but there are pockets in the back of the seats, so again, plenty of storage. In the back, the centre panel folds down to give a double-width arm rest for both passengers (or a picnic table, depending which way you look at it!). Of course, there is room for three in the back, all with proper seatbelts.
I hope this has given you just a snapshot of what the Nissan Note offers from a passenger's point of view. In that capacity, I am entirely satisfied. It is such an improvement, both in terms of features and comfort, on the Peugeots we've had, all of which now seem terribly old-fashioned.
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