Which (second hand) modern to choose?

[Nick Jones]

Nissan…. Usually mechanically faithful but tinny (as observed) and occasionally rot prone. Did look at K11s for the boys but they weren’t cheap to insure for new drivers at the time.
 

Have to say I much prefer the K11 for looks. The K12…. Well, if you are driving it, at least you don’t have to look at it!

Trust you don’t have any nasty surprises at service time - doubt it though. Old lady clutch syndrome maybe….

[Escadrille Ecosse]

58 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

Nissan…. Usually mechanically faithful but tinny (as observed) and occasionally rot prone. Did look at K11s for the boys but they weren’t cheap to insure for new drivers at the time.
 

Have to say I much prefer the K11 for looks. The K12…. Well, if you are driving it, at least you don’t have to look at it!

Trust you don’t have any nasty surprises at service time - doubt it though. Old lady clutch syndrome maybe….

It is certainly no looker that's for sure. Heard them referred to as a noddy car before.

Clutch was something I was concerned about too, but action was fine so hopefully a good but of life left.

Only real thing I don't like about the drive is the steering which feels very dead. But then comparing with the Fiesta which is dynamically very good, even in poverty spec.  And as mentioned I think the tracking needs adjustment.

 

[Nick Jones]

8 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

But then comparing with the Fiesta which is dynamically very good

This. The Fiesta is a very nice drive.

Tracking may well improve matters but probably won’t match the Fiesta…

[Escadrille Ecosse]

The Micra came with only one key. Now daughter is very good about not losing stuff like keys, credit cards, etc (unlike son and wife) but Cambridge is a long way away for Dad in an emergency so looking at getting a spare key.

Micra key is chipped and has a rolling code for the imobiliser so ebay cheapies are out as the new key needs a new NTS chip coded to the car.

Main dealers are stupid price. The only other semi-reasonable option I've seen is Keynow from Timpson which do a non-remote locking key for a mere £89.

Any experience anyone?

[Hamish]

No

but I would trust Timpsons

good ethos company 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

3 hours ago, Hamish said:

No

but I would trust Timpsons

good ethos company 

Good point Hamish. I'll give them a go.

[thebrookster]

Timpsons is a good shout.

Otherwise any competent locksmith can sort this in half an hour. These guys are mostly based out of vans now, no idea what they charge unfortunately as the last time I had a key done the tab was picked up by the dealer.

But the longest part of the process was getting the blank, and booking the appt.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

52 minutes ago, thebrookster said:

Timpsons is a good shout.

Otherwise any competent locksmith can sort this in half an hour. These guys are mostly based out of vans now, no idea what they charge unfortunately as the last time I had a key done the tab was picked up by the dealer.

But the longest part of the process was getting the blank, and booking the appt.

Good. So booked with Timpsons. They'll let me know when they have the key blank. Cutting the key doesn't seem to be the issue. Like you say it's getting the new key and then programming the new, extra chip for the immobiliser. Which I guess is quite a good thing from a security point of view. Needed to provide driving licence and V5 to prove I'm pukka.

One day I'm going to get my old pink paper licence replaced as it is now very fragile

[andymcp]

10 hours ago, Escadrille Ecosse said:

One day I'm going to get my old pink paper licence replaced as it is now very fragile

Is that still an option?  I thought everyone had been forced to change over by now.  Several changes of address did for mine years ago.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

8 minutes ago, andymcp said:

Is that still an option?  I thought everyone had been forced to change over by now.  Several changes of address did for mine years ago.

Having moved 17 times by the time I was 27 I've been in this house ever since .

That last one turned the licence from green to pink and never replaced it since.