HAVING missed out on the first two generations of Micra, South Africa received the third iteration in 2004, two years after its international launch. The styling was very different to the small-car norm and admired/loathed in equal measure for its quirkiness. Unusual for a light car, it featured a sliding rear seat to tailor legand luggage room, and was powered by a choice of 1,4-litre petrol or 1,5-litre turbodiesel engines. The facia also dared to be different with neat retro-white Bakelite-effect switches.
WHICH MODEL?
Luggage space ranges from 192 dm3 if you need maximum legroom for rear seat passengers, to 248 dm3 with minimal rear legroom. With the rear seats folded forward, utility space rises to 832 dm3.
CAR’s fuel-consumption index read 7,75 litres/100 km for the 1,4 Elegance we tested in October 2004 and an excellent 5,54 litres/100 km for the 1,5 dCi Tekna tested in March 2006. The diesel version of the Micra is a three-door, as opposed to the others which have five doors.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Engines
Fan-belt squeaks annoyed two owners, while a vibration in the heater fan meant another reader had to have this part replaced. A faulty oxygen sensor caused a drop in performance without a warning indication. After one dealer proved unsure, a second dealer managed to trace the fault. Another owner had a similar problem at about 50 000 km. The 1,4-litre engine uses a camchain and the diesel a cambelt, the latter which needs to be changed every 60 000 km or four years.
Transmission
Squeaking noises in the clutch thrust bearing led to a renewal of the clutch plate for one owner. No other adverse reports were received. Suspension, brakes and wheels Suspension arms had to be replaced due to knocking noises from the front. Only one person complained about a high rate of tyre wear. A rear torsion-beam axle was damaged, but the cause remained undetermined.
Steering
The electric power-steering motor failed on one car and was replaced under warranty.
Electrical
Central locking failed on both key fobs with one car, with the fault found in the driver’s door wiring. Some readers reported failed lighting globes, mainly in the headlamps.
Interior
The housing surrounding the white fan buttons can crack on older models.
Bodywork
Water made its way into a rear taillamp lens on a 2008 model and one leaky tank-filler seal was repaired under warranty.
Summary
The third-generation Micra appears to have very few hassles, so it should prove a decent second-hand run-about. For these prices you’re also getting a degree of individuality.
