Nissan Micra

The last 2 post have me writing about Porsche. At first, I thought that I have pretty much brain dumped everything I have to write about the German car marquee. Clearly this is not the case. The more I think about it, the more I have know there are a ton more of stuff to write. This was after I finally tore myself away from my computer monitor. You see, I just could not stop looking for (and at) Panamera butt photos online. It is similar to looking at road kill. You already know that any animal that’s been run over will be ghastly and yet you still can’t stop yourself from taking a look as you drive past.

Anyway, I’ve decided that anymore such post will turn this into a Porsche blog, which is far from something I want to see happen, but I need inspiration to write. I dugged into my computer and found some images of a Nissan Micra. It is also called the March in some markets. So I decided to surf around a see what I can find about the Micra. The last time I heard that a new Micra will be out this year. The only news I’ve gotten is that the Micra will be launched in India soon. And with all sorts of engine configuration that will suit just about everyone. A 1.2 liter and 1.4 liter petrol engine and a 1.5 liter diesel common rail direct injection engine. With a cute tiny body and diesel engine, one tankful will probably last you till the end of time. I foresee extreme fuel economy runs just to get publicity. Not that the March need any. It has a cult-ish following.

Besides the normal engine configuration, you have a ton of engines from Nissan to choose from if you are still not satisfied. There’s the ever popular GA16DE which normally powers a Nissan 2 size bigger. If you are a wee bit more adventurous, there’s the SR20DE which is rated between 140 to 170bhp. How’s that for you in a Micra which weighs about 970 kgs. That means just a bit more power and flight could be possible already.

All the “more power” nonsense actually distracted me from talking about normal the March. The March although in some sense, mixes cute with ugly (the bulging front light look like frog eyes). Sure it is a cute car, great runabout for the ladies but it is not really so. It can have a fire breathing, pocket rocket if you tweak it some. Some version come with a huge goal post style rear spoilers. Actually it is not a rear spoiler. It is as if someone made the handles for a giant to come round and pick up your March like a toy car.

Some criticize the March for lack of head room and luggage space in the rear. If you want more space get a bigger car! The March/Micra is a popular car. The reason is that it is such a wonderful small car. Cheap, reliable, well built and fun to drive. You won’t worry about it being scratched, repair bills, parts. If you drive a like a grandma, just leave it as it is. If you want to pimp your ride, you can do so. You have a host of options. Heck, if you want to drive it 10,000 km in a rally, you can too. From UK to Mongolia in the Mongol Rally. A no holds barred rally that goes back to the most basic of having fun and arriving there in 1 piece. No support crew, no accommodations, no speeding, no showers, no whatever. And in the end, you get to donate a cow!

I feel bitter sweet about the March though. It’s a great car to zip about, well built, reliable and I can paint it to look like a Friesian cow and my friends would either think I’m creative (or have a thing for cows). That don’t matter because, I’ll be different. Don’t need a Posh to prove that. But the price here with taxes means it cost as much as a Latio/Tiida/Versa and that just won’t do.

If that’s not bad enough, Nissan allowed someone to make a 350 SR March. The ultimate March. A 3.5 liter engine from the 350z grafted into a K12 March, that can do 0 to 100km/h in 5 seconds. That’s Porsche territory. I could easily drive up in a March and blow my friends Boxster away. I was thinking of having 2 March. One for me and the other for the missus. Hers will be the boring 1.5 liter diesel and I’ll the 3.5 liter please. That’s the problem. I can’t have the 350SR. It cost £160,000. Nissan should never allowed it to be made. Once you set the bar so high, you can’t back down. Since I can’t have the 350 SR, I’ve decided I’m not having one and since I’m not getting one, the missus is not getting one either. See, Nissan you messed up and now you have 2 sales less.

P.S.

You should know by now, that a 3.5 liter engine is never ever going to fit into the engine bay of a March. The VQ35DE sits where the rear seats used to be and it drives the rear wheels. With all the mods, it cost more than even the 911! And you can’t buy it even it you have the cash. Sorry. There only 1 and its not for sale. It even has its own Facebook page. See it in action here and here.

Related Articles:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply