One Month Update

[Moflow]

Just thought I would share my thoughts on my used base model 2015 Micra after one month. In one word, satisfied. In two words, happily surprised. I bought this car with 38K km on the clock and I have to say that it has more than impressed me for the "least expensive" car that was sold in Canada at the time. I've had no problems at all and the more I drive it, the more I feel it deserves more respect for what it is and what it can do. It does seem to have a few quirks (like all cars do) but nothing worrying. I've got the 5 speed and first gear whine is more that I though a modern tranny could make, but it works well, no missed shifts or hiccups, just more noise than I was used to. Some times on a very cold morning, it starts instantly, but then the rpm drops and it seems like the engine will almost stall, then I guess the ECU recalculates and then it settles into a comfortable idle (I'm not sure if this will be the same situation in the really -15C winters), but for now it just seems like a quirk.

I just did a lot of highway driving for the first time and again, overall I'm very happy. The seats, although stiff, do seem to give adequate support because after 6 hours of highway, I had no lower back fatigue or stiffness. I do seem to get a strong acoustical engine noise at certain RPM. The engine itself is smooth and up to about 100km/h (3100RPM) the engine noise is very comfortable, then as I climb through 110 up to 115km/h there is a definite harmonic reverberace happening and the noise is noticeable. Once at 115 (3500RPM) the noise fades and all is quiet again (again for an economical sub compact). I'm wondering if a little acoustical mat applied to the hood would make a difference?

I watched my fuel consumption and again I'm happily surprised. I helped a friend move and followed behind his Uhaul and got a very accurate 5.5l/100km at 100km/h (42mpg). On the way down I averaged approx 115km/h (3500RPM) and the on board computer said 5.7l/100km. Comparing to my fill ups and km it seems like the Nissan on board trip meter is a bit optimistic, but real life calculations still put the fuel consumption at that speed with two heavy middle aged males, and a loaded car (back seats down, stuffed a storage freezer, power washer and tools) at about 6.1l/100km good for a very respectable 38mpg.

Interestingly I also got to test the Micra's off road capabilities, but's another story for another post.