Nissan Note 2004-2013 used car review
The Nissan Note is a very spacious and practical small car.
The Nissan Note is a very spacious and practical small car. It could use more power, and the interior feels a little cheap.
The Nissan Note was inspired by European cars that took the practical shape of a people mover and put it into a small car size. It is based on components from both the Nissan March and Nissan Tiida. It became hugely popular in Japan, so is now available in New Zealand as a used import in large numbers.
Inside and out
The Note looks narrow, tall and squared off. There is a short nose with huge swept-back headlights before the windscreen rakes up to the tall roof. The taillights are high on the car for better visibility and safety, and they reach forward around 40cm along the roofline. The rear door is wide and square and is cut deep into the bumper.
The unusual design makes sense when you get inside. The interior is very spacious, with plenty of leg and headroom, and lots of storage space. The dashboard is full of rounded features, such as air vents and a pod over the instruments. There is a lidded cubby on top of the dash, and an open cubby built into the door of the glovebox. The interior plastics feel a little thin and flimsy - a little cheap and of low quality.
While you have plenty of head and legroom, the seats themselves feel a little small and unsupportive, particularly to the sides. This is a surprise as they look well passed and bolstered. Rear seat passengers also get lots of space, even if again little support. There is enough space for two, not three adults - although if three kids are in the rear, the flat bench means the middle child will not need to sit on an uncomfortable lump.
The party truck for the seat, however, is that it folds forward flat, in line with a false floor in the boot area. With the floor in the boot it can take three medium-size cases, under the floor another two will potentially fit.
On the road
Japanese import Notes are powered by either a 1.5-litre or 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. A five-speed manual is available, albeit rare. Most use a CVT automatic transmission, while four-wheel drive models feature a four-speed automatic.
The 1.5-litre in the review vehicle produces 80kW and 148Nm. Performance is fine with one person on board, although like most small cars with a CVT the engine can be a little “buzzy”. Load the Note up to its full potential and performance is likely to be only just sufficient.
The way the Note drives makes it best around town. The height creates a small amount of body roll, though not enough to be uncomfortable. The soft ride smooths out bumps well, and the steering is light and easy to use.
The upright seating position and large windows make for excellent visibility in all directions - even to the rear with the chunky pillars. This car is a doddle to park - you can see all the corners easily, and its size is easy to manage. Reversing cameras and parking sensors are not needed and are a rare option.
We could not find a local tow rating for the Nissan Note, and with a small CVT automatic, we would not recommend using the car for this purpose anyway. We found aftermarket options available rated at up to 750kg (a small to medium garden trailer).
Reliability
The Nissan Note has a good record for reliability. The engine uses a timing chain which will not require regular replacement.
While not common, there have been issues with the CVT automatic on higher mileage - over 100,000km - vehicles. This is primarily if the car hasn't been serviced enough, or incorrect fluids were used (and there are no early warning signs). Nissan NZ sells the special NS1 CVT fluid recommended. If it does fail, it will need a full rebuild or replacement with a second-hand unit. Either way, expect to spend between $1500 and $2500 in parts and labour.
The light coloured interior found in many of the notes is a magnet for stains, and like in this vehicle, even a shampoo may not get them out.
Safety
There is no local safety rating for this model - it was not sold new in New Zealand and the Japanese model did not receive a rating there either. The European version carries a four-star rating for adult safety, and three-star rating for child safety - though that version features side airbags, rarely fitted to the Japanese car.
Safety features fitted to the review vehicle are minimal - just driver and passenger airbags and antilock brakes. Side airbags are a rare option, while electronic stability control can be found on some late model versions.
There are no ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear seat. The centre passenger only gets a lap belt, which offers less protection than the full shoulder-type belt.
Cost of ownership
The Nissan Note should be serviced every 12 months or 10,000km. Each regular service will cost you around $320, with a more expensive service at 90,000km to change the fluid in the CVT automatic.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, the Note will cost $1620 - which is good considering the interior volume the car offers. A 46-litre tank of petrol will cost $92 at $2 a litre, and you could travel up to 720km before the fuel light comes on.
The Note is in the cheapest ACC levy band, and its annual licensing fee (registration) is $76.92.
Trade Me Insurance estimates cover for a Note worth $6150 will cost $40.48* per month. A Honda Jazz could cost $3 more per month.
Buyers’ guide
The Nissan Note is available on Trade Me priced from around $3500 for high mileage examples, rising to $13,000 for extremely low-mileage post-2010 cars. At this price, you may get better value considering a slightly higher mileage second-generation car.
Variants
- S/X - Features steel wheels, manual air-conditioning, CD player stereo, remote central locking, electric windows and fold-flat rear seats.
- E/G - Adds premium front seats, keyless entry and start, climate-control air-conditioning and fog lights.
- RS - Adds red stitching to seats, sports trim, projector headlights and white gauges.
- RX - Adds leather steering wheel and alloy wheels.
- Rider - On S adds bodykit, alloy pedals, projector headlights, alloy wheels, premium seat finish and leather steering wheel.
- A four-wheel drive is an option across the range, with those models named FOUR. Many special packages were released, including performance, interior colour, aero and navigation options.
Timeline
- 2005 - Launched in Japan
- 2008 - Given cosmetic update and small specification changes
- 2010 - Further cosmetic and transmission efficiency changes
- 2012 - Replaced by new model
Details
2008 Nissan Note 15X
$5,000 to $11,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
1.5-litre, four-cylinder, 80kW/148Nm (claimed)
CVT automatic, front-wheel drive
10,000km or 12 months
Space saver
5.7-litres per 100km (claimed)
Regular
4083mm
1690mm
1550mm
Not recommended
9.6m
This review covers the Nissan Note for model years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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