Take Note Of A Great Small Car An old gentleman stopped me as I got back in my car having fuelled up last week. He’s not the first to have done so, and it’s not something I’m used to (except maybe when I drove a Toyota Prius for a few months in my last job). The thing is, I drive a Nissan Note, made in Sunderland, powered by a small (1500cc) French diesel engine. We bought it as a second vehicle when I left my Prius and my former life behind and became self-employed. Our other car is also a Note – but it’s ‘Intense Blue’ (mine’s Red) and has a few more toys. Back to the guy in the petrol (gas) station, and a string of questions and comments. “Looks like you’ve got plenty of space inside for a small car?”; “it looks really great”; “what’s the economy like?”; “is it a nice drive?” and so on. Can I deal with those points one by one?

I know that cars are a pretty emotive subject – each to his own – but I offer these points by way of review, that’s all! Plenty of space. It’s like a TARDIS (British readers will understand that reference – for all others, look up Dr Who online sometime – basically it looks smaller from the outside than the internal reality!) – offering easily as much room inside as our old Almera, and actually having more headroom than the new offering from Sunderland, the Qashqai. I run my Note as a Taxi, and it is licensed to carry four passengers, based purely on internal dimensions. In fact, the boot (trunk) is small (but expandable at the expense of the excellent legroom in the back seat), but adequate for three passengers and their (aircraft) baggage.

My children all have long legs, and have no problem complaining on long journeys if they’re at all cramped – the Note has had no such complaints. The kids have complained about the looks though! Personally I’d say “it’s OK” – certainly for a Nissan. But as I said above, cars are very much a matter of taste – proof of this has to be the number of PT Cruisers, C4’s, Meganes and new Astras that we see on our roads! Some have criticised the ‘boomerang’ tail lights, but I say well done Nissan, we’re seeing more and more of these lights on UK roads these days. Economy-wise? We are getting about 60 miles to the Imperial gallon (better than my Prius), she cruises at 70 miles per hour (plus) with no problem – and really, who cares if she takes a few more seconds than many to get there?

Yes, it’s a great drive – comfortable, relatively responsive – and so far my customers have only been complimentary. My verdict? A great ‘bigsmall’ car; a good Taxi, but no head turner; a great quality (as you’d expect from a Nissan, perhaps), good deal that delivers on its promises. Take Note!