Nissan Problems

Just about every small car will match the space of the Tiida so you have two choices, go for a class leader such as the Mazda3 or return to Nissan for a value deal on the Pulsar. The Mazda gets The Tick but the Nissan is very good value.

CVT transmissions in general have been the subject of criticism; it's not only Nissans that can be affected. CVT transmissions are not new; they've been used since the 1970s when they were fitted to DAFs. General Motors looked at them in the 1980s, but abandoned the plan to build them in France for use throughout the GM world, including Holden. The problem was the Van Dorn belt, which is the heart of the transmission. In those days they wouldn't handle high torque, so they were ok on small engines, but on larger engines, such as a six-cylinder. They've come a long way since those days and they are much better, but they can still have problems. The things to look for are slipping on take-off and shuddering. It's not something you should be overly concerned about, but it's something you should be aware of and conscious about. The use of fish oil is a good idea if you live near the sea. Even though cars today use good quality steel treated to prevent rust the extra protection of fish oil makes it worth doing.

You're right that most people would not feel the difference in grip, more likely in a harsher ride. Lots of dealers would be able to find a Qashqai buyer who wants to swap wheels with a Ti buyer like you.

It's not just about the 'plate" but about the build date. That is the start of a car's life. The build dates will depend on which model of Pulsar you want to buy. Since it's a calendar date, you'll have to wait for next year.

Nissan spokesman Peter Fadeyev says: "The global and local demand for the Ti and TL has been greater than supplies from the factory in Britain. My colleagues are working really hard to increase supply and we hope to have additional stocks by early next year." 

Low-profile tyres are more vulnerable to damage and generate more road noise. 

Carmakers, and it appears Nissan in particular, choose to hide behind their warranties, which exclude wear and tear items. But I believe you could argue that the extremely short clutch life that many people are experiencing with vehicles fitted with dual-mass flywheels makes them unfit for purpose under our consumer laws. Something needs to be done. Perhaps you could get other owners to join you in an approach to Nissan on the problem.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine in the CX-5 will give you the zip you want. If you need oomph for towing, go for the diesel.

If a car is built in 2013 then it's a 2013 model and that's how it will be judged at resale time. You're probably already getting a big discount because 2014 is nearly over and dealers are desperate to clear any cars from last year.

It's about styling and ultimate grip, aspects that probably don't concern you. Designers save their best work for the larger wheels that come on the higher-priced models, while low-profile generally means better cornering. I'm not generally a fan because of shortcomings in noise and comfort, on SUVs especially.