Buying a Tino: Most people wouldn't recognise a Nissan Tino if they saw one and many others wouldn't have even heard of it.
Nissan's answer to the Renault Scenic never really got the recognition it deserved. Based on the Almera saloon, it suffered by association. Yet, it couldn't have been more different than the bland and purely functional Almera.
The Tino (maybe even the name turned some people off) was introduced four years ago as a mini MPV. Its looks, though not that exciting, were perfectly acceptable. Compact looking with a sloping rear hatch, the car will not frighten the horses but neither will it set the blood racing - a fairly common Japanese philosophy at the time.
Most Japanese manufacturers now struggle to appeal widely to European tastes and sometimes seem to design their cars purely according to market research.
It's inside the Tino that one finds all the clever stuff. Designed firmly with families in mind, the car is like a kids' playroom on wheels. There are tables to draw on, places to hide sweets, high seats, cup holders, pen holders and storage spaces of all kinds, including under-seat bins.
Nissan consulted Britain's National Childbirth Trust when it was working on the interior. Hence, the front seats are designed for maximum viewing of the child in the rear by the parent in the front.
The Tino drives well with good ride and handling but a good deal of road noise comes back to the interior. The basic model has a 1.8 petrol engine giving a good account of itself and is reasonably economical around town and on long journeys. Twin airbags, central locking and anti-lock brakes are standard so basic specification is quite high.
Nissan has a good reliability record and the Tino is no exception. It has had recalls - not all cars have been affected but quite a few have had problems with faulty handbrakes, engines stalling and the outer buckle on rear seat belts. It's wise to check if a car which interests you was recalled and if the possible problem has been remedied.
The Tino scored well in EuroNCAP crash tests. Ainitial problem with a faulty airbag sensor was remedied and the car achieved four out of five stars with better than average all-round protection for driver and passengers.
Because of the Tino's relative lack of popularity there are not that many on the second-hand market. One garage is offering a 1.8 petrol with air conditioning, sun roof and all electrics and with 59,000 on the clock for €12,950. Another garage has a similar car two years old, with the same equipment and more, and with 38,000 on the clock for €16,500. Good bargaining skills should get these prices down to very good value indeed. ... - DONAL BYRNE