NO nonsense, reliable transport, that isn't subject to the wrong type of rain on the line, is a job happily provided by the Nissan Almera and Almera Tino. And now Nissan has made them even more affordable. They're better equipped, too.

Based on the entry-level S versions, the latest Flare two-car range gives the customer big savings. And that's before they even leave the showroom. The Almera Flare 1.5-litre, three-door, is priced at £8,995.

That's £1,255 less than the equivalent S and the Flare gets £325 worth of rear parking sensors in addition to its standard twin airbags, ABS, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and six-speaker CD/radio. If you want a bigger car to hold the family without falling apart, then the Almera Tino will suit. You'll get bigger savings, too. £2,580, in fact. Again the equipment mirrors that of the more expensive S model. But with the addition of rear sensors to make parking more of a miss than hit affair.

For another £1,000, you can add a lot more stuff to your no nonsense Nissan. Sixteen-inch alloys, front fogs, side airbags, active headrests and, in the case of the Almera, rear electric windows (five-door obviously) and set-and-forget climate control.

The Almera Tino also acquires leather/Alcantara upholstery and an electric sunroof as well as the wheels, fogs, rear electric windows and safety additions... climate control is already part of the package. These models are appropriately known as Extras. Which, like the cars themselves, makes a lot of sense.