Nissan banished any residual memories of the dull but worthy third generation Primera in the striking shape of the fourth generation car, introduced in 2002. With a number of technological breakthroughs for the medium range class, the Primera was rapidly hailed as the car that could dethrone the all-conquering Mondeo. Unfortunately the pace of progress has meant that it didn't turn out that way for the likeable Nissan, but now that used examples are filtering into the network in meaningful numbers, it's possible to land this interesting car at surprisingly affordable prices.

* What You Pay

Prices open at £8,300 for a 51 plated 1.8-litre S four-door, with the SE model commanding £8,800. SVE trim on an equivalent plate will fetch £9,700. The five-door models tack another £300 onto these prices. The 2.0-litre cars are a little punchier and start at £9,500 for an SE five door, with an SE estate opening proceedings at £9,800. The plush T-spec trim level starts at £10,800.

Opt instead for diesel power and most of the cars around will be the 2.2TD models starting at £8,800 for a four-door S model on the 51 plate. The 2.2-litre dCi-engined cars are still relatively thin on the ground and your best chance of turning one up may well be a demonstrator car from a Nissan franchised dealer. Insurance for the Primera reflects its excellent safety and security provision as well as the fact that there's no flagship sports model, ranging in scope from Group 8 to a modest Group 11.

* What To Look For

Privately owned Primeras are unlikely to have been thrashed, such is their mature appeal. Watch out for high mileage company hacks, but even these should stand up to the rigours of a 40,000 mile year better than most. Nissan trialed a great deal of new electronics systems on the Primera and although it has so far proved admirably robust, expect big bills if the rear view camera or the Birdview DVD navigation system does go wrong. Mechanically the Primera is as close to perfection as you're likely to find in this sector. Damaged catalysts can be costly to repair and check on oil or coolant leaks. Make sure that diesel sellers aren't valuing a 2.2-litre TD as a superior 2.2-litre dCi version.

* Overall

Although cars like the Mazda6 and the Honda Accord soon stole the Nissan Primera's thunder, this has only served to make it more of a used bargain than ever. With a range of solid engines, a whole heap of design flair and a quirky and distinctive personality, the Primera does almost everything asked of it. Keen drivers may find it a little soft-edged but this will mean that few cars will have fallen into the 'wrong' hands. Really canny buyers may prefer to wait a little while longer for the depreciation curve to flatten still further, but even at today's prices the Primera represents a real catch. Who'd have thought it would take a medium range Nissan to show that modernity needn't cost the earth and sensible needn't always equal dull?