Having owned both a K11 and a K12 from brand new, I feel I am more than qualified to say that there is NO comparison, K11's are "cool", K12's are "cute". Mind you the demographic of the K11 drivers when they first came out, was, um, the older generation to put it nicely. K11 owners now are of a much younger age group, apart from us total nutjobs who love the K11 for its feisty personality, unassuming looks and plain gutsiness. I loved Mikey with all my heart for 12 years, and it broke to see it sold, the pain only lessened by him being given a home by my brother. He is still going strong, he's had a few roos ricochet of his bonnet and front bumper, but he's strong and gives no trouble to my brother. Watch this space...he's being sold again.
As for the K12, I have driven it round for the last 2 weeks while my Swift Sport took a well earned rest in the garage. The car does not have the same heart as the K11, they are totally different cars. Nissan only imported automatic Micras, a minus as far as I am concerned. To be fair, the K12 is still very tight, is auto and I am a bit more cautious as a driver nowadays than when I bought Mikey in 1995. Having said that, I love stretching the Swift Sport's legs on the M1, which she does quite willingly, nothing gets past her.
I had no idea of the K11's capabilities until I took him on a trip to Tasmania. I was dubious as to how it would perform, I needn't have worried, he totally exceeded my expectations. Every bit as good as the Swift, no power loss on hills, the only thing the Swift has over the Micra K11 is its ability to take corners and bends without any body roll whatsoever. This is why I love the Swift, acceleration does not have to decrease to take a bend in the road, it hugs the corners, and is perfectly stable. Anyway I am rambling here lol.....later guys.....