Do you actually want to drive a crossover / SUV?

[The Panda Nut]

You make a very good point there. Mrs J has a number of medical ailments including disc problems and now me with my hip to say nothing of historic back/spinal problems and that's one of the factors why we both like the Panda so much. It's quite high and so easy to get in and out of.

The Scala has very good ground clearance:

View attachment 450969

Sill height is not far off being level with the wheel centres. Compare with the black Merc parked behind her at the kerbside. Perhaps because it shares it's platform with the Kamiq SUV? and so is similarly easy to get in and out of. One of the first things she commented on when we went to try it out - We'd driven there in the Ibiza. The doors open really wide too which, coupled to the extra height, makes strapping grandchildren into back seats really easy. You don't really notice it when driving, it doesn't make the car any more unstable or subject to wind blowing you off course.

Thats a smart looking machine. The colour suits it well.

 

[rmjbn1]

I voted ‘other’ as, being a farmer and, naturally, living in a rural area, we need them…but, aside from the practical reasons of 4x4, off-road use especially with trailers, we have them to suit the use, Jeep for big stuff, panda for the little stuff and dodging around

I'd hope even the most committed of eco-warriors wouldn't be angry about farmers needing 4x4s

It's more the tidal wave of 2 tonne busses being used for shopping and school runs that I find confusing and depressing.

 

[porta]

I'd hope even the most committed of eco-warriors wouldn't be angry about farmers needing 4x4s

It's more the tidal wave of 2 tonne busses being used for shopping and school runs that I find confusing and depressing.

That’s what turns up on the school run with the ‘yummy mummies’, if the farmers turn up at school, it’s gators, rangers, quads etc!

 

[StevenRB45]

You make a very good point there. Mrs J has a number of medical ailments including disc problems and now me with my hip to say nothing of historic back/spinal problems and that's one of the factors why we both like the Panda so much. It's quite high and so easy to get in and out of.

The Scala has very good ground clearance:

View attachment 450969

Sill height is not far off being level with the wheel centres. Compare with the black Merc parked behind her at the kerbside. Perhaps because it shares it's platform with the Kamiq SUV? and so is similarly easy to get in and out of. One of the first things she commented on when we went to try it out - We'd driven there in the Ibiza. The doors open really wide too which, coupled to the extra height, makes strapping grandchildren into back seats really easy. You don't really notice it when driving, it doesn't make the car any more unstable or subject to wind blowing you off course.

One of my "pet" conspiracy theories...the rise of the crossover is driven by manufacturers making none crossover cars less useful.

So our car based on the old PF1 architecture which goes back to Peugeot 206 in about 2000 ISH.

Note the length and shape of the rear door.

The new Corsa.. although this same issue is on all Supermini CMP platform cars so 208, Lancia ypsilon etc.

Look at the door line, and the spacing of the handles..it's like it was designed for 3 door..but they never released a 3 door.

Now from experience I know having fitted a child seats to both the Corsa commits several basic fails in terms of fitting a child seat, the rear head rest needs to be removed...to remove it you need to fold the seat, it's hard to get the seat in the door. None of which the older generation car commits.

Not to worry though...this fixes all those problems.

And is only 50 quid more a month...for the same fecking car.

People who drive their kids to school when they can walk should have their own circle in hell regardless of the vehicle used....and those who think yellow Zigzag markings are reserved parking for drop offs should be subject to snipers...if it wouldn't be too traumatic for everyone else's kids obviously. Their kids need to know that the way mammy and daddy behaved was not ok in a civilised society..

Obviously my conspiracy theory is a bit Stellantis specific but if you look at cars like the Focus...or the Mazda 3 or indeed the Astra and 308 the ones that still exist get swoopier and less practical to justify the existence of an SUV version which everyone buys because...the normal one has been rendered either a 2 seater for all but small children...or has no boot or some other basic failure. The manufacturer then points to this and says "no demand for normal cars".

 

[bugsymike]

People who drive their kids to school when they can walk should have their own circle in hell regardless of the vehicle used....and those who think yellow Zigzag markings are reserved parking for drop offs should be subject to snipers...if it wouldn't be too traumatic for everyone else's kids obviously. Their kids need to know that the way mammy and daddy behaved was not ok in a civilised society..

The same mummy's often let their children run around to the road traffic side to get in the vehicle whilst still on their mobiles, only stopping the conversation to give a mouth full of abuse to anyone pointing out the safety reasons for the zig zags outside the school.

 

[porta]

Some of the yummies have no choice as our rural public transport has been decimated and we’ve lost some of the school transport. Obviously being rural means a bigger catchment area and more remote, but a lot actually live in the village!

 

[StevenRB45]

Some of the yummies have no choice as our rural public transport has been decimated and we’ve lost some of the school transport. Obviously being rural means a bigger catchment area and more remote, but a lot actually live in the village!

This I understand we have similar issues...but there's people who's houses I walk past on my 10 minute walk to his school who drive and also there's no justification for parking like an absolute knob once at the school and usually driving like a ring piece on the way there as well.

If they ever get round to enforcement of the 20 zone at the school at drop off time they'll fund the the policeman's ball..

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Thats a smart looking machine. The colour suits it well.

Because it was sold to me as a pre reggie I just had to take it in that colour. It's the standard "free" colour and is actually a bit darker than my old camera shows it in the picture - Energy Blue to be exact - At first I was indifferent to it, the colour I mean, but liked the car itself very much. Now I'm actually finding I rather like it. I've been surprised that several female neighbours, without prompting, have said they like my new car and in particular they like the colour!

Because it's got the "technology pack" - wasted on me I'm afraid - it comes with the brightwork trim on the windows and I especially like the way it is only under and halfway up the rear side window. Only the SEL otherwise has this trim and There don't seem to be very many Scalas about anyway and I've not yet seen another with this trim. Silly thing, but it pleases me! she's also on a wheel which doesn't seem to be fitted to any of the other Scala trims. There is a similar 17" on the SEL but mine are 16" and slightly different. Hope I don't damage one because finding one in a scrappie will be like looking for rocking horse dung I'm sure.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Indeed it's not and I'd go for the Panda around town every time. The Scala's much better out on the open road though.

You wait one day you will get Noopoblasted by my TA! LOL

 

[porta]

You wait one day you will get Noopoblasted by my TA! LOL

I have to agree, the TA is great to drive, much like fiats of old were ‘screw the knackers off them’ and ‘drive them like you stole them’…tyre scrub a bit worse though now all cars have got taller and heavier

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have to agree, the TA is great to drive, much like fiats of old were ‘screw the knackers off them’ and ‘drive them like you stole them’…tyre scrub a bit worse though now all cars have got taller and heavier

Yes generally handling is very good and neutral, but if you get over enthusiastic it can head straight on.... Lifting off has always restored order. The way it goes round artics always amazes me. I spend miles getting hacked off being held up, and then let rip and find its goes very respectably indeed. However even the 1.2s get up and go if held up to the red line. Above and below 4250rpm the difference is chalk and cheese. Im not generally minded to drive at this rate though, Far too many diesel miles behind me to break the habit. I suppose thats why I like the TA so much.

 

[vexorg]

Look at the door line, and the spacing of the handles..it's like it was designed for 3 door..but they never released a 3 door.

Having had to fight with a screaming toddler not wanting to get in the car seat in the back of a 3 door car, i don't have an issue with that.

We had a few vectra b's, and they were good family cars. I remember parking it beside on of the later astras and thinking how small the vectra looked. Even small cars are becoming suv like

It's annoying you seemed to be forced to be a German branded a-hole owner if you want a normal car now. And the look so bland and executive with the stupid massive grills.

 

[porta]

Yes generally handling is very good and neutral, but if you get over enthusiastic it can head straight on.... Lifting off has always restored order. The way it goes round artics always amazes me. I spend miles getting hacked off being held up, and then let rip and find its goes very respectably indeed. However even the 1.2s get up and go if held up to the red line. Above and below 4250rpm the difference is chalk and cheese. Im not generally minded to drive at this rate though, Far too many diesel miles behind me to break the habit. I suppose thats why I like the TA so much.

I have to say I drove the diesel cross just the same, but that did tend to understeer quicker than the TA cross does…but it went up hills better and towing was easier

 

[StevenRB45]

Having had to fight with a screaming toddler not wanting to get in the car seat in the back of a 3 door car, i don't have an issue with that.

We had a few vectra b's, and they were good family cars. I remember parking it beside on of the later astras and thinking how small the vectra looked. Even small cars are becoming suv like

It's annoying you seemed to be forced to be a German branded a-hole owner if you want a normal car now. And the look so bland and executive with the stupid massive grills.

It was more of a comment on the proportion it's like they just decided to make the back door a bit shorter and give it the weird cut ahead of the wheel arch, like the design was compromised but the SUV versions show it's not a requirement of the platform it's something they've chosen to do.

The new Astra looks low in person to my eye..as in the very latest. They are getting lower again but in doing so the tend to lose things rear head room..or knee room etc.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have to say I drove the diesel cross just the same, but that did tend to understeer quicker than the TA cross does…but it went up hills better and towing was easier

I was - doing what Panda Nuts do - watching a video of a couple of Pandas being raced yesterday and the 70hp diesel was doing very well aganst a TA. I dont know which power and suspect it was a 2wd. What I should have is a 95hp diesel 4x4 but they are pretty rare things. My current TA astonished me in how it pulled my caravan. Out of a flooded boggy field up a 1 in 8 bank on to the road and 30 miles up the M56 to a safer site. 4X4 weight ditsribution must help the stabity. Its pulling power, and stopping ability were right up there. Just lack of weight meaning I felt nervous. I have certaily had cars that made me twitch badly towing a much lower percentage of their kerb weight. Notably my 2.0 Colt Galant.which was the heaviest car Ive owned.Its suprising how much better the 319 drives than the169 considering how similar they are underneath. I always thought the Panda100 would have towed well.

 

[porta]

My diesel cross was a 169 which is definitely a better lugger than my 319 TA.
No way would I attempt to pull a loaded twin axle hay trailer off a hill field in the 319

 

[vexorg]

It was more of a comment on the proportion it's like they just decided to make the back door a bit shorter and give it the weird cut ahead of the wheel arch

I don't see that, most 4 door cars have been like that for many years.

 

[The Panda Nut]

My diesel cross was a 169 which is definitely a better lugger than my 319 TA.
No way would I attempt to pull a loaded twin axle hay trailer off a hill field in the 319

I bet it would suprise you. Ive done a few tree pruning and felling jobs in the village and reckon the TA tows 2.5 tons doing that. No noticable issues. Finally that low 1st gear was useful. Twin axles though are a car killer. Fine in a straight line but on a corner fully loaded. Oh deers you need some power.

 

[rmjbn1]

I'd go for the Panda around town every time. The Scala's much better out on the open road though.

You mean EVEN better than a Panda?! Blimey it must be good

I'm with The Panda Nut on this, the Panda is one of my favourite cars for a long journey. Can cruise happily all day, a light, airy, comfy place to be, passengers dozing away, then great fun bouncing around the lanes when you get off the boring roads

 

[bugsymike]

You mean EVEN better than a Panda?! Blimey it must be good

I'm with The Panda Nut on this, the Panda is one of my favourite cars for a long journey. Can cruise happily all day, a light, airy, comfy place to be, passengers dozing away, then great fun bouncing around the lanes when you get off the boring roads

I used to love the old Unos for belting around the B roads. I never spent more than £300 on them and they just loved to be thrashed.