Finally collected it today after enough weeks of waiting....
Bear/bare? in mind that I've been driving a nice torque'y diesel (2 litres of).. and I've also driven several other cars recently (mitsubishi Lancer basic model, Skoda Fabia, vauxhall Astra, Transit Connect, Vauxhall Vivaro van etc ). So I'm well aware of other cars and what I could reasonably expect from a decent vehicle... I'm also aware that its only done 30mile (plus whatever was done in delivery prior to manfactuers/dealer reset) and things will loosen up and get a bit better .......also consider I'm 6'2" and no bean pole.....
I wasn't sure about its looks when I first saw one.. now as more and more small squarish cars are on the road and this one is mine I'm liking it a lot more.. (don't get me wrong, someone gave me the keys to an AC Cobra or the older Mitsubishi Lancer VR4 Estate and I'd be off..)...
So I had a good look around and other than a slight trace of polishing on the body work (which was properly done when I pointed it out) everything looked spot on. All buttons and switches (what there is of them) worked. Generally a tidy 'little' motor.
First seat I sat in was the rear one... If I can get in then anyone can... With the drivers seat right back I could just about get in, bit squashed, legs splayed to the sides and pressing into the seat back.. (like flying in cattle class without getting extra legroom upgrades). We got the extra third rear seatbelt option and to be honest if you had 3 large blokes in there you wouldn't want to be going far ! However you could get in 3 grandchildren or two less than rugby playing sized adults and a child between....
Right back into the driver seat...this is the bottom of the series with the minimal spec.. This means you don't get keyfob central locking (you do get key operated central locking though) and only the general basics you get on all cars (heater, recirculate, heated rear window etc..) On top of the basics it also has adjustable headlight hight (for when the rugby players and in the back weighing it down) and rear windscreen wash/wiper. Our spec said we get the basic Cd/Radio but its actually got the Cd MP3/Radio fitted (which is in the models higher up the range).
There is more room in there than you think and it surprised me how roomy it feels when I pushed the seat right back. Plenty of room for my long legs and enough room to get my shoulders in without too much banging and crashing. The door does feel a little close to my side but its like all cars I've been in, you find some bits stick out until you get used to them....
So it started up first turn and purred away... Gear selection with the high mounted gear stick is nice and tight and the pedals easy and light... (now remember I've been in a diesel for years) So off we go... picks up well (not hammering it, just gently out of the car park) but nothing sluggish from its tiny 1.1 engine. Once onto the main road and a little more gas, again nothing showing any signs of struggling... off it went.. eased upto 30mph without a problem... upto motorway speed nice and easy with no complaints... As far as driving it sedately I can't see any real difference in the get up and go from the old diesel ! Its quite a joy to drive, and I've been and done 30miles without any discomfort.
If I was to pick holes in things... the rear view mirror gives a narrow view between the rear seat rests and the door mirrors show a different scale so its taking a little adjusting to how close things are following and if its a good time to change lane or not... Oh an "CITY" Mode...LOL LOL LOL what is that about?... If I only had one finger and that was really weak then I might consider putting it on ! The steering is really light without needing that mode, I've parked up in some tight spots etc and didn't think "oh this is hard work with the steering being so heavy" the word gimmick springs to mind...
so far, 30mile in.. I'm impressed... its a great 'little' car, drives so easily, plenty of room (for a small car) and its looking like its going to be cheap on fuel (the thirty mile has taken the needle from covering the little dot that marks 1/4 of tank, to just about leaving it... so its moved about 1mm...)
I'm actually more impressed than I was expecting.. (we didn't have a test drive when ordering, as they didn't have any left to go in !).. I thought I'd end up with a lot of niggles that I'd just have to live with... but so far I'm liking it !
Steve
Bear/bare? in mind that I've been driving a nice torque'y diesel (2 litres of).. and I've also driven several other cars recently (mitsubishi Lancer basic model, Skoda Fabia, vauxhall Astra, Transit Connect, Vauxhall Vivaro van etc ). So I'm well aware of other cars and what I could reasonably expect from a decent vehicle... I'm also aware that its only done 30mile (plus whatever was done in delivery prior to manfactuers/dealer reset) and things will loosen up and get a bit better .......also consider I'm 6'2" and no bean pole.....
I wasn't sure about its looks when I first saw one.. now as more and more small squarish cars are on the road and this one is mine I'm liking it a lot more.. (don't get me wrong, someone gave me the keys to an AC Cobra or the older Mitsubishi Lancer VR4 Estate and I'd be off..)...
So I had a good look around and other than a slight trace of polishing on the body work (which was properly done when I pointed it out) everything looked spot on. All buttons and switches (what there is of them) worked. Generally a tidy 'little' motor.
First seat I sat in was the rear one... If I can get in then anyone can... With the drivers seat right back I could just about get in, bit squashed, legs splayed to the sides and pressing into the seat back.. (like flying in cattle class without getting extra legroom upgrades). We got the extra third rear seatbelt option and to be honest if you had 3 large blokes in there you wouldn't want to be going far ! However you could get in 3 grandchildren or two less than rugby playing sized adults and a child between....
Right back into the driver seat...this is the bottom of the series with the minimal spec.. This means you don't get keyfob central locking (you do get key operated central locking though) and only the general basics you get on all cars (heater, recirculate, heated rear window etc..) On top of the basics it also has adjustable headlight hight (for when the rugby players and in the back weighing it down) and rear windscreen wash/wiper. Our spec said we get the basic Cd/Radio but its actually got the Cd MP3/Radio fitted (which is in the models higher up the range).
There is more room in there than you think and it surprised me how roomy it feels when I pushed the seat right back. Plenty of room for my long legs and enough room to get my shoulders in without too much banging and crashing. The door does feel a little close to my side but its like all cars I've been in, you find some bits stick out until you get used to them....
So it started up first turn and purred away... Gear selection with the high mounted gear stick is nice and tight and the pedals easy and light... (now remember I've been in a diesel for years) So off we go... picks up well (not hammering it, just gently out of the car park) but nothing sluggish from its tiny 1.1 engine. Once onto the main road and a little more gas, again nothing showing any signs of struggling... off it went.. eased upto 30mph without a problem... upto motorway speed nice and easy with no complaints... As far as driving it sedately I can't see any real difference in the get up and go from the old diesel ! Its quite a joy to drive, and I've been and done 30miles without any discomfort.
If I was to pick holes in things... the rear view mirror gives a narrow view between the rear seat rests and the door mirrors show a different scale so its taking a little adjusting to how close things are following and if its a good time to change lane or not... Oh an "CITY" Mode...LOL LOL LOL what is that about?... If I only had one finger and that was really weak then I might consider putting it on ! The steering is really light without needing that mode, I've parked up in some tight spots etc and didn't think "oh this is hard work with the steering being so heavy" the word gimmick springs to mind...
so far, 30mile in.. I'm impressed... its a great 'little' car, drives so easily, plenty of room (for a small car) and its looking like its going to be cheap on fuel (the thirty mile has taken the needle from covering the little dot that marks 1/4 of tank, to just about leaving it... so its moved about 1mm...)
I'm actually more impressed than I was expecting.. (we didn't have a test drive when ordering, as they didn't have any left to go in !).. I thought I'd end up with a lot of niggles that I'd just have to live with... but so far I'm liking it !
Steve
