Well,
I took a look this morning. And yes, a very, very pretty car. It looked good in the mouse brown on display as well.
Also, a very attractive dashboard and good materials, until you look between the seats....
There, that was reasonably positive wasn't it?
A few negatives however:
There was insufficient clearence for my clutch foot, and no foot rest. Almost enough, but not quite. See how positive I am...oh, and the driver's seat had no under thigh support. Possibly driving would clear this one up though?
The rear room was poor. I am only six feet tall but my knees were pressing into the seatback when sitting behind myself; but a shorter driver would not restrict rear space like this...still positive then ...
There was no spare wheel, only an inflate and go kit. So, on a cold, wet Christmas day, when your tire is cut - you are stuffed! Never mind, this might never happen...upbeat as always...
There were no alloys, just a very unconvincing set of plakky fakes. But I could order alloys as an extra...so I could have them for more money...
The storage consisted of a glovebox, door pockets, and a small cubby...nothing special...
The gearlever was on the 'wrong' side, not having been adapted to RHD...never mind, I could still use it...
There is a very cheap looking and feeling central cubby tray thing made out of nastier plastic than I can find anywhere on my Doblo...but it's only between the seats, so...
The rear visibility was, er, poor, but never mind, rear parking sensors are available as an extra...
This was the 90bhp "something"? version. Sorry, I didn't catch which, and I was told it was very competitive at only £12,450 or thereabouts??!!!!
What!
I then went to look at a Kia Cee'd. Similar 1.4, 90bhp engine. Alloys as standard, oodles of back seat space, a very smart interior which, although not flashy exhibited real quality; a comfortable seat with good support, lots of pedal space and a foot rest; and still with A/C and all the other usual kit. The Bravo has climate control apparently. Big deal.
And the Fiat still has a three year warranty. The Cee'd has a SEVEN year warranty, and costs only £10,000. Save £2,500 and get four more years guarantee then.
Oh, I think Kia is doing the 1.6 diesel turbo for the price of the 1.4 petrol at the moment, but I might be mistaken here...
I agree, the Fiat is prettier. Not as roomy or as comfortable, but still, prettier.
I also had another look at the little Panda. This has as much foot room as the Bravo, and feels good to be in as well. I'll wait for the 500 I think...not that I can afford a new car anyway. But I was hoping for the details to be perfect on this new Bravo.
I was told that it undercuts all its rivals. Obviously the Koreans are not considered as rivals. Probably Fiat is right, but I am not so sure. By the way, the salesman had never heard of the Kia Cee'd:bang:
The Bravo will sell well I am sure. I really hope so. There, I am still being positive...
