Hi
I'm new as I have just bought a Bravo 1.2 and I would really appreciate a bit of advice if anyone would be kind enough. I've read a few times that these types are underpowered so I'm not sure if that's the reason but it really judders if I slow down ( not stopping) and pull away again in 2nd gear. It might just be me as I'm quite a new driver too but I've driven a few different cars now and not come across this before. Just wondering if this is normal or if something needs doing ?
Best Wishes, Luisa

1.2 arent under powered at all You must be confused with the 1.4

The 1.2 is an excellent engine. Does it judder when you brake? If it judders when you set off it sounds like your gearing/clutching it wrong.

I think a lot of people are surprised that such a large car only has a 1.2 engine, so that's what they mean by underpowered. But it isn't, it's a very good 1.2 engine and plenty good enough for the car (unless you fill it full of people and luggage or attempt a steep hill in a high gear). I do find the clutch and accelerator are really light though and this can cause little 'hops' when you lift off either pedal if you're not gentle, is that what you mean? As for slowing down, if it's below 10 on the clock, you want to be in first, not second or yes, it struggles - most of the power is at higher revs so you need to keep it up there to make the most of it

Hi again
From the replies it sounds like it might just be me. It doesn't judder when I brake or when I set out in 1st , just when I'm going slow in 2nd. But I'm probably letting the revs go below 10 and yeah my clutch and accelerator do seem really light . It definately seems to like going faster and being in higher gears, like you said. Thanks for getting back to me , I feel a lot less worried now !!
Luisa

how long have you had the car for?

Only about a week so hopefully I just need to get more used to it . I've been driving a bigger 1.5 i (hyundai) for the past 6 months so maybe I'm expecting too much from the Bravo . It just seems to take a long time to get up the power that I've been used to having from the outset, I guess.
Luisa

Nah I don't think so, once it's warmed up, kick it's arse and don't change up until towards the redline

until its near the redline?how far do you have to push yours?once mine is over 2500 its booting it up the road!!!

Errrrrrmmmmmmm 5-6000 usually, if I have a clear road. If not, there's no point, might as well change up earlier and enjoy some fuel economy

Yeah , it definately likes being worked before changing up through the gears. Only thing is mine has had a big fat exhaust put on it which is already making me " stand out" ...especially on the school run !!! By the by , d'you know if it's difficult/expensive to put a normal exhaust back on ?
Cheers, Luisa

how do ye drive yer cars?redlining it on a school run?

No, I don't do that ! I mean it's loud anyway.... to be honest, I'm not a 100% sure what redlining means ( !!??)...but I gather it's caning it. I just want some power to get away like when a lorry is coming my way etc. which I don't seem to have though it might sound like it !!!

Redlining is when you run it right up to the rev limiter (where it turns from green to red). Did you get a full checkover of the car before you got it, or get it serviced? It is always possible there's soemthing wrong with it that you wouldn't notice if it's always been there, such as losing a cylinder due to a problem or an exhaust/ sensor issue.

No, I've not got the funds to have it serviced yet but I will as soon as I can. I've been out in it again today after receiving all the bits of advice from this brilliant site yesterday and , to be honest, I think it's mostly down to me driving it wrong. I kept an eye on the revs which I haven't really done before and I didn't get any juddering when changing gear and I seemed to have perfected getting away a bit faster today !! I think steering/clutch/throttle are all really light and I've just not been used to that.
Thanks again for all the advice, it's much appreciated.