OK, So I went for a test drive in the 100HP,

I must say the lil' 100HP did bring a smile to my face, yes the ride was a little harsh, at one point on a bad road I actually found my voice "wobbling" as I spoke to my dad!! (On the way back home I made a point of driving on that very same road in my 2002 Ford Mondeo and didn't really feel a bump! lol) The HP was alot more roomy inside than I thought it would be, I am quiet tall (6ft3") and found myself almost looking at the sunvisor/top of the windscreen for the entire test drive until I got back to the dealers and found the little handle to the left of the seat, once I had put it in to "bucket-seat" mode my seating position was a lot more pleasant and normal.

Really the only things putting me off the 100HP is fuel economy and fuel tank size/range - oh and the fact that my dad kept saying that the HP looked like a "Van" and the ride was so harsh it felt like he was on a "race horse at times! Like I had stated in my previous post, for me it's always really been between the Corsa CDTI 1.7 (125bhp) and the 100HP, Corsa will cost me more per month for the car but the 100HP will cost me more in fuel - therefore both cars work out aprox the same per month for me to run (Work pays for servicing, insurance and tax) 100HP maybe works out slightly less in the long run, but then the Corsa is bigger, and so the debate continues

Overall I like the car, sporty feel to it - something about it makes you just look back at it once you get out, plenty of space, cheap monthly payments.

I disliked the harsh ride, fuel consumption (compared to my diesel)

One question, the average MPG was displaying 30.2mpg - this was after a 20min test drive, not flooring/reving it hard at all (well, maybe once or twice!!) and no sport mode - does this sound right - or is this over the life of the car? (Had only done 24miles total)

Oh, and price was very good too - brand new (didn't even have number plates on yet, New Orleans blue, 24miles - £8,449

h3rd13 said:

oh and the fact that my dad kept saying that the HP looked like a "Van" and the ride was so harsh it felt like he was on a "race horse at times!

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Just as well your van driving, jockey dad isn't in the market to buy a 100hp then isn't it?

It does sound to me that you're looking to find reasons not to like the 100hp mate....maybe better to stick to the oil burning Mondeo's or that rather tasty sounding Corsa if you want to play safe. Just remember - with any luck it won't be your last car, so live a little. Buy one with the heart rather than the head for a change.

You didn't really think you'd get an 'unbiased' opinion on a FIAT Forum did you?

Oh, and my mother thinks that only 'women' drive FIAT Panda's.........quite an 'opinionated' generation then.....I'm sure some people still think FIAT's rust away to nothing.

Hope you get sorted out one way or another soon.

hpScot said:

Just as well your van driving, jockey dad isn't in the market to buy a 100hp then isn't it?

It does sound to me that you're looking to find reasons not to like the 100hp mate....maybe better to stick to the oil burning Mondeo's or that rather tasty sounding Corsa if you want to play safe. Just remember - with any luck it won't be your last car, so live a little. Buy one with the heart rather than the head for a change.

You didn't really think you'd get an 'unbiased' opinion on a FIAT Forum did you?

Oh, and my mother thinks that only 'women' drive FIAT Panda's.........quite an 'opinionated' generation then.....I'm sure some people still think FIAT's rust away to nothing.

Hope you get sorted out one way or another soon.

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Thanks for the reply,

I know what you're saying about the opinionated generation mate


As for saying that I'm looking to find reasons not to like the 100hp - I'm not doing it on purpose! lol. It's just me looking at the negatives and the positives, it's a cracking little car, no car is perfect and on the grand scale of things, the issues I have mentioned are not that huge, "reminder to self: stop being so negative, just the way I am when buying thing's"

be silly to go buy a corsa with out checking out the diesel fiats first imo. dont forget who invented the modern diesel engines

They are an enormous amount of fun, I'm sure you will find that missing in the Corsa.

The 100hp engine loosens up a lot over time, mine has just over 2,500 miles on it and it's a lot quicker and more free revving than when it was new. The mpg improves a lot as it wears in as well, I'm looking at 36-37mpg average with some hard use or 40mpg driven gently.

Ride is firm, yep - but for me it adds to the cheeky character and suits the car.

If I had bought a Corsa, I'm sure I wouldn't look back at it and grin every time I got to my destination like I do now.

Fuel enconomy will get better over time.

anyone notice the ride quality gets better as well or is it just me?

No disrespect, but it sounds like you're comparing two cars on completely different criteria.

If you want a small, fun, nippy, great handling car that makes you smile every time you drive it, then go for the HP.

If you're more worried about MPG, ride quality then buy the Corsa.

I bet that if you buy the Corsa you'll keep wondering about the HP and whether you made the right decision.....but if you buy the HP I think you'll forget about the Corsa very quickly!

Good luck either way.

Simon

I got 42mpg on a "spirited" motorway blast at weekend following my brother in his Golf GT TDI 150 to Awesome GTI in Manchester.

Was very impressed with the HP on the motorway.

Corsas are ten a penny and have a very well deserved young knob head boy racer rep.

Be different, show some character - get the 100HP

I suppose you should think about depreciation too?

But to echo DAVE - why have you not considered the Fait diesels?

£8,449!!! Thats a bargain! list price is 10,250. List price of the cheapest corsa 1.7ctdi 125 is £12,640! With it not being such a common car don't think you'd get too much discount off that either. So its really not a fair comparison is it, even though like you said you will save some money on diesel. However performance wise its pretty close, corsa 0-60 9.3, panda 9.5 and top speed 121 and 115 for the panda. So for the money I'd say the panda everytime.

If your after a diesel........
Stilo multijet 150bhp sporting at car people, 2007 07plate, 3 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Diesel, 27 miles, New Orleans Blue, 1 Owner(s), Air Conditioning,Leather upholstery,17"Alloy Wheels,Panaromic Sunroof,Power Steering,Airbag/s,Electric Windows,CD Player,Central locking,Warranty : Balance of Manufacturer's. £9,499 Thats better than a corsa!!!

Trying to compare chalk with cheese isn't it? Cheapness and ubiquity or moreish tastefulness?

Even if you choose chalk, you know we will try to persuade you into GP don't you?

Thanks for all the replies guys,

I do think I am swaying to the HP more and more!

They are different from anything else out there!

As for the Fiat diesels, tbh I only really like the styling of the HP from the Fiat range, - would be good if they made a 100HP diesel!!

thanks again

h3rd13 said:

Thanks for all the replies guys,

I do think I am swaying to the HP more and more!

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I hope you're getting equally impartial advice from the Vauxhall Corsa forum? Bet that's a great place to hang-out...

Schwenck said:

I hope you're getting equally impartial advice from the Vauxhall Corsa forum? Bet that's a great place to hang-out...

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I've been there, its a scary place lol

h3rd13 said:

test drive, not flooring/reving it hard at all

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??? WHAT WERE YOU DOING THEN ?? a car like that makes sens to trash around! not float over bumps with your dad... who properly own a race horse ;-)

my old man always moans about the suspension, the answer to that is, bothered. you wouldnt dress up in your dad's 'trendy' clothes and drive a vectra so why listen to him? lol

I thought the corsa cdti 1.7s were 100bhp? unless they've gained power with the new models

100hpJames said:

my old man always moans about the suspension, the answer to that is, bothered. you wouldnt dress up in your dad's 'trendy' clothes and drive a vectra so why listen to him? lol

I thought the corsa cdti 1.7s were 100bhp? unless they've gained power with the new models

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they have 123bhp now i think , a move towards challenging the 130 sporting grande punto, and fabia vrs

its what the cars like for the driver that matters, as the passengers more often then not, arent buying the car

Please stop complaining about hard shocks, we do not want soft girly cars that handle like cruise ships.

Booked my test drive for Saturday 28th December for the 100hp. It has 6k miles on a 07 plate. Cant wait to give it a go.

try it with the sport mode on aswell, it makes all the difference from lower revs/speeds