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General Test Drive

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General Test Drive

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CampDavid

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Right, today was the first day me and my girlfriend have had free in about a month, so it's been a day of testing out new cars.

1. Skoda Fabia 1.2 12valve.

Not a beast, dead steering. Oddly, it sounds a bit like a porsche 911. Must be the 3 cylinder lump.

2. Fiesta 1.2 Climate Zetec Blue etc

Mega spec and 2k off straight away. Comes in at 8k with metalic, alloys, AC, leccy folding mirrors, auto lights etc. Handles well, ok build, good ride, lots of space, ok engine. Does everything you could ever need in a car quite well. Bored the **** out of me.

3. Panda 100HP

Throttle seems to be too sharp (first time I've ever said that) clutch too agressive for a city car, engine not that refined and not that amazing top end, ride not as bad as some have said, still crap though.

For all that though its easily the only one in that list that's in with a chance, and a good chance at that. It's fun, loads of fun. Closest thing I've driven to it is the Saxo VTS, which is much faster, however the Panda makes you smile loads more. The engine is coarse and aggressive but sounds like it's trying. The steering actually seems to have a load of feedback (an illusion created by the feedback coming through the small of your back/arse? Not sure) and it just grips. Driving position is perfect for me (who is very tall) and for Helen (who is tiny) I can imagine that I'd actually look forward to driving it in town.

Testing the Mazda 2 tomorrow and keeping an eye out for deals on late reg Fabia VRs's (none about though) and phoning dealers to see who comes up with the cheapest price.

Oh, anyone got one with the middle seat belt? Is it a good design or does it just get in the way?
 
CampDavid said:
Oh, anyone got one with the middle seat belt? Is it a good design or does it just get in the way?
Click to expand...

I really don't think that three in the back seat would be comfortable.


I quite liked the Skoda Fabia VRs, and the Mazda 2 was very comfortable but dull as dishwater...
 
The Mazda 2 seems to get a good write-up in the motoring press (although I dismiss 90% of what they say!), so it'll be interesting to hear your thoughts.

I've driven the petrol Fabia in three-cylinder form and the engine note is indeed brilliant. In fact, even the three-cylinder diesel sounds good! For me though, awful VW bits-and-bobs inside spoiled an otherwise excellent car. But, for all I enjoyed both forms of the Fabia, it was no 100HP.

I believe the third rear seat belt isn't an option on the 100HP; they come with a 50/50 split rear seat which precludes it. Unlike other Pandas, a solid rear seat is not an option.
 
Last edited:
CampDavid said:
1. Skoda Fabia 1.2 12valve.

Not a beast, dead steering. Oddly, it sounds a bit like a porsche 911. Must be the 3 cylinder lump.
Click to expand...
I test drove a Seat Ibiza with the same engine. I found the engine sounded like a sewing machine, and just as it was starting to get going, it hit the rev limiter.

I was used to a 220 bhp Coupe 20V Turbo at the time though :devil:
 
Glad you seemed to enjoy the test drive. I looked about at what else was on the market, and very little else had the same combination of sporty looks, fun and value with low running costs. Make suer you can live with the ride, which for me is the one thing you can never forget with this car. It is very much like an original mini in it's ride quality. I think I'm probably outside the "target group" for this car (eg over 30) but it certainly keeps you awake. Hard suspension does not always = good handling. On a bumpy bendy B or C road your fun is limited by the limited suspension travel. Don't get me wrong, you can't expect Lotus ride quality for 8000! Closest competitor for me was the Swift Sport which is a little more 'grown up' in feel. However the Suzuki dealers can't get near the 8000 price tag for the Fiat. The Sportka drives well ( I hear ) but I'm not a fan of the looks out or in (which feels cheap ). Speaking of cheap, have you seen the 106/C1/aygo? don't bother. nearly as expensive as a discounted 100hp and made from duplo lego and sweet wrappers. truly a nasty thing. anyway..

Did you have the "Sport" button on whilst you had the test drive? It certainly makes the throttle pedal far too sensitive, particularly the first part of the pedal's travel. It means that as the car moves about on the firm suspension the tiny movements of your foot are affecting the engine.

I find the car drives much more smoothly in the normal setting, although the steering then feels over-assisted you soon get used to it. This will probably be controversial, but I don't think that the sport button changes the ECU engine mapping/power output at all - it just means that you have to move the pedal a bit further if you want to go faster! Try it turned off, the first bit of pedal travel feels a bit lifeless, then away you go. Personally I think it's just a gimmick. I'd like the Sport steering with the normal throttle!!
 
PandaPaul said:
Glad you seemed to enjoy the test drive. I looked about at what else was on the market, and very little else had the same combination of sporty looks, fun and value with low running costs. Make suer you can live with the ride, which for me is the one thing you can never forget with this car. It is very much like an original mini in it's ride quality. I think I'm probably outside the "target group" for this car (eg over 30) but it certainly keeps you awake. Hard suspension does not always = good handling. On a bumpy bendy B or C road your fun is limited by the limited suspension travel. Don't get me wrong, you can't expect Lotus ride quality for 8000! Closest competitor for me was the Swift Sport which is a little more 'grown up' in feel. However the Suzuki dealers can't get near the 8000 price tag for the Fiat. The Sportka drives well ( I hear ) but I'm not a fan of the looks out or in (which feels cheap ). Speaking of cheap, have you seen the 106/C1/aygo? don't bother. nearly as expensive as a discounted 100hp and made from duplo lego and sweet wrappers. truly a nasty thing. anyway..

Did you have the "Sport" button on whilst you had the test drive? It certainly makes the throttle pedal far too sensitive, particularly the first part of the pedal's travel. It means that as the car moves about on the firm suspension the tiny movements of your foot are affecting the engine.

I find the car drives much more smoothly in the normal setting, although the steering then feels over-assisted you soon get used to it. This will probably be controversial, but I don't think that the sport button changes the ECU engine mapping/power output at all - it just means that you have to move the pedal a bit further if you want to go faster! Try it turned off, the first bit of pedal travel feels a bit lifeless, then away you go. Personally I think it's just a gimmick. I'd like the Sport steering with the normal throttle!!
Click to expand...

Agree with pretty much all of that. I think the sport does sharpen up the throttle pedel movement. I don't think it makes any odds to the power. I'd like to have the sport steering with the standard steering. Unfortunately the on Fiat that has the option to change settings for individule areas of the car is the Ferrari 430 Scudiria. We could be in for a wait for that to filter down to the panda.

Sport Ka is great, but the problem is that it's from a time gone buy. The Saxo VTS/VTR did everything the SportKa did 5 years before and while I love the Saxo, I wouldn't pay 9k for a new one now. Things have moved on and both the Saxo and Ka feel about 8 years behind the Panda. Because they are.

Swift is great I'm sure. I can't remember what they look like though and my neighbours has one, which I walk passed each day. I remember some kind of blue fat blob with oddish front lights.

The car you want as a small hot hatch is probably the Clio 197, which cost aweful lot more, pretty much double if you spec the cup up to anything close to the Panda. The Panda is as much fun as the Clio without actually being as quick or as good a car. Fun being the main thing Im after, it's probably about the right thing for me to go for.
 
hmallett said:
I test drove a Seat Ibiza with the same engine. I found the engine sounded like a sewing machine, and just as it was starting to get going, it hit the rev limiter.

I was used to a 220 bhp Coupe 20V Turbo at the time though :devil:
Click to expand...

Again, I agree. Once you get used to it though and learn to work the engine properly, it's very, very quick
 
Schwenck said:
The Mazda 2 seems to get a good write-up in the motoring press (although I dismiss 90% of what they say!), so it'll be interesting to hear your thoughts.

I've driven the petrol Fabia in three-cylinder form and the engine note is indeed brilliant. In fact, even the three-cylinder diesel sounds good! For me though, awful VW bits-and-bobs inside spoiled an otherwise excellent car. But, for all I enjoyed both forms of the Fabia, it was no 100HP.

I believe the third rear seat belt isn't an option on the 100HP; they come with a 50/50 split rear seat which precludes it. Unlike other Pandas, a solid rear seat is not an option.
Click to expand...

We gave up on the Mazda, simply too dull. Shame about the rear belt. Not that it'd be comfy, just good to know that 5 can go on short treks.
 
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