S
Sabre 23
Guest
I've had her just over a week, mostly commuting, but we had a 300 mile-ish round trip to Malvern last Sunday.
Here are my impressions:
Appearance:
The Bravo 2 looks as good as the Bravo 1 IMO. (In all honesty, I'd say better, but I dont want to upset the apple cart.
) Italian styling hits the mark yet again, although I'd have liked to have seen a 3 door version.
I read somewhere that it has the look of a Masserati. All I will say is she looks great on the outside. I've yet to find anything to criticise, aesthetically.
The dash is well laid out. The only criticisms I have is with the chrome surrounds around the speedo, rev counter dials and vents, and the angle of the 'glass' of the dials. The chrome rings around the vents are reflected on the side windows exactly where the door (thats door, not wing!) mirrors are, the rings around the dials can project a reflection onto the sun visor area which can be distracting. The 'glass' reflects an image your fingers when holding the wheel at 10-to-2.
Practicality:
The doors open wide, allowing a tall, portly(ish) part-crip like myself easy access, as does the slightly higher (than Bravo 1) seat and lower sill. Disembarking is also easier due to the aforementioned.
A dodgy knee problem is much better since getting the Bravo 2.
The driving position is better than the Bravo 1, although whoever thought that height-adjustable seats should also move forward when being raised needs a talking-to!
The steering wheel is adjustable for height, as was Bravo 1, but also forwards and back.
Rear seat legroom is restricted with the front seats fully back, seemingly more-so than with the Bravo 1.
All controls, including audio, are within easy reach, although the volume button on the radio can be a little fiddly due to being slightly recessed.
One niggle re controls; the hand-brake seems geared to the car being LHD. It's up against the passenger seat!
The boot is BIG, rear seats up or down. It is easy to have the seats down without having to remove the head restraints, and this configuration does not compromise front seat room. In the Bravo 1 I had to remove the restraints. Even with them removed it was necessary to force the front seats back! The boot floor, with the seats folded down, is not level, the folded rear backrests standing proud. I'll have to make a plinth so the hound does not break his neck falling over the step!
The boot lip is quite high, the dog will have his work cut out jumping over that!
Also, the 60/40 is a true 60/40 as there is no bar across and you can choose which side to fold. This was not possible with the Bravo 1.
No spare wheel, just a Fix&Go repair thingy?!?! I might buy a spare and jack.
Performance:
To quote Father Dougal Maguire: "Woowww!!"
In gears 1 to 3 at lower speeds the turbo kicks in nicely when pushed, projecting your head into the head restraint beautifully. Overtaking is a breeze. Gears 4 to 6, there's a 'gentle' application of power between 40 and 60 mph, although it is noticeable. 150 horses out of a 1.4?!?!
The steering is light, even on the standard setting. Theres a 'City' setting for manoeuvring at low speed, which seems unnecessary, given the lightness of the steering on standard setting.
The gear change feels a little clunky at first, something I've now got used to. You can almost 'feel' the gears fall into place, although this, apprently, is not true as the gear change is a cable system.
Still trying to come to terms with the extra gear, though!
I have not timed the 0-60 or attempted to ascertain the top speed. I leave that to others.
I thought I did well with the fuel consumption on the 1.6 SX Bravo 1. I'm amazed at how frugal this baby can be if driven for economy. Tootling along the M42 last week the trip computer occasionally registered up to 70 mpg!
I have the Active variant, so no USB, Blue & Me, or steering wheel controls, but I don't give a tom-tit. If its for free, its for me! Apart from the £50-odd in tax per month its gonna cost me, that is.
CO emissions: 167, so RFL = £96.25 for 6 months.
Anyone wanting to make the change, I'd say go for it.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
I hope to get chance to take some pictures today. I'll post them here as-and-when.
Mark.
Council estate lad.
And proud of it!
A battle of wits with the unarmed is no fun!
Member of the Guild of Experienced Motorists. Lapsed.
Here are my impressions:
Appearance:
The Bravo 2 looks as good as the Bravo 1 IMO. (In all honesty, I'd say better, but I dont want to upset the apple cart.
) Italian styling hits the mark yet again, although I'd have liked to have seen a 3 door version. I read somewhere that it has the look of a Masserati. All I will say is she looks great on the outside. I've yet to find anything to criticise, aesthetically.
The dash is well laid out. The only criticisms I have is with the chrome surrounds around the speedo, rev counter dials and vents, and the angle of the 'glass' of the dials. The chrome rings around the vents are reflected on the side windows exactly where the door (thats door, not wing!) mirrors are, the rings around the dials can project a reflection onto the sun visor area which can be distracting. The 'glass' reflects an image your fingers when holding the wheel at 10-to-2.
Practicality:
The doors open wide, allowing a tall, portly(ish) part-crip like myself easy access, as does the slightly higher (than Bravo 1) seat and lower sill. Disembarking is also easier due to the aforementioned.
A dodgy knee problem is much better since getting the Bravo 2.
The driving position is better than the Bravo 1, although whoever thought that height-adjustable seats should also move forward when being raised needs a talking-to!
The steering wheel is adjustable for height, as was Bravo 1, but also forwards and back.
Rear seat legroom is restricted with the front seats fully back, seemingly more-so than with the Bravo 1.
All controls, including audio, are within easy reach, although the volume button on the radio can be a little fiddly due to being slightly recessed.
One niggle re controls; the hand-brake seems geared to the car being LHD. It's up against the passenger seat!
The boot is BIG, rear seats up or down. It is easy to have the seats down without having to remove the head restraints, and this configuration does not compromise front seat room. In the Bravo 1 I had to remove the restraints. Even with them removed it was necessary to force the front seats back! The boot floor, with the seats folded down, is not level, the folded rear backrests standing proud. I'll have to make a plinth so the hound does not break his neck falling over the step!
The boot lip is quite high, the dog will have his work cut out jumping over that!
Also, the 60/40 is a true 60/40 as there is no bar across and you can choose which side to fold. This was not possible with the Bravo 1.
No spare wheel, just a Fix&Go repair thingy?!?! I might buy a spare and jack.
Performance:
To quote Father Dougal Maguire: "Woowww!!"
In gears 1 to 3 at lower speeds the turbo kicks in nicely when pushed, projecting your head into the head restraint beautifully. Overtaking is a breeze. Gears 4 to 6, there's a 'gentle' application of power between 40 and 60 mph, although it is noticeable. 150 horses out of a 1.4?!?!
The steering is light, even on the standard setting. Theres a 'City' setting for manoeuvring at low speed, which seems unnecessary, given the lightness of the steering on standard setting.
The gear change feels a little clunky at first, something I've now got used to. You can almost 'feel' the gears fall into place, although this, apprently, is not true as the gear change is a cable system.
Still trying to come to terms with the extra gear, though!
I have not timed the 0-60 or attempted to ascertain the top speed. I leave that to others.
I thought I did well with the fuel consumption on the 1.6 SX Bravo 1. I'm amazed at how frugal this baby can be if driven for economy. Tootling along the M42 last week the trip computer occasionally registered up to 70 mpg!
I have the Active variant, so no USB, Blue & Me, or steering wheel controls, but I don't give a tom-tit. If its for free, its for me! Apart from the £50-odd in tax per month its gonna cost me, that is.
CO emissions: 167, so RFL = £96.25 for 6 months.
Anyone wanting to make the change, I'd say go for it.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
I hope to get chance to take some pictures today. I'll post them here as-and-when.
Mark.
Council estate lad.
And proud of it!
A battle of wits with the unarmed is no fun!
Member of the Guild of Experienced Motorists. Lapsed.
