The all-new car review thread!

Drummerboy08

I know this was tried before, but i think its a good idea, so lets give it another go!

Just post a review of whatever car you've driven recently.

Just thought i'd share my experience of my weekend with one. The oul fella had nothing else to bring home (XF, XKR, and X Type were all out) so he decides to bring the Fiesta home for the weekend.

Now, i've driven plenty of the previous model, and I even have a few out on fleet, but I hadnt experienced the new Fiesta.

I'm posting this, because people seem to be looking for smaller and more economical cars these days.

First of all, when I arrived down from Dublin on a sunny Friday evening, the first thing that struck me was its colour. That bright green colour. I hated it. The mammy and girlfriend loved it of course.



As you can see, its a bit, well, bright to say the least. Not really going to be the most popular colour available, although the novelty factor of it was nice.

On first impressions, i felt the exterior of the car has grown quite a bit from the previous generation Fiesta. When parked next to my MK1 3 door Focus, it was almost as big. I was also amazed that being a Ford, the base model (Style) came with 15" alloys as standard.

So, from the outside, its a good looking little car, in any spec (i'd advise steering clear from this green all the same). Very eye catching, and IMO one of the best looking cars of its class. It's a big improvement on the last bland model.

The interior of the car is as modern and eye catching as the exterior. The three spoke wheel will automatically be the first thing that takes the eye. The centre console is well laid out, not too many buttons to distract, and what buttons you will need are fairly visable.


One thing i will say, the screen for the radio was very hard to see when the sun hit it. Its not a major thing i know, but it did annoy me a little when i flicked onto radio 1 instead of 2fm.

The speedo and rev counter are big enough, so its easy for grandad to see what speed he's doing too.

Out on the road, first impressions are good. It holds the road very well for a small car, and feels very solid. The 1.25 engine seems to be a bit more nippy in the model too. Its no slouch anyhow.

On the main roads, its fairly smooth with very little road noise whatsoever. It almost feels like a Focus.

In the corners, it holds the road well, a little body roll, but this isnt the Zetec S model, so i'll let that slide.

Back in the driveway, theres a great turning circle, making city driving and parking easy.

Overall then, i think i'd take the Fiesta over any of its rivals, the Yaris, Micra, and Corsa. I'd imagine its the best driver of the lot, and i think its the best looking of the bunch.


Just thought i'd get that off my chest! Next week, the Jag XF. :cool:

Drummerboy08

Ah come on lads, am i the only person in here that drives new cars with too much time on his hands??!

Anyhow, got a good spin in the above today.

First impressions was i thought it looked a little too similar to the outgoing model. Some people who i spoke to didnt even realise that it was a new model! Little bit bland for my liking. I must admit, the alloys did go well with the black metallic paint.



This yoke was a Comfortline, so there was a bit of spec. CD player, traction control, 4 leccy windows, A/C. Inside, the dash is pretty much the same as the older model, save for a shiny new radio console and steering wheel (which looks like its lifted straight from a Lupo)



On the estates around the office, the 2.0TDi is quick enough in a straight line - a big improvement on the old 1.9TDi anyhow. In the corners, it isnt as sharp as a Ford Focus, but in saying that, its streets ahead of the new Megane.

Out on the N4, its very smooth up around 100kmph, probably the smoothest hatchback in its class IMO. Its nice and comfortable, and the cruise control was easy to figure out without having to actually look at what i was pressing. The only thing its missing here is a sixth gear for cruising.

If i was in the market for a car of this class, it would be a very tight decision between this and a Focus 1.6TDCi Zetec. Both are very close. I'd probably fancy the Golf for the resale values, and the extra comfort factor.

Very competent car, but its a shame it looks so boring.:(

*BTW, none of the pics i've used in any of these posts are of the actual car.

I'm getting a Scirocco tommorow, so it should be interesting how that goes!

Eoin

That Golf dash is just awful, especially compared to the Fiesta's which looks much more upmarket.

Good reviews.

Seth Brundle

popcorn anyone?

Hotwheels

Has it Butter?

kbannon wrote: »

popcorn anyone?

Drummerboy08

kbannon wrote: »

popcorn anyone?

Wouldnt mind some actually! Now you've got the idea in my head....

You might laugh, but thinking and writing these are a great way to pass the evenings away when im away from home! I could probably review the A3 i drove today too, but what i'd have to say would only upset Chris, so i wont go down that road....;)

Seth Brundle

By all means keep it up. I'm just going to sit back and wait for people to come back with critical comments (no offence Eoin), followed by retorts defending them, etc..

olewy

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I could probably review the A3 i drove today too, but what i'd have to say would only upset Chris, so i wont go down that road....;)

Too late, now I'm intrigued, tell tell (i'm half thinking of buying an A3).

Drummerboy08

kbannon wrote: »

By all means keep it up. I'm just going to sit back and wait for people to come back with critical comments (no offence Eoin), followed by retorts defending them, etc..

Dont worry, i'm waiting for those too. The "oh look, its Jeremy Clarkson here....";) Dont worry, i'm not too bothered about those. Im a salesman. Im used to much, much worse. :pac:

olewy wrote: »

Too late, now I'm intrigued, tell tell (i'm half thinking of buying an A3).

It wasnt the car as such, rather the engine. It was the awful weedy, old 1.6 petrol engine. Awful whine around 100kmph out of it, under-powered, thirsty, and just not nice in general. It was the only thing that let the car down.

olewy

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

It wasnt the car as such, rather the engine. It was the awful weedy, old 1.6 petrol engine. Awful whine around 100kmph out of it, under-powered, thirsty, and just not nice in general. It was the only thing that let the car down.

Yeah 1.6 is notoriously weedy...which is why I have my eye on the 2.0 TDI Sport version...plenty of ooomph (anyway, I'm getting off topic without a review to contribute)

Eoin

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Dont worry, i'm waiting for those too. The "oh look, its Jeremy Clarkson here....";) Dont worry, i'm not too bothered about those. Im a salesman. Im used to much, much worse. :pac:

I don't think he was talking about people being critical about the reviews, just about the cars themselves. That's what I was talking about anyway.

Drummerboy08

Yep, i know. If there's one thing that the Motors forum has taught me, its that everyone, has an opinion on everything, and it has to be heard.

I'll keep chippin away at it. Not much else to stop me from buying st*te on Ebay....:(

R.O.R

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Ah come on lads, am i the only person in here that drives new cars with too much time on his hands??!

Yes!

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I must admit, the alloys did go well with the black metallic paint.

Were they standard wheels or upgraded? If they are standard (like in the pic) then they aren't alloys :eek: Composite wheels I think they are called - just damn convincing wheel trims - next time you see one, flick it with your nail to check if it's metal or plastic.