This car looks ridiculous and is slow after selling my M3.

This car looks ridiculous and is slow after selling my M3.

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Discussion

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
quotequote all
But it's such a love hate relationship.

I hate the fact I have to literally try reverse gear five times before it goes into reverse. Yes I know there is no synchro and it helps to find go into 1st first etc blah blah.

I hate the fact I never used to commute in the first lane of a 3 lane stretch of motorway and I have to plan my overtakes.

But feckin hell. As a B Road blaster its brilliant and to be honest it grows on you.

We had a bit of sun today so I did a bit of detailing on the bodywork and faded plastic trims.

Thinking about getting 330i E93 to run alongside it.

The ST in the background is my wife's.




RWD cossie wil

4,295 posts

172 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
HannsG said:
But it's such a love hate relationship.

I hate the fact I have to literally try reverse gear five times before it goes into reverse. Yes I know there is no synchro and it helps to find go into 1st first etc blah blah.

I hate the fact I never used to commute in the first lane of a 3 lane stretch of motorway and I have to plan my overtakes.

But feckin hell. As a B Road blaster its brilliant and to be honest it grows on you.

We had a bit of sun today so I did a bit of detailing on the bodywork and faded plastic trims.

Thinking about getting 330i E93 to run alongside it.

The ST in the background is my wife's.

Stockholm syndrome wink

tybo

2,284 posts

216 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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I picked up an identical one a couple of months back.

Not much hate going on at my end, though. No problems with reverse and I find it keeps up on the motorway quite nicely.

Definitely comes into its own on the twisty bits. I too came from a car with over three times the power, but can honestly say it's a revelation. There's a lot to be said for a car that can provide low speed enjoyment.

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
tybo said:
I picked up an identical one a couple of months back.

Not much hate going on at my end, though. No problems with reverse and I find it keeps up on the motorway quite nicely.

Definitely comes into its own on the twisty bits. I too came from a car with over three times the power, but can honestly say it's a revelation. There's a lot to be said for a car that can provide low speed enjoyment.
Definitely.

I'm gonna have the reverse thing checked out to be honest. And on the motorway it is brilliant in its own way.

Great car. These were 10k when sold new 11 years ago. Tremendous value for money...

Jonmx

2,535 posts

212 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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I remember the same feeling (slow) when I used to get into my MX5 after driving my 123D for a while. Plant the right foot and wonder why nothing was happening and having to plan overtakes in advance. Like you say though, B road blasting is a hoot and makes up for a lack of power.
Very much fancied a 100HP for a long time but one of those cars that I never got to play with in the end.

tybo

2,284 posts

216 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
HannsG said:
Definitely.

I'm gonna have the reverse thing checked out to be honest. And on the motorway it is brilliant in its own way.

Great car. These were 10k when sold new 11 years ago. Tremendous value for money...
Agreed. Tremendous value. Surprisingly solid too. There are no rattles, squeaks or bits of trim falling off.

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
tybo said:
Agreed. Tremendous value. Surprisingly solid too. There are no rattles, squeaks or bits of trim falling off.
I also have zero rattles which is a revelation for an 11 year old car. Solid is an understatement. Satisfying thunk when closing doors not to dissimilar to a German car.

Still looks very fresh and modern by today's standards.

JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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Cracking cars, loved mine and will get another!

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
I agree it can attract a lot of people on the arse.

I'm thinking about sticking Koni dampers and coupe bumpstops. And then when required changing the tyres to 195/50r15.




Blue Mikey

49 posts

182 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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I've wanted one for a while but I need a 5 seater :/

Vroom101

828 posts

132 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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I've never driven one, but I've loved them ever since I first read about them in Evo magazine all those years ago.

When Mrs Vroom needed a car a few years back, I tried convincing her she wanted one of these, but she was having none of it!

ChevronB19

5,737 posts

162 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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I changed from an NC MX-5 to one when my daughter was born. Big mistake for family reasons (as in there was less space for ''stuff' other than having an extra couple of seats. Great on a good road when you were in the right mood, bloody nightmare every other time. Still glad I scratched the itch though!

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
quotequote all
ChevronB19 said:
I changed from an NC MX-5 to one when my daughter was born. Big mistake for family reasons (as in there was less space for ''stuff' other than having an extra couple of seats. Great on a good road when you were in the right mood, bloody nightmare every other time. Still glad I scratched the itch though!
Lol. True car nut I take it!

Yeah it definitely is not big enough for the two boys and the crap we have to cart around as a family.

The buggy alone takes up half the boot in the ST!

Still ample space for occupants though. The boot is crap...

UberMeister

302 posts

151 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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I also really like these but after looking at one found the interior disappointing. Though in fairness to be expected for the price!

Admittedly I'm a bit of a Renaultsport fanboy but I'd also struggle to choose one over a Clio 172/182. I imagine the Panda would be more reasonable on fuel but otherwise feel the Clio would be the faster more engaging car.

Edited by UberMeister on Monday 27th March 05:11

M1C

1,832 posts

110 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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I had one of these for a year, a couple of years ago. I wanted one (in grey, like yours) ever since they were launched in 2006/7.

It didnt disappoint! I went all the way down from Durham to Bristol-ish for it.

I think the term is 'a proper B-Road blaster'. It had a really 'raw' feeling (for a production model) (IME) which was great when you were in the mood, but i must admit, i did tire of the ride. It was superbly solid and planted on faster smooth road runs and could corner amazingly...but in the general daily grind, it was a bit hard work.
It probably wasn't as bad as i was expecting on that front, but it did wear me down a bit over time (quite a few badly patched-up roads and speed humps around my commute).

Fully enjoyed it...and do miss it. Pleased that i owned one.

Day of collection:



Day of North York Moors fun:



EDIT: Mine had the Koni suspension bits fitted by previous owner so apparently mine had slightly better ride than normal!

Edited by M1C on Monday 27th March 09:48

rossmc88

474 posts

159 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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To get it into reverse, you need to put it into neutral, clutch in, clutch out, clutch in then select reverse and it will go in

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
rossmc88 said:
To get it into reverse, you need to put it into neutral, clutch in, clutch out, clutch in then select reverse and it will go in
Thanks.

Did a 70 mile round trip today for first day at new contract.

It's very very firm. Mine not ideal as a daily lol

ChevronB19

5,737 posts

162 months

Monday 27th March 2017
quotequote all
HannsG said:
Thanks.

Did a 70 mile round trip today for first day at new contract.

It's very very firm. Mine not ideal as a daily lol
Yup, you got it! Although I mostly drive B roads with some A and Motorway, it was the trips into town on roads with speed humps that did it for me, it was just rock solid! There is a damper change you can do that helps apparently. I've got a Clio 200 now and it's nowhere near as firm, in fact I've driven track only cars that aren't as solid!

However, I'd say they are one of the last cars that you can really drive to the 'max' without going at truly stupid speeds. Mine felt a lot like my old 205 GTi, and indeed prompted me to buy a 205 again, this time to rebuild into a full on hillclimb/sprint car.

Oh, and re-blacking the plastics (use autglym bumper refinisher) is a pain in the bum! But enjoy it ??

fttm

3,665 posts

134 months

Tuesday 28th March 2017
quotequote all
HannsG said:
But it's such a love hate relationship.

I hate the fact I have to literally try reverse gear five times before it goes into reverse. Yes I know there is no synchro and it helps to find go into 1st first etc blah blah.

I hate the fact I never used to commute in the first lane of a 3 lane stretch of motorway and I have to plan my overtakes.

But feckin hell. As a B Road blaster its brilliant and to be honest it grows on you.

We had a bit of sun today so I did a bit of detailing on the bodywork and faded plastic trims.

Thinking about getting 330i E93 to run alongside it.

The ST in the background is my wife's.

Parrot incoming , but you could never pay me enough to drive that ,let alone with the sticker in the back window . Get a grip OP or hand in your man card .

tybo

2,284 posts

216 months

Tuesday 28th March 2017
quotequote all
UberMeister said:
I also really like these but after looking at one found the interior disappointing. Though in fairness to be expected for the price!

Admittedly I'm a bit of a Renaultsport fanboy but I'd also struggle to choose one over a Clio 172/182. I imagine the Panda would be more reasonable on fuel but otherwise feel the Clio would be the faster more engaging car.

Edited by UberMeister on Monday 27th March 05:11
I had a Clio 182 years ago and loved it. Obviously it's a much faster car, but more engaging? I'm not so sure. The Panda is definitely more engaging at slower speeds. They both, however, share the same trait of wanting to be thrashed.

And because of that, there's nothing in it in regard to fuel consumption; which is pretty shocking when you consider that the lighter 1.4 car is no better than the heavier 2.0!

The Panda wins on build quality, though. I once sliced my finger open on the edge of the unbelievingly cheap parcel shelf in the Clio.