You can have fun in ANY car!

[Vladimir]

Our Landy went in (AGAIN!) for a minor issue and we ended up with a 60 plate Skoda Fabia FSI Auto for a few days.

Drove it a couple of times and it was truly horrific - the weak engine took ages to rev then the auto box suddenly lurched you forward it a most unsettling way - learned to ease the power in very gently.

Then discovered "s" mode - I guess this is something more sporty. The box changed a little higher and allowed to engine to rev a little more.

Took it back last night and took the back roads - and I mean serious back roads. Although public highway, it's borderline farm track stuff. Very narrow (some cars wouldn't fit), very bumpy, some nice straight sections but some tight bends too.

The diminutive size, the soft suspension allied to a fairly competent chassis along with darkness (so you could see cars coming) meant a spirited drive was actually quite...dare I say it...fun!

I very rarely write any car off for being awful but this was close - that 3 miles or so restored my faith a little.

On balance though, I would recommend not going for the small petrol/auto option.

Drove the same lanes back in the Landy (110 - so over two tonnes) and it felt big, bumpy but also fun.

Edited by Vladimir on Thursday 8th December 20:37

[Dave Hedgehog]

you bloody cant

i had a polo 85bhp se a couple of weeks back as a courtesy car, the ultimate in white goods, zero involvement, bugger all feedback, and all over the place if you pushed on

a fine car for people who have no interest in driving, for me id have to drive it in a wall to get some enjoyment out of it

its the polar opposite of our polo gti


mind the R32 felt bloody ballistic afterwards lol

[Vladimir]

Okay then - almost any car!

I've had smiles in a Micra (current shape), a Matiz (in France), all sorts. Easy to reach their limits, easy to thrash the nuts off without risking your license.

[beach bum]

This is a rental car I drove 10 years ago, that initially did not look interesting, but it gave endless fun. Subaru Vivio. 660cc, screaming engine, very light, beautiful unassisted steering and comedy grip from skiny tyres....

Edited by beach bum on Thursday 13th February 07:34

[Vladimir]

Beach - we bought a Honda Accord 2.0 in a sort of metallic PINK colour (!) in NZ, drove around both islands then sold it back to the same dealer for a mere £120 less than we bought it. Didn't miss a beat, actually not bad to drive, quite comfy.

Almost wish we could have brought it back to the UK!

[peterbredde]

beach bum said:

This is a rental car I drove 10 years ago, that initially did not look interesting, but it gave endless fun. Subaru Vivio. 660cc, screaming engine, very light, beautiful unassisted steering and comedy grip from skiny tyres....

That's awesome. I just wish I could make out the expression on your face. I also wish I was an occupant in the car.

This is why I would never (from having similar experiences in rental cars) ever buy an ex-rental.

By the way. Just out of interest. There appears to be nobody in the front passenger seat but someone in the rear nearside. Was this an attempt to maximise 'roll'? Good effort if so.

Edited by peterbredde on Friday 9th December 18:45

[beach bum]

That's just the headrest. All my passengers came out pretty impressed (and 10 years older) after a quick drive though...

[Toaster Pilot]

Dave Hedgehog said:

i had a polo 85bhp se a couple of weeks back as a courtesy car

Oh boo hoo, that's not even the bottom of the range and I doubt it was really that bad

[Oxhead]

I raise you the Nissan Note 1.4, the dullest car i have ever driven!

[Toaster Pilot]

Suzuki Splash 1.0

[bazking69]

I'll raise you all a 1999 Daewoo Matiz 800cc (courtesy car). I made the most of it by deliberately trying to drive it to destruction. Must fun despite it clearly being a dreadful car.

[Toaster Pilot]

bazking69 said:

I'll raise you all a 1999 Daewoo Matiz 800cc (courtesy car). I made the most of it by deliberately trying to drive it to destruction. Must fun despite it clearly being a dreadful car.

[RemainAllHoof]

Dave Hedgehog said:

i had a polo 85bhp se a couple of weeks back as a courtesy car, the ultimate in white goods, zero involvement, bugger all feedback, and all over the place if you pushed on

Zero involvement - did you not steer it? Did it prevent you from taking the racing line (where appropriate) or optimising gear changes and speed for every corner?
Feedback - so what? Does a lack of feedback mean it's not fun or does it mean you have to be a better driver to judge things?
All over the place - well that certainly sounds like fun.

The issue is in defining "fun".

[Engineer1]

You can it's about working out what the car can do that you find fun, so even if it is keeping momentum up it can still be fun. There is the ultimate fun, aiming to embarrass a nominally better vehicle.

[Powerrr]

Peugeot 107.

Have one at the minute while the winter snotter is having an elec fault dealt with.


I am not embarrassed to say i think its a very fun little car. I think it has 68bhp and it loves its revs. 65mph in 2nd? 85mph in third?

Very chuckable and very controlable considering the short wheelbase. Ive done 150 miles since picking it up on Thur night. My commute is 8 miles.

[anonymous-user]

Two weeks ago I'd have been inclined to agree - from little Toyota Aygos, Bedford Rascal vans, 850cc Minis, knackered old Polos, to 1.0 3 pot Corsas I've managed to have fun in them all.

Then I borrowed the work Prius for a trip. I went into it with an open mind (I love technology), but what a complete and utter pile of st. I had to thrash it without mercy to keep up with the little old lady pace of traffic around Stafford, it was dangerously sluggish pulling off at roundabouts, it was noisy, it drove like a full shopping trolley. The ONLY way I found to have fun was by abusing it - pulling off my holding it on the brake but keeping the throttle pedal down, and I only really did that through necessity. Forget what you've heard about them, the reality is far worse.

[Engineer1]

but a 107 weighs feck all my first car was an E-reg Escort with 60Bhp when it left the factory, you don't need massive power to have fun but it does help.

[Toaster Pilot]

Powerrr said:

Peugeot 107.

Have one at the minute while the winter snotter is having an elec fault dealt with.


I am not embarrassed to say i think its a very fun little car. I think it has 68bhp and it loves its revs. 65mph in 2nd? 85mph in third?

Very chuckable and very controlable considering the short wheelbase. Ive done 150 miles since picking it up on Thur night. My commute is 8 miles.

- from the amount of praise the 107/C1/Aygo get on here I sometimes think I should've bought one of those!

[anonymous-user]

Toaster Pilot said:

- from the amount of praise the 107/C1/Aygo get on here I sometimes think I should've bought one of those!

I've driven a couple, and they are brilliant. Not the best for a long motorway trip, but in all honesty not that bad either. Wife hated it though, but she's not a *driver*.

[Toaster Pilot]

dme123 said:

I've driven a couple, and they are brilliant. Not the best for a long motorway trip, but in all honesty not that bad either. Wife hated it though, but she's not a *driver*.

Fair play. It wasn't available to me as cheaply as the Picanto so was discounted - though it's quite fun too