Kia Picanto as a hire car, how bad?
Discussion
A friend and I are going for a short break in Scotland and due to our age and "checkered" motoring history have both had to settle for a Kia Picanto hire car (one each). The plan is a trip across Scotland and a go on the Applecross Pass, lap of the Isle of Skye, then pick our way back to the airport the following day.
I have never driven a Picanto before and both of us are above 6ft2(no goatee) and not of a slight build so were not expecting to be comfortable, just wondering what these are like to drive?
Any insight on the Kia, or recommended roads gladly appreciated
I have never driven a Picanto before and both of us are above 6ft2(no goatee) and not of a slight build so were not expecting to be comfortable, just wondering what these are like to drive?
Any insight on the Kia, or recommended roads gladly appreciated
66comanche said:
Why the hell would you go somewhere with good driving roads in a picanto, there must be some other option!!
Lack of other options for the price! 2 days fully insured in the Picanto is £50, we had the choice of a 1.2 Clio for an extra tenner but we both drive Clio's anyway and fancy something a bit different. Small cars can be a good laugh as well, really enjoyed the 107 I drove and even found fun in my ex girlfriends 1.0 old shape Suzuki Swift!Honest answer?
We only had a weekend to do the trip, we wanted a car each and driving both Clios up from wales would have taken all our time and was considerably more expensive than flights and two small rental cars.
The point of the thread is some re assurance that 2 days in 2 Picantos could be a good laugh!
66comanche said:
I'm sure it will be fun, the cars are less important than two mates having a laugh and a weekend adventure. Guess the good point is that with them being the same car you can 'compare' driving skills/styles on certain roads (but don't crash FFS, those picanto's will not hold up well!). Just thinking back to when I hired a car in Lanzarote (was 21 IIRC) they automatically started to draw up the form with the crappy 1.0 twingo which was their main crapbox, I told them to hold on and wanted to see what else they had. Ended up with a mk3 1.8 SRI Astra convertible, hardly supercar territory but was worth it, was ridiculously cheap then though, the hire was less than £30 and a tank of petrol to explore the island was <£15 I think.
Bloody hell those were the days eh? Its the cost of fuel keeping two hot hatches at home, and putting us in something with more "modest" performance! Were going to have to keep it sensible, really don't need an accident to add to my endorsed licence or I might end up running a Picanto full time!We've arranged to pick the cars half an hour apart to try and avoid any raised eyebrows, I will probably have to leave the trackday trainers at home for this one!
carlingofblack said:
Comparedto the Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 I once had on hire, I'd say a Picanto would be like riding around in a Phantom....OK, I over exaggerate, but like a mid-range 7 Series at least.
For a budget ride, there's plenty worse.....
Thanks for the encouragement, Im starting to regain the enthusiasm that got this trip booked after a brief "all this....in a KIA" moment. I was more interested in the handling than how comfortable they are, I drive a Clio Cup and my mate a mk1 valver so were not exactly used to luxury motoring! Saying that Im sure there will be the armful of understeer Im expecting, with body roll to rival a canoe.For a budget ride, there's plenty worse.....
Kentish said:
I guess this is the old Picanto and not the new one that has just come out.
I guess the new one is better, new is not always of course
The old Picanto I think is a damn fine little car, very well built and drives extremely well.
Soooo much better than the crashy, thunpy, rattly equivalent Nissan Micra!
Im pretty sure its the old model, but its got 4 wheels and a manual gearbox so there has got to be some fun to be had!I guess the new one is better, new is not always of course
The old Picanto I think is a damn fine little car, very well built and drives extremely well.
Soooo much better than the crashy, thunpy, rattly equivalent Nissan Micra!
Are there any other must drive roads between South East Scotland and the Isle of Skye/Applecross? Our plan at the moment is get clear of the City and set the satnav as all the roads look pretty decent, at least from what Ive seen with a quick browse on Google Maps.
ian_c_uk said:
Wife has one. The 1.1 with a massive 64bhp.
Gearing is very short, engine likes (has no choice) to rev, fits through every gap and you are so fearful of losing momentum you never, ever, lift.
It's brilliant fun.
It sounds alot like the old Swift, foot pinned to the carpet everywhere! I did love the noise the little 3pot would make, although the car was bloody dangerous at motorway speeds due to it being sprung like a steel bed from the 1980's! If you were forced to adjust your course quickly on the motorway it could take a 1/4 mile to get the car back under control, it really did handle like a bathtub on a staircase! Gearing is very short, engine likes (has no choice) to rev, fits through every gap and you are so fearful of losing momentum you never, ever, lift.
It's brilliant fun.
Nige_GTI said:
I have just had the mis-fortune of having a '60 plate Picanto 1 as a hire car, it was utter dross!
Firstly the brakes were a switch, on or off, there was no in between
Secondly I could not get comfortable (I'm 5'11 and 15 stone so it shouldn't have been a problem)
Thirdly there was no kit, it didn't have air con (Ok its a base car), it didn't have central locking (you had to pull up the rear locks - its 2011 for God's sake), it didn't even have a f
king clock!
Horrible car, and it wasn't even that economical!
Good Luck, I'd get the bus/train and risk getting fleas
Not a fan then?;) Firstly the brakes were a switch, on or off, there was no in between
Secondly I could not get comfortable (I'm 5'11 and 15 stone so it shouldn't have been a problem)
Thirdly there was no kit, it didn't have air con (Ok its a base car), it didn't have central locking (you had to pull up the rear locks - its 2011 for God's sake), it didn't even have a f
king clock!Horrible car, and it wasn't even that economical!
Good Luck, I'd get the bus/train and risk getting fleas
I'm not worried about the lack of kit but the brakes are a concern! When in "on" mode is there much stopping power?
Out of intrest what do you drive as a daily?
Mr E said:
Oh it doesn't handle, you have to scream the engine and the tank is tiny. I believe ours had 4 different brands of tyre.
But, as discussed; nothing goes quite like a rental.
(vmax was about 132kph, downhill)
How far can you get out of a tank while revving it to the heavens, as I understand that petrol will be hard to come across on a Sunday in the Highlands? Would a couple of Jerry cans be a good Idea?But, as discussed; nothing goes quite like a rental.
(vmax was about 132kph, downhill)
The Crack Fox said:
Ha ha ! It hasnt stopped me before ! - www.s2b2.net
Good write up, I can't wait now! Ive bookmarked and will read the stelvio write up later.I'd assume by the fact that someone hired you a 500 abarth that you have a few more car hire options than myself! If I was to be blacklisted I'd have to go with one of the big hire companies and pay an extra £35 a day, just for being under 25!
Kiltox said:
I want photos and a write up, BTW
Kiltox said:
- which hire firm is it? Even I can hire a Focus...The choice was the Picanto or the Astra, I'm sure the latter is faster and more comfortable but I think hammering two small city cars will bring more smiles per mile than a pair of diesel Vauxhalls!
Kiltox said:
Small hire firm if they have MK3 Clios then - Glasgow based by any chance?
I can neither confirm or deny these rumours! You got it in one mate, you couldn't do me a favour and keep the companies name off here until we have completed our excursion? I'm not planning anything stupid but don't want anything to go wrong, especially as due to the situation in work it looks like a weekend in a picanto is going to be my summer holiday this year!
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