Hi - I have recently purchased a Felicia Fun pickup and although working, the release system on the rear seat panel (which extends back to provider the rear seat) is very stiff. I have to pull the release handle so hard that I am concerned that it, or lock operating system inside the rear panel may fail, resulting in me being unable to release the panel/seat. The locks only seem to release at the very end of the pull of the handle and sometimes one or other lock doesn't release. Is it possible to get inside the rear panel to check/adjust/grease the lock release system? If so does anyone know how to do so (i.e. does it require the removal of the seat back pads?)

Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers

Yes one the seat is off you can access all the handle rods

Hi & welcome to a fellow fun owner. The release mechanism is also a little stiff on mine but not to the extent where I've had to venture into it. In my case it's probably linked to insufficient operation which should improve in line with the weather. Access as Tech1e says and a bit of care and attention should do the trick. Hopefully now your on the forum we'll be hearing more about her. Enjoy!

try pulling the seat towards the rear as you pull the release, sometimes the rubber stops are a bit too tight and hold too much pressure against the latch to release.

Hi guys - thanks for the advice etc. I will have a go at getting inside the panel to see what's going on and will also look at the rubber stops. The back seat padding looks to be just held on by 4 black plastic studs in the centre section of the seat - do you know if that's all that is holding the padding on?

The pickup was purchased following the seller advertising it on Ebay. It's a 1999 model and has been completely resprayed all one colour (inc plastic trims). I have to say I think it looks better than the original 2 tone colour scheme. It has a truckman top sprayed in the same colour, and I have also ordered a yellow tonneau cover from Leon (who I think was something to do with the Fun Club - is this club still active?) The pickup also has a set of 17" black/chrome alloys which I think also improve the appeareance (I have the original yellow wheels which I am looking at selling off - any idea what they may be worth?) . I had a few problems insuring it (ended up with Adrian Flux) as it is not being used as a commercial vehicle. I was originally looking for a vw Caddy and during my searches I stumbled across a Fun. It seemed much more practical and the colour also pretty much matches my other car - Mk1 Escort Mexico

Again thanks for the advice

Cheers

It certainly sounds like an interesting/different Fun. Based on my experience I wasn't aware that the option was available to insure as a non commercial vehicle? I'd suggest most Fun's are not used on a commercial basis but insurers don't tend to see it that way.

I've got a reasonably competitive recent quote from AF and will follow up at the point of renewal in Aug to see if they've remained that way.

Some pics would be good. Cheers.

I did a gocompare for van insurance, and it came out £150 cheaper than AF did. (I was thinking about putting lil' yellow back on the road through summer)

I did a gocompare for van insurance, and it came out £150 cheaper than AF did. (I was thinking about putting lil' yellow back on the road through summer)

Ah that's interesting, haven't tried them yet. So were you suffering separation anxiety at the thought of getting rid of her? Right car for the summer but now we just need it to arrive! I've steered clear of gocompare beacuse of that bloody song :S but now might have to bite the bullet.

No, no anxiety and her fate is still on the cards, just seems like a good idea. 6 months tax and some insurance seemed like a good idea at the time.

The only suggestion I can make when doing the compare is to use a false phone number.......they were calling within 5 minutes of the quote. What annoyed me most is that you'll get a call saying "we were in the top 10......." well d'uh, you weren't the top 1, so what makes you think I'll go for one £100 more expensive? :S :S I had several of those calls over a few days.

TBH I didn't find the site sponser thing did anything for the quote either. When I spoke to AF I got the quote, then mentioned Briskoda and the quote remained the same. Stange 15% (??) discount. I don't think the others would touch The Fun as they either couldn't classify it or stopped doing double-cabs.

One of the problems I had was getting quotes from some of the comparison sites. They did not list the Fun, as it is classified as a commercial vehicle. With AF I ended up paying just under £400, which I didn't think was too bad as I don't have any NCD as I drive a company van and am only a named driver on my wife's policy. However, I had to provide a letter from work stating that I had not had any accidents in my van. For me, GoCompare van insurance wasn't any cheaper than AF.

By the way, what's the easiest way to post photos on the site?

Cheers

One of the problems I had was getting quotes from some of the comparison sites. They did not list the Fun, as it is classified as a commercial vehicle.

Go compare have a specific commercial section

By the way, what's the easiest way to post photos on the site?

I would say uploading the photo to photobucket then copying the link from there and then pasting it in your post.

Go compare have a specific commercial section

I'll give them a shout just to see how they compare? Ditto with AF as my membership didn't attract any discount on the annual premium. I'll let you know how I get on