Its arrived!   I've had it 2 days now, and covered approx. 100 miles, so still getting used to it.   Plenty of time in the next 4 years!

 

 

Initial thoughts are that its not as bad as I expected, almost pleasant.

 

I haven't really had much opportunity to drive it properly, but the engine seems to pull well from low down although it runs out of puff later on.   

 

Storage inside is a little lacking, I had to think hard about how to store all the little bits and pieces from the Fiesta, and that wasn't exactly well endowed!

 

Ride is comfy but a little vague, and the brakes seem spongy by comparison to the Fiesta - and with ~200 miles on the clock they should have bedded in by now.

 

The Stop/Start takes a little getting used to, but I'm sure I will.

 

 

Tiny niggles so far:-

• No automatic rear wipe when reversing with the front wipers on.
• 
  
• The weird switchgear on the stalks - no definite 'parking' of the stalks just flappy paddle type 'on and return'. (sorry, that won't much sense if you haven't driven a recent Vauxhall)
• 
  
• DRLs are front only (our Octy is front & rear), can this be changed easily?
• 
  
• Difficult to find a good drving position, but again I'm sure I'll get there.
• 
  
• ICE isn't very intuitive, still trying to work this out, I seem to remember this being a problem with a previous Astra?
• 
  
• Bluetooth won't connect to my Blackberry phonebook (see above)
• 
  
• No trip computer/mpg display
• 
  

 

I'm sure I'll discover more good and bad points over the coming years, so I'll try to update this thread with anything of import.

 

 

oh that is GREEEEEEEEN!!!!

 

turns down brightness on monitor

 

...that's a nice bold colour to be sure.

 

 

Initial thoughts are that its not as bad as I expected, almost pleasant.

 

 

 

 

Unusual sentiment for someone with a spanking new car?  Was it not your choice?

 

Unusual sentiment for someone with a spanking new car?  Was it not your choice?

 

Correct.   I was able to choose the colour (Green!) and any extras (Bluetooth), but the make/model were forced upon me.  I chose the green as a rebellion against the 6(!) different shades of grey & silver that I was allowed to choose from.   I'm sure the tick box for green on the order form was an error, so I took advantage!

 

 

 

I've covered a few more miles now and have uncovered some more 'quirks':-

• Stopping at a gate to get out and open it - the stop/start kicks in and kills the engine.  Which then immediately restarts as I open the door?   I'll have to get used to this.
• No foot rest to left of clutch, leaving my left ankle sore after even short journeys.
• 12v socket is switched rather than permanent live, so its difficult to keep 2 'phones and a Sat Nav charged when I'm on site, but not at the car (can this be changed easily?).
• Radio volume increments are incredibly small.
• Mobile 'phone dialling is via a scroll & select function on the thumbwheel rather than using the numbers on the dash.
• Can't change the volume  of 'phone calls using the car (may be possible using the buttons on the 'phone, but that's not exactly hands free...).   Can't believe I had to resort to RTFM for this!

I don't generally make calls on the move, but the whole point of having the Bluetooth was to make it easier to use when I've pulled over...

 

 

I've also discovered the (single!) function of the 'Board Computer' - the Timer.  See photo below, but can anyone tell me the difference between 2 & 3?

 

 

 

 

I might have some first MPG results later.

Last year I had a double one way rental, fiesta diesel one way, corsa diesel the other, I have to say I enjoyed the way the ford drove more, but didn't really have enough time to get to know either of them.

 

Added to which you just don't know how they've been treated.

 

I am still quite literally stunned by the colour though

Edited 4 December, 201411 yr by camelspyyder

My Girlfirends instructor car is one of these but without the stop start (for obvious reasons being a driving instructor car)

 

The engine is fairly punchy and handles town / dual carrigeway driving well. it does iron out bumps and potholes really well too! The steering is very vague and the cabin materials are on the 'Milk Chocolate Tray' side...

 

But the economy is great, partially down to the fact you do not need to rev the nuts off it to make progress.

Initial MPG figures look good - 58.78 for the first half tank compared to 56.33 long term average for the Fiesta, despite being thirstier on paper.

 

I expect this to improve slightly once its properly run in (experience suggests 10-20k), but I'm sure that adding the roof box will knock a little off (The Fiesta  lost approx. 2-3mpg).

 

 

I had the windows open briefly this morning, and noticed that at low speeds, there is a quiet whining sound (presumably the turbo), that sounds like an electric car!   Not a complaint as its undistinguishable with the windows closed or at higher speed, its just an observation.

 

 

 

 

I think I might grow to like it, if I ever begin to understand the 'Infotainment system'.

The turbo sound in rather noisey. if you look under the bonnet, the comprssor is at the top of the engine at the front.