The 4x4's currently under repair for its bike-inflicted damage, and today the loaner car turned out to be a 2004 75hp Opel Corsa 1.2!

What a sad driving experience... :(

My main disappointments:

- it looks solid enough from the outside, but inside the plastic feels it's going to break any minute, and all the cluncks from the doors and door handles sound really hollow and feel iffy

- the steering is absolutely nowhere, as the power steering is so bloody comfortable that at speed there is absolutely no feedback whatsoever

- it's a 75hp engine but it has absolutely no low-down torque or pull compared to the 75hp engines in the Micra or Fabia, which feel lively and at least have some poke

- the engine sounds like a vacuum cleaner (perhaps because it is? )

- its single "advantage" (a pretty amazing top speed - once you finally get there! ) is negated by a worryingly and increasingly terrible road-holding.

So compared to Mrs Dutch4x4's previous-model Micra (a bloody quick little kart) and the solid and reasonably quick Fabia 1.4 MPI I give this car a big :thumbdwn: .

Mate, it's a Corsa...

I was in following one when we missed a turn and took the junction a little too fast. The Fabia was fine, the Corsa felt (and looked) like it was going to roll.

Mattijs, you're quite tall as well right? Did you actually fit in? I remember from a while back when I had a corsa loaner that it took a lot of butter to squeeze my fat bum in...

Fit was no problem, but could not find a healthy seating position. After the 45min drive back home yesterday, my back was really hurting...

Must admit that when I first drove the Corsa (rental in Cork) I was amazed with how tinny everything felt - it actually looks from the outside reasonably well made but inside and driving it is something else :thumbdwn: Also agree that the power steering is hugely excessive.

This reminds me when a mate of mine got his Corsa 1.2 SXi. At the time I Had my Clio 1.2 Dynamique. He was mad up with it (his first new car). We then started comparing the spec of the 2 cars. God you get **** all with the Corsa. Only toys you do get (if you call it toys in this day and age) is electric windows, mirrors and remote central locking. Thats it. The brakes are poo. The front discs are solid. No ABS or EBD then. As for handling. Well don't even go their. The funny thing was it cost grands more than my Clio. And its slower from a standstill.

As for the inside, well the clio in 10 times better. And thats FRENCH.

You think the Corsa is bad now, my dad has the 1.2 automatic and that is the worst car I have ever driven. The only car that comes close in the new micra in terribleness.

Yes I had the misfortune of getting a 200 miler as a loan car.. for about a week..

1L 3 cyl engine.... was a Liability in most driving.. awful driving position,

tiny boot, bus like steering wheel angle... materials used awfull and cheap...

The 1.2 3cyl Fabia is far better is this respect. engine can be thrashed into

keeping up well with traffic, even on the Motorway... The Corsa had difficulty passing a milkfloat...

Good points.. reasonable CD stereo.. with steering wheel mounted controls..

Much better than my Octavia standard setup which is pathetic..

Rear wash wipe system that actually works well.. ( Fabia owners take note! )..

Ta

Dazz

Trouble with the Corsa (and indeed, most Vauxhalls) is that the gearing is way too long - you put the 1l 3-cyl version in 5th and wind it from 50-70mph...rev counter creeps up really slow. VAGs typically have much shorter gearing...personally I found once the Corsa was up to 70 the engine note was less painful than in the 1.2 Fabia.

In the Corsa you are more frightened that someone might pull out in front of you, as if you take the pedal off the gas it takes forever to get the speed back up!

Rob.

Do the newer RHD ones still have offset pedals, I drove my sisters really old G reg one just after she got it, and I remember a strange driving sensation because the pedals and steering wheel were not straight in front of you. and an annoying shelf that run along the bottom near the pedals, not exactly safe in this day and age.

Rear wash wipe system that actually works well.. ( Fabia owners take note! )..

Ta

Dazz

What's wrong with the rear wash wipe in the Fabia? Mines aways been O.K. I have however been in a Corsa and seen the guy sidding in the raised middle seat in the back smack his head off the roof!

The Corsa

The rear washer puts out plenty of fliud,, it covers all the screen... and its powerfull enough.. Also it works...

Most of the Fabia loan car's I've driven the rear washer is either, not working, trickling out or pooring from under the front wing...

Its the Pipe that falls off... Skoda can't be bothered to fix...

Ta

Dazz

The Corsa

The rear washer puts out plenty of fliud' date=', it covers all the screen... and its powerfull enough.. Also it works...

Most of the Fabia loan car's I've driven the rear washer is either, not working, trickling out or pooring from under the front wing...

Its the Pipe that falls off... Skoda can't be bothered to fix...

Ta

Dazz[/quote']

Never had any such problems in My Fabia it always works and cleans the screen although the single jet in the middle isn't perfect, the Octavia's design is far better IMHO. One problem about Corsas though is the rear wipers stopping mechanicism often stops it too low very often on the paintwork, or not horizontal!