Swapping Abarth for a Puegeot?
Discussion
I've had an Abarth 595 Comp for about 6 months. Absolutely love it. Its a fun car, full of character and ridiculous noises. Its not especially fast, but it feels it.
However, as a day-to-day machine to cover 60 miles of commute (mostly country A/B roads) it's quite apparent that its the wrong car for the job. Main complaints are that the seating position for a tall guy like me is really starting to get uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. It's OK until then but then frequent shuffling about in the seat and flexing of feet are need to manage the discomfort. Seat height is fine, but the interplay of the steering/pedals/seat means I have my legs splayed out at a weird angle and yet still have a bit of strain in the shoulders to reach the wheel. The suspension is fine when making progress but when you have to dawdle around behind a slow person or a large goods vehicle (plenty of those on the A444) its very not fun. The state of the roads just makes it all worse. Then there is the fuel tank.... a thimble and the ridiculously high pedals (seriously, they are very high off the floor of the car).
Its a fun car and it was a heart over head purchase. But sometimes, after a hard day, you just don't want to get home slightly deafened and having been jiggled up and down for an hour. Instead I'd like to chose the motorway, hit the cruise control and just get home.
I still want something fun though. With a bit of pace when required. To that end, I am struggling to think of a better replacement than the 208 GTi.
Thoughts?
Experiences of the Pug?
However, as a day-to-day machine to cover 60 miles of commute (mostly country A/B roads) it's quite apparent that its the wrong car for the job. Main complaints are that the seating position for a tall guy like me is really starting to get uncomfortable after about 30 minutes. It's OK until then but then frequent shuffling about in the seat and flexing of feet are need to manage the discomfort. Seat height is fine, but the interplay of the steering/pedals/seat means I have my legs splayed out at a weird angle and yet still have a bit of strain in the shoulders to reach the wheel. The suspension is fine when making progress but when you have to dawdle around behind a slow person or a large goods vehicle (plenty of those on the A444) its very not fun. The state of the roads just makes it all worse. Then there is the fuel tank.... a thimble and the ridiculously high pedals (seriously, they are very high off the floor of the car).
Its a fun car and it was a heart over head purchase. But sometimes, after a hard day, you just don't want to get home slightly deafened and having been jiggled up and down for an hour. Instead I'd like to chose the motorway, hit the cruise control and just get home.
I still want something fun though. With a bit of pace when required. To that end, I am struggling to think of a better replacement than the 208 GTi.
Thoughts?
Experiences of the Pug?
Integroo said:
don't buy a small hot hatch if you want comfort
Are they really that uncomfortable? not after all out comfort, but something I can better fit in might be a start. I have sat in a 208, I found it quite nice, seats are well comfy and I like that super small wheel. I may be driving one tomorrow.Quite tough to find something to replace this thing. Go up a size and its all dull and diesel.
Test drove one
Thought it was very good. Pedals are nice, gear change is great. Steering is a bit on the light side, but the Abarths is overly heavy so... Its quiet, but not too quiet and it was very comfortable. Seems very easy to "just drive" if you're not in the mood and just want to get from A to B without fuss.
Granted its not as vocal or as tuneful as the Abarth, but it does enough to make you aware that stuff is happening. The ride is very impressive, firm without being crashy. Really does handle ruts and bumps without much fuss. I was gliding over imperfections that i'd be sawing at the wheel in the Abarth to drive around.
Thought it was very good. Pedals are nice, gear change is great. Steering is a bit on the light side, but the Abarths is overly heavy so... Its quiet, but not too quiet and it was very comfortable. Seems very easy to "just drive" if you're not in the mood and just want to get from A to B without fuss.
Granted its not as vocal or as tuneful as the Abarth, but it does enough to make you aware that stuff is happening. The ride is very impressive, firm without being crashy. Really does handle ruts and bumps without much fuss. I was gliding over imperfections that i'd be sawing at the wheel in the Abarth to drive around.
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