New car purchased....

Janesy B · 14 Dec 2010 at 11:50

Dogbreath said:
A 1.8L Focus is significantly slower, thirstier and in a (slightly) higher tax bracket than the C2. Other than perhaps build quality and just possibly rear seat space why would it be a better choice?

Lower purchase cost (cancels out the higher tax), the OP is not driving a huge amount so fuel cost is fairly irrelevant, potentially more reliable and more practical. If the OP was fussed about outright performance I don't think he would have taken such a downgrade, I also didn't mean specifically a 1.8l Focus as I was just using that as an example to the price they can be had for. A Focus will still be an enjoyable car to hustle down B-roads in.

MikeHiow said:
I think that having not owned any fast cars, you are overwhelmed by power rather than the other merits of the cars you drove.

I believe this is where our opinions split; I've had many fast cars and the problem with a fast car is that being fast is a novelty that wears of pretty quickly, where as being genuinely fun to drive does not.

Just look at Integra forums for an example of this. You see many people sell up and get something fast like an Evo, but so many end up back on the forum looking to part-ex/swap back to an Integra - a car that has the fun factor and raw handling ability as its main merit.

I wasn't overwhelmed by the power at all, let's get that straight. I had far much more fun in the Corsa VXR than the Astra VXR, sheerly down to the driveablity of the Corsa and how much I enjoyed it over the Astra which tried to kill me at every opportunity. However how much fun can be had in a car is irrelevant to the terminology.

MikeHiow · 14 Dec 2010 at 11:53

Janesy B said:
A Focus will still be an enjoyable car to hustle down B-roads in.

From someone who has just made a similar jump - no it won't.

Where the OP has lost in power, he has made up for it with a more fun, responsive and reasonably capable chassis.

matt_fsr · 14 Dec 2010 at 11:59

I think I'm too biased against Citroen's to be able to comment fairly.

Suffice to say, I wouldnt have one myself, but if it fits what you need then spot on.

Hope it doesnt break down all the time, or wear all the interior paint off in 30k miles.

Cuchulain · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:00

Dogbreath said:
You really wouldn't.

To put it into perspective, I'd rather take a bath in formic acid than own a Cityrover

[TW]Fox · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:05

EddScott said:
mostly with Fox being rude to the OP

Mostly? I've made one post to the OP, where I was rude about his car (an inanimate object with no feelings) and not him personally, because I genuinelly beleive the C2 to be a nasty little car.

I've stayed out since then as I don't agree with anyone in this thread (No Janesy, a Focus 1.8 is not the answer) and cannot be bothered with the ensuing bunfight, which it seems i've been blamed for anyway.

matt_fsr · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:06

[TW]Fox;17997751 said:
... the ensuing bunfight, which it seems i've been blamed for anyway.

You're always blamed for everything in Motors, Fox. Get used to it!

EddScott · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:09

sigma said:
How you go about putting your opinion across is another thing though.

I agree, but we are all intelligent enough to be able to put our opinions across without having to be rude to look clever on the internet.

Spunkey said:
Fair points Edd, however...

I would argue that he has.

So a 2 door supermini is the way forward for a family?

I would think a C2 would provide at least some excitement? Light with a bit of poke?

He said he'd keep the C2 until they are a family.

[TW]Fox;17997751 said:
Mostly?

Perhaps it isn't just you, but any thread regarding "Look what I've bought" or "Thinking of buying this" etc etc that doesn't conform and is a number of pages, its become a slanging match and you do seem to be involved in every one.

-Ad- · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:10

peterattheboro said:
C2 VTS is a luke warm hatch. It sits in the very same catagory as a Suzuki Swift.

Exactly!

Doesn't it having something like 120bhp and 0-60 in middle 8 seconds? That is luke warm at best, especially as actual hot hatches are towards or over the 200hp threshold and 0-60 of mid/late 6s.

Not exactly the most scientific facts but nevertheless striking differences between the 2 types of cars. Actually my old Sunny Sr had 100hp, surely that is closer to 120hp than 120hp to 200hp thus nearly a hot hatch. I don't think so.

Enjoy the car OP, not a great fan tbh just felt a little like a toy when I was driving around in one. Granted it was the VTR, but still felt completely gutless.

eidolon · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:14

MikeHiow said:
I believe this is where our opinions split; I've had many fast cars and the problem with a fast car is that being fast is a novelty that wears of pretty quickly, where as being genuinely fun to drive does not.

It's been a long time since I've used this acronym but

Q F T!

Far too many people get hung up on BHP, 0-60 and other willy waving statistics. Fun can't really be quantified yet to me it's much more important than the headline figures.

Janesy B · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:15

eidolon said:
It's been a long time since I've used this acronym but

Q F T!

Far too many people get hung up on BHP, 0-60 and other willy waving statistics. Fun can't really be quantified yet to me it's much more important than the headline figures.

I understand this, I've had heaps of fun in my Fiesta, fact is, it doesn't make my Fiesta a hot hatch.

Hxc · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:17

I like how motors has seemingly completely returned to normal after it's temporary "Oh, that's nice, go you" stage

[TW]Fox · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:20

EddScott said:
Perhaps it isn't just you, but any thread regarding "Look what I've bought" or "Thinking of buying this" etc etc that doesn't conform and is a number of pages, its become a slanging match and you do seem to be involved in every one.

Thats because with 104,000 posts I'm involved in virtually every thread in Motors.

Hxc said:
I like how motors has seemingly completely returned to normal after it's temporary "Oh, that's nice, go you" stage

Well it seemed a bit one sided given that the Smokey, Flukester et al were free to continue, so we kinda gave up.

mrk · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:28

I think it's a cute car to be driving.

If you're a girl!

Sorry

scratch · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:51

Sounds like a can of worms has been opened, should have expected it really!

The C2 is quite a quirky styled car so isn't going to appeal to everyone but I love it, especially in black and that's all that matters really! It's plenty quick enough for me, ok it's not as quick as the S3 was, but straight line speed wasn't my only concern when choosing the C2

The way I see it, if you want to buy something you like then why not. If it ends up not living up to my expectations then I'll sell it on and get something else, no regrets!

Cookeh · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:52

Chives said:
Decision makes no sense at all.. whatever makes you happy I suppose

+1!

Seems non-sensical to me!

But if you're happy then its k.

[TW]Fox · 14 Dec 2010 at 12:55

scratch said:
Sounds like a can of worms has been opened, should have expected it really!

The C2 is quite a quirky styled car so isn't going to appeal to everyone but I love it, especially in black and that's all that matters really! It's plenty quick enough for me, ok it's not as quick as the S3 was, but straight line speed wasn't my only concern when choosing the C2

The way I see it, if you want to buy something you like then why not. If it ends up not living up to my expectations then I'll sell it on and get something else, no regrets!

I suppose expecting logic from somebody who has a 4 mile a day commute and STILL buys a Starlet to 'commute' in saving his Audi A3 hatchback for 'weekends' was a tall order

MikeHiow · 14 Dec 2010 at 13:15

-Ad- said:
Not exactly the most scientific facts but nevertheless striking differences between the 2 types of cars. Actually my old Sunny Sr had 100hp, surely that is closer to 120hp than 120hp to 200hp thus nearly a hot hatch. I don't think so.

So only a cars power decides whether it is a hot hatch or not?

Half the reason many hot hatches are pushing over 200bhp these days is because they need to be, being fat and heavy.

naefeart · 14 Dec 2010 at 13:16

Janesy B said:
Oh, wikipedia has the C2 listed as a hot hatch. That'll be why then.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_hatch

Strangely enough Wiki also has the Escort Cosworth listed as a hot hatch. Interesting.

I think motors should get together and 'correct' such articles on Wiki, for the good of humanity

I am terribly against Citroens (and French cars in general), but if the OP is happy, good on him.

MikeHiow · 14 Dec 2010 at 13:18

naefeart said:
Strangely enough Wiki also has the Escort Cosworth listed as a hot hatch. Interesting.

I think motors should get together and 'correct' such articles on Wiki, for the good of humanity

I am terribly against Citroens (and French cars in general), but if the OP is happy, good on him.

What is to correct, the Escort Cosworth is a (then, slightly extreme) hot hatch?

peterattheboro · 14 Dec 2010 at 13:20

MikeHiow said:
So only a cars power decides whether it is a hot hatch or not?

Half the reason many hot hatches are pushing over 200bhp these days is because they need to be, being fat and heavy.

Mike. In the 90s, 120bhp in a car this size would have classed it as a hot hatch. However, times have changed and the goalposts have moved.

Would you now class a MK4 Mondeo which has the same gadgets and arguably comfort levels as a mid 90s S Class as an executive saloon?

The Fifth Gear test with the Superb Estate vs the E Class would dictate that the Superb is the better car, but would that be classed as an executive car?