First car (Mii/Up!/Citigo)

[radderfire]

Should hopefully pick one up this weekend, we have a choice of 3 we have whittled it down to plus a GTi wildcard, just need to convince the missus that an Up! GTi is a perfect first car now and that she won't kill herself in it, because I have to use it too and I'd rather have a touch more oompf than 60bhp.

I'm covering the insurance anyway so the extra premium is going to be my penalty.

What about theft risk and insurance on the GTi?

It's also maybe a bit flash for a 17 year old. I expect the standard models are fun enough to drive.

 

[sandys]

I live in Bristol everything is a theft risk I'm paying her insurance regardless, so I can cover it.

It's also maybe a bit flash for a 17 year old. I expect the standard models are fun enough to drive.

Quite possibly but it's not exactly a rocket ship despite the GTi badge, it's more a styling exercise, but also has more safety kit, perhaps I am robbing her of the teenage act of barrying up her first car as it comes pre-done

 

[sandys]

Deed is done, teenage me would have killed for this

It's surprising how spacious it actually feels.

 

[Matmulder]

Awesome.

My Up GTi is the best car I've ever owned.....purely because in 6 years and 55k miles, other than a couple of tyres it's cost me nothing other than oil changes. Still on the factory battery, disks, pads, everything. That plus easy 50+ MPG, easy parking, more than enough BHP for the everyday driving too.
Despite it being a stablemate for an Evora, Giulia Quad, Alfa 4c and others it still a car I enjoy jumping into.

Only essential is - get a spare wheel. They looks like the factory Goodyear Efficientgrip tyres which will split their tyre wall at the sniff of a pothole. Source: damaged 3 myself in that way. You can look at replacing them with the far superior EagleF1 or PS5....but getting a spare should be essential anyway. Can get one for about £40 used easily enough.

Otherwise, what a great first car. Enjoy it....although you may be taking the keys more often than her

 

[sandys]

Yup they look like the original tyres and look close to ageing out on the rear rather than wearing out as I saw the tyres before the tyre shine went on and weren't the best, whilst no cracks, rubber just had the old look, so I will replace all four soon, its a similar age and mileage to you.

Looks like a spare could fit in the bottom, might be a good idea, as a family we have tyre popping form.

 

[sandys]

You can look at replacing them with the far superior EagleF1 or PS5

Is that with a size changed, just looked at what was available and those don't seem to be in 195/40/17. I guess its a step up to 205/40/17?

 

[Blackjack Davy]

Deed is done, teenage me would have killed for this

It's surprising how spacious it actually feels.

Nice, my first car was similar size but a rust bucket slam the door and flakes of rust would fall off it had to buy it myself with pocket money no money for cars from parents in those days though they did pay for lessons

 

[sandys]

As was mine, a £180 1.0 metro, which I spent most weekends sanding, filling and painting, but every parent strives to do better for their kids, mine will never know the things I had to endure, in the same way I never had to endure what my parents did, this has its pros and cons, I think I am happier about being able to do this for her than she is to receive it kids today eh, don't know their born

She's a bit apprehensive about driving it, she's only known my Abarth Punto, which was a bigger car with good glass house and great mirrors inside and out, the Up not so good, its mirrors are pathetic and despite half the power feels like its going faster because of the lesser refinement and diminutive size, this has benefits for not breaking limits, missus kept telling to slow down despite not cracking the limits surprisingly the Up suspension is not so hard edged as the Punto, considering it size I was expecting it to be a lot worse.

She'll have a good 7hrs or so behind the wheel by next week I'm sure she'll be fine by then once she has adjusted.

 

[Matmulder]

Is that with a size changed, just looked at what was available and those don't seem to be in 195/40/17. I guess its a step up to 205/40/17?

Yes, it also gives a bit more tyre wall which increases the comfort. I actually swapped to 16" wheels on mine primarily for that reason. I like the OEM alloy style, but the additional compliance and added protection from potholes was a big plus being a daily driver through winter.

If you're used to 90's cars as I was, you'll feel right at home with the Up...definately has a bit of the old school feeling about it!

 

[sandys]

Well couple of hundred miles in, the car is a little cracker, really does feel bigger than its size and is perfect for around town, seems like it'll be cheap to run despite city stop start traffic etc, appears to be averaging 52mpg (assuming computer is accurate) will find out when I fill it next week I guess.

it's not actually that bad at motorway speeds, tyre noise from the rear the worst problem but happily Scoots along and is comfortable.

Even used it for a tip run, you can get a fair bit in there due to its boxiness

The GTi ness of it is a bit of a stretch, coming from an Abarth it was always going to be a let down for me but it goes well enough for a first car and has enough modern gear to feel like it is not something from the 90s despite driving like something from there Actually better specced than the Abarth it replaced.

If it was mine, I'd make it more GTI with some choice upgrades in power and handling.

Also lighting seems poor, I'm sure its lighting range is about 50% less than the Punto, so hooning country lanes a little trickier, so I'll do the bulbs see it it helps, maybe they can be adjusted up more.

Its amusing putting this in our local car parks, I mean my old Punto was small at 4m long but this thing at 3.6 makes the spaces look huge whereas my Volvo barely fits in any.

Need to find a good mount for the in built phone clip, or 3d print one, all our phones are too big.