New tin top's arrived
nick205 - 29/3/11 at 09:26 AM
New Volvo V50 tin top lease car arrived on Friday, 1.6D Drive model.
On first impressions it is falling some way short of the 3yr old Passat it's replaced. Smart looking car, but some big niggles with the interior
design - things you really don't absorb enough on a 1/2hr test drive.
Cumbersome and very flimsy looking key
Appalling dash location for the key - right behind the indicator stalk
No left foot rest
Cramped pedal layout
Poor stowage space - glove box is like a rabbit hole, very narrow and very deep
Boomy stereo even with the bass turned down
Cheap placky interior trim panels which don't fit properly
Manual handbrake lever - always liked the Passat's electric parkin brake
Churlish to complain about being able to drive a brand new car? Probably, but it's pretty dissapointing TBH. Having had a Seat Leon, VW Passat
and also running a Seat Alhambra for SWMBO I should have known to stick with VAG really.
On the up side the 1.6D engine with it's Stop/Start feature is proving much more economical - 61mpg on an 18 mile trip to work and overall
average of 54mpg over approx. 200 miles so far 
[Edited on 29/3/11 by nick205]
AndyW - 29/3/11 at 09:38 AM
1/2 hour test drive? Sounds a bit of a short run. Last time I ordered my lease car (3years now) I had one for the weekend from local dealer. Luckily
we get to negotiate our own deals, so get the local dealer to give longer test drive and haggle alot more. Only got 1 year left then time to order
another.
nick205 - 29/3/11 at 09:48 AM
True I should have driven it for longer, but the local dealer wasn't overly enthusiastic once he realised it was going to be a lease vehicle -
even though I made sure he had the opportunity to quote the lease co. for supplying the vehicle.
MK9R - 29/3/11 at 09:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
True I should have driven it for longer, but the local dealer wasn't overly enthusiastic once he realised it was going to be a lease vehicle -
even though I made sure he had the opportunity to quote the lease co. for supplying the vehicle.
just had similar experience at a Mini dealer, but when i went to another mini dealer 9in the same group) they were totally different, super helpful
and have secured a good deal!!
what engine is in that, its not the ford 1.6tdci is it? How much (if nopt a rude question) are the payments?
nick205 - 29/3/11 at 10:11 AM
I believe it is the Ford engine, same as fitted to the Focus Econetic model.
Rosco - 29/3/11 at 12:30 PM
I've had a V50 for the past 2+ years and they're good to live with once you're used to their querky bits. And the key hasn't
broken or shown any signs of going to.
Although I'll admit that I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it as a car. I had a V70 before which was clearly a big safe reliable
cruiser - and did what it said on the tin. The V50 is sort of small car trying too hard to be a big car, family estate trying too hard to be a hot
hatch (I had the rdsg version), Ford Focus trying to be a BMW.... You get the idea. It's actually a really good compromise, but trying to be all
things to all men and ending up being nothing to anyone, just a good compromise.
But if you're getting 54mpg out of the box I woudn't complain. Mine is a more powerful version and I'm lucky to get 40mpg.
nick205 - 29/3/11 at 08:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rosco
I've had a V50 for the past 2+ years and they're good to live with once you're used to their querky bits. And the key hasn't
broken or shown any signs of going to.
Although I'll admit that I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it as a car. I had a V70 before which was clearly a big safe reliable
cruiser - and did what it said on the tin. The V50 is sort of small car trying too hard to be a big car, family estate trying too hard to be a hot
hatch (I had the rdsg version), Ford Focus trying to be a BMW.... You get the idea. It's actually a really good compromise, but trying to be all
things to all men and ending up being nothing to anyone, just a good compromise.
But if you're getting 54mpg out of the box I woudn't complain. Mine is a more powerful version and I'm lucky to get 40mpg.
I have to say I think you've hit the nail bang on the head. It's like a big car that's been squashed into a smaller car,
particularly apparent after the cavernous space and good interior layout and quality of the Passat.
Just spent another 4 hrs in it hacking up the M3/M25/M1 and back again and it's quiet and comfortable and again returned a good 57mpg cruising at
60-70mph with a few stretches of average 50mph limit.
Mr Whippy - 29/3/11 at 08:42 PM
I've driven quite a few newish cars recently and not been impressed at all with them. So cramped, dark, damn hard seats too, and what's with
the tiny windows now? is there a shortage of glass in the world?? I much prefer my old bluebird at least it's roomy and has big windows!
MK9R - 30/3/11 at 06:28 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
what's with the tiny windows now? is there a shortage of glass in the world??
Yeah noticed this at the weekend, and is one of the big reasons for me choosing the mini, big and upright windows , feels massively spacious in
comparison with other small cars. although the boot space is reserved for when i need to transport a stamp 
speedyxjs - 30/3/11 at 07:16 AM
I think the reason for the lack of glass is all these crash safety regs.
MikeR - 30/3/11 at 07:25 AM
Speedy's right.
If you want to feel spacious - try a car with a glass roof. Still struggle to understand how they're safe but you get a weird fealing when
driving one. Used to drive my bosses pug 407 with glass roof..... it felt great, except for the truckers looking in at you.
MK9R - 30/3/11 at 07:39 AM
quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
I think the reason for the lack of glass is all these crash safety regs.
its styling. If it was safety, these full glass roofs on so many cars nowadays wouldn't be allowed