Lampshade
Established Member
Thought I'd try my hand at reviewing cars this week - basically I just fancy complaining that I've got chronic backache 
Well this week I reviewed the 1.4 Corsa SE, the latest offering from Vauxhall to compete with the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Fiat Punto and Volkswagen Polo.
Initial signs are promising; the Corsa has lost its inoffensive but somewhat effeminate styling, taking a more aggressive approach such as Ford have done with their new Fiesta. Inside is much the same, the flimsy painted plastics are out and a more premium-class black and silver interior is in.
Luggage space is a big improvement over the previous model, the boot being surprising spacious for what is still a very small car and is better than anything Ford, Fiat or Volkswagen have to offer. Front and rear legroom is also quite generous, although there aren’t many interior cubbyholes for storage, although the dashboard is so large you could stage a small tennis tournament, or a medium sized royal banquet, so there’s always somewhere to put things.
In terms of drivability, the Corsa is competent but certainly not perfect. The gear shift from second to third is very awkward and visibility is atrocious; because you’re sat so low down it is already difficult to see over the dashboard, let alone see where the front of the car is, which leads to some bottom-clenching moments in car parks. That said, the clutch is reasonably light, the steering is direct and the engine has a fair amount of grunt in third gear while still being more economical than the Fiesta.
The interior layout and the switchgear is questionable; whoever thought it would be a good idea to have an indicator stalk that doesn’t click into place is an idiot. Instead of clicking the lever down for left and up for right and it staying in place, it returns to its normal position, removing the ability to cancel the indicator. Another daft addition is the mode select for the trip computer being a toggle switch on the windscreen wiper stalk; I had to resort to the manual to work out where it was. Other features of the interior are rather better thought out, with all the basic radio and climate control buttons being on the centre console where you would expect to find them.
Which brings me on to the seats. I’d never have thought that was even remotely possible for car seats to be as uncomfortable as they are in the Corsa; they make seats in German cars look positively plush and are supposedly ergonomically shaped to improve lumber support, but in reality they have given my entire family backache with the sort of searing pain that is best described as the sort of pain you experience when having acupuncture with knitting needles. My kidneys have been tenderised to the point of mush; for journeys longer than ten or so minutes, you are better off with a pogo stick. There is a place reserved in Hell for the man who designed the seats for the 2011 Corsa.
In conclusion, buy a Fiesta.
Well this week I reviewed the 1.4 Corsa SE, the latest offering from Vauxhall to compete with the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Fiat Punto and Volkswagen Polo.
Initial signs are promising; the Corsa has lost its inoffensive but somewhat effeminate styling, taking a more aggressive approach such as Ford have done with their new Fiesta. Inside is much the same, the flimsy painted plastics are out and a more premium-class black and silver interior is in.
Luggage space is a big improvement over the previous model, the boot being surprising spacious for what is still a very small car and is better than anything Ford, Fiat or Volkswagen have to offer. Front and rear legroom is also quite generous, although there aren’t many interior cubbyholes for storage, although the dashboard is so large you could stage a small tennis tournament, or a medium sized royal banquet, so there’s always somewhere to put things.
In terms of drivability, the Corsa is competent but certainly not perfect. The gear shift from second to third is very awkward and visibility is atrocious; because you’re sat so low down it is already difficult to see over the dashboard, let alone see where the front of the car is, which leads to some bottom-clenching moments in car parks. That said, the clutch is reasonably light, the steering is direct and the engine has a fair amount of grunt in third gear while still being more economical than the Fiesta.
The interior layout and the switchgear is questionable; whoever thought it would be a good idea to have an indicator stalk that doesn’t click into place is an idiot. Instead of clicking the lever down for left and up for right and it staying in place, it returns to its normal position, removing the ability to cancel the indicator. Another daft addition is the mode select for the trip computer being a toggle switch on the windscreen wiper stalk; I had to resort to the manual to work out where it was. Other features of the interior are rather better thought out, with all the basic radio and climate control buttons being on the centre console where you would expect to find them.
Which brings me on to the seats. I’d never have thought that was even remotely possible for car seats to be as uncomfortable as they are in the Corsa; they make seats in German cars look positively plush and are supposedly ergonomically shaped to improve lumber support, but in reality they have given my entire family backache with the sort of searing pain that is best described as the sort of pain you experience when having acupuncture with knitting needles. My kidneys have been tenderised to the point of mush; for journeys longer than ten or so minutes, you are better off with a pogo stick. There is a place reserved in Hell for the man who designed the seats for the 2011 Corsa.
In conclusion, buy a Fiesta.
