Finally got to test drive the 3 after work today. Drove to the stealership and salesman showed me the different models and options. Think white hatch is the best. It has good contrast with the black trimmings, and makes it look sportier.
Man, this car is SMALL! It's like a Golf, or even Cooper. Looks so small. Don't be mistaking this for a Matrix. Lines are nice, but wheels seem to have too much positive offset. Not too big an issue though. Tested the suspension by pressing, and it wouldn't budge! Seems pretty tight to me.
Looked inside, and then sat in the back seat. Warning, the rear seats will not accomodate long legs. The boot is great, with small hooks and hidden compartments. Seats also fold flat, with no step up, which is great.
Finally sat in the driver's seat, and found I couldn't find a totally comfortable position. I'm only 5'7", but the seat seems a little short, and it felt like I sat ON the seat, not IN the seat, if you know what I mean. Not great when pulling some Gs past the cones.
Ok, so then I hit the streets, and find the the clutch too light. Throughout the drive, I coudln't really feel the clutch, and could not heel and toe properly with the brake and gas setup.
THe ride is VERY smooth, like butter for your butt, but understeers badly during slaloms (yes, I tried it on an empty road with the salesman holding on, he must've thought I was crazy)
Acceleration is decent, but with not much torque at low rpms. Pulls great after that though. Too bad you can't feel it unless looking at the speedometer.
Overall, it's a good car, if it's just transportation you're after. Personally, I can't see myself being in the car day in day out, without modifications. With a firmer suspension, and perhaps polyurethane inserts, it might be better. Something to note is, I test drove the protege5 and 6i not that long ago, and the 3 has softer suspension than the 6, with the p5 being a real driver's car. That car 'communicated' with me. Just wish it came with the 2.3, or a turbo.
BTW, I do not own a protege. Have an old trusty 88 MX6 that's made to oversteer at the limit. Maybe that's why I found the 3 to understeer too easily. Could be tire pressure. Can't really say.
So, what is my next car going to be now?
Man, this car is SMALL! It's like a Golf, or even Cooper. Looks so small. Don't be mistaking this for a Matrix. Lines are nice, but wheels seem to have too much positive offset. Not too big an issue though. Tested the suspension by pressing, and it wouldn't budge! Seems pretty tight to me.
Looked inside, and then sat in the back seat. Warning, the rear seats will not accomodate long legs. The boot is great, with small hooks and hidden compartments. Seats also fold flat, with no step up, which is great.
Finally sat in the driver's seat, and found I couldn't find a totally comfortable position. I'm only 5'7", but the seat seems a little short, and it felt like I sat ON the seat, not IN the seat, if you know what I mean. Not great when pulling some Gs past the cones.
Ok, so then I hit the streets, and find the the clutch too light. Throughout the drive, I coudln't really feel the clutch, and could not heel and toe properly with the brake and gas setup.
THe ride is VERY smooth, like butter for your butt, but understeers badly during slaloms (yes, I tried it on an empty road with the salesman holding on, he must've thought I was crazy)
Acceleration is decent, but with not much torque at low rpms. Pulls great after that though. Too bad you can't feel it unless looking at the speedometer.
Overall, it's a good car, if it's just transportation you're after. Personally, I can't see myself being in the car day in day out, without modifications. With a firmer suspension, and perhaps polyurethane inserts, it might be better. Something to note is, I test drove the protege5 and 6i not that long ago, and the 3 has softer suspension than the 6, with the p5 being a real driver's car. That car 'communicated' with me. Just wish it came with the 2.3, or a turbo.
BTW, I do not own a protege. Have an old trusty 88 MX6 that's made to oversteer at the limit. Maybe that's why I found the 3 to understeer too easily. Could be tire pressure. Can't really say.
So, what is my next car going to be now?