Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

"The thinking man's Mercedes."

The 1.0 3 cylinder current fiesta is a brilliant car. I had a hire one for a couple of weeks and loved it. Makes a nice noise and you can rev it out every gear shift.

I had a 2005 WP fiesta, 1.6 for a year or two. It drove really well. Punchy enough and really good handling. Nice hydraulic power steering too, not overly assisted. The only thing I didn't like was the engine was breathless up top, so didn't reward redlining, the cable gearshift couldn't be rushed and you say very high in the car. Otherwise, so much better than the equivalent Hyundai, Toyota etc.

How many sub 1000kg modern cars are there that aren't tiny? Mk1 Ka was around 900kg with the 8v 1.6 cabriolet being over tonne.
The MK4 fiesta went over the tonne.

Have you driven the 1.6 Ka of a similar time? Or a mk1 1.6 focus with the zetec se engine
Wondering how they compare.
Ka is lighter while the focus is similar weight to the fiesta.

On the subject of Fords my other halves friend is selling her 54 plate Ford Focus 1.6 LX which is ULEZ compliant, 68000 miles, a years MOT for £500 if anyone is interested PM me and I will pass on her contact details.

Stock, not many. I was assuming since this was Dammit that it won't remain stock.

With the back seats and the interior ripped out, you might even get a MTB in the back of a small hatchback unmolested.
Cooper S?

Or even a stripped clubman which would be like a nippy miniature van

I have never driven a ka. Some focuses but the only one that stood out was a 2001 st170. At the time I thought that was the only real hatch to better the GTi6.

Saw this 505 GTi estate the other day and thought of you.

That is great. Would buy in an instant. Must be a very rare car in the UK by now.

You could have mentioned that car last week.

Anyone want to buy a 2,0 diesel x type saloon?

Only driven the 1.6 ka and that wasn't standard so don't know, but the KA fiesta puma are the same floor pan and suspension (ish) so wondered how they would compare.

The ST was quite modified suspension from the standard from what I remember. So not comparable to a 'normal' focus.

Yeah and a h reg is a late one....

Must be a very rare car in the UK by now

5 according to How Many Left

Wasn't aware there was a P6 estate!
Grew up with various P6s at the house (mostly V8s) as my step dad was a fanboy, don't recall an estate version ever showing up.

Most memorable was a heavily modded "race" version, iirc it started with a Weber carb upgrade, and ended up being a twin turbo, 4.8L monster.

Where's good for buying wiper blades? I need a rear wiper blade for a 2002 Fiat Punto before its MOT in a few days but all I can spot on the first few websites I've looked on are front wiper blades.

Also, the battery will likely be dead when I pick it up (not driven for months). I should be able to start it using one of those USB battery pack things but any ideas on how long I need to drive to get it charged back up again? Does the driving make any difference (it's likely to be stop/start London traffic)? Cheers

I don't think rear wiper blade is part of the MOT. but double check. get yourself down to Halfords Auto otherwise and they will have something that will fit. not sure about battery sitch dude.

The wiper is a bosch H309 -

Do you have a battery charger?

The wiper is a bosch H309 -

Cheers, for future reference how did you find that?

I don't have a battery charger. It's not my car so ideally I want to get it through the MOT with minimum effort.

@jonny I've had a look at the requirements and it's not that clear whether it's just front wipers or both.

My bimmer passed the last two MOTs with no blade attached to the rear wiper. Front wipers are definitely MOT and they will check them thoroughly. The rear wiper motor went a long time ago and bangernomics means it stays that way @aggi

Cheers, for future reference how did you find that?

Also fits the GF micra, and a few other Nissans and Renault and for some reason stuck in my brain.

Can lend you a charger if you are near by and have a few friendly MOT places.

Wasn't aware there was a P6 estate!

I imagine it's a coach built special.

Wasn't aware there was a P6 estate!

More details here: https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/rover/p6/crayford-estoura-rover-p6-five-door/