Sales rep test

needmorepower · Sales rep test

Evening all,

Having been away for a while (poxy bluudy work IT shutting this place down the swines and missus nicking the computer all night to check her business e-mails) I thought I'd return with a bang!
Was gonna do a review of the Insignia I have just had for the week (yeah, alright that's not realllllly a bang!) but seeing Mark has basically covered that here is my very quick comparison of it to my everyday Mondeo to interest all those paperclip salesmen out there.

The 'Sig is a good car, massive improvement on pretty much every level from the Vectra.
The drive is wayyy better than the Vectra due to distinctly better ride (despite the 18"ers) and vastly better handling. It also has slightly slimmer tyres because it actually has a chassis that develops grip rather than rely on the rubber. This means it corners massively better and wont bite anywhere near as hard as the Veccy when near its edge. Yes the steering wheel is connected to the fronts via means of telepathy and have have no feedback at all, and yes the Mondy is distinctly better still in steering feel, chassis balance and general ability to punt round some twisties, but the 'Sig is a pleasant drive.
The Mondeo does have better brakes (although perhaps a tad less progressive) but oddly a less pleasant gear change. it also feels distinctly less oomphy at the bottom end yet feels subjectively quicker through the revs. The drive home highlighted how much more of a fluid chassis it has than the 'Sig.

A reasonably scientific poll shows that the Sig looks far more appealing/premium/exciting than the Mondeo. Not sure if it was the colour or not but everyone I met (in and out of work) commented on what an improvement the car was to my regular steed. It attracted much interest and much positive reaction.
The looks do cost you though - the 'fastback' style rear means you loose an awful lot of rear headroom (my head touches the roof and I would not want to be in there for periods over half an hour) and the boot is quite shallow. So, if you want a capacious motor buy the Mondy which has more room than anyone could need (I have been in more cramped limos!).

From my current car point of view (twisties are great still, but life on the M25 is more of a pressing concern depressingly) the Sig wees on the Mondy. Vastly better built (or at least feels and looks vastly better built), more pleasant environment and better ergonomics all round. I am positive the Mondy's weak point is the interior which is shabbily built and furnished with materials McDonalds would consider 'a bit cheap' and the Sig only goes to highlight that in almost every way.

So, if you want to ferry around five people and a wardrobe whilst having fun on the back lanes get the Mondy, otherwise get the 'Sig. Me? If I had the choice anymore the griffin would be coming back home.

Anyhow, hope all are well and I'll try to post a bit more again (once I have recovered from the shame of not defending my Fantasy League Title obviously!)

Roadrunner

Welcome back nmp. As you may have read elsewhere, I am about to take delivery of a Mondeo and, from the brief test drive, I can concur with your comments regarding the fluid chassis and feelsome steering, as well as the disappointingly cheap plastics inside. I have never sat in an Insignia, so cannot comment on that, other than to say that anything must be better than a Vectra.

needmorepower

I actually hadn't spotted that RR. As the proud(ish) driver of a godawful blue but otherwise very nice 1.8TDCi Edge for the past 25,000 miles I can assure you you will enjoy the car.

It's far too heavy and this really hurts when pulling away but when on the move I don't think you'll find an equivalent motor that can hold a candle to it.

At the risk of sounding all "What car?" the practicality is also great, legroom is huge, comfort is pretty good (the drivers seat doesn't have enough support around the upper back and upwards for me but maybe I'm odd shaped!) and it will cruise all day at a good lick with ease.

I basically agree with Peets comment in your thread that there isn't many a better car to do 30,000 work miles in. Although I will miss the DAB and leccy seats from the 'Sig!

Roadrunner

needmorepower

I have 6 splendid speeds to choose from.

The change isn't quite as nice as the Insignia which is blessed with quite a short throw and decent springing through the box, but it isn't bad at all and not wearing to use all day.

Roadrunner

I have six on mine too. All I have to do is to remember to use them, after 11 years of driving automatics. On a trip to Warwick and back today I only forgot to change down twice...

DaveGibson

It's even more confusing if you're in a six-speed manual courtesy car version of your own automatic. I had an IS220d last year and I'm not sure if I actually remembered to use sixth. Being diesel and not petrol, the gearing in fifth was very much the same as top in my automatic so the tacho readout looked much the same.

SpecB

My wife refuses to use 6th in mine on the basis that is not needed.

Martin

The girly girls car only had a 5 speed box, it took 3 attempts to change into reverse until the lack of a 6th gear finally sank in!

I'm not sure what to make of the Insignia, I've seen a few that look really good, but the majority don't.

Jasper · Re: Sales rep test

Jasper

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

DaveGibson

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

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