Fiat Bravo Sport – got it as an ex-demo so was cheap…has a bit of poke about it (150bhp from the 1.4 petrol) and has a nice shape about it. Can carry 3 bikes on the roof (probably fit 4 if I had enough racks and time to set them up) or horse them stripped down in the boot and rear seat space. Comfy to drive, not bad fuel economy and the performance is fine – although after a 300bhp 4wd machine, I do sometimes miss the foot planting experience of that number of horses!
Does the job for carting myself and bike around but also seems to work well for the family – although given the choice, the wife will always decide we are taking the Ford SMax as it is just easier to get everything in!
I had the Bravo in for repair a few weeks back and they gave me a Pug 307 – good grief, wasn't until I was without the Bravo that I relaised how good it was for levels of trim and stuff…the Pug was incredibly uninspiring…got you from A to B but made you really wish you were already there 10 minutes ago…the Bravo is a far comfier drive, better trim level and finishing kit and seems much easier to use.
I bought it due to price and the fact I wasn't doing enough mileage to warrant a diesel…for the money I was going to spend this was the best 'performance' car I could get…and I'm pleased with it.
Ford SMax is also very good – oceans of space, loads of seat configurations and is an ideal family vehicle.
Saying that about the Bravo, I think I'll be trading it in next year for a new style Berlingo – I guess deep down, I'm a pracrtical guy so looks don't bother me…if something looks good then fine but I want the performance/practicality over the looks. The only thing that is causing me 'issues' is that my mate has a converted VW T5 and I'm really fancying something like that next!