Got it home this afternoon, its pretty well what I expected after a longer journey.
Car was nicely prepped for a cheap motor, looked smart. It failed its MOT with a CO2 sensor which has been replaced. Other than that very little to report mechanically, its sound as, goes, stops fine, gearbox changes smoothly, steers well, rides well.
Its very 'japanese' to drive, so everything is simple, light and works in a predictable way, no suprises at all.
The ride is much better than I expected. The little tyres get caught out on some bumps, but its well damped and its far less prone to roll than the looks would suggest, so on sweeping A-roads you dont feel anywhere near like your pushing it, so you can get a nice flow.
Its not especially loud at higher speeds, but wind noise dominates.
Seats are comfortable, firmer than they look and the velour trim holds you, which is just aswell as theres little side support. Its very, very easy to get into.
The gearbox, while smooth, its quite reluctant to drop out of top gear when you slow back down - it will do it, but you need to give it a bit of a prod, which I discovered as id slowed down for a speed bump in Uppingham on a steep hill, when to pull away at 20mph and not alot happened at first! Just needs pratice and atleast when it finally did change down, there was no horrible clunk etc.
Obviously its affected by the wind a little, but less so than similar cars ive owned, it was OK doing a steady 70 down the A1.
It is turning 4200 rpm at 70, which is high, but it does mean that you can go 60-70 quite quickly as its well into its powerband.
There is a little vibration at low revs from the engine, it reminds me of 90's autos which often vibrate a little at idle in Drive. It also sounds oddly like an Austin Mini auto in engine note.
The fuel tank is clearly tiny, just 40 litres and on the red it needs just £33 to brim it - long time since ive needed to put so little in but range prob wont be that high, im expecting a 250ish average.
The stereo is a strange thing - a CD/cassette player combo, with some cheesey graphics, its very 80's but quite amusing and it works well enough.
Its certainly a car with limitations, but they arent as tragic as you first expect and it gets better the more you get in tune with it, especially the handing aspect which is far better than it has any right to be. Im quite happy, knowing that it wasnt a choice for motoring fun.
Economy will be interesting and Friday will be the real test as thats the first day it will be used for its normal workload.
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First thoughts on the Canary 
First thoughts on the Canary 