sharkrider

hello all,

just got back yesterday from a long weekend around Scotland, and thought I'd give a little review

first stint was a long one, Sheffield to Fort William, nice to get away, the fabia never ceases to amaze me on it's incredible motorway capabilities, we ate the miles, it took us 6.5 hours, and thats including getting lost near Glasgow! we were "towing it" (worksop phrase) so the mpg wasn't spectacular 45 mpg, not like we ever went above 70 mph (*ahem........)

second stint was much more staedy, taking in the scenery, going on random diversions, sort of driving everywhere in 6th from between 30mph to 60mph, this turned out the best fuel economy I've ever managed in the vRS for the whole day, the computer said 59.1mpg, I've had it in the 50's before but never nearly cracked 60mpg! sweet as the deisel was average 100p p/l! (ouch...)

went for a drive around the isle of Skye, this was fun.. (held a snake for the first time.. that was wierd, you wouldn't think they were warm and soft?!?!) There was quite a bit of mad rain showers, the end of hurricain Katrina I believe, (although warm, 17 celcius!) and the tyres coped well considering there is about 1.7mil (just legal) on the front! a testement to the continental sport contact 2 's ability to drive well in the rain, hardly any traction control comming in..... (must get some new ones...) had my first "play" ... was with a scooby turbo, we were at about 50 mph, and he moved to pass me, loads of room, perfectly safe, I didn't bother changing gear, just floored it in sixth, didn't expect to bother him, but he couldn't make even make close to the acceleration needed and backed out of it! got up to the next bent, (bout 20 mph) we could see about 2 miles of clear road ahead (very wet road I may add!) I floored it in third on the exit of the corner, so did he, matched him exactly until the front tyres gave in, the traction control came on and took away all the power! he shot past us in a four wheel drive smug kind of way I was kinda happy I didn't turn it off as there was about 20 foot of solid rock to my left, , and the ASC kept her in line (even if it does kill the acceleration...) saw the guy later, think he was just going round the island for a good blat, so was I , I love Scotlands roads *Sharky notes, no exsessively stupid use of speed was encountered in any of these adventures, 60 mph is enough on those nice island twisties

next day was fun, did some of the big sweeping roads around the lochs, kept the speed sensible, but it seems the locals drive everywhere at 100+ mph?! (some of you Scottish people tell me if this is true?!) I was letting at least 2 van's past me per 10 miles?! and the odd family hatch! lol....

the drive back home was the only bad thing... (*grr) now, I was on the M74, and it was COMPLETELY empty, and dry, and clear, but for me and two other cars (In a little kinda bunch) all doing an indicated ** mph, and a police "camera SAFETY" van parked on a bridge! now you're not telling me it's to do with safety, when two figure speeds are involved, on a dry, empty motorway! however the origin B2 didn't bleep that there was laser hitting my car, so the copper must have thought I was slow enough, lets hope there was no technical dysfunction, and I don't get a NIP in a fw days time! the GPS said about 10% less than the indicated speed... anyway, they will ave to show me a pic, as me and the g/f were sharing driving the whole weekend, and I cant for the life of me remember who was driving at that point!

so to summerise, a great drive, i still love this car, even after 16,500 miles, the mad grin has not gone away, still NO faults to report at all, and I was impressed I nearly made the magic 60+mpg! lol... "cheers" to all you Scottish people, we met LOADS of freindly characters in the pubs at night time, and had a great laugh in Fort Agustas (on loch ness, bottom side) on Sat night, at the halloween parties!

__________________
Fiat Grande Punto Sporting (158 bhp 314 lbs/ft) in Red....

Furby vRS , black magic,passenger airbag de-activation switch, (now gone, but not forgotten!)

Gwilo

epic journey sharky, glad you enjoyed it.
lot of mileage in such a short distance.
but you where in the right vehicle...:wink:

__________________