After 4 Years and 2 Cars . . . . . .

[ianjohnsonws14]

Finally got around to putting something in here.

We have owned an A2 for almost 4 years, the first silver SE for just over 2 years and the second Special Edition for about 20 months.

In that time they never let us down, the only warranty issue was a failed tailgate lock solenoid on the first car and the only grumbles were that the dashes creaked a bit (but don't they all) and the rain rattled on the roof (so the second had opensky).

Both were petrol and dont ask me what the economy was - I never filled either of them up, in fact I only drove the second one twice!

Her indoors thought the second was much faster although I would have expected it to be slower as it had many more extras and should have been heavier - may be because it was black!!!

The car met her requirements as they are small, easy to park, have a good high driving position and a quality atmosphere.

The first served as a learners car for 2 children and the first learner was, to my knowlege, the only one to make the traction control light flash. The second learner was amazed by the handling, his professional instructor had a 1.7 Corsa which did not like corners!

Overall a good experience, pity about the depreciation.

 

[wooly A2]

The first served as a learners car for 2 children and the first learner was, to my knowlege, the only one to make the traction control light flash. The second learner was amazed by the handling,

Just out of interest what sort of L/Plates did you use and where did you stick them i was given some magnetic ones but ,yes you guessed it know good for the A2 then i got some L/Plates with suckers to go on the glass
but they are very hard to see thru the glass on the tailgate , i worry about using the self adhesive plates any help on this ............

 

[ianjohnsonws14]

Took some thought as I did not want to stick them on the car and as you say magnetic ones just wouldn't work. Bought a stiff plastic document wallet (must have been close to 1mm thick - was pink but who cares!) from Wilkinsons and applied self adhesive L plates to squares cut from it.

Punched holes about three inches apart top and bottom and used string and hooks made from copper electricity cable (with care you can cut the copper shorter than the insulation, 2.5mm (Ring main cable) it is strong enough and the insulation protects the car) with a piece of rubber in line for tension. Only needs one fastener top and bottom (string in a "Y" shape with the top of the "Y" at the plate) since the stiff plastic stops the plate twisting and AFAIK they did not move in the airflow.

Then came the real problem - there are very few places you can hook them onto! The A2 is remarkably smooth!

The rear plate hooked onto one of the retaining loops inside the boot with the string though the seal and the bottom edge of the bumper - plate was positioned about 2-3 inches below the boot lip on the bumper.
The front plate hooked onto the top of the "grille" (this was the first car so it had the smooth grille) and at the bottom there are some small (2cm) depressions in the under engine panel where it meets the front bumper that allowed me to hook it on. plate sat nest to the number plate.

Took an hour or so to get the lengths right so the plates sat on a reasonably flat place on the car and worked fine at speeds of up to 70mph - they were learners! On one occasion we hit a floating plastic bag on the A38 and it took the front plate with it, as we discovered when we got home! The copper hooks were weak enough to fail - good design point but not one I had thought about. Had to make a replacement.