Bangernomics car of the week/day

14-12-2011 9:53pm

Minister Boyce · 14-12-2011 10:11pm

Limerick man wrote: »

Drove a Polo without powersteering the other day! Dear god :eek:

The other half used to have a micra with no power steering....mother of god it was a chore. Was suprised by how heavy it was despite the reasonably light frame and small rims

langdang · 14-12-2011 10:20pm

I drove a Clio "surprise!" model as linked to by colm, can't say the lack of power steering bothered me that much. The shocking brakes (compared to modern cars, don't think they were vacuum assisted) and panel gaps perfectly formed to resonate air (really sounded like it was wailing) at over 50mph were certainly a surprise tho.

Top Dog · 14-12-2011 10:24pm

Are people getting weaker or something these days, or do the Polo and Micra have exceptionally heavy steering?

My old 205 GTI didn't have power steering (1.9 lump and 195 tyres) and I never found it a chore even when parking. Was brilliant for feedback when outside of towns.

colm_mcm · 14-12-2011 10:35pm

My other half had a micra without pas and it was a baxterd to park.

14-12-2011 10:38pm

Years ago a lady I worked with who drove a 92 ish Micra without power steering took my 1990 rover 414 for a spin, she thought the steering was lovely and light, the 414 had no p/s either.

When I parked cars for a job the likes of Subaru Justys, Micras and that were bastads in comparison to bigger non p/s equipped cars.

colm_mcm · 14-12-2011 10:45pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2815468

She's 2.8 though :-)

colm_mcm · 14-12-2011 10:50pm

Link removed

Nice v6, bit of test.

barura · 14-12-2011 10:53pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2815468

Nice v6, bit of test.

Thats a 728 again

colm_mcm · 14-12-2011 10:55pm

Second time lucky

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2815432

V6 Leather, test, cheap
Not a 728

Nissan doctor · 14-12-2011 11:00pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Are people getting weaker or something these days, or do the Polo and Micra have exceptionally heavy steering?

My old 205 GTI didn't have power steering (1.9 lump and 195 tyres) and I never found it a chore even when parking. Was brilliant for feedback when outside of towns.

Everyone is just used to power steering now.

I had a micra with no power steering for almost a year and once moving, you wouldn't feel any difference in the steering and parking wasn't heavy at all. Obviously you couldn't do it with one hand but it certainly wasn't a chore.

colm_mcm · 14-12-2011 11:00pm

2002 S60 with leather

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2794341

€1999

Nforce · 14-12-2011 11:02pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Are people getting weaker or something these days, or do the Polo and Micra have exceptionally heavy steering?

My old 205 GTI didn't have power steering (1.9 lump and 195 tyres) and I never found it a chore even when parking. Was brilliant for feedback when outside of towns.

This :P

My then g/f had 205/40/17's on a 6n Polo for a time...no drama...and she was a 7 stone weakling!:D Trick is not to turn the steering while stationary..only while the car is moving.

unkel · 14-12-2011 11:42pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Are people getting weaker or something these days

LOL, was thinking that too. Grown men crying about lack of power steering in a tiny car :rolleyes:

When I learned to drive only high end BMWs and Mercs and the like had power steering, so yes back then even frail little grannies had to drive Polos and Starlets without PS...

kupus · 15-12-2011 1:36am

Its no bother, Im driving now in a Fiat with no PS and its easy. Even easier when I put more air in the tyres.

mondeo · 15-12-2011 2:31am

I drove my sisters fiesta years ago with no power steering, I remember wining about it like a sissy girl.:D

Ye when your use to power steering it's seems as essential as air in your lungs.

L-M · 15-12-2011 12:32pm

unkel wrote: »

LOL, was thinking that too. Grown men crying about lack of power steering in a tiny car :rolleyes:

When I learned to drive only high end BMWs and Mercs and the like had power steering, so yes back then even frail little grannies had to drive Polos and Starlets without PS...

I'm not crying about it, I was just saying it actually felt dangerous to drive. You don't have that same "contact" with the road, power steering is much better.

Forest Fire · 15-12-2011 12:38pm

Limerick man wrote: »

I'm not crying about it, I was just saying it actually felt dangerous to drive. You don't have that same "contact" with the road, power steering is much better.

More likely to have 'contact' with something else...

alias no.9 · 15-12-2011 12:47pm

Nforce wrote: »

Trick is not to turn the steering while stationary..only while the car is moving.

Simple as that really. That's why learning to drive without power steering is the best way to do it as it forces you to drive 'properly'.

langdang · 15-12-2011 12:54pm

I find cars with over assisted steering to give less "feel" of the road.

I'd be inclined to revert to the "only turn when moving" practice for the new electric or electro-hydraulic powersteering systems, I just feel that the hydraulic systems were more durable...

si_guru · 15-12-2011 11:43pm

If "properly" means fighting the torque steer and the wheel being snatch from your hands in puddles or when the ESP activates - then yes no power steering is a step forward...

God bless City Steer.