91 replies to this topic

[Smeders]

Just a quick question, which panda do you prefer: The astra, 308 or corsa?

Pics:

Astra:





308:




Corsa:




Focus:

Edited by SEADOG, 15 June 2012 - 12:00 PM.

[MikeBrum]

Focus?

[gsdk9]

Neither, Dodge charger all the way for me please.

Edited by gsdk9, 07 October 2011 - 06:23 PM.

[callsign-kid]

We have the focus and astras as IRVs on our borough. I have to say the astra goes wrong less and isn't as slow as the focus. Although the focus is more roomy.

[policey_man]

Personally, I prefer the Focus. They all look like West Mids to me - why do they have so many types of small vehicle. What happened to fleet commonalty?

[Obain]

We have Astras and new Focus' (Focusi?) on my borough too with a few BMW areas.

(Also met)

[Smeders]

Personally, I prefer the Focus. They all look like West Mids to me - why do they have so many types of small vehicle. What happened to fleet commonalty?

Yep all WMP vehicles.

Astras - Standard response cars till 2010/2011
308s - Afew tested over the years, came in as the new response cars end of 2010
Focus - Ex demo or test vehicles (Hence non local plate unlike most WMP cars) - Never ordered more than 4 or 5
Corsas - Spare response cars

Now ive heard we are sticking with the 308 for response work and getting Insignias as Area cars

Edited by smeders, 07 October 2011 - 07:27 PM.

[Obain]

Yep all WMP vehicles.

Astras - Standard response cars till 2010/2011
308s - Afew tested over the years, came in as the new response cars end of 2010
Focus - Ex demo or test vehicles (Hence non local plate unlike most WMP cars) - Never ordered more than 4 or 5
Corsas - Spare response cars

Now ive heard we are sticking with the 308 for response work and getting Insignias as Area cars

My condolences.

[Smeders]

My condolences.

lol mate, there not that bad! i think :/

[candles]

Not driven the Focus (would never had the chance if there were 4 or 5!) - The Corsas where intended for Neighbourhood teams I thought, hence never driven one.

The 308s a very nice to drive, while the Astras are perfectly fine also...

[callsign-kid]

We have Astras and new Focus' (Focusi?) on my borough too with a few BMW areas.

(Also met)

Foci? Focuses? We've got the BMW area cars, Ford Transits and one of these new i30 thingies but I've not been in it yet (its not an IRV though). Though I've heard its not too bad in a straight line but it is poor in the bends. The most reliable vehicle seems to me to be the transit.

[policey_man]

Yep all WMP vehicles.

Astras - Standard response cars till 2010/2011
308s - Afew tested over the years, came in as the new response cars end of 2010
Focus - Ex demo or test vehicles (Hence non local plate unlike most WMP cars) - Never ordered more than 4 or 5
Corsas - Spare response cars

Now ive heard we are sticking with the 308 for response work and getting Insignias as Area cars

Another Force parting ways with the Astra... this doesn't bode well for Vauxhall.

[ammo1234]

Yep all WMP vehicles.

Astras - Standard response cars till 2010/2011
308s - Afew tested over the years, came in as the new response cars end of 2010
Focus - Ex demo or test vehicles (Hence non local plate unlike most WMP cars) - Never ordered more than 4 or 5
Corsas - Spare response cars

Now ive heard we are sticking with the 308 for response work and getting Insignias as Area cars

I have driven all of these whilst in the West Mids.
The Astras are the best all rounders but a little twitchy in the bends
The 308 is probably the best in the bend but feels like you are driving a sofa, no oomph at all. I prefer this vehicle though mainly because it has the LED lightbars, and better aerodynamics.
The Corsa is a disgrace of a car for bluelighting but would be a good cheap alternative for neighbourhood, giving them the capacity to stop motorists.
The Focus was okay when I drove it. Its a bit bulky for my liking but had the best handling/responsiveness.

Another Force parting ways with the Astra... this doesn't bode well for Vauxhall.

Vauxhall as mentioned will be providing us with the Insignia in the long run. I think the force have sensibly decided that given it costs almost the same as the new shape astra, the added performance will allow officers who eventually get trained in the Initial Pursuit Course, will have a vehicle able to keep up with a car making off. They will eventually become the response car.

[Smeders]

Not driven the Focus (would never had the chance if there were 4 or 5!) - The Corsas where intended for Neighbourhood teams I thought, hence never driven one.

The 308s a very nice to drive, while the Astras are perfectly fine also...

Corsas where just brought as cheap spares i thought, ive seen a couple of them on blues runs. Probably while WMP changed everything around as i think they where some of the 1st cars to get the new door/roof codes.

[SEADOG]

I have heard that the Corsas where also ment just for the Neighbourhood teams makes sense really.

I feel there not the right cars for response by the long way, People complain the astras haven't enough space

[Smeders]

I have heard that the Corsas where also ment just for the Neighbourhood teams makes sense really.

I feel there not the right cars for response by the long way, People complain the astras haven't enough space

Are the new 308s any better? Bet you cant wait for the insignias!

[adslegend]

The Fords are definitely the best vehicles here.

The Vauxhalls generally have stronger, more reliable engines but that is always negated by their sloppy handling and awful seating positions, especially for driving.

As for the Peugeot, well all French cars disgust me and are awful to drive. I had a Peugeot 107 once and its only redeeming feature was the fuel economy. My mrs has a Renault Scenic and every year I pray it fails its MOT catastrophically and goes to the scrapyard, it's dire.

[SEADOG]

I like the 308 but its got alot of body role and doesn't grip the road to well at higher speeds.

Astras are fun tho I do like them

If the New insignias are ment to be the new area cars, I'll probably not get a go in one for a long while

[Smeders]

I like the 308 but its got alot of body role and doesn't grip the road to well at higher speeds.

Astras are fun tho I do like them

If the New insignias are ment to be the new area cars, I'll probably not get a go in one for a long while

Well atleast yoy would have to be going on blues runs in the snow in corsas!

[ammo1234]

The 308 have more space than the Astras, but both have poor driving positions, the focus has the best. The Peugeot steering wheel is a bit too big too. The Insignia will be good to drive, being a saloon will be a big plus on the handling, plus the power as long as they by the 1.9/2.0 models. Boots will be huge too.

[SEADOG]

I do like the Pug caged vans too there a good piece of kit

Edited by SEADOG, 08 October 2011 - 06:42 PM.

[Smeders]

I do like the Pug caged vans too there a good piece of kit

They are nice! hope WMP stick with them tbh!

[Paulos86]

You should try driving in the BMWs in the wet...now thats what you call rubbish handling on the roads.


The jag is nice but too big, thats too long to turn it around in a hurry.

I like the 308 but its got alot of body role and doesn't grip the road to well at higher speeds.

Astras are fun tho I do like them

If the New insignias are ment to be the new area cars, I'll probably not get a go in one for a long while

[candles]

I like the 308 but its got alot of body role and doesn't grip the road to well at higher speeds.

Astras are fun tho I do like them

If the New insignias are ment to be the new area cars, I'll probably not get a go in one for a long while

Erm, as I have actually driven them both at "higher" speeds and I beg to differ!

[Smeders]

Erm, as I have actually driven them both at "higher" speeds and I beg to differ!

legally i guess?