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It is properly brilliant... Ford knocked it out the park when they signed this thing off. Now I'm used to it and can fully exploit the handling its just so chuckable. Bad points are still grabby brakes at low speed, not enough feel through the steering wheel of front tire grip and the interior is as cheap as chips. But if you accept its a grotty little hot hatch, then its a real treat. So, so adjustable on the throttle and reacts so quickly to all the inputs. If you are slightly hot on a roundabout and the front does wash out, lift off and it comes back o line so well. And if you want, you can provoke loads of lift off oversteer. For a giggle, take one for a spin, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.

Well - we're back from the trip, and what a great week it was! 1,443 miles in total over the week, and some great roads, views and experiences along the way. Here's some pictures: Setting off from London: Stayed the first night at a hotel in Glasgow - nice city and we enjoyed a great steak too! They had some sort of bagpipe festival on at the time, lots of them being played time on Buchanan Street. Day 2 saw us head towards Glencoe. On the way we passed JimM in his Tiger too: We stopped on the way at Arrochar and climbed the 900m Ben Arthur a.k.a The Cobbler: Then drove to the place where some of James Bond's Skyfall was filmed to recreate the image: Theirs: And ours: The roads started to get smooth and quiet by this stage of the journey too: After a night in Glencoe, we moved on to the Isle of Skye: 2 nights on the island at a lovely B&B called Greenwood barn: We managed to sqeeze in a visit to Talisker... ...and the highlight of the trip, a flight in a seaplane! Then it was time to take a quick drive to the top of the Island, to climb the Old Man of Storr, and also see the Quirang: We then hopped over to Aviemore in the Cairngorns, via Inverness, to see the Reindeer that live on he hills over there: Plus some time on the beach and in the lake (it was 25c after all) Edinburgh was out penultimate stop, a buzzing city as the Fringe festival was on. We saw 2 acts, a small comedy gig, and an incredible group called 360 Allstars. Amazing to see a bridge next to the Forth Rd bridge under construction too: http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/robj1987/Mobile%20Uploads/D2BEEC42-9506-453C-8821-501ADE50B693_zpsy48ureyq.jpg http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/robj1987/Mobile%20Uploads/A97D6DDB-DA97-47D7-A531-BAC60C03382E_zpsjzx589j4.jpg Newcastle was the final stop: http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/robj1987/Mobile%20Uploads/68294A08-BA73-4872-A90A-1756201A5698_zps6men1ahh.jpg http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/robj1987/Mobile%20Uploads/05CA6106-CA96-44B2-9771-05AACCABF3CD_zpseydgj02z.jpg And finally back home..... 1,443 miles later!! http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a441/robj1987/Mobile%20Uploads/55F66673-B6B4-417C-923D-533701A62C44_zpsvggqt9zi.jpg Lessons learnt: The LOMO bag was great - 60L was the perfect size The roads on Skye are amazing We got lucky in that it didn't rain on us all week A 5L fuel can did come in useful, twice when we were close to running out of fuel A higher ride height would have been useful for some of the fast, undulating Skye roads (even after stiffening up the suspension) Finally, thanks to everyone for all the advice at the start of the trip, and all who helped with the advice on the cycle wing (I need to source (ideally) one new one and the old one is cracked - 217mm wide by c.750mm long- any ideas where I can get one from? See the picture of it on the car at the start of the thread) Thanks!!! Rob and Lucia

Westfield SEiW Red, 16351 miles, 1998 Widebody, Independent Rear Suspension. Nice road going XE engined car - fuel injection, gearbox ratios to suit the car, LSD, Protech shocks, Competition steering arms and R888's make it a well spec'd car. The engine is the early variant with the best spec as standard - Cosworth designed and manufactured, Coscast Head, Forged Malhe Pistons, the stronger Rods and Bearings and the lighter Flywheel. £8750 £8250 SOLD Vauxhall C20XE Jenvey Throttle Bodies OMEX 600 ECU BGH Geartech E6 HD Type 9 Gearbox Ratios: 2.83, 1.81, 1.26, 1.00, 0.87 Helix Autosport Clutch, LSD Protech Shocks all round - New 2015 Westfield Aluminium Hubs and Uprights Westfield Competition Steering Arms - New 2015 Team Dynamics Motorsport Wheels with R888 tyres. Detachable Rear Arches. Quick Release Wheel Cobra Seats Sabelt 3" 4-Point Harnesses Ecliptech Shift-I Shift Lights - New 2015 Full weather gear - screen, doors, half and full hoods. Long Range Fuel Tank. steve.watts@live.co.uk 07972 846890

Some great roads today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ehvdr4T748&feature=youtu.be

ok for the benefit of mr impatient here are a few pics of a wee clan gathering the car park behind us soon filled up, leaving home wet n misty lecht a wee clan gathering a posh venue

Great day on unfamiliar but fantastic roads. Good to meet the NE guys too Chris.

Just back from a cracking day out! Sublime empty roads and a top notch BBQ courtesy of NevIlle and his wife (who should enter the Great British Bake off!) The food was most excellent thank you both. Was really good to meet up with the Clan again and this one will certainly be in my diary for next year.

We were stood near yours at the time I thought I recognised the car! Then we went and had bacon and sausage rolls plus coffee, and admired the sculptures. I want that spider, and one of the Aliens from inside! "What do you mean there's a spider behind me, I can't see any spiders!"

Hi looks like I.m back after almost a year trying to decide what to do with my car after the ROPS were changes by the MSA I,ve been through the shall I sell my car, stop hillclimbing, build a Spire, build a cobra, put her back into road trim, buy a Lotus, go drifting. Have all been considered, but looks like I'm back here still with my Westie in road legal track trim. Nothing else comes close

We will come along to this providing the weather is OK.

Hi Mike. I used to like reading your updates on your car........pull your finger out.

Nice meeting you guys today, made to feel very welcome. Fantastic weather, great company and some superb cars, perfect day really, CJ

We met at McDonalds number 1 for the very boring drive down the A1 to meet Andrew and Clare at McDonalds number 2 in Newark. I will say it before anyone else does, I took us on a lap of honour around the McD's car park, expecting it to be bigger than it actually was. We made the very short journey to Newark Showground for the Horsepower at the Hall car show. It was a hot, sunny afternoon with plenty of meaty cars on show and the company was top notch. Although the driving is garbage I feel we will keep returning to this event as the positives outweigh the negatives. Thank you to all for coming along. Next weekend we will be going to Curborough Sprint Course to watch the Speed Series on the Saturday and then it is Oulton Park, Gold Cup on Sunday and Monday, I have ordered the heat wave.

I bought the Mrs one in Spirit Blue back in March this year, I honestly think it's one of the best front wheel drive cars ever made. Hot hatch classic in the making, no doubt whatsoever. The only thing that annoys me is the very jiggly and fairly stiff ride, but my god it makes up for it in the twisties!

Hello. No sorry. I did see it on eBay. Robin, Red Spider may know as he is the AO around the leeds area.

Now received ground clearance, so Tom can you add me to the list. Cheers Andy

Agree. Had one for 18 months now and love the thing. Gutted it goes back to the lessor in 6 months I've toyed with trying to keep it another year. Yes brakes are keen but I'm used to them now and miss the keen-Ness when in other cars. The standard Bridgestones are rubbish. Wet grip terrible and tramlines a lot. New good years made it feel even better. The most important thing is, it puts a smile on your face when you drive it enthusiastically. Top car.

What a blooming great story and set of pictures.

it was me. I was trying to show all sides of the weekend

Hope everyone isn't disappearing too early, was going to come down for a look with Greenstreak, but we won't be there till around ten... (Obviously, whether dependent)

Fentimanns ginger beer?