I have had this car for six years now and whenever I get into it to go somewhere, I still get that feeling of excitement I had when I first drove it out of the dealership back in December 2004. I remember that moment like it was just yesterday - that new car smell or the leather seats (which pops up slightly still strangely, after the car has been in the sun for quite some time) and I don’t say this about a lot of things but with this car, six years on, I still feel as if I made a great buy.
When my first tire change was due (only the front tires needed changing but I changed the rear ones as well) at about 20 000 kilometers, I switched to low-profile tires which gives me an exhilarating feeling similar to muscle pains after a really good workout. As if the car isn’t sporty enough being able to feel all the bumps of the road with the low-profiles makes any ride all the more fun, especially on long, winding country roads that have your odd bump hear and there.
Exterior
There is no doubt about how good this car looks and my blue-colored OPC with sports lights and blue rims has me often staring it down before I get into it, even after six years of having the car
and it especially looks good after a visit to the car wash or after I’ve waxed it myself. Looking at it makes me feel that if it could talk it would say something like “Let’s go mate” with the enthusiasm of a young boy who can’t wait to go to Disneyland. It has that urging, appealing look about it which easily manages to turn a few heads everywhere I go and it’s no wonder why.
The Drive
I love manual cars, which is to be expected I suppose since I am a young driver who enjoys the simple act of driving and this is aggravated by my Opel OPC Sports Hatchback, so much so that I have averaged just around 75 000 km per year as I find it a pleasure to drive this car anywhere.
Short distances are great but long distances are even better and the car is indeed as fast as it looks. Unlike some of the bigger cars I own, this one actually feels fast even when I’m on the inside and it takes off very effortlessly and accelerates just as effortlessly too.
It is amazingly silent considering the compact 2.0 liter engine when I’m inside it and harassing the accelerator, but I love driving with the windows open just to hear that roar of an engine that sounds like is has a lot of ...
