Total Mileage: 122,939Mileage This Month: 621
Costs This Month: None
Another month with the iconic little Rallye has again been a reliable one. However, I think there's an issue arising with its temperamental crank sensor, as there's a hesitance in firing up once the fuel pump has primed. It's inconsistent though, as nine times out of ten it just starts as normal, then other times it might take two or three attempts to get it started. It's merely an annoyance though, and one that can't taint the magic of the Rallye.
That magic is there at any time for me. Whether it's sat gleaming away in its garage, doing small speeds around town, or at the business end of its rev range, the Rallye just does nothing else than impress.
With iconic cars there's just an aura around them. People who are in the know look at it admiringly. It's only a humble 106 to many, but you can say that about many hot hatches too. You see people driving about in soulless boxes that cost more than the Rallye, and you just think why oh why would you want to do that? Characterless cars bring no joy.
I'm happy with everything on the car now, so there aren't many more things to buy for it cosmetically. Carbon fibre wing mirrors are a possibility, but definitely not a certainty.
The handling's still sensational. Roundabouts are particularly fun, and you're constantly seeing how much speed the Rallye can carry without having to brake for them. It's a tried and tested method now; Audi/BMW/some other big rep mobile is behind, roundabout approaches, the Rallye doesn't need to brake, they have to, and then the gap's laughably big again. The way it turns in, grips, and just clings to the tarmac with its Toyos is brilliant.
There is however one small problem, and it's one problem that I've never encountered in a car before: the kick-back through the non power-assisted steering. This is quite disconcerting when it happens. You're attacking a long corner, the Rallye finds an imperfection in the road (which it does all the time, given its superb steering feedback) and the steering wheel suddenly snaps from its position and you have to make an almighty adjustment to avoid a calamitous collision. Not a particularly lovable trait, but one that makes you respect the car.
