the rear beam would help with rear tyres not scrubbing out.
but onto the minus of the rear beam....it would cause a front wheel to leave the ground under hard cornering as the rear loads up on the outside wheel. for example,if you went hard into a left hand corner the right hand rear wheel will tuck under as the weight transfers causing the front left wheel to spin or even leave the ground.
most cars with beam rear suspension don't have a rear sway bar,the beam acts as the sway bar.
i think a test drive is on the books,I'm getting the hatch serviced soon so I'll check it out then.
hey rusty,your barina would of had a beam rear end,how did it corner?