[rustynutz]

[Doggie 1]

Seems pretty positive.
Thanks. 

[rustynutz]

Gotta wonder if they even popped the rear hatch though..... 

and the 205/55R16 tyres provide good grip  -- although they are only supported, as is common these days, by a space saver spare.

[Doggie 1]

Gotta wonder if they even popped the rear hatch though..... 

and the 205/55R16 tyres provide good grip  -- although they are only supported, as is common these days, by a space saver spare.

Unless it was an old stock car.
Mine has the space saver and was an Oct 12 build.

[rustynutz]

Wouldn't matter, Dave.....it was an "Elite" they reviewed... 

[Doggie 1]

Fairy Nuff.   

[Aussie Keith]

"The flying-buttress centre console – complete with hidden Volvo-style storage area behind" ?? Whats that all about.

[rustynutz]

I think the "flying buttress" refers to this part of the dash...

[2i30s]

or a Jesus handle,for passengers you scare going around corners. 

[The Gonz]

Speaking of which...is the centre console in the GD longitudinally aligned? I noticed years after I bought my FD that the console is skewed subtly but ergonomically very effectively towards the driver. 

[deringer]

Speaking of which...is the centre console in the GD longitudinally aligned? I noticed years after I bought my FD that the console is skewed subtly but ergonomically very effectively towards the driver. 

I don't think it is, which is slightly disappointing. I find myself leaning to reach buttons on the passenger side of the centre console at times.

[The Gonz]

... is the centre console in the GD ... skewed ... towards the driver?

I don't think it is, which is slightly disappointing. I find myself leaning to reach buttons on the passenger side of the centre console at times.

Thanks. It didn't register when I test drove a friend's but I believe that's been flattened.

One of the lasting early impressions I got as a young driver was the XA/AB Falcon's dash just about wrapping everything within the reach of the driver.
http://www.aus-ford-uk.co.uk/assets/images/XA_dash44.jpg
This was then dropped for the XC. My father drove an XC Fairmont for some years.
http://www.aus-ford-uk.co.uk/assets/images/XC_dash_and_cloth4.jpg

Anyway, back on topic, the current RAA magazine cites the GD as being smaller than the FD. I was told by an owner it was bigger. Now I'm confused.   

[Doggie 1]

I thought it was bigger too. 

[AlanHo]

"The flying-buttress centre console – complete with hidden Volvo-style storage area behind" ?? Whats that all about.

Volvo introduced a floating centre console a few years ago in certain models.

http://tinyurl.com/c59snfb

[rustynutz]

Anyway, back on topic, the current RAA magazine cites the GD as being smaller than the FD. I was told by an owner it was bigger. Now I'm confused.   

            FD

Length         4245mm
Width          1775mm
Height         1480mm
Wheelbase   2650mm

           GD

Length         4300mm
Width          1780mm
Height         1470mm
Wheelbase   2650mm

[The Gonz]

Thanks, Rusty. So the RAA review is wrong and the extra seems barely enough for the various ridges that add "character". 

[rustynutz]

Came across yet another review, I don't think it's been posted before.....

[Doggie 1]

The badge on the i30's rear hatch opens to reveal a reversing camera. It's this nifty device that is drawing customers to the Korean brand's showrooms.

Really? 

He's right about the road noise though being more noticeable because of the coarse bitumen they use over here. When you drive from coars to smooth the difference is quite remarkable.

[rustynutz]

And another....