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Post by RM5chris on Feb 5, 2011 22:47:39 GMT
Personally looking at the London-spec Spectra now, it still looks quite good (in an old sort of way) - except for the blind arrangement.
Optare presumably have a 'if it aint broke....dont fix it' policy.
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Post by vjaska on Feb 6, 2011 0:03:12 GMT
Why change the Solo when more ops go for the older design than the SR. ADL got away with their own mistake of stopping production of the Pointer Dart with the Enviro 200 which does not match up to the robust Pointer design. Anyway, here is a pic of OS9 YJ60 PFA daveheath.fotopic.net/p68942081.html
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Post by jamaal on Feb 6, 2011 0:13:31 GMT
Why change the Solo when more ops go for the older design than the SR. ADL got away with their own mistake of stopping production of the Pointer Dart with the Enviro 200 which does not match up to the robust Pointer design. Anyway, here is a pic of OS9 YJ60 PFA daveheath.fotopic.net/p68942081.htmlIsn't the new SR design subject to a takeover? IMO ADL did good in creating the E200, I personally wouldn't have stopped the Pointer design but you have to see it from a Business point of view. ADL wanted to make the E200 a popular SD so the Pointer had to be stopped. If the Pointer had continued then I can't really see the E200 being as popular as it is now, if I'm correct the Pointer was receiving orders up until 2006... the year in was discontinued and the the year the E200 was introduced. It's all about innovation ADL, not being scared to try new things!
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Post by Volvo on Feb 6, 2011 0:39:18 GMT
There are some 07reg pointers in the country, just like there are some 07reg B7TL geminis, even though the b9tl was in full production at 56reg.
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Post by vjaska on Feb 6, 2011 1:18:19 GMT
Why change the Solo when more ops go for the older design than the SR. ADL got away with their own mistake of stopping production of the Pointer Dart with the Enviro 200 which does not match up to the robust Pointer design. Anyway, here is a pic of OS9 YJ60 PFA daveheath.fotopic.net/p68942081.htmlIsn't the new SR design subject to a takeover? IMO ADL did good in creating the E200, I personally wouldn't have stopped the Pointer design but you have to see it from a Business point of view. ADL wanted to make the E200 a popular SD so the Pointer had to be stopped. If the Pointer had continued then I can't really see the E200 being as popular as it is now, if I'm correct the Pointer was receiving orders up until 2006... the year in was discontinued and the the year the E200 was introduced. It's all about innovation ADL, not being scared to try new things! The Pointer is a better bus all round. It's been proven by how long it lasted from it's Reeve Burgess days right through to when production stopped in 2006 (the 07 reg Pointers would probably be late registered examples). It was extremely popular with 1000's of examples built. The Enviro 200 is a poor bus, rattles far too much than it should, is uncomfortable and squashed, doesn't look as nice and ain't as reliable as that silly video on ADL's website made them out to be. You don't always need innovation. The saying that 'RM5Chris' mentioned is important as the Pointer wasn't broke so was silly to fix it.
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Post by eggmiester on Feb 6, 2011 2:41:08 GMT
The E-200 is made with cheaper parts, hence the dip in quality and numerous rattles. All designed to bring the cost down.
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Post by snowman on Feb 6, 2011 8:04:21 GMT
Why change the Solo when more ops go for the older design than the SR. ADL got away with their own mistake of stopping production of the Pointer Dart with the Enviro 200 which does not match up to the robust Pointer design. Anyway, here is a pic of OS9 YJ60 PFA daveheath.fotopic.net/p68942081.htmlThe SR was an attempt to move upmarket, but it was not popular when shown at Birmingham. There is another new Solo, the hybrid (pic of one in Manchester) www.flickr.com/photos/dwbphotos/5416158384/
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Post by Volvo on Feb 6, 2011 9:54:18 GMT
Firstly the Esteem wasn't that bad a bus, still optare discontinued it early imo (I know ELC started it). I do not think the solo SR is that popular maybe due to the ugly dome roof and there is a back up version i.e the older design I still think the SR is better looking though jimbosbus2.fpic.co.uk/p68035421.html . There is no older or a different design versa however I have noticed now that the versa has been face lifted and instead of having the two headlights and indicator in a row, the indicator is now underneath similar to the solo. This was first seen at the Birmingham NEC on the Manchester hybrids, so i initially thought it was just the hybrids but its the diesels now aswell. A pic of the hybrid jimbosbus2.fpic.co.uk/p68035422.htmlA pic of a diesel q.fpic.co.uk/p68938989.htmlFinally imo these following vehicles were discontinued a bit too early all look better than the hideous solo which is still hanging around with its old design. The ALX200, 400, pointer dart and president which brought enviros out early which have been around for just over 5 years now.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 11:38:08 GMT
I think the Solo is a great bus, one of my favourites in fact. A very comfortable ride, and usually no annoying rattles like on the Pointer Darts and Enviro200s. I think some of the Pointer Darts rattle just as much as the newer Enviro200s. One thing I don't like about the Solo is the lack of rear window, which most people would agree with me. I do like CT Plus' choice of bus types, apart from the Esteems, which I personally think are ugly, and the seats are very uncomfortable. For some reason though I do like the Olympus, which is basically the double-deck version of the Esteem. I think the style suits DDs better than SDs.
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Post by Volvo on Feb 6, 2011 14:29:35 GMT
The seats on CT plus esteems are crap I agree, the lack of a rear window is the thing I hate the most on the solo and if they can fit an window on the versa why not the solo, seeing as on these 60reg CT solo's the number plate is now at the bottom on the bumper, instead of opposite the rear blinds.
Solos and Versa's so have superb ride quality can't disagree with that but they are just f888in ugly imo, the solo looks like an insect and the versa is just alien. The manager at CT plus when I asked what was ordered for the W5 he said solo's were ordered only because they were cheaper than E200s not because they felt they were a better bus and that he didn't mind the solo though but the versa would leave him turning in his grave when he died if he had to look at that everyday. So if they retain the 153 what would they order hmmm lol seeing as he hates the versa and I don't think there is a 10.2m dual door solo.
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Post by jay38a on Feb 6, 2011 14:40:44 GMT
I dont mind the solo's styling (solo SR is ugly though). I did also like the Solo+ but Optare had hardly interest for it which is a shame, but prefer the e200. 9.9m Solos are Solos gone too far, theres one in Oxford and it doesnt look in good shape cause the wheelbase is way too long but the 7.1m to 8.8m Solos are ok to me.
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Post by Volvo on Feb 6, 2011 14:47:08 GMT
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Post by jamaal on Feb 6, 2011 18:14:37 GMT
VJ please believe me the Pointer is better than the E200! I totally agree on that one, but the E200 is much better looking IMO, it rattles ect but now days which Bus does not rattle! ;D
These days you have to be thankful if you get a rattle and not a total fall apart!
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Post by vjaska on Feb 6, 2011 18:31:06 GMT
Firstly, the Solo cannot accomodate a rear window, remember reading it's something to do with the engine but cannot comfirm that.
The Solo+ was dreadful looking and was met with a poor reception from operators and enthusiasts alike when unveiled at the show. They actually couldn't believe they were going to replace the lovely original with the + version.
The only reason a Solo is cheaper than an Enviro 200 is they are a different class of vehicle. Solos are classed as Mini Buses whereas Enviro 200's are classed as Midi Buses.
Plus, shouldn't the guy be worrying which vehicles are best for the job, not which one will make him turn in his grave.
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Post by john on Feb 6, 2011 18:47:28 GMT
Why the hell would Optare want to refresh the design of the Solo when it still looks really modern compared to other designs, like most ELC products thinking of it!! If you want to see real cheap, shoddy designing etc, look at most ELC products, then you get that feeling!! On a business note, Optare have a massively selling product and have had a number of different variations of the same product snubbed. That would seem to suggest that the original Solo is quite clearly the best way to go It seems to be a consensus that just because Wrights have refreshed the Gemini, which IMO was a waste and ruined a great product, then all the other companies have to do so. Sometimes not everything is based on costs. You have Cost Leadership style strategies or Focus, which is focused on customer needs, strategies. I think we've found which manufacturers fit those moulds Oh, and the ELC single deckers were discontinued because they were crap compared to Optares ;D
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