What is it like?

I find my 659cc Copen quite enjoyable to drive on the motorway; it's relatively quiet and comfortable, the turbo means you can accelerate pretty quickly and it easily keeps up with the rest of the traffic. The only issue I find is that the rear window pillars create a huge blind spot so you need to rely on your mirrors a lot when overtaking etc (although having the roof down eliminates this problem and is much more fun!)

Good luck getting your Copen

 

Hi Will! I have the 1.3 model. Its very good on the motorway economy is okay but the power to weight ratio in the car is pretty good (think its around 101 bhp per tonne) so overtaking is quick enough and she will happily cruise at 70 mph all day long on the motorway!

 

I regularly do long journeys in mine - I drive over 100 miles to get home from university at the end of term - and I've never had any problems. I guess lorries passing can be a bit frightening because the Copen is so small but I feel pretty safe in general

 

I drove mine to the Lake District from essex last year and it was a really good drive, if anything more comfortable than driving on potholed local roads

 

Best not to stay in the blindspots of big vehicles for too long. Either you drive way behind so that they can see you clearly in the mirrors or you drive pass them quickly.

 

I do a daily motorway commute 30 miles each way in my 1.3. no worries.
If you do a lot of m'way driving you'll start doing things like timing your lane changes to dodge the cats' eyes.

 

Both myself and the other half have 1.3 Copens and we both have to commute daily to work on motorways (not the same destinations) - They're fine.
The M5 & M6 that I drive on are really busy and only allow for cruising at around 65. It still has lots of room to accelerate but I've noticed that the engine noise get's slightly more noticeable when I hit 70. With the top down, the engine noise is drowned out by the wind and road noises so it's very easy to drive above the speed limit without realising.
The small size isn't that daunting in reality and driving with your lights on can make you feel safer.
It's a very good car at this time of year as it warms up quickly, the air-con keeps the windows free from misting up and the heated seat is an added bonus.
For me, the only issue on the motorway is the standard radio/speakers are a bit naff and don't do well against the car noise, so changing the speakers (and if you can, fit a shallow subwoofer) is about the most useful modification to improve things.

 

That's what I do It's about driving defensively more than you might need to in a larger car. I tend to drive with my lights on more than I have with any other car just to make sure I'm visible.

A few weeks ago a big 4x4 was joining the dual Carriageway I was driving on. I was in the outside lane where I'd moved to allow the 4x4 and other traffic to join easily. The 4x4 came straight across to try and get into the outside lane even though I was alongside it. I braked hard and he just squeezed in front of me and not into my side.
Before any of this happened I knew it was going to happen.
A big car obviously being held up by other traffic on a slip road and I knew he'd want to be straight into the outside lane. My car a lot lower than his and in his haste to get over I guessed he wouldn't see me. As a result of me guessing his actions I started to brake a fraction earlier otherwise he'd have side swiped me. Always be wary and aware when driving a low down car like the Copen. It keeps you alive.

 

Had a 206s before my Vivid Copen and I feel safer, more in control in my copen than the 206. The copen grips the road better in my opinion, yes you are a lot lower to the road but it's a comfortable smooth ride and fairly quick in all honesty.

I have 0.6 version and done like 50mile journeys without issue

 

I drove my turbo back on Friday with no turbo from north Wales back to Cambridgeshire (just under 300miles) and it was quite enjoyable. Definately better with a turbo and the roof down though!

I had no issues with people not seeing me either..

 

Yeah keep your lights on to make yourself more visible, and watch out for blind spots along the inside when changing lanes. Also don't spend too much time alongside lorries which may not see you.
The main thing I find is looking out for potholes! They can give you a nasty fright if they come at you in a hurry.
In summary, concentrate, hang on, and you'll have fun