Test Drive | Optare Solo SR

[@ianpage2765]

Nice vehicle. Smooth ride no crashing and banging , nice big windows as all optare products

[@iDislikeAlotofThings]

There would be less rattles and banging if UK roads weren't so abusive to buses.

[@stumpusMaximus]

First class video presentation 👏

[@Tajik-840]

From the loving revs of the well manufactured Mercedes engine, only amplified by the impeccable and reliable gearbox, to the firm but fair suspension of this, what can only be described as feisty, little mode of transport; this minibus makes for an enjoyable, luxurious and teetering on the edge of sensual experience.

[@MegaPepsimax]

hell no, these are amongst the worst buses I've driven. They constantly feel like they're going to tip over when you turn any corner. Merc engine is also crap, our buses are 18 plate and nothing but problems. Also the horrible dashboard layout with the massive shelf at the front makes it near impossible to navigate tight spaces as you can't see that corner. And the plastic is just cheap quality which scratches just by running your finger nail over it. Most of the steering wheels we have are also replaced with iveco steering wheels, as the original optare wheel has fallen apart... yes, with only 5 years of age the steering wheel wore down so much it starting showing the metal structure. ALSO ALSO, optares are known for not storing air in their tanks for long periods of time, ours will dump their entire tanks after about 30 minutes of engine off. So if you're stopping for a break, you'll need 5 minutes to fill the tanks back up, which apparently is because these aren't fitted with an auto drain system to keep moisture out during cold weather. Should you find one thats kept its tanks pressurized with air, you can guarantee its frozen solid during cold weather, one time I had to wait nearly 10 minutes before I could move due to frozen air pressure lines. Yet I moved a streetlite instantly which had been sat for 3 days. I always call them the Optare solo, because you only need to buy 1 before you realize they're shite

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

Here in my neck of the woods, Arriva Durham had a few 09-plate Optares... They scrapped the lot. Not sure why.

[@Ascelot]

How does this optare fair in hot weather? As a 2004 model driver, as the engine gets hotter, it transfers the heat to the cabin fans, making the bus stupidly hot, regardless of what setting the temp gauge is at.

[@klashnacovak47]

I’d like to turn one of these into a motor home.

[@Ascelot]

Make sure its new, as getting parts for older solos now isnt possible, not sure for this bus, but optare only make EVs atm.

[@Jess-iv3di]

I have been on this bus and omg is it comfy

[@adammoorby99]

Why is there seatbelts though when no one will wear them?

[@neilburns8869]

Optare make a very good product. Their vehicles I believe are partly handcrafted. Made by what was leftover of the company we used to know as British Leyland. They are now situated in Manchester. The Solo is obviously one of the vehicles that they make, one other I believe is the Metro which is a little bit bigger than the Solo.

[@alfredociccolella9349]

12:35 That sound is similar to a mercedes Benz OH-1621

[@RWL2012]

It's a Mercedes-Benz OM934 engine.

[@raymondsysum9482]

Nice vehicle.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Hi there, my real Name is Mr Cannadine T. Boxill-Harris I was wondering, why couldn't you and your teammates can still do those Rebuilding and Repainting those nice fresh shiny Volvo D10M, Scania N113, Volvo TD102KF, Volvo B10M, Leyland 680 and Gardner 6LXC 3 speed voith DIWA Automatic Transmission Alexander RH Buses and Repaint them to a Grey Green Pattern Colours just like the original Scania Grey Green's which were in the North London and East London bus routes such as 168, 141, 210, 275, 125, 20, 173, 24, 103, 313 and also the bus route 167, if you guys would like to Rebuild about 236 of those Volvo D10M, Leyland 680, Scania N113, Volvo TD102KF, Volvo B10M and the Gardner 6LXC 3 speed voith DIWA Automatic Transmission Alexander RH Buses can you and your teammates put most of those Scania N113 and those Leyland 680 3 speed voith DIWA Automatic Transmission Alexander RH Buses to those East London and North London and that especially is including the London Bus such as those London Bus Routes such as for example the W3, 86, N29 and 123 and will also be including the East London Bus Route Number 147 for all of us Grey Green bus lovers in North London and including East London For all of us passengers out there Pretty Please? could you Repaint them in the Exact same Grey Green Pattern Bus Colours and put most of them on the London Bus Routes which are 341, N41, 34, W3, 123, N29, 221, N26, 86, 262, 147, 396, 56 and N73 for all of us Grey Green Bus lovers out there? Because we really desperately need those types of pattern colour buses to be brought back again in London Please. Do it for all of us customers and passengers in North London and also include those Living in those areas such as East London Pretty Please? It will be Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Interesting Buses to see them Repainted to the exact same Grey Green Pattern Colours. I am a Big Fan of those Leyland 680, Scania N113, Volvo D10M, Volvo B10M, Volvo TD102KF, and Gardner 6LXC 3 speed voith DIWA Automatic Transmission Alexander RH Buses Please? Thank You Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very much for your help, time and support.

[@borakaraca9788]

do you make a video about ikarus 260

[@losangelaramos4708]

There is none in the uk

[@EmisTransportVideos]

I love and despise these buses at the same time

[@thomaslovestrains3333]

Hi

[@CardenasBlack]

I don't know why optare is still building a 20 year old vehicle.