Hot Hatches

[Dal]

I've heard that driving a fezza ST is a boring time. Yeah, there's more power, but dull. Benf had a test drive a while ago and wasn't impressed IIRC.

 

[chris3boro]

Something I have really been thinking about.....

Toyota MR2 2.0 N/A. I think they still look brilliant, especially in red and go very well. Also, being pre 2001 the tax is the flat rate, insurance would be reasonable(ish) and it should be reliable. And you can pick a really tidy low mileage one up for £2.5k

 

[Dal]

Nice cars. I read a review once ( a fair while ago) that said "If ferarri ever did a cheap small car - they could be proud of something like this"

Finding a good, well cared for original one might be your biggest hurdle though.

 

[chris3boro]

Nice cars. I read a review once ( a fair while ago) that said "If ferarri ever did a cheap small car - they could be proud of something like this"

Yeh there are obvious links to the 355 (hardly a bad thing!) They're renowned for being tail-happy mind with them being mid-engined too, though after 1994 they were slightly less lethal apparently lol. What I like about these are that, for v little money, you get a great car that stands out as being something special. In a similar way to pumas to be honest.

 

[BOK]

I have heard a lot of good things about the fiesta ST though. Colin, could you expand on your comments about it please?

It actually drives very much like a Puma in terms of feel...firm suspension with little body roll, responsive steering, very little understeer unless provoked but controllable oversteer if lifting off mid corner. Feels really solid, stable and chuckable.

Downsides- I loath the styling, looks like a scaled down Transit van...seats are crap and set far too high up (like all Fiesta MK6)...interior design is plain depressing (slabby black and silver plastic- urgh)...the tiny LCD fuel gauge is just stupid. The engine is surprisingly wheezy and characterless, especially for a 2.0 in a relatively small car, it feels gutless though seems to respond well to tuning.

So basically, if you sit on the floor and close your eyes it could almost be a Puma. But the driving position and sheer ugliness of it's 'design' really kill it for me...there is zero sense of occasion as you walk up to it and you certainly won't be peering out of the window to glance at it when it's parked up. The earliest MK6s are only 6 years old, boy do they look dated already.

But that's my opinion...if you like the looks try one out.

 

[jacko]

lancia delta hf integrale evo 2............DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!

4 doors too so its practical! thats what i keep telling sarah but the woman she say 'NO'!

'if you cant spin all 4 wheels in the dry the clutch is going'!!!!!!!
'so much power it can peel apart the a-pillars'...... errrrr...!!!!!

horribloe dashboard tho...& only available lhd

or a newish mitsi evo....

 

[rpettigrew]

nice if i had the cash to dream

 

[BOK]

If you're talking about the Integrale and Mitsi Evo you should also consider the Escort Cossie...but I think we may be pushing the term 'hot hatch' a bit to close to 'supercar' now

 

[chris3boro]

If you're talking about the Integrale and Mitsi Evo you should also consider the Escort Cossie...but I think we may be pushing the term 'hot hatch' a bit to close to 'supercar' now

lol this is true. What are peoples thoughts on the MR2?

 

[zebitz]

I like the MR2 I was close to getting one once but they just werent practical enough for me but if I could afford to run one as a fourth car just to use once every 2 months or so then I would get one.

 

[red]

A friend of mine has had a mark 3 MR2 roadster for 7 years now and swears by it.

He's done a few subtle mods to it and it sounds freaking awesome.

I think it's be cool to have his one.. i'm not a fan of how they are stock though.

 

[chris3boro]

A friend of mine has had a mark 3 MR2 roadster for 7 years now and swears by it.

He's done a few subtle mods to it and it sounds freaking awesome.

I think it's be cool to have his one.. i'm not a fan of how they are stock though.

You mean the one that looks like a Boxter? I'd go for a Mk2, like the one i put a pic up of. Must be cool having the engine right behind your left ear lol

 

[DradusContact]

I cant see a single car here that would make me want to sell mine. You dont have to replace your car every 3 years just for the sake of it. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

[DradusContact]

Pop up headlights are freaking cool k:

 

[chris3boro]

I cant see a single car here that would make me want to sell mine. You dont have to replace your car every 3 years just for the sake of it. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

I see your point but I personally, like many others, like to experience different cars. I'm sure in 2 years time I'll want something different.

 

[DradusContact]

I get the itchy V5 sydrome myself, mostly each wednesday when i read through autocar. But no other car really ticks all the boxes for me, and ive sunk money into it now getting it the way i want it. If i went out tommorow and spent £14k on a Fiesta ST, its no quicker (in practical terms, its an extra .5 quicker to 60 iirc)) than mine and doesnt really have any fancy toys in it that mine doesnt have either.

 

[chris3boro]

I get the itchy V5 sydrome myself, mostly each wednesday when i read through autocar. But no other car really ticks all the boxes for me, and ive sunk money into it now getting it the way i want it. If i went out tommorow and spent £14k on a Fiesta ST, its no quicker (in practical terms, its an extra .5 quicker to 60 iirc)) than mine and doesnt really have any fancy toys in it that mine doesnt have either.

fair enough, though mine isn't the 1.7 so I can be pretty sure I'll want something different in 2 years. The MR2 is a lot quicker, great handling, looks great, cheap to buy and is mid engined and RWD so I think that'd be a great next car for me.

 

[pumahumes]

i looked into getting an mr2 not so lng ago howevr had to pass for insurance purposes. mate of mine had a targa top which had an element of summer fun...but if youve got a lil extra you could sourse an mr2 spyder.... would be highly pimp

 

[chris3boro]

i looked into getting an mr2 not so lng ago howevr had to pass for insurance purposes. mate of mine had a targa top which had an element of summer fun...but if youve got a lil extra you could sourse an mr2 spyder.... would be highly pimp

How old are you and what was insurance like? By spyder do you mean the last style MR2? They look a bit softer I think :?