RE: Driven: Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring

[Stew2000]

TOENHEEL said:

Far too much £, although used a quick scan through the classifieds brings up lots of very nice cars for that sort of money!

Focus RS.

[EDLT]

The list price is high so it looks like you are getting a massive discount from the dealer, who pays full price for a Vauxhall?

I don't see how a Clio has a better image, apart from the exaggerated stories from dab of oppo magazine. Also, in before all of the mongs turn up with links to ten year old Boxsters that are "the same price".

[nick30]

id take the clio any day

[XitUp]

phil_cardiff said:

XitUp said:

Why?

Because of the torque...

What I'm trying to say is that you won't have to rev the bejeesus out of it to make progress.

I've not driven either, just a theory.

I think they both come with a gearbox.
Engine torque matters very little.

[JB!]

XitUp said:

I think they both come with a gearbox.
Engine torque matters very little.

what?


"Torque wins races, horsepower sells cars"

[XitUp]

Yeah, people who don't know about cars/physics often like to use that line.

[JB!]

XitUp said:

Yeah, people who don't know about cars/physics often like to use that line.

So explain fast diesels then?

noticably quicker than more peaky VTECs which have more horsepower?

the Corsa will FEEL faster than the clio for sure, wether it is or not is another matter.

[Stew2000]

Still waiting for the R8 TDI.
My local GT40 specialist was thinking about trying a Diesel in one instead of the Ford V8.

[JohnoVR6]

Have to say I'm not a fan of this car. Not because of image or brand or what not, I couldn’t care less about things like that...but having driven this and a 197 back to back, the Clio just felt more engaging and more of a natural driving experience. The power and grip seemed in equal balance whereas the Vauxhall felt a bit slap-dash in its delivery of both.

I'm not dismissing the Corsa, its astonishingly quick for a small hatch, but I just didn't get on with that diff, it felt like masses of torque steer to me. I thought my 147 GTA was a handful under full throttle, but this felt considerably worse. It'd pitch itself violently left or right when winding it on and it didn't instill a lot of confidence to push it harder through corners that loosened after the apex. Whereas in the Clio it was the complete opposite and a much more enjoyable car to drive fast across country.

[leon9191]

XitUp said:

phil_cardiff said:

XitUp said:

Why?

Because of the torque...

What I'm trying to say is that you won't have to rev the bejeesus out of it to make progress.

I've not driven either, just a theory.

I think they both come with a gearbox.
Engine torque matters very little.

I suppose in the grand scheme of things engine torque doesn’t matter very much at all when your discussing world poverty or hunger but when discussing the perceived drivability of a car I think it does.

[XitUp]

JB! said:

So explain fast diesels then?

noticably quicker than more peaky VTECs which have more horsepower?

the Corsa will FEEL faster than the clio for sure, wether it is or not is another matter.

What would you like me to explain about them?

No, if they have less power and all else is equal, they will not be quicker, even with more torque. Sorry.

Maybe, the jerk from a modern diesel makes it feel quicker than it is.

I'd say the whole "horsepower sells cars, torque wins races" fib is the wrong way round.

[Frimley111R]

It is expensive but so are a lot of cars. Nicer all round than the Clio by a mile, even if the Clio's chassis may be a tad bit sharper.

[Domf]

£22k for that Corsa, probably the same price again for a year's insurance for the average Corsa driver 18-25

[Mark Smith]

There's a thread about this on Renaultsport forum. Yes the Corsa does have the wrong sort of image. Every time I see one I expect to see someone wearing one of those stupid looking gnome style wooley hats and a hoody driving it. My neighbour works at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port. He drives a red Corsa VXR. He's in mid 40's.The VXR just doesn't suit him. I asked him what he thought of it and he said it's a bit of a handful if it's pushed really hard. He's had Porsches and all sorts of other performance cars and big bikes.
I don't think he's driven any Renaultsport Clio's though. I'm sure if he drove my 172 back to back with the VXR Corsa he'd be giving the Clio higher marks than the VXR.
I'd have the Clio 200 above the Corsa any day. You can buy a Megane 250 RS for about the same money as the Nurburgring VXR.

[TobesH]

I like cars with Turbos

[insanojackson]

i like it, even in that colour. If you could get it for 16-17k then i might consider one. At its list price, no chance.

[DanDC5]

TOENHEEL said:

Far too much £, although used a quick scan through the classifieds brings up lots of very nice cars for that sort of money!

The Vauxhall list price is a load of gubbins, Aston Vauxhall are knocking these out at £19k and I've heard some people are getting discounts off that price aswell. A Vauxhall list price is NEVER the price you pay for the car, if you do then you're just a mug tbh.

[AV12]

Caulkhead said:

Fun car, silly price.

..and silly name too.

[BSC]

AV12 said:

..and silly name too.

Explain, please.

[AV12]

Nurburgring? No thanks.