RE: The Unusual Suspects: PH Blog
Discussion
Negative Creep said:
matchmaker said:
Leins said:
There was a time when these adorned the front of performance car magazines:
Yes, had one. Brilliant car. Said to be have better handling than the Golf as the body was stiffer.JamesyBoy75 said:
........ no one has mentioned the Visa GTi, never driven one but 1600cc lump from 205 and a lighter body must have been fun
......apart from the 2 people that mentioned them in the first few posts.... 
They were always pretty rare. I only ever see one at Loton Park hillclimb these days
Blanchie said:
a couple more odd ones....
Alfa 33 Cloverleaf instead of a 205 1.6 Gti, had 2 Alfa 33's both fell apart but great engine.
At work we had a Fiat Punto HGT as a run around(Nappy yellow with a blue interior
) with the 1.8 Turbo in it and Satnav!!! drove very oddly for a turbo you'd just get the engine going and you'd hit a limiter
Well drove strange for a turbo because the HGT isn't a turbo. Was a 1.8 16v with 130bhp. The predecessor was a 1.4 turbo and was the Punto GT Alfa 33 Cloverleaf instead of a 205 1.6 Gti, had 2 Alfa 33's both fell apart but great engine.
At work we had a Fiat Punto HGT as a run around(Nappy yellow with a blue interior
) with the 1.8 Turbo in it and Satnav!!! drove very oddly for a turbo you'd just get the engine going and you'd hit a limiterkiseca said:
homologeo said:
That Charade reminds me... I have always fancied a Nissan March Superturbo.
I don't have a bloody clue what a Nissan March Superturbo is, never heard of it until now but with a name like that I really really want one!The March Super Turbo is part of Nissan's K10 series.
It's powered courtesy of a turbocharged and supercharged engine of 0.9 litre capacity. This unit features single overhead camshaft valve gear, 4 cylinder layout, and 2 valves per cylinder. It has an output of 108 bhp (110 PS/81 kW) of power at 6400 rpm, and maximum torque of 130 N·m (96 lb·ft/13.3 kgm) at 4800 rpm.
The engine transmits power to the wheels by means of a 5 speed manual transmission.
Stated kerb weight is 740 kg.
Maximum stated speed is 180 km/h, or 112 mph.
1989 Nissan March Super Turbo data
ProBodge said:
I think the Volvo 480 should get a mention.
Weird wedge looks. First FWD Volvo. Pop-up headlights. Only 4 seats (due to a rear centre console). Futuristic "computer" (that barely worked, meaning you never knew how much petrol you had left). Turbo option available. Lotus designed suspension.
I had an ES and it was awesome. Loads of character and it handled very well. Turned in beautifully. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away one day and put it through three concrete posts at 60mph. Turns out it's also incredibly safe.
I knew someone had to mention the 480 in this thread! Weird wedge looks. First FWD Volvo. Pop-up headlights. Only 4 seats (due to a rear centre console). Futuristic "computer" (that barely worked, meaning you never knew how much petrol you had left). Turbo option available. Lotus designed suspension.
I had an ES and it was awesome. Loads of character and it handled very well. Turned in beautifully. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away one day and put it through three concrete posts at 60mph. Turns out it's also incredibly safe.
I drove a relative's Turbo last year, it was a pretty tired example but I know what you mean with character. Also, the hilarious dashboard computer was being particularly hilarious that day... (come to think of it it's the oldest car I've ever driven... got to fix that)
Wow. this one got me thinking... First things that come to mind...
Alfa 33 p4
Alfa 155 q4
(so while I'm at it alfa 164 q4 as well!)
Renault 5 gt turbo
Pug 406 3.0 v6 for minicab looks
Lancia Dedra Turbo
Seat Ibiza with the 130 diesel
Skoda 136R !!!
Anything with the Fiat 20v (turbo or not) engine in it
Alfa 33 p4
Alfa 155 q4
(so while I'm at it alfa 164 q4 as well!)
Renault 5 gt turbo
Pug 406 3.0 v6 for minicab looks
Lancia Dedra Turbo
Seat Ibiza with the 130 diesel
Skoda 136R !!!
Anything with the Fiat 20v (turbo or not) engine in it
two frenchies I've driven th nuts off, and owned one of.
Renault 21 TXE (non turbo - still saw 135 on the digital dash, back around 1990 that was bloody quick for a family hatch)
BX 19GT (carb, not injection verson of the same lump in the 2015 GTi, loads of character and rortiness).
Bought the BX for 200 quid and drove it till it got hit by an uninsured 2 years later in my uni years. Unbelievable what that little car did, and way more comfortably than any modern motor. In fact the facelift
BX17GTD I had after it was probably quicker real world, and got 45mpg no matter how you drove it. My M3 Evo never beat the 200 miles door to door time between Abersoch and Leicester which that oil burner set over the hills (might have to put that down to increasing traffic on the roads in later years
)
Renault 21 TXE (non turbo - still saw 135 on the digital dash, back around 1990 that was bloody quick for a family hatch)
BX 19GT (carb, not injection verson of the same lump in the 2015 GTi, loads of character and rortiness).
Bought the BX for 200 quid and drove it till it got hit by an uninsured 2 years later in my uni years. Unbelievable what that little car did, and way more comfortably than any modern motor. In fact the facelift
BX17GTD I had after it was probably quicker real world, and got 45mpg no matter how you drove it. My M3 Evo never beat the 200 miles door to door time between Abersoch and Leicester which that oil burner set over the hills (might have to put that down to increasing traffic on the roads in later years
)I had a 309Gti in Gun Metal Grey. Loved that car, look in the classifieds now and then, dreaming...
The front to me looked brilliant, those 4 driving lamps were ace. And the interior was a much better grade of egg box plastic than in the 205.
And to all you guys who say all these cars are too old and unsophisticated compared to modern cars, pah! If all you want is electric heated chairs and automatic wipers, you completely, totally don't understand Pistonheads.
The front to me looked brilliant, those 4 driving lamps were ace. And the interior was a much better grade of egg box plastic than in the 205.
And to all you guys who say all these cars are too old and unsophisticated compared to modern cars, pah! If all you want is electric heated chairs and automatic wipers, you completely, totally don't understand Pistonheads.
Bottrill said:
Negative Creep said:
matchmaker said:
Leins said:
There was a time when these adorned the front of performance car magazines:
Yes, had one. Brilliant car. Said to be have better handling than the Golf as the body was stiffer.Another vote for the Jetta GTi 16 valve from me! My dad had one from new as a company car in the mid 80s in white with the black boot spoiler. He absolutely loved it.
We all thought he was going up in the world when his company replaced it in 1988 with a new E34 520i (also in white). Not a day went by when he didn't slag that BMW off and wish he had his Jetta back.
We all thought he was going up in the world when his company replaced it in 1988 with a new E34 520i (also in white). Not a day went by when he didn't slag that BMW off and wish he had his Jetta back.
Renault 19 16V Chamade (the saloon version) - cracking drive, rev-happy, comfortable and well-appointed. Also more discreet (and much rarer) than the hatch.
...and another vote for the BX19 GTI(8V) - brilliantly capable car, and sooooo comfortable.
Edited by ttthilvester on Wednesday 19th November 07:42
Great topic - I love anything a bit leftfield.
One such example that sticks in my mind is the Proton Satria Sprint GTi. When they were first released I lived in the arse end of nowhere in South West Wales and had just passed my test. There was a Proton dealer nearby, so you used to see a few about. At the time they looked incredible to a 19 year old boy racer and the idea of a 1.8 engine in such a small car seemed insane! I still feel a twist of nostalgic desire just looking at them. Odd.
One such example that sticks in my mind is the Proton Satria Sprint GTi. When they were first released I lived in the arse end of nowhere in South West Wales and had just passed my test. There was a Proton dealer nearby, so you used to see a few about. At the time they looked incredible to a 19 year old boy racer and the idea of a 1.8 engine in such a small car seemed insane! I still feel a twist of nostalgic desire just looking at them. Odd.
This was mine a lot of time and energy went into this 1990 Toyota corolla gti hi torque I owned for a good while and sold back in 2007. I loved it not sure anyone else got it, certainly a forgotten hot hatch:
Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:56
Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:57
only1ian said:
This was mine a lot of time and energy went into this 1990 Toyota corolla gti hi torque I owned for a good while and sold back in 2007. I loved it not sure anyone else got it, certainly a forgotten hot hatch:
Again, these cars had a massive following in SA, the hot versions were called the Twincams, with the high revving 1.6 DOHC engine. The hatch (called the Corolla Conquest there) was available as a 5 door only though.Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:56
Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:57
EDIT: Actually they might have bern called RSI later in life, or perhaps that was the next gen with the 5 valve head, I can't remember now.
only1ian said:
This was mine a lot of time and energy went into this 1990 Toyota corolla gti hi torque I owned for a good while and sold back in 2007. I loved it not sure anyone else got it, certainly a forgotten hot hatch:
Cracking car, I am sure the previous version of that was a little RWD hatch, anyone remember those?Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:56
Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:57
m8rky said:
Of course the hardcore Xsarist prefers Bora Bora green, probably one of the few cars I really regret selling. Sadly over 11 years of Xsara VTS ownership in PH1 & PH2 guises is set to end this weekend 
Have enjoyed every minute.
That's the absolute doppelganger for our old one!Have enjoyed every minute.
With apologies for the 'of the time' jaunty angle:
Was bought at 3-4 yrs old if I remember correctly with about 19k on the clock with 1 private lady owner. My wife had it till 2005 when we got offered an amazing deal on a brand new Leon Cupra R - the VTS met with a car park wall which bent the front end. All fixed on the insurance (took 6 months as they did such a bad job the first time!) and eventually sold on ebay to a family from the Midlands. Last time I checked the original plate it was off the road and needing a VIC check so I assume was spanked again
It had a powerflow exhaust as you couldn't get anything off the shelf for it, plus a Group N air filter. Went very well Since there's much love for the BX GTI in 8v and 16v forms - my old very late registered 16V:
Been without MOT since 2011 and SORNd so may still be about, although I suspect it's most likely the engine has been pulled for something else....
Still have this Valver in sleeper diesel bodykit spec - quicker than the later cars and this one will not be sold if I can help it!
kiseca said:
only1ian said:
This was mine a lot of time and energy went into this 1990 Toyota corolla gti hi torque I owned for a good while and sold back in 2007. I loved it not sure anyone else got it, certainly a forgotten hot hatch:
Again, these cars had a massive following in SA, the hot versions were called the Twincams, with the high revving 1.6 DOHC engine. The hatch (called the Corolla Conquest there) was available as a 5 door only though.Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:56
Edited by only1ian on Wednesday 19th November 07:57
EDIT: Actually they might have bern called RSI later in life, or perhaps that was the next gen with the 5 valve head, I can't remember now.
The twincam engine was a peach, also used in the MR2Mk1 and had a nice exhaust note change around 5500rpm!
I owned a Civic 1.8 VTI (B18C4) for a few months and thouroughly enjoyed it i found a very good exaple and at £700 (i know sound like a shed at that price) but it had only done 80k with a full honda history 2 owners from new and had a full ticket and tax at the time.
The revability of the Vtec was Epic (im used to bigger turbo engines) but the N/A 1.8 engine in this was phenominal for what it was it had to be properly warmed up for the Vtec to kick in and when it did you would feel that surge and change in acoustics it always put a smile on my face.
I also found that if you where sensible enough to keep it below 5500rpm the fule consumption was decent aswell.
I also owned the Corolla Tsport (non kompressor i may add) and had the same sort of soft spot for that, the only difference really being body shape and an extra cog
I prefer the oddballs rather than the standard steriotype hack that everyone else goes for, they may fall under the radar for a number of reasons but they should never be overlooked in my opinon.
i very nearly bought a mitsubishi colt (with the 1.6 Mivec Lump) just for the Laugh but couldnt find one at the right price.
I also agree that the 309 was the better option than the 205 just for the ''different factor'' and the looks.
The revability of the Vtec was Epic (im used to bigger turbo engines) but the N/A 1.8 engine in this was phenominal for what it was it had to be properly warmed up for the Vtec to kick in and when it did you would feel that surge and change in acoustics it always put a smile on my face.
I also found that if you where sensible enough to keep it below 5500rpm the fule consumption was decent aswell.
I also owned the Corolla Tsport (non kompressor i may add) and had the same sort of soft spot for that, the only difference really being body shape and an extra cog
I prefer the oddballs rather than the standard steriotype hack that everyone else goes for, they may fall under the radar for a number of reasons but they should never be overlooked in my opinon.
i very nearly bought a mitsubishi colt (with the 1.6 Mivec Lump) just for the Laugh but couldnt find one at the right price.
I also agree that the 309 was the better option than the 205 just for the ''different factor'' and the looks.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff