Best 100 bhp road car, to date?

[pedantlewis]

Another nod for the 106 Rallye, but i would say that as i drive one

Also worthy of a mention is the original Fiesta Zetec-S, i had one for a while and it was great fun.

[Beemer-5]

It's not standard, but on the Bond Bug owners site there is a 97 bhp Bug.
That must go well, if scary on corners.
(Up from 29 bhp standard).

[tommobot]

I'd go for Fiesta Zetec S, but i'd also go for 1.6 Puma as its the same engine in a apparently 'slightly' better chassis

[robemcdonald]

I'd have to go for the original Lotus Elan:


Err... OK it's actually got 105bhp, but it's still cool

[RobM77]

Mikey_W said:

RobM77 said:

fantastic fun Never has trailbraking been so controllable - the handling was truly stunning

You hit the nail on the head, the handling was superb.

I think the AX GT was a underrated car tbh

The AX GT was my first car, and since then I've driven loads of cars on road and on track. That trail braking in particular was probably the best I've experienced in any car - you could jus trim the car's attitude so finely on the brake on the way into a corner. Of course, mid corner the throttle was equally as playful. A truly superb car. The ride and general refinement was also very well sorted.

[roadieblues]

My Smart Roadster has 82BHP however it just weighs 750kg so its lets say brisk. It won't break your neck with acceleration but the most fun is when going around corners. The grip and speed it can carry around a bend is amazing.

I had a couple of petrolhead sportscar owning friends of mine (200-300+BHP club) come for a ride and they all confessed that on a twisty road I would probably be faster. The good thing is that I can make it better with a simple remap. 115bhp and a little diet (say to 650kg) should hasten the acceleration wouldn't it.

Oh and did I mention it is mid engined and rear wheel drive.

[big welly]

TVR Vixen. 1.6 crossflow.

Those who have thrashed one know what I'm talking about. The S2 (with good suspension) is meant to be the best TVR for chucking. Not mega fast but very chuckable.

[BCA]

Roadie, your car is too heavy standard for my liking, and a bit obvious... hehe... seriously though, the gearbox is just too awful.

Modified ones are quick in gear with 100bhp(ish) though - very fun, but no where near the best 100bhp roadcar.

[RobM77]

roadieblues said:

My Smart Roadster has 82BHP however it just weighs 750kg so its lets say brisk. It won't break your neck with acceleration but the most fun is when going around corners. The grip and speed it can carry around a bend is amazing.

Is your last sentence developing on the second to last? If so, I've never really thought that grip was equal to fun, rather that fun was all about adjustability and involvement, regardless of grip levels.

[thunderbelmont]

Triumph 2500TC
99bhp.
0-60 in just over 11sec.

Lovely old barge...

If you like:
Clutches that last no more than 20000 miles.
Engines that date back before God created the heavens, and eat crank thrust bearings (not too bad if you have an auto, and park it pointing downhill)

Or...

Rover 95
OK, it's 102hp, probably doesn't make 100 in new money.
A lovely silky smooth straight six, plush leather & wood interior.
Uberbarge for the Bank Manager!

[pbirkett]

BCA said:

Roadie, your car is too heavy standard for my liking, and a bit obvious... hehe... seriously though, the gearbox is just too awful.

Thats the thing that always put me off those cars. I'd probably have had one if it had a manual gearbox, but not with that sorry excuse of an autobox

[BCA]

pbirkett said:

BCA said:

Roadie, your car is too heavy standard for my liking, and a bit obvious... hehe... seriously though, the gearbox is just too awful.

Thats the thing that always put me off those cars. I'd probably have had one if it had a manual gearbox, but not with that sorry excuse of an autobox

Its bad, but the rest of the car (when well modified, cheaply dont worry - but with money spent in the right places) is worth the annoyance.

[Alex106]

busta said:

Peugeot 106 Rallye obviously.

1294cc, 100hp, 7500rpm, 830kgs.

Got it in one mate!

[biggbn]

visa gt...about 80hp if i recall...or my favourite low power funster, cinq sporting...about 54hp and an absolute blast....

[sean19]

Saxo VTR as a modern alternative to 205's etc.?

Before I get laughed at I know they have the worst 'image' of any modern car as it was such a hit with the max power crew.

However they are fairly light, pretty nippy and handle great all on a budget!

[millband]

RobM77 said:

(talking about the Smart Roadster) I've never really thought that grip was equal to fun, rather that fun was all about adjustability and involvement, regardless of grip levels.

Nope, fun = "activities that are enjoyable or amusing" according to Google. Driving a Roadster is both of those

I agree it's no paragon of adjustability, and it's far too flawed to be the best anything. The problem is that once you've driven a few hundred miles in one you think of the flaws as "character" and modify your world view accordingly

On a track you can get past the grip and you find it's actually quite nicely balanced. I wonder if the euro-spec "light" version with narrower steel wheels and no power steering would be an interesting drive?

Steve

[BCA]

Its a shame no one does a smallish light rear wheel drive car with a proper box to compare to this lot - one that doesnt just grip like mad before letting go/ one that'll share the adjustability/insurance group that compareable FWD hatches enjoy. I guess none of the car manufacturers want to produce something that wont aim to be quicker round the nurburgring at the expense of outright fun/ perhaps they're too concerned such cars would be a liability.

[tyre_tread]

odyssey2200 said:

Beemer-5 said:

The little 3-cylinder Daihatsu was amazing, for it's time.
4 valves per cylinder, DOHC, electronic fuel injection, turbocharged.

Always wanted one but never bit the bullet and boufght one.

I just acquired one - 17 years old - 177K miles from new - 1 Owner (my best man) and I talked him into buying it and went with him to test drive and collect it new.

More smiles per mile than my TVR!

[Pesty]

Don1 said:

busta said:

Peugeot 106 Rallye obviously.

1294cc, 100hp, 7500rpm, 830kgs.

What he said.

Yep amazing little things. handling out of this world great fun. Brake for corners? nahhh

[coogy]

205 XS! The AX GT's better looking cousin