RE: PH Heroes: Lancia Delta Integrale

[Olivera]

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

[havoc]

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

Your point?

I'd venture most people TRULY interested in driving would rather an 'involving' car than a fast car. Often the two go hand-in-hand - most 'involving' cars became that way because they were homologation-specials, or were designed to be single-minded drivers' tools.

But not always - MG Midget, original Lotus Elan, and Mk1 Elise being cases-in-point. Equally grip and power have been escalating rapidly over the last 10-15 years (along with weights, sadly...), so with modern tyres, suspension and engine technology even a comparatively 'mundane' machine can cover smooth ground very quickly.

That doesn't mean:-
- The driver has anything to do with it really
- It's any fun as a result, except as a roller-coaster like thrill where you just need to 'hang on'
- On a broken B-road said 'quick track time' car won't fall apart dynamically.


A Focus ST will leave a Mk1 Elise for dead on any road in the country, but which would be the more 'fun', the more involving, the more challenging and the more rewarding car?? As a personal example we may end up selling the wife's GTi-6 for a newer 'hot hatch'...except nothing (practical) currently out there is any better. Quicker, grippier, and with a "quality interior" (sic) maybe...but any better to drive? Not likely...

[R5GTTgaz]

And in 16yrs time people will say "Corsa VXR what?" and you will be able to buy one for £350.

[theboymoon]

i think i'd speak for majority in saying that offered the keys to both i would definatly be taking the italian option thank you very much

[Raify]

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

It wasn't a standard Corsa. It was a tweaked version with, IIRC, about £4k worth of upgrades. Can't find the article right now, but I think it was the 888 version.

[Harris_I]

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

Yes, I hear that modern Casios keep better time than classic Heuers...

If lap times are really important to you, then for the purchase price of the VXR, I suggest you can buy a boggo Evo 1 or 2, make some choice Group A mods (you'd still be in budget), and the 'grale will show the VXR a clean pair of heels.

Not that it really matters of course. I've driven and owned a fair number of exotic cars, and the Lancia is still top 3 in my fantasy list for its unique tactility and feedback, useability, and genuinely dramatic presence.

[Buffalo Girls]

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

Do you always measure fun by a stopwatch?

[moleamol]

Buffalo Girls said:

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

Do you always measure fun by a stopwatch?

Good hit.

[jamieboy]

Raify said:

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

It wasn't a standard Corsa. It was a tweaked version with, IIRC, about £4k worth of upgrades. Can't find the article right now, but I think it was the 888 version.

It was the 888, but in fairness the Fiesta ST185 and Clio 197 Cup in the same article were also faster round the track than the integrale.

But as others have pointed out, ultimate pace round a track doesn't really matter.

[HFintegrale]

My car's faster than you car. My dad's bigger than your dad.

This thread is in danger of becoming very boring.

[superkartracer]

It's not a track car.....

[jacobyte]

havoc said:

Hmmm...Integra / Integrale...can it be coincidence that two of the best 'affordable' drivers' cars share virtually the same name?

Yeah, there's the Integra, but this is the "Limited Edition" - the IntegraLE

[jacobyte]

Picture yourself in a traffic jam in a Corsa VXR or an EVO MCMLXXXXVIII. You look across and see an integrale.

You know you're in the wrong car

[havoc]

jacobyte said:

havoc said:

Hmmm...Integra / Integrale...can it be coincidence that two of the best 'affordable' drivers' cars share virtually the same name?

Yeah, there's the Integra, but this is the "Limited Edition" - the IntegraLE

And I thought I was a smart-arse!!!

[superkartracer]

jacobyte said:

Picture yourself in a traffic jam in a Corsa VXR or an EVO MCMLXXXXVIII. You look across and see an integrale.

You know you're in the wrong car

Jam? or wrong country..

[filski666]

jacobyte said:

Picture yourself in a traffic jam in a Corsa VXR or an EVO MCMLXXXXVIII. You look across and see an integrale.

You know you're in the wrong car

[Setch993]

Martin_Hx said:

Had one follow me on a PH run, couldnt shake it but was an awesome looking motor in the rear view mirror !

Bet there great to drive in a spirited manner

It was me and I really enjoyed our cross country dash !
Madras Blue EVO 1, sensible mods.
Best car I have ever had, a real keeper.
Article spot on, well written and and accurate account.
Nick

[stu mac]

good to read so many points about how good this car is...was..etc
i,ve had and built 500bhp skylines and also many cosworths..
my friend has had one of these in his heart for years i lent him the money to buy one even thou i told him it would be nothing but trouble..
and of course it was with little sensor issues here and there but he,s had it 5years now and has just given it tome to do a complete rebuild on the engine ..after a quick drive i found myself engrossed in the little car just pulling and gripping the chassic is the best i,ve driven and i took back all the bad things i said about it...sure finding a good one is like crapping in a test tube off the empire state building but should you be so lucky wow true pistonhead nirvana....And i look forwards to completing the rebuild of his 340bhp engine ...regards

[andy-integrale]

jamieboy said:

Raify said:

Olivera said:

The Delta Integrale is a certainly a great car. However, a pristine Delta Integrale Evo featured in an Evo article several months ago, where it proceeded to get mullered around a wet track by a boggo standard Corsa VXR...

It wasn't a standard Corsa. It was a tweaked version with, IIRC, about £4k worth of upgrades. Can't find the article right now, but I think it was the 888 version.

It was the 888, but in fairness the Fiesta ST185 and Clio 197 Cup in the same article were also faster round the track than the integrale.

But as others have pointed out, ultimate pace round a track doesn't really matter.

Yes, that's correct and if I remember rightly the conclusion was, if you were brave enough, you should buy the Integrale. Not bad for a 15 yr old car based on a 29 yr old design!

I have a completely standard Evo 2 and TBH am not interested in doing circuits with it, in standard guise thats not what its about. (Although there is substantial room for mods and many have made great track day machines) As a road car though on a twisty A or B's at brisk speeds it's a delight.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

[Rees14]

One of the best ever!! If a little tempermental!!

I've owned a red (surprise,surprise,) 16v Integrale and was also recently lucky enough to get a Martini5, number 96 of 400!!

Love these cars, but for someone about to buy one be prepared to spend alot of money should the worst happen,( cambelt or turbo problems,) I've got a wicked paper weight on my desk in the form of a melted piston, which came from the Martini!!! Wasn't very happy.