RE: VW Up GTI vs Mini Cooper

[andrewparker]

TameRacingDriver said:

andrewparker said:

Mackofthejungle said:

I really, really want to like it... But it weighs about the same as a 3 cylinder Fiesta.

It's at least 100kgs too heavy. I'd have expected the number to start with an 8 to be honest. Which is just the way they designed the Up - I'm sure it's pretty safe - but it's disappointing nonetheless. For a car that's 40, FORTY centimeters shorter than a Fiesta.. Sure, more power overcomes the weight, but then you're off down a crap road of crap car design.

Still, having sat in a standard Up I think the interior and the sense of air and lightness is wonderful. This looks like they've tarted up the touch points and given it some nice seats - perfect. I bet it's great.. And the lack of power will only be a good thing.. While X in their A4 is stuck behind you having no fun, you're having the time of your life at 60mph - why do we buy fast cars again?

Why don’t you drive one and then make your mind up?

He would have to find one to be able to drive it first, with that sort of waiting list, that won't be easy.

I agree with a lot of what he says, what exactly have they done to make it so much heavier than the base model?

Most dealers have demos.

[gweaver]

TameRacingDriver said:

I agree with a lot of what he says, what exactly have they done to make it so much heavier than the base model?

You could say the same of the new Swift. The base model is 830kg, but the Sport is 970kg. I think the other manual 2WD variants are all sub 900kg, so there must be some heavy gadgets and substantially uprated components.

[nickfrog]

s m said:

When I owned my 309gti it got a bit of stick for the gawky looks. Often asked why I didn't get a 205. Never bothered me as it drove so nicely, I liked the stumpy, ugly look with the slabby rear end. In fact I still like sporty stuff such as the 309, 1M, Alfa 75 and SZ. Seems many others do as they aren't really cheap despite the appearance

Ah ! Great minds. I had a 309 TIG too back in 1992/3 (that's how we called them in French). And I had a E82 125i which is supposed to be ugly...apparently...and a M135i which is so ugly no one bought one either.

Edited by nickfrog on Monday 19th March 17:25

[HannsG]

I have a 2006 Panda 100hp. Such a great wee car but could have done with an extra 15-30bhp