Almera GTI

[2skiddy]

Hi, Was looking to buy a Golf for work and a bit of track use. Then thought about the Almera GTI. Anybody got any feedback about this car, handling etc.
I was thinking of spending up to 2K and wondered if the Almera would be more fun?
Cheers, Jon

[chris71]

I seriously looked at buying one of these a while back.

Autocar did a second hand cars guide last year which said they were great to drive, but in all other respects monumentally dull and hence un-loved. Unfortunately all the examples I could find had 100,000+ miles so never actually got round to driving one.

[GTS Turbo]

there ok driven one or 2 at work but seriously stick with a golf more fun IMO

[EDLT]

It depends which golf you're comparing it too. They should be faster than a Mk4 for example.



If you want a fast, fun track car then a 205Gti is probably the best bet.

[2skiddy]

I was thinking power to weight ratio and chuckability. Not so many Almeras as Golf GTIs though.

[Stu R]

to be honest, they're a bit bland. As far as it goes a primera GT is much more fun.

[Fusion-Ed]

Primera GT is fine if you like cars that big, but slow, and you really have to thrash it to make it go anywhere. Almera GTi are more nimble, and great fun when they have a turbo conversion!!

[2skiddy]

Hopefully at last, got an Almera GTi coming early next week. Looking forward to seeing what it`s all about!

[ScoobieWRX]

If you can find one and can stretch the budget a bit go for a Nissan Sunny/Pulsar GTi-R N14 series from the early 90's. It has the SR20DET engine producing around 230bhp with 4x4 traction...that's a proper pocket ricerocket!!

You should be able to pick one up from £2.5K - £4.5K privately. Try and find one with as few mods as possible so you can have fun modding it yourself to your own spec. Heavily modded ones producing heavy horses are bound to have been well used

[2skiddy]

GTi has arrived and will be going to the `ring at the weekend. Hope to see some of you there. It is metallic blue P reg. Calling at Spa on the way to have a look first.
Cheers.

[2skiddy]

Well, the old Almera GTi survived the trip to the `ring. I am quite impressed with it really. No it is not the fastest car round the track, but it is torquey, has good handling and brakes and excellent fuel economy. It is well made and slightly heavier than I thought, although I could always lighten it, lower it, etc. Must remember that this car was bought as a work horse as I didn`t want a van!

[liner33]

My mum had a 96 SRI Almera for almost 10 years it was a great car, greatly missed

[tali1]

almera gtis were higly rated in their day for brilliant ride/handling, but performance, well, sunny gti 0-100 18.6 secs, almera gti 23 secs

[Triathlon_Forest]

I had an Almera GTI as a company car for 3 years. V reliable. did 100k with nothing but servicing. Not really that quick and not great handling, but quicker than a Golf Gti (1.8t) I had.