So, the Ibiza GTi then...
Discussion
Finally managed to pick up the MR2s temp replacment today.
In comparison to the '2, it's not particularly quick in a straight line (only 150bhp) but it's not slow either. It doesn't go through the gears anywhere near as fast, however.
Bottom to mid range power is much more evident though, making it an absolute hoot round twisty bits! The MR2 was a very fun car to drive but the Ibiza physically put a smile on my face tonight.
Long motorway journeys won't be as much fun, but on the bright side they will use less juice, and the car interior is a much nicer place to be than the Toyota's. Also, the stereo is excellent (chap who owned it before me whacked a couple of 6x9s in there and they work a treat).
Going back to the twisties; it's still a bit scary at the moment. The higher centre of gravity means I really notice the weight shifting around and the fact that it's the first FWD car I've driven with PAS means it's gonna take me a while to get used to the extra responsiveness. At the moment I'm still driving it a bit like a RWD car (I'm still expecting to it power oversteer on roundabouts) so a conscious effort is being made to get my front-driver head back on!
On the whole though I'm actually pretty chuffed. The boy racers seem to give it a second look which is interesting, as the car is actually bog standard. I guess you don't see too many of them about.
The only thing that lets the car down are the Ripspeed door sills, and the lack of floor mats, but I'll sort that tomorrow. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow too.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Saturday 10th September 21:45
In comparison to the '2, it's not particularly quick in a straight line (only 150bhp) but it's not slow either. It doesn't go through the gears anywhere near as fast, however.
Bottom to mid range power is much more evident though, making it an absolute hoot round twisty bits! The MR2 was a very fun car to drive but the Ibiza physically put a smile on my face tonight.
Long motorway journeys won't be as much fun, but on the bright side they will use less juice, and the car interior is a much nicer place to be than the Toyota's. Also, the stereo is excellent (chap who owned it before me whacked a couple of 6x9s in there and they work a treat).
Going back to the twisties; it's still a bit scary at the moment. The higher centre of gravity means I really notice the weight shifting around and the fact that it's the first FWD car I've driven with PAS means it's gonna take me a while to get used to the extra responsiveness. At the moment I'm still driving it a bit like a RWD car (I'm still expecting to it power oversteer on roundabouts) so a conscious effort is being made to get my front-driver head back on!
On the whole though I'm actually pretty chuffed. The boy racers seem to give it a second look which is interesting, as the car is actually bog standard. I guess you don't see too many of them about.
The only thing that lets the car down are the Ripspeed door sills, and the lack of floor mats, but I'll sort that tomorrow. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow too.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Saturday 10th September 21:45
Good to hear you're enjoying yourself Dan!
A fun car is all about how you interface with it and what you take out of it.
A 'small'-engined front wheel drive hatch can still put a smile on your face, (Oi! Leave the Rover out of this!), as can a powerful rear-driver.
Hope it continues to put a grin on your face - Surrey has some roads that your car will love, and so should you!
Enjoy!
A fun car is all about how you interface with it and what you take out of it.
A 'small'-engined front wheel drive hatch can still put a smile on your face, (Oi! Leave the Rover out of this!), as can a powerful rear-driver.
Hope it continues to put a grin on your face - Surrey has some roads that your car will love, and so should you!
Enjoy!
Which Ibiza GTi is it? My wife has a '99 2.0 16v Cupra(see my profile). It's ok, but I don't really like it myself. It's swift enough if you spank the pants off it, but on ours the throttle action isn't smooth, the clutch is snatchy, the gearchange is notchy and baulky, and the handling is fairly ragged and unsophisticated. It's also got a fairly high driving position.
I suppose I'm unfairly comparing it to my Corrado VR6, but even so.
I suppose I'm unfairly comparing it to my Corrado VR6, but even so.
This one's a mk2.
It sounds nothing like the one you described, bar the high up driving position. I've remedied this by lowering the seats as far as they'll go. Now my position in relation to the steering wheel is similar to that of how it was in the MR2.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 12th September 12:16
It sounds nothing like the one you described, bar the high up driving position. I've remedied this by lowering the seats as far as they'll go. Now my position in relation to the steering wheel is similar to that of how it was in the MR2.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 12th September 12:16
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