182, Fiesta ST or other?
Discussion
So, a hot hatch will shortly be the order of the day. FWD doesn't bother me so would rather something like this than go the mr2 route.
182 has real world pace if I'm not mistake. Decent engine in a small car and the cup has the chassis to boot. Not too upset about the interiors lower quality, swings and roundabouts and all that. I also think they look pretty decent (especially in liquid yellow.. Yum)
ST isn't as quick (?) but should ride better. Looks good and also goes well (albeit not as well) and has a better quality interior IMO.
A 182 Trophy is out of the question unfortunately. Too darn expensive.
And other suggestions around the 3k price range?
182 is looking to be the one if I'm honest, just looking for some options.
182 has real world pace if I'm not mistake. Decent engine in a small car and the cup has the chassis to boot. Not too upset about the interiors lower quality, swings and roundabouts and all that. I also think they look pretty decent (especially in liquid yellow.. Yum)
ST isn't as quick (?) but should ride better. Looks good and also goes well (albeit not as well) and has a better quality interior IMO.
A 182 Trophy is out of the question unfortunately. Too darn expensive.
And other suggestions around the 3k price range?
182 is looking to be the one if I'm honest, just looking for some options.
Recently purchased a 182.
Absolutely love it.
I couldn't quite believe how quick it was for the money, although i've only driven a classic mini and a 205 GTI previously.
Personally I cicn't bother with the cup. It may be slightly better in the corners on a track but daily I doubt youd notice much difference and you miss out on things like Air Con, Xenon's, cruise control, speed limiter and traction/esp (can be easily turned off)
Work friend has a ST and its really not on the same level I dont think (obviously im bias) Not as quick and overall is a much softer place to be. Although a nicer place to sit.
I get 41mpg on the motorway with the cruise control set to 75mph, so probably capable of much more and only goes down as low as 26-27 for my commute, however my commute consists of sitting in traffic around town pretty much non stop.
Friend also has a 172 which is pretty much identical performance wise, just a little more understated in the looks department.
Absolutely love it.
I couldn't quite believe how quick it was for the money, although i've only driven a classic mini and a 205 GTI previously.
Personally I cicn't bother with the cup. It may be slightly better in the corners on a track but daily I doubt youd notice much difference and you miss out on things like Air Con, Xenon's, cruise control, speed limiter and traction/esp (can be easily turned off)
Work friend has a ST and its really not on the same level I dont think (obviously im bias) Not as quick and overall is a much softer place to be. Although a nicer place to sit.
I get 41mpg on the motorway with the cruise control set to 75mph, so probably capable of much more and only goes down as low as 26-27 for my commute, however my commute consists of sitting in traffic around town pretty much non stop.
Friend also has a 172 which is pretty much identical performance wise, just a little more understated in the looks department.
Pretty good choice at that price range IMO, but since you asked for alternatives...
Swift Sport. Underestimated due to perceived lack of power but IMVHO a fine example of a "sum of the parts" the car...
Ibiza / Fabia with big engine. Hot, but in a different way (e.g. only on the motorway).
205 GTi. The archetype. Can be a good investment if you are handy with tools / can live with a rolling resto kind of project. Same probably goes for transaxle Porsches...
What do you want to do with the car?
Swift Sport. Underestimated due to perceived lack of power but IMVHO a fine example of a "sum of the parts" the car...
Ibiza / Fabia with big engine. Hot, but in a different way (e.g. only on the motorway).
205 GTi. The archetype. Can be a good investment if you are handy with tools / can live with a rolling resto kind of project. Same probably goes for transaxle Porsches...
What do you want to do with the car?
A rolling project isn't for me. I'm not a very practical guy truth be told, and just want something I can enjoy driving from the get go.
A 172 is fine but I do much prefer the looks of the 182, and the comment highlighting the missing creature comforts of the cup in comparison to the standard 182 does make me think is the cup really a better option? The spoiler after all could be bought to add to a standard 182.
I think I've been considering an ST just to not be too closed minded and give myself an option, but there doesn't seem, to me at least, to be anything in the range that compares to the 182 in terms of capability performance wise. Would like to take it to track days and have something that has a bit of buzz and that can go when you poke it with a stick.
A 172 is fine but I do much prefer the looks of the 182, and the comment highlighting the missing creature comforts of the cup in comparison to the standard 182 does make me think is the cup really a better option? The spoiler after all could be bought to add to a standard 182.
I think I've been considering an ST just to not be too closed minded and give myself an option, but there doesn't seem, to me at least, to be anything in the range that compares to the 182 in terms of capability performance wise. Would like to take it to track days and have something that has a bit of buzz and that can go when you poke it with a stick.
182 is let down when people put the wrong tyres on them. From personal experience, it can screw with the handling.
The original Michelins had he perfect amount of tyre wall flex.
Just get the full fat car with the cup suspension ( the ones with anthracite wheels) and make sure the geometry is sorted back to standard and you will be happy on a budget.
The original Michelins had he perfect amount of tyre wall flex.
Just get the full fat car with the cup suspension ( the ones with anthracite wheels) and make sure the geometry is sorted back to standard and you will be happy on a budget.
The Clio unquestionably. Mine was the best car I ever owned, I have nothing but good things to say about it.
A few points to bear in mind though:
A few points to bear in mind though:
- Cambelt, Aux belt, Dephaser pulley and waterpump is over £700, make sure this has been done recently (with an invoice to prove it not just a stamp) or budget accordingly
- Original exhausts are prohibitively expensive so don't be put off by an aftermarket one but they do vary considerably in quality and sound. Decent stainless cat-back systems are ~£400 so make sure it has one you like or budget accordingly. Any original exhausts will probably be near the end of their life by now.
- As someone else said above, tyres are extremely important. On proper Michelins (Pilot Sport 3s are the correct replacement for the discontinued Pilot Exalto 2) the grip and handling is astounding for the price. Cheap nasty tyres really ruin the drive.
- The cup pack suspension which most 182s have is superb out of the box. Any attempts at lowering it will likely make it worse, get a good standard car that has been well maintained and enjoy it as it is.
More important things to remember, from a former 182 owner:
- 182 Cup will not have Air-con.
- 182 with Cup pack/s will/can have Air-con.
The car you're after is referred to as 'Full-Fat'. This is a normal 182 with both the 'cup suspension pack' and 'cup styling pack' fitted.
Cup suspension pack is denoted by anthracite coloured wheels.
Cup spoiler pack is denoted by a front splitter and rear spoiler.
I had a 'Full-fat' and completely adored it.
- 182 Cup will not have Air-con.
- 182 with Cup pack/s will/can have Air-con.
The car you're after is referred to as 'Full-Fat'. This is a normal 182 with both the 'cup suspension pack' and 'cup styling pack' fitted.
Cup suspension pack is denoted by anthracite coloured wheels.
Cup spoiler pack is denoted by a front splitter and rear spoiler.
I had a 'Full-fat' and completely adored it.
Mrs blade7 has had a 05 ST for 4 or 5 years and she really likes it. I looked at Clio's because they were a lot quicker than the ST, but every one I saw had been well hammered or had dodgy history. Buy carefully. As has been said cambelt etc needs a proper receipt, I heard "my mate did it" or "I lost the receipt" several times.
Edited by blade7 on Wednesday 11th June 13:10
As already stated above, the 182 Cup has NO benefit to a 182 FF (With both cup packs).
Also the 182 Cup only came in Inferno (orange) and Racing Blue (Blue obviously). Be careful when looking for a 182 in LY though, there is one knocking around with 1 Ph1 engine and the remnants of a hand operated clutch left in.
Also the 182 Cup only came in Inferno (orange) and Racing Blue (Blue obviously). Be careful when looking for a 182 in LY though, there is one knocking around with 1 Ph1 engine and the remnants of a hand operated clutch left in.
The 182 f
ks me off. On my commute back from Newark to Sheffield in my 3.0 X Type I came across one. I was used to being the quickest car point to point day in, day out in Commuterville. Not extreme driving, but a fairly torquey engine with 4WD meant I was OK at throwing it around a bit and the car would handle it.
I knew where I could squeeze it into roundabouts, where I should hold off and where I needed to be to get good lines and keep speeds up.
This fking thing outdragged me on a straight between two roundabouts then fked off in the twisties across the A57. Clearly it was illegal
ks me off. On my commute back from Newark to Sheffield in my 3.0 X Type I came across one. I was used to being the quickest car point to point day in, day out in Commuterville. Not extreme driving, but a fairly torquey engine with 4WD meant I was OK at throwing it around a bit and the car would handle it. I knew where I could squeeze it into roundabouts, where I should hold off and where I needed to be to get good lines and keep speeds up.
This f
king thing outdragged me on a straight between two roundabouts then fked off in the twisties across the A57. Clearly it was illegalWelshname said:
As already stated above, the 182 Cup has NO benefit to a 182 FF (With both cup packs).
Also the 182 Cup only came in Inferno (orange) and Racing Blue (Blue obviously). Be careful when looking for a 182 in LY though, there is one knocking around with 1 Ph1 engine and the remnants of a hand operated clutch left in.
Is the 182 cup not lighter than a 'FF' model? My 200 Cup is lighter than a 200 or 200 FF by 40kg.Also the 182 Cup only came in Inferno (orange) and Racing Blue (Blue obviously). Be careful when looking for a 182 in LY though, there is one knocking around with 1 Ph1 engine and the remnants of a hand operated clutch left in.
At this price, the 182 is the clear choice. Fiesta ST's will likely be thrashed high mileage examples, whereas you should get a very nice Full Fat 182. As others have said, ensure the cambelt has been done, or budget for it, and also budget for things like engine mounts and a full geo. The correct choice of tyre is important too - I replaced the ditchfinders on mine with Pilot Sport 3's, and the difference was incredible.
They're great cars - I regret selling mine so soon. I had no real problems in just under a year of ownership (plus they look ace in Racing Blue - hence the username!)
They're great cars - I regret selling mine so soon. I had no real problems in just under a year of ownership (plus they look ace in Racing Blue - hence the username!)
Tickle said:
Is the 182 cup not lighter than a 'FF' model? My 200 Cup is lighter than a 200 or 200 FF by 40kg.
Yes it is.But, unless you do 15-20% of your annual mileage on track days AND have a regular grudge lap against another 182, then the lack of toys that you give up will make you regret it.
I don't think we had ever come across a small car with auto lights/wipers, Cruise control etc, until we bought our full fat 182 back in 2004. Most of that stuff was only found on premium brands.
Hol said:
Tickle said:
Is the 182 cup not lighter than a 'FF' model? My 200 Cup is lighter than a 200 or 200 FF by 40kg.
Yes it is.But, unless you do 15-20% of your annual mileage on track days AND have a regular grudge lap against another 182, then the lack of toys that you give up will make you regret it.
I don't think we had ever come across a small car with auto lights/wipers, Cruise control etc, until we bought our full fat 182 back in 2004. Most of that stuff was only found on premium brands.
Great cars, I still miss my Trophy, it ticks some boxes the 200 doesn't.
Edited by Tickle on Wednesday 11th June 15:22
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