Quick car

Jan 12, 2008 47 Replies

Hia peeps, I currently own a 1.6 8 valve astra estate, (1999) which isn't the quickest car to put it mildly. As I am entering my middle chrisis I want something a bit quick, but don't want to spent a lot.



I have been told that the skoda fabia 1.9 VRS would be good, but I also like the astras and maybe consider the newer 1800 16v. No I cant afford a 2 litre Astra Turbo! the insurance and running costs would be too high! The fabia does about 5mpg as well.



Apart from the performance, I wondered what the fabia is like to drive, handling etc. Anyone got one? Any advice appreciated



Cheers, good site this!



Rodders


Jag S type 3 litre and stop chaving around with that crap.

Graham ("Graham" ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

If you _must_ have an S-type, why have the six-pot, not the v8?

Pat Crouch ("Pat Crouch" ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Woah, steady on... You don't want to get all _exciting_ or anything like that...

FFS, if you're going to have a mid-life crisis, do it PROPERLY, man. F*ck the running costs and insurance. Get something truly stoopid, like an Elise or a bike.

1.8 Astra, ffs...

The Skoda vrs is quite hard to catch below a hundred or so, it seems to run out of steam after that. (I was in a Lexus) 130 (indicated) and I went past him, but I was impressed.

Mrcheerful

Accompanied by the sound of a chisel on slate Adrian, managed to produce the following words of wisdom

S type 3.0 ain't even that quick.

S type R... now that's more like it.

Accompanied by the sound of a chisel on slate Adrian, managed to produce the following words of wisdom

Or a Turbocharged V8 Range Rover

Joins the mob, armed with a burning torch and a pitchfork....

1.8 Turbo MK2 Golf Mi16 205 BMW E30 with a turbo or supercharger. Volvo 340 with a Renault 19 twin cam in if you're feeling particularly pervy. Nissan 200SX or Pulsar if you want something vaguely normal.

IIRC 110 or 130 horses in a fairly light shell. Not fast though. Quick, yes, not fast.

I find that only turbo cars fell really quick, because you don't have to scream the engine into red line to get anything out of it. It just moves when you ask it to.

You've got to be kidding. Only cars with oodles of low down torque feel quick, because they go when you tell them to.

As opposed to foot down-wait-wait-whistle-whoosh! by which time the gap has gone.

But turbo lag is no longer as bad as it once was. Control systems are much better. It all depends on what you want. Blasting off in low gear puts tremendous strain on the drivetrain; I tend to hold back until I'm at least in 3'rd before I let loose.

Vauxhall monaro, Nissan skyline.

Wow, dont know much about such really fast cars! Begining to wish I'd never asked! Only joking, if I had the money I would have a Lambo (LOL) But seriously, anyone owned, or driven a Fabia VRS???

Lancia thema 8.32. Eats it for brEakfaST :-)

They're not bad. Handling is a bit rolly polly, but they're not s*it. A bit numb. LEAGUES above your current Astra chariot. 130bhp and a shedload of torque. Interiors are a bit 'average' and white - so easily minged up. The last one I drove had a switchable remap - cost about £400 and provided either stock 130bhp, or plug in the doo-dad and 175bhp and a huge wedge more torque. Then it was actually very entertaining. A bit of a handful in the wet mind you... Personally, I'd get one, remap it (none of that switchable junk, just a straight Jabba or BAS remap for my 175bhp all the time), and uprate the suspension and brakes - I felt they weren't *really* up to

175bhp - it wasn't dangerous by any means, but I felt unable to use quite all the power all the time I wanted to.

In summary, quite pokey, nicely economical, can be fun and pretty solid. Get a Clio V6.

I'm just not interested in 'jumping into gaps'. I rather keep the mechanics in good order. We are talking about a 15 year old Saab turbo here. The turbo is fine for quick overtaking or joining motorways from slip roads.

johannes (johannes ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I find my '90 900T16 has very little lag in practice - all you need to do is anticipate the opportunity to wind that boost needle up a little.

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