I take it all back...

The ZX's is very smooth, but not quite as precise as it could be. The best, most precise gearchange I've experienced is the MX5's, absolutley perfect!

No they don't - the 1.9 is the one to have, in every way.

The 1.6 offers very similar performance at slower speeds, cos it's got shorter ratios in the gearbox. But once you get going, the extra 20bhp (almost 20% !) makes a big difference.

Doh.

So between you and Vamp, you've had two Mk1 MR2s, and both have had bottom-end failure ? And in early 2000, my mate's white Mk1 MR2 on a D-Plate had an engine failure too. So that's 3 out of 3.

And you wanted the Suzuki Swift for it's 80s Jap Engine !!!!

Almost every review I've ever read about the 205GTi says the 1.6 is the one to have.

Depends what you want from a hot hatch - I've driven both, and the 1.6 was the one that actually put a smile on my face.

Yes, which is *exactly* the point... it feels faster, because of the way it delivers its power, and the gear ratios that take advantage of said power.

It makes for something more fun to drive, is the point I have been labouring.

To outright top speed, maybe - there's about a second between them in the

I'd rather take a screaming 1.6 scratching round a load of twisties, than a lazy bottom endy 1.9.

Best one for me was a New Mini. Very 'stiff' and precise.

I've never read a review that says that - point me at one :)

Mi16 converted with 1.6 box. YKIMS :)

Then you've never read any !

The 1.6 doesn't have anything in it's favour, except (slightly) cheaper insurance. It's the poorman's 1.9

But, er, it's not !

How fast it *feels*, isn't relevent to it's real-world performance.

I'd rather take the quicker 1.9.

You were still on your mother's tit when I was reading this stuff ;-)

I forgot you were drawing your pension next week ;-)

Oh aye... especially if you don't slant the engine enough, when you mount it in the engine bay... ;-)

Depends how long you can be arsed spending on the conversion :-D As i understand it, thats the 'short cut, not that good but does work sort of' way, and leads to some kinda oil starvation issues? But you can buy off the shelf bits now to do it properly. And its still actually pretty easy isn't it? Although Remus, who one day asked how it was done, then when i said that, said he actually knew several people who had done it, and it takes weeks, disagreed with me.

So on the basis of that, i'm guessing i'm right :-)

Shorter gear ratios ;)

Shorter ratio box (ie. better for UK speed limits), revvier engine and more 'fun' power delivery.

Almost nothing to pick in terms of performance figures within reasonable sight of UK speed limits.

Yes, and?

Jeremy Clarkson once wrote, the most fun car he'd ever driven, was a cooking Toyota Starlet along some route in Spain or Portugal, IIRC.

Have you any *real* idea of how little difference a second makes in the real world, in terms of leaving something behind, in a 0-60 sprint?

I don't believe you have, tbh... and you only need to f*ck one gear change up, to lose any advantage you may have had, assuming you're any good at launching a car off the lights, and didn't end up sitting there smoking the tyres due to all that extra low down torque...

Yes, and yet again you completely miss the point of a hot hatch...

I'd rather take neither, and take the 216 GTI DOHC instead - at least I'd then know I'd got a fighting chance of actually making it to my destination. ;0)

I'd take an R5 GTT - and when it did work - leave you all for dead at said lights :)