Discussion
Hello,
Any SS1 owners on here? Thinking ahead a bit here, but my Sylva Leader (great fun though it is) is a bit too uncompromising with no hood, no doors, no windscreen etc. I'd like to get the same sensations all the time, not just after work when I know I'm not going to have to park it in the rain! Was thinking of a TVR next, but wondered if I'd over looked something closer to home.
Just wondered what they were like on an everday basis - do they have a truly waterproof hood? Does the heater/demist work well? Any reliability issues?
Basically I'm after something with MX5 usability, but a slightly more bespoke feeling to it rather than swathes of Japanese plastic and preferably a little more 'go' too.
Chris.
Any SS1 owners on here? Thinking ahead a bit here, but my Sylva Leader (great fun though it is) is a bit too uncompromising with no hood, no doors, no windscreen etc. I'd like to get the same sensations all the time, not just after work when I know I'm not going to have to park it in the rain! Was thinking of a TVR next, but wondered if I'd over looked something closer to home.
Just wondered what they were like on an everday basis - do they have a truly waterproof hood? Does the heater/demist work well? Any reliability issues?
Basically I'm after something with MX5 usability, but a slightly more bespoke feeling to it rather than swathes of Japanese plastic and preferably a little more 'go' too.
Chris.
Hiya, i have had quite a few SS1s, and also own a TVR S2. plenty of my friends and family have had other TVRs, Chims, Griffs and Cerbs.
id say its closer to the TVRs than the MX5s. to me the MX5 is awesome as an everyday car, all that you want from a eurobox in terms of reliabilty but in a sports car. that said the MX5 will never give you that bespoke, low volume feeling as a result. The performance is also less than exhilerating imho.
back to the SS1s, and i would suggest an 1800Ti SS1 or Sabre (if you can find one). Both the Ti versions use the 8v Nissan turbod and inj engine, nissan gearbox and ecu, with plastic and fibreglass panels and a fully galvanised chassis (no rot). As std 135bhp claimed (more likely 120-125bhp with a 15yr old soggy turbo actuator) in something weighing 840kg, so performance is pretty brisk. value wise SS1 1800s go for £1k to 3k for the absolute best, with Sabre Turbos £2-£4,5k. Sabres are all fibreglass one pice bodys (like a TVR) but identical chassis and mechanics as the SS1, prettier too.
Trim and finish are very early 80s, with panel fits on the SS1s poor from the factory (each panel bolts on to frame with slotted holes).
Std front brakes are 4 pot AP metro turbo calipers but on solid small discs and are a bit inadequate for the 'press-on' driver and useless on track. a vented kit is avaialble.
front suspension (vauxhall chevette based) uses inboard dampers which were very poor quality Monroes as std and have almost certainly been replaced with spax or AVOs. if they havent the handling is abysmal (great to get the price down ;-).
rear suspension is semi-trailing arms (a la TVR S series) and trouble free if in reasonable nick.
theres quite a modifying scene too, with a club backed pan-england sprint and hillclimb championship too.
driving wise, bit of scuttle shake on crap surfaces, wind noise fromn hood or hard top but an enjoyable, fun drive if the cars in good fettle. more engaging than the MX5, and less of a handful in the wet than the TVR. i had one as a daily driver for 110,000 miles and loved every minute. I now sprint and hillclimb a Modprod version with 280bhp but we still have the wifes std 1800Ti SS1 which we both enjoy.
to sum up, if you want it to everything really well, but be short on soul, buy the MX5 everytime. The Ss1 is quirky and fun, not for everybody. If you want a TVR buy mine as ive lost interest in it
checkout the clubs site scimitarweb.com and a mates site ss1turbo.com or please dont hesitate to email me for any further info (usually know the whereabouts of SS1s for sale too if needed, its a small scene...)
cheers CNH
id say its closer to the TVRs than the MX5s. to me the MX5 is awesome as an everyday car, all that you want from a eurobox in terms of reliabilty but in a sports car. that said the MX5 will never give you that bespoke, low volume feeling as a result. The performance is also less than exhilerating imho.
back to the SS1s, and i would suggest an 1800Ti SS1 or Sabre (if you can find one). Both the Ti versions use the 8v Nissan turbod and inj engine, nissan gearbox and ecu, with plastic and fibreglass panels and a fully galvanised chassis (no rot). As std 135bhp claimed (more likely 120-125bhp with a 15yr old soggy turbo actuator) in something weighing 840kg, so performance is pretty brisk. value wise SS1 1800s go for £1k to 3k for the absolute best, with Sabre Turbos £2-£4,5k. Sabres are all fibreglass one pice bodys (like a TVR) but identical chassis and mechanics as the SS1, prettier too.
Trim and finish are very early 80s, with panel fits on the SS1s poor from the factory (each panel bolts on to frame with slotted holes).
Std front brakes are 4 pot AP metro turbo calipers but on solid small discs and are a bit inadequate for the 'press-on' driver and useless on track. a vented kit is avaialble.
front suspension (vauxhall chevette based) uses inboard dampers which were very poor quality Monroes as std and have almost certainly been replaced with spax or AVOs. if they havent the handling is abysmal (great to get the price down ;-).
rear suspension is semi-trailing arms (a la TVR S series) and trouble free if in reasonable nick.
theres quite a modifying scene too, with a club backed pan-england sprint and hillclimb championship too.
driving wise, bit of scuttle shake on crap surfaces, wind noise fromn hood or hard top but an enjoyable, fun drive if the cars in good fettle. more engaging than the MX5, and less of a handful in the wet than the TVR. i had one as a daily driver for 110,000 miles and loved every minute. I now sprint and hillclimb a Modprod version with 280bhp but we still have the wifes std 1800Ti SS1 which we both enjoy.
to sum up, if you want it to everything really well, but be short on soul, buy the MX5 everytime. The Ss1 is quirky and fun, not for everybody. If you want a TVR buy mine as ive lost interest in it
checkout the clubs site scimitarweb.com and a mates site ss1turbo.com or please dont hesitate to email me for any further info (usually know the whereabouts of SS1s for sale too if needed, its a small scene...)
cheers CNH
oops forgot hood/heater Qs.
hoods and hartop weatherproofing is down to the fit really. ive had hoods that are monsoon proof and hardtops that leaked and vice versa. A little time and adjustment usually sorts it.
Heaters are often pants (matrix full of crud, backfliushing with garden hose helps), but turbo'd engine keeps the driver warm. demisting isnt bad, as good or better than my Tiv and my old MGB but not MX5 std. Hardtops mostly have heated rear windows and some even have sunroofs (oooh the luxury lol). sunroofs do cut head room for 6'ft plus drivers.
hoods and hartop weatherproofing is down to the fit really. ive had hoods that are monsoon proof and hardtops that leaked and vice versa. A little time and adjustment usually sorts it.
Heaters are often pants (matrix full of crud, backfliushing with garden hose helps), but turbo'd engine keeps the driver warm
. demisting isnt bad, as good or better than my Tiv and my old MGB but not MX5 std. Hardtops mostly have heated rear windows and some even have sunroofs (oooh the luxury lol). sunroofs do cut head room for 6'ft plus drivers.ha ha Nick, should of known one of you 'hearse' drivers would be along soon 
you guys only get to see the tailights though, think yourselves lucky 
it is true that reliants bodystylist was injured during the SS1s development....
his guide dog bit him
you guys only get to see the tailights though, think yourselves lucky it is true that reliants bodystylist was injured during the SS1s development....
his guide dog bit him
Edited by CNHSS1 on Thursday 1st November 21:20
Thanks, that's pretty much what I was looking for.
Let me explain the situation.....
I used to own an MX5. Allegedly a hardcore one as factory models go (LSD, close ratio box, uprated shocks etc - all factory fitted) and yet it still somehow felt a bit too mass produced. Recently, I've gone back to my kit car roots and replaced it with a Sylva Leader. This has no doors, no 'screen to speak of and no hood. It does however push all the buttons that the MX5 left untouched - it has a side exit exhaust 18" from my right ear which spits flames from time to time, you sit right out in the airstream and it feels completely handmade, like a racing car which took a wrong turn out of parc ferme! It's so good I want to use it every day, and that is why I'm already thinking about replacing it......
I'd like something which was not only a bit quicker and more 'full on' than say an MX5, but also something which has a bit more character. It may be a very good car subjective, but I just found the swathes of Japanese plastic a bit souless. The individualtiy (that's probably the best word I can think of to describe it...) of the Sylva is absolutely perfect, but you can't really leave outside in the work car park in case the sunny morning turns to rain, similarly even a canvass hood gives a bit more secuirty if you wanted to drive something down to the shops. In short, I'd like something that full-on that you can enjoy every day, not just on a sunny everning after work once or twice a week.
Sorry, got a bit carried away with my motoring life story there, but basically I'm in search of something which feels hand made and individual that can still be genuinely used every day without breaking the bank. My first choice was a Chimera (or even an S like you mentioned...) but I've started looking at other things like a Fisher Fury or indeed an SS1/Sabre.
Was your S the V8, Craig? I'd always been led to believe the V6s atleast were fairly docile....
Let me explain the situation.....
I used to own an MX5. Allegedly a hardcore one as factory models go (LSD, close ratio box, uprated shocks etc - all factory fitted) and yet it still somehow felt a bit too mass produced. Recently, I've gone back to my kit car roots and replaced it with a Sylva Leader. This has no doors, no 'screen to speak of and no hood. It does however push all the buttons that the MX5 left untouched - it has a side exit exhaust 18" from my right ear which spits flames from time to time, you sit right out in the airstream and it feels completely handmade, like a racing car which took a wrong turn out of parc ferme! It's so good I want to use it every day, and that is why I'm already thinking about replacing it......
I'd like something which was not only a bit quicker and more 'full on' than say an MX5, but also something which has a bit more character. It may be a very good car subjective, but I just found the swathes of Japanese plastic a bit souless. The individualtiy (that's probably the best word I can think of to describe it...) of the Sylva is absolutely perfect, but you can't really leave outside in the work car park in case the sunny morning turns to rain, similarly even a canvass hood gives a bit more secuirty if you wanted to drive something down to the shops. In short, I'd like something that full-on that you can enjoy every day, not just on a sunny everning after work once or twice a week.
Sorry, got a bit carried away with my motoring life story there, but basically I'm in search of something which feels hand made and individual that can still be genuinely used every day without breaking the bank. My first choice was a Chimera (or even an S like you mentioned...) but I've started looking at other things like a Fisher Fury or indeed an SS1/Sabre.
Was your S the V8, Craig? I'd always been led to believe the V6s atleast were fairly docile....
hiya,
i know exactly where you are coming from. in my old job i used to car share with a guy and he had use of an MX5 so im familiar with them too.
for me i keep coming back to the SS1s as for VFM, grins per pound and the fact that with £1ks worth of mods they frighten the bejesus out of most exotica on road or track. the looks mean that you can leave it parked where you cant leave the Tiv and the stigma attached to Reliant means that when sprinting them the faces of GT3RS, 360/430 Fancy Fiat drivers etc are a picture when even our Modified class cars beat them! (essentially a "fast road", full interior spec car).
i have the 2.9V6 in my S2 and the performnace feels better than it actually is. the soundtrack and dynamics of the car make it feel more brutal and hairy than it actually is. although i dont own the V8, i believe it to be tru of them too (having competed against them on track). i hankered after a Tiv and was slightly disappointed at how little 'better' it was than the scim, other than the kudos it recieves at the pub/petrol station. A to B you work harder to travel quickly than in the wifes Focus 1.8 at teh same speed. if you want a car to make you grin and feel good, TVRs are the best. as a drivers car, the SS1 with a few mods (shocks springs intercooler 10psi boost) is a better drivers car without question than the S (and in my opinion most TVRs that ive been in/driven). with a few more mods its a devastatingly quick 2wd car.
i realise that if anyone from the Tvr forums reads this i will be shot, hung, drawn and quartered, and then tarred and feathered, but hey i'll out run them if they try and catch me!
i know exactly where you are coming from. in my old job i used to car share with a guy and he had use of an MX5 so im familiar with them too.
for me i keep coming back to the SS1s as for VFM, grins per pound and the fact that with £1ks worth of mods they frighten the bejesus out of most exotica on road or track. the looks mean that you can leave it parked where you cant leave the Tiv and the stigma attached to Reliant means that when sprinting them the faces of GT3RS, 360/430 Fancy Fiat drivers etc are a picture when even our Modified class cars beat them! (essentially a "fast road", full interior spec car).
i have the 2.9V6 in my S2 and the performnace feels better than it actually is. the soundtrack and dynamics of the car make it feel more brutal and hairy than it actually is. although i dont own the V8, i believe it to be tru of them too (having competed against them on track). i hankered after a Tiv and was slightly disappointed at how little 'better' it was than the scim, other than the kudos it recieves at the pub/petrol station. A to B you work harder to travel quickly than in the wifes Focus 1.8 at teh same speed. if you want a car to make you grin and feel good, TVRs are the best. as a drivers car, the SS1 with a few mods (shocks springs intercooler 10psi boost) is a better drivers car without question than the S (and in my opinion most TVRs that ive been in/driven). with a few more mods its a devastatingly quick 2wd car.
i realise that if anyone from the Tvr forums reads this i will be shot, hung, drawn and quartered, and then tarred and feathered, but hey i'll out run them if they try and catch me!
What sort of mods are you talking about on the Siliva powered scims and just how quick are they? I have to admit, I've never been a huge fan of turbo power delivery, but might be interesting to look into.
The TVR still appeals - as long as you can overtake Sunday drivers quickly in a straight line having to work a bit harder elsewhere sounds like fun, as long as it really is fun, not sheer terror
I think realistically for the next few years I'd remain in the (V6) S or V8 wedge price range. How 'everyday' is the S? Is the hood etc up to regular use etc?
The TVR still appeals - as long as you can overtake Sunday drivers quickly in a straight line having to work a bit harder elsewhere sounds like fun, as long as it really is fun, not sheer terror
I think realistically for the next few years I'd remain in the (V6) S or V8 wedge price range. How 'everyday' is the S? Is the hood etc up to regular use etc?firstly the scims. more boost either thru a bleed valve or cossie amal valve which can be switched from the dash, ideal for normal or 'spirited use. remove and blank off nissan pressure safety cutoff to allow more boost. 10psi is safe for no intercooler or 12-14psi with an intercooler. lots of possibilities, almost all require loss of sparewheel (use can of spray ala elise etc) or use of a spacesaver. adjustable shocks F&R, aftermarket front pads and decent tyres and the car will have in region of 150-160bhp and be quicker than the V6 S series, if kept in the right gear. the S wins every time for lazy overtaking as im sure you can imagine with a larger 6 cylinder.
next stage requires custom front springs (inro 350lb) and off the shelf 2.25" 200lb rears. change wheels to 15" (6.5-7" wide) from a Golf GTi or E30 series BMW, fit an intercooler and polybush the front suspension and F/R anti roll bars, ford sierra lsd, fit vented discs and raise boost to 13psi with colder NGK 7 plugs and 175bhp is a cert with the std T2 turbo. Performance figures are all bull anyway, but in terms of real world performance it'll see off all hot hatches and probably keep Chimeras etc honest in a straight line, and very neat handling. the last spec is the recipe for a Modified class SS1 in the sprint and hillclimb championship. check the results from events where the RRSOC have been running agianst other Marque classes and you will see that only a couple of ferraris are quicker at Prescott and all but a few 911s sneak ahead at other venues. total cost inc buying the car would be inro 2-2.5k and no rot.
as for the S, i used mine everyday and it was great, in fact like most cars of the ilk, the more use the better really. demisting isnt great, access if your tall is poor on the S1 and S2s (im 6'3) but s3 and 4s have longer doors. good legroom and head height, but some do leak in heavy downpours, although the S section will cover the cures, seals, fabsil hood material etc, again cheap and easy. my S was lazier to drive and good for it, longer legged on the motorway and had the big engine so cog swapping isnt a necessity whan crusing. the soundtrack is ace too, difficult to better imho. it does however screw any chances of driving gently for economy lol. the sound is so good (better than some v8s imho) that you cant help but 'open the taps' at every opportunity. they are mega low though with the exhaust slung under the chassis making them even lower. speed humps with two people and boot full of luggage can lead to scraping, and underground car parks/multistoreys with sharp changes of angle on the up and down ramps are embarrasing.
next stage requires custom front springs (inro 350lb) and off the shelf 2.25" 200lb rears. change wheels to 15" (6.5-7" wide) from a Golf GTi or E30 series BMW, fit an intercooler and polybush the front suspension and F/R anti roll bars, ford sierra lsd, fit vented discs and raise boost to 13psi with colder NGK 7 plugs and 175bhp is a cert with the std T2 turbo. Performance figures are all bull anyway, but in terms of real world performance it'll see off all hot hatches and probably keep Chimeras etc honest in a straight line, and very neat handling. the last spec is the recipe for a Modified class SS1 in the sprint and hillclimb championship. check the results from events where the RRSOC have been running agianst other Marque classes and you will see that only a couple of ferraris are quicker at Prescott and all but a few 911s sneak ahead at other venues. total cost inc buying the car would be inro 2-2.5k and no rot.
as for the S, i used mine everyday and it was great, in fact like most cars of the ilk, the more use the better really. demisting isnt great, access if your tall is poor on the S1 and S2s (im 6'3) but s3 and 4s have longer doors. good legroom and head height, but some do leak in heavy downpours, although the S section will cover the cures, seals, fabsil hood material etc, again cheap and easy. my S was lazier to drive and good for it, longer legged on the motorway and had the big engine so cog swapping isnt a necessity whan crusing. the soundtrack is ace too, difficult to better imho. it does however screw any chances of driving gently for economy lol. the sound is so good (better than some v8s imho) that you cant help but 'open the taps' at every opportunity. they are mega low though with the exhaust slung under the chassis making them even lower. speed humps with two people and boot full of luggage can lead to scraping, and underground car parks/multistoreys with sharp changes of angle on the up and down ramps are embarrasing.
Edited by CNHSS1 on Sunday 4th November 19:45
CNHSS1 said:
for me the S feels quick and gives you a greta feeling of ownership and usage. in the corners again it feels like you are a driving god, just dont try and outrun a mum in a modern eurobox on the school run if shes late around B roads or you could well be embarrassed lol.
Reminds me of running the 'forementioned Mazda on heavily worn Japanese spec tyres. Great for dry +30 degrees, but on a cold, damp day you could go round a roundabout broadside and still watch a housewife in a VW polo drive away from you. I know, because I have a very vivid memory of watching a standard white polo do exaclty that.
Not a problem if it's controllable though - if I really wanted to get from A to B quickly, I'd take a motorway!
Well, that has occured. The original plan was to supercharge mine. But, it just felt a bit, well, Japanese.
The (low volume) British built cars I've owned have always had a certain ammount of character - there's a sense of occasion even if you're station at the traffic lights. I'm not talking about bling factor (no offence guys, but I wouldn't be considering an SS1 if I wanted to be seen in it!) but the way it feels to you personally when you're driving it. Subjectively, the MX5 is a great car and it's dynamics are superb, but somehow it felt a little bit like being in a Japanese rep mobile that had curiously lost it's roof. I emerge from the Sylva aching, deaf and slightly shaken, but it's far more of an adventure
The (low volume) British built cars I've owned have always had a certain ammount of character - there's a sense of occasion even if you're station at the traffic lights. I'm not talking about bling factor (no offence guys, but I wouldn't be considering an SS1 if I wanted to be seen in it!) but the way it feels to you personally when you're driving it. Subjectively, the MX5 is a great car and it's dynamics are superb, but somehow it felt a little bit like being in a Japanese rep mobile that had curiously lost it's roof. I emerge from the Sylva aching, deaf and slightly shaken, but it's far more of an adventure
[quote=CNHSS1]it is true that reliants bodystylist was injured during the SS1s development....
his guide dog bit him
totally agree with the looks of the SS1, its a FUGLY little thing. it may be thats that part of its charm for owners, everyone expects it to be crap, so the surprise when you drive a reasonable example is amplified. if you are off to the NEC Classic car show this weekend, i believe there will be examples on the club stand. The club also tend to 'show' normal everyday examples rather than show queens (my racer was there last year, covered in battle scars and paintwork where the scenery has jumped out and attacked it lol). in fact the shows probably not a bad idea in your position to get a feel for all the mentioned cars on your list.
one last thing, theres no 'Scimitar-badge' tax. Owners of TVRs and Lotii will no exactly what i mean. a TVR packeted part is say £30, whereas the same part in a lowly ford motorcraft bag is £15. SS1s have no kudos, so no badge-tax.
his guide dog bit him
totally agree with the looks of the SS1, its a FUGLY little thing. it may be thats that part of its charm for owners, everyone expects it to be crap, so the surprise when you drive a reasonable example is amplified. if you are off to the NEC Classic car show this weekend, i believe there will be examples on the club stand. The club also tend to 'show' normal everyday examples rather than show queens (my racer was there last year, covered in battle scars and paintwork where the scenery has jumped out and attacked it lol). in fact the shows probably not a bad idea in your position to get a feel for all the mentioned cars on your list.
one last thing, theres no 'Scimitar-badge' tax. Owners of TVRs and Lotii will no exactly what i mean. a TVR packeted part is say £30, whereas the same part in a lowly ford motorcraft bag is £15. SS1s have no kudos, so no badge-tax.
Edited by CNHSS1 on Tuesday 6th November 15:32
Well, exactly - I know this is a cliche but it's err beauty on the inside that counts
(You only need to take a look at the pic on my profile to see I subscribe to that - OF THE CAR I hasten to add!)
Plus, there'd be nothing funnier than pulling up next to a 200SX in your 200SX powered, tweaked, lightened SS1 and dissapearing off before he can even utter a derrogatory comment.
(You only need to take a look at the pic on my profile to see I subscribe to that - OF THE CAR I hasten to add!)
Plus, there'd be nothing funnier than pulling up next to a 200SX in your 200SX powered, tweaked, lightened SS1 and dissapearing off before he can even utter a derrogatory comment.
as a sylva and Quantum owner, less than E type styling isnt gonna worry you lol!
and yes the look on 'exotica drivers' faces are a picture.
raced at Hethel test track, the home of Lotus and a guy in a then 2 month old GT3RS Porsche asked my what my car was. the look of distain at it being a Reliant changed to shock and then embarrasment when he realised i was somewhat quicker than him...
that said youre never gonna pull in an SS1, the Porker is a fanny magnet!
and yes the look on 'exotica drivers' faces are a picture.
raced at Hethel test track, the home of Lotus and a guy in a then 2 month old GT3RS Porsche asked my what my car was. the look of distain at it being a Reliant changed to shock and then embarrasment when he realised i was somewhat quicker than him...
that said youre never gonna pull in an SS1, the Porker is a fanny magnet!
I don't think the Quantum is too bad, but yeah, the Leader is one of the uglier cars ever devised. People actually seem to love it though - it's small enough to be quirky and endearing which I guess applies to the SS1 too
Don't think I actually got round to asking this previously, but how do they handle in standard trim? I seem to remember hearing quite good things about the SS1 in the past (someone really unexpected like Autocar had a small feature on them in a secondhand guide a while back IIRC)
Don't think I actually got round to asking this previously, but how do they handle in standard trim? I seem to remember hearing quite good things about the SS1 in the past (someone really unexpected like Autocar had a small feature on them in a secondhand guide a while back IIRC)
depends on the condition. as its not a 'kudos' brand, many werent lavished with love and attention so they may be on original bushes shocks etc.
in the case of all SS1s the std front shocks should only be used as shed door stops, they have no place on a motorcar! little harsh, but they were a reliant.monroe parts bin special, and not designed to run at an angle as an inboard pushrod damper. dealers tell stories of first MOTs being failed on shocks on new cars! if fitted with any other fr shocks (spax, avos etc) and given the bushes are all ok, then they are pretty nimble and very sports car like. feels lighter and more nimble than an MGB, but with a little scuttle shake on very ppor B roads. Grip levels lower than the MX5 but makes it more fun. with teh std 'open' non lsd diff, its pretty safe handling even in the wet on std springs, excessive use of the right boot, just spins the power away rather than spinning the car. as full compliment of poly bushes fro the front end is approx £120 ish iirc and makes the car sharper and will stay that way for years. the std rubber bushes are ok when new, but to be honest most are aftermarket copies rather than vauxhall originals.
best to do is have a go in one and see what you think. defo not for everyone, but might appeal to you. i would offer but the racers in bits for the winter, and the wifes car is sorned and awaiting a few bits for me to do too . the 1600 CVHs and 1400 K series are really balanced in terms of power to grip, with only the 1800 turbo having more grunt that may need respect in really horrible conditions, but its not a widow maker even then.
in the case of all SS1s the std front shocks should only be used as shed door stops, they have no place on a motorcar! little harsh, but they were a reliant.monroe parts bin special, and not designed to run at an angle as an inboard pushrod damper. dealers tell stories of first MOTs being failed on shocks on new cars! if fitted with any other fr shocks (spax, avos etc) and given the bushes are all ok, then they are pretty nimble and very sports car like. feels lighter and more nimble than an MGB, but with a little scuttle shake on very ppor B roads. Grip levels lower than the MX5 but makes it more fun. with teh std 'open' non lsd diff, its pretty safe handling even in the wet on std springs, excessive use of the right boot, just spins the power away rather than spinning the car. as full compliment of poly bushes fro the front end is approx £120 ish iirc and makes the car sharper and will stay that way for years. the std rubber bushes are ok when new, but to be honest most are aftermarket copies rather than vauxhall originals.
best to do is have a go in one and see what you think. defo not for everyone, but might appeal to you. i would offer but the racers in bits for the winter, and the wifes car is sorned and awaiting a few bits for me to do too .
the 1600 CVHs and 1400 K series are really balanced in terms of power to grip, with only the 1800 turbo having more grunt that may need respect in really horrible conditions, but its not a widow maker even then. Gassing Station | Scimitar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff