Good handling cars- tips?
Discussion
Hi all, I know this is straying away from the wonderful world of Lotus but here is a question I thought I would pose as many of us have second cars/ have had dealings with decent cars. My girlfriend wants a ‘better handling’ car than what she currently has (Saxo VTS) (please do not suggest shopping trolleys – they are excluded). I did suggest that she should also get an Elise but she doesn’t like them (I know, I know, I should get rid of her!). She wants to change her car next year and will probably be looking to spend about £12-13K, it must have 4 seats, my initial thought would be the Civic Type-R however, I have not driven one, what are they like and what else could she go for?
Thanks for any advice, suggestions and tips.
Tanman
Thanks for any advice, suggestions and tips.
Tanman
I've got a black 05 Type R, and to be honest they are Excelent cars for their money!
As with every honda they just run and run and the performance isn't bad either. Although to get the best out of it you have to rev that engine quite hard.
As for practicality there is more than enough room for 4 and the boot is amble big enough.
The only thing I find with mine is that when revvvving it hard you best get use to your local petrol station, and you can't really let rip in the wet because it is quite easy to lose it.
Although like any car you have to give it the respect it deserves.
Another good car to consider is a Cooper S, you should be able to pick one of these up on a 52reg for your budget. My Good Lady has one and I Love taking it out for a spin. Now I know I'm going to upset Havoc But "I think" The cooper S handles better than the Type R.
The cooper S IMHO is the closest your going to get to an Elise for Handling, Plus there cool cars.
Still there both no match for an Elise
>> Edited by cfoster on Thursday 4th August 19:17
As with every honda they just run and run and the performance isn't bad either. Although to get the best out of it you have to rev that engine quite hard.
As for practicality there is more than enough room for 4 and the boot is amble big enough.
The only thing I find with mine is that when revvvving it hard you best get use to your local petrol station, and you can't really let rip in the wet because it is quite easy to lose it.
Although like any car you have to give it the respect it deserves.
Another good car to consider is a Cooper S, you should be able to pick one of these up on a 52reg for your budget. My Good Lady has one and I Love taking it out for a spin. Now I know I'm going to upset Havoc But "I think" The cooper S handles better than the Type R.
The cooper S IMHO is the closest your going to get to an Elise for Handling, Plus there cool cars.
Still there both no match for an Elise
>> Edited by cfoster on Thursday 4th August 19:17
'Better handling' can be very subjective. What exactly is it that she doesn't like about the Saxo?
Of the current generation of FWD hot hatchbacks which I have driven personally I like the Clio Sport 182 Cup the best...certainly head and shoulders above the Cooper S and Honda Civic Type R, but that's just me. Ride/handling/steering feel is always a compromise, so no two people will ever agree on the 'ideal'.
Of the current generation of FWD hot hatchbacks which I have driven personally I like the Clio Sport 182 Cup the best...certainly head and shoulders above the Cooper S and Honda Civic Type R, but that's just me. Ride/handling/steering feel is always a compromise, so no two people will ever agree on the 'ideal'.
Mrs Gooby is saying the same sort of thing. We tried the Civic Type R. It is superb, a brilliant drive but the interior is awful, the red on black is horrid and the exterior is dull to say the least. The ITR may not be as quick but it is far better looking and a more entertaining drive.
We are going to test drive a RX8 soon. I am looking forward to it. It has a lovely interior and it is very pretty. I am not keen on all the nanny aids but they are ideal for my wife.
I had not considered the Mini untill reading this thread. I dont think there is enough boot space for my diving gear.
I would dearly like to find a Pajero Evolution. If you think what mushybushy did to the lancer, they did the same to the Pajero. It has never been available over here but there are a fe imports about. I tried one before we got our normal pajero but I couldnt afford it at the time. They are quick in the biblical sence.
We are going to test drive a RX8 soon. I am looking forward to it. It has a lovely interior and it is very pretty. I am not keen on all the nanny aids but they are ideal for my wife.
I had not considered the Mini untill reading this thread. I dont think there is enough boot space for my diving gear.
I would dearly like to find a Pajero Evolution. If you think what mushybushy did to the lancer, they did the same to the Pajero. It has never been available over here but there are a fe imports about. I tried one before we got our normal pajero but I couldnt afford it at the time. They are quick in the biblical sence.
My choice for an entertaining hot hatch would be the Clio 182, although I'd personally go for a normal 'spec'd' model rather than the more basic Cup. The Trophy model is the best of the lot, and is a fantastic car for the £13,500 you can get one for.
However, I've driven a Clio 172 extensively and find that it doesn't handle as well as my own MINI Cooper Works (on 18" wheels). As a driving package the Clio is perhaps better, but not by very much. Having said that, the MINI is not without its flaws; the rear seats are small and uncomfortable (so I've been told), the boot space is virtually non-existant, and fuel consumption of my 1.6 is worse than that of the faster 2.0 Clio.
I shall be taking delivery of an S2 Exige in the next few weeks, and if the test drive I had earlier this week is anything to go by, I shall experience a new level of handling.
I'm just a bit scared of how she'll go in the wet!
However, I've driven a Clio 172 extensively and find that it doesn't handle as well as my own MINI Cooper Works (on 18" wheels). As a driving package the Clio is perhaps better, but not by very much. Having said that, the MINI is not without its flaws; the rear seats are small and uncomfortable (so I've been told), the boot space is virtually non-existant, and fuel consumption of my 1.6 is worse than that of the faster 2.0 Clio.
I shall be taking delivery of an S2 Exige in the next few weeks, and if the test drive I had earlier this week is anything to go by, I shall experience a new level of handling.
I'm just a bit scared of how she'll go in the wet!
my 2p's worth if you are interested.
I used to have a clio 172 - fantastic hot hatch with great power through the range. Cheap to buy - depreciation steep. Great fun and lots of toys to boot.
Before that was a 206 grand tourisme - crap dont go there.
Missus currently has cooper s. Great cult car - build quality exceptional, fast and handles almost as well as clio. Expensive, but depreciation very slight. Service costs nil ;-). Only thing i dont like is the clutch.
I tried a type R - very fast, but i dont like the high revs needed to get the power. That's the reason just switched from a T350T to a 111s. I dont like the toyota engine second cam at 6,250rpm....!
;-)
I used to have a clio 172 - fantastic hot hatch with great power through the range. Cheap to buy - depreciation steep. Great fun and lots of toys to boot.
Before that was a 206 grand tourisme - crap dont go there.
Missus currently has cooper s. Great cult car - build quality exceptional, fast and handles almost as well as clio. Expensive, but depreciation very slight. Service costs nil ;-). Only thing i dont like is the clutch.
I tried a type R - very fast, but i dont like the high revs needed to get the power. That's the reason just switched from a T350T to a 111s. I dont like the toyota engine second cam at 6,250rpm....!
;-)
delivery dave said:
Havoc?
You rang, m'lord?
Damn...I'm infamous...this isn't good. Any way out of it now?!?
Cfoster...never owned a CTR...the steering lets it down, the ride is fidgety (certainly the earlier ones) and it looks like a breadvan!!!
And you'll get no disagreement from me on the handling. RCDuck7 - A GOOD rwd car should be better than a GOOD fwd car, but it's not automatic...there're plenty of lame rwd cars out there which an Elan Mk2, an MCS, a 182, a Focus RS or an ITR would run rings around for handling and enjoyment.
Back to the question...lot of good suggestions...
- RX8 is a great car to drive, but probably too £££.
- MCS is very good, but bit pricey for what you get, even 2nd hand (the downside to being fashionable).
- On the other hand, the 182 with Cup pack is an absolute hoot, but they have inconsistent build quality and a poor driving position (recaro's supposed to improve things). £13k would get you a new Clio with Cup pack and 3 yrs warranty.
- CTR should be driven...driving position, gearbox, and engine are all first class, and it grips and turns-in really well...it just feels a bit numb after the MCS and Clio.
- ST170 shouldn't be excluded either...very very good chassis, and feels more special inside than the Clio, even if the Clio has that extra 10th.
Hang on...how much are Racing Puma's?!?
What about a Cupra R now there quick, plus it has 4 doors for that added practical Bonus.
Never driven one so maybe someone on here can shed some light on what there like for you.
Or a Celica 190 T-Sport, My friend just picked up a 03 plate with 7k on the clock for 14k. In all fairness to him it's a really nice motor and like the Honda, the build quality is bullet proof.
Never driven one so maybe someone on here can shed some light on what there like for you.
Or a Celica 190 T-Sport, My friend just picked up a 03 plate with 7k on the clock for 14k. In all fairness to him it's a really nice motor and like the Honda, the build quality is bullet proof.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff