I drove a MK1 today

[Negativvv]

My MK2 tubby was more capable then my MK1 thats for sure. Ya need better driving stiles(heeeheeeheee) to drive a mk2 fast.

Come to Sussex and I'll take you down some of the country roads round here in the MK1. You'll be glad you not in a MK2 as its all down to handling, the power advantage of the MK2 is negated very quickly - I know as I have left MK2 Turbo's behind, BMW M3s and all manner of cars due to the twisty nature of the roads.

Soz if im wrong but wouldnt that be partly due to you knowing the roads and being a better driver? Rather than the machinary? A friend of mine in darkest Cornwall dispatches all sorts of performance in his Volvo 740 estate because he knows the roads inside out and isnt afraid to give it some!

The mk1 is awesome tho Anyone want to lend me an mk2 so i might change my mind?

[Tiamat]

Soz if im wrong but wouldnt that be partly due to you knowing the roads and being a better driver? Rather than the machinary? A friend of mine in darkest Cornwall dispatches all sorts of performance in his Volvo 740 estate because he knows the roads inside out and isnt afraid to give it some!

The mk1 is awesome tho Anyone want to lend me an mk2 so i might change my mind?

That is a possibility, but to be honest the roads I use are only used by local people, I always take it as a challenge if there is a more powerful car behind me to see how quick I can lose then at the NSL and staying within the lines. Had the M3 cutting corners trying to keep up with me and he certainly wasn't shy about booting it either.

[Bibbs]

I love the comments about "feel", "handling" etc ..

My Skateboard had the most "feel" of anything I've had on the road. But is it quicker in the twisties than my BMX? .. Nope.

[EarL]

I'm luck enough to own both, and I have to say, I was well dubious about the MkI before I got round to buying one.

The thing that made me think again was driving Malc's (Tiamat) at the North Wealde track day. It really was, was so much fun, I couldn't believe it.

Drive both, and find out for yourself. MkII for power & MkI for handling.

...better still, get a MkI and fit a superchartged V6 and teach everyone a lesson.

EarL.

[Igor]

I love the comments about "feel", "handling" etc ..

My Skateboard had the most "feel" of anything I've had on the road. But is it quicker in the twisties than my BMX? .. Nope.

i'd like to see a BMX doing this

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4pMIIIw_D9I

[BenF]

I've tracked all (and hey, don't forget the Roadster)

My first 'track' car was my old Mk2 Turbo - very rapid, lots of grip, huge fun and very rapid when driven competently but IMO on the limit isn't very forgiving once you've got a few degrees of opposite lock on - you need to be precise and on the ball to keep a nice slide going and recover it.

The Mk1 NA I've got is much more progressive and has a very 'elastic' limit. It also makes you feel much more the hooligan in it - my C plate '85 car can be much more rapid than you think its got any right to be (or your typical outside lane rep-mobiles driver does) and is great fun down a track or across country.

The Roadster + Turbo conversion though IMO combines the best of the two - the power and torque of the MK2 Turbo, plus the handling from the Mk1 to make a really great overall package. Consumables (eg Tyres ) are cheap too at just over £200 a set for trackdays too

[tonigmr2]

Yes I must speak up for the MK3, I've been pleasantly surprised at how responsive it is. Needs more power in standard guise....

Of all the MK1s and MK2s I've owned I'd really put it down to individual cars. Some of the MK2s were just awful, but my yellow turbo was wonderful, best ever. I think MK1s are just so much fun and you feel closer to it all somehow though.

T

[Rogue]

Yes I must speak up for the MK3, I've been pleasantly surprised at how responsive it is. Needs more power in standard guise....

Had Toyota put a decent 200+ bhp engine into the back of the mk3 we wouldn't even be having this discussion right now - they handle the best out of all three mks.

I think MK1s are just so much fun and you feel closer to it all somehow though.

Rust holes in the floor...

Patrick

[Tiamat]

I think MK1s are just so much fun and you feel closer to it all somehow though.

I always feel more in touch with my MK1 then with the MK2 turbo. The steering is more confident, the handling just feels better, I don't even notice the power difference to be honest.

If I had to choose between the two I 'd choose the MK1 as I simply have more fun in it.

[shibby!]

Mk3's are very good!

Not a huge fan, but i did drive one a while back. It was a bit of a laugh but it was only because i wasnt too bothered if i ditched it!

I am a Mk2 fan.

But then i drove a Mk3, and it handled REALLY well. It defo needs more power, but i would get one if it had a good amount of power.

Only problem is, that it looks a little girly, i can just see me pulling up at the traffic lights with the roof off, and being called a faggot!

Nick

[Negativvv]

The Mk1 NA I've got is much more progressive and has a very 'elastic' limit. It also makes you feel much more the hooligan in it - my C plate '85 car can be much more rapid than you think its got any right to be (or your typical outside lane rep-mobiles driver does) and is great fun down a track or across country.

I swear my mk1a is seriously quick, its not just the sensation of not having very much to propel, im sure its quicker on the roads i normally drive on than my last car with very similar bhp...

Does mid engine suffer the least transmission loss out of all the different possible setups?

[un1eash]

mid engine rear wheel drive suffer from more power loss then a front wheel drive car. I'm sure my mk2 feels quicker then it really is, dont get me wrong i love it and now ive got konis it handles great and is even more fun but i do think it lacks power.

I didnt think our C2 VTS was as quick when driving it compared tp the mk1 but the more ive driven it i reakon it would leave a standard mk1 behind in a straight line and even round some twisties.

[jont]

mid engine rear wheel drive suffer from more power loss then a front wheel drive car.

How do you reckon that, given the engine set up in the MR2 is identical to FWD (ie transverse engine driving wheels at the same end)?. I'd agree that a longitudinal setup would be worse, but that's not how the MR2 is set up.

One reason the Mk1 might feel quick is that modern cars have so much sound absorption, softer ride etc that hide the feeling of speed. Like a mini, which is incredibly direct.

[tonigmr2]

Yes I must speak up for the MK3, I've been pleasantly surprised at how responsive it is. Needs more power in standard guise....

Had Toyota put a decent 200+ bhp engine into the back of the mk3 we wouldn't even be having this discussion right now - they handle the best out of all three mks.

I think MK1s are just so much fun and you feel closer to it all somehow though.

Rust holes in the floor...

Patrick

I still do slaps you know.

I agree re: MK3. But you can stop now with the tempting.
T

[HT]

mid engine rear wheel drive suffer from more power loss then a front wheel drive car. I'm sure my mk2 feels quicker then it really is, dont get me wrong i love it and now ive got konis it handles great and is even more fun but i do think it lacks power.

I didnt think our C2 VTS was as quick when driving it compared tp the mk1 but the more ive driven it i reakon it would leave a standard mk1 behind in a straight line and even round some twisties.

Possibly your C2 would; got no ideas about the specs of the citroen, but wouldn't be that surprised if it was quicker around bends - levels of grip in modern cars are much higher 20 yrs on. However on the power front many cars are quicker off the line, but the mk1 has very flexiable power once its rolling - particularly at high revs, with useful gearing to match.

[Lauren]

Only problem is, that it looks a little girly, i can just see me pulling up at the traffic lights with the roof off, and being called a faggot!

Nick

Well i guess its only an issue if you have doubts about your sexuality.

[dragoonlordz]

One reason the Mk1 might feel quick is that modern cars have so much sound absorption, softer ride etc that hide the feeling of speed. Like a mini, which is incredibly direct.

i must admit now that you mention it my mk2 feels the same as my austin mini not bmw mini (ewwww) used too for acceloration / handling though not top speed obviously
ofcourse i did drop a 1.3 metro engine in it and stuck a 5 speed box in it though that much power in such a small car was scary lol a. becuase i hadnt changed / upgraded the brake system hehe and b. becuase it had no power steering.