Conference terri::cars_uk

Bob,

I thought about this, but rejected it in favour of a Renault 19 16V or
3 door Rover 216 GTI. Mainly because it is > 1000 pounds dearer than
these cars.

On the good side, all mags I've read rate this as the best hot hatch
around, with the Renault 19 16v coming in second.

Greg

    I have tested the R19-16V but found it was an awful lot of work to get
    any kind of descent performance from the car... (it had around 6000
    miles on it when tested).  The prices I have seen thus far on the lease
    scheme seem quite favorable with the R19 & similar...
    
    Bob

oh, no...not another Renault 19 topic !!!!!

>On the good side, all mags I've read rate this as the best hot hatch
>around, with the Renault 19 16v coming in second.


Are you sure they're talking about the GTi and not the GTi-R?

Ian

> Are you sure they're talking about the GTi and not the GTi-R?


Talking about the GTi.


I  have the What Car review in front of me.

Greg

    If you want a GTi-R it is hardley a "Hot Hatch" unless you concider the
    6R4 to be a hot hatch.... Big power difference admitedly... but a
    similar car none the less...
    
    Bob

    
    And a GTi-R is hardly a 6R4 - More of a Mazda 4x4 Turbo.
    
    Mark

 

    The GTi-R is in the Cosworth/Quattro/'grale class.... 
    
    220bhp (roadgoing), 4wd, circa �21k+

    

    
    Re .8
    
    It maybe on the road, but it's not in the Integrale (or even Cosworth)
    grade as a works rally car.
    
    Still, I don't doubt for one minute that, from behind the wheel, it's a 
    very desirable motor.
    
    Mark

    
    

    ...give it time... 

    
    Maybe, but Nissan have given up on it. They withdrew from the WRC.
    
    Mark

    I am just back from test driving the Sunny GTi...
    
    It is a *very* appealing car to drive... if I were asked to describe
    it, I would have to say that it reminded me very much of the 309 GTi
    Chassis, combined with a power plant that seems to pull forever... one
    criticism is the steering... too light, at least in town... but overall
    an excellent little car.... where's that quote form...!!!!
    
    Bob

What Car March 1992
 Summary

Cars tested

Nissan Sunny GTI 14,950
Ford Escort XR3i 14,995
Renault 19 16V 13,225
Vauxhall Astra SRi 12,350

Summary of Nissan bit:

This car's performance is in a different league from anything offerred
by the other cars.

..suffers from snatchy jerkiness when crawling in town traffic, as 205
GTI's do.

Steering (compared to 19 16V), lighter, less sharp and more obviously
power assisted.

Grips tenaciously, claws into bends with barely hint of understeer.

On wet/bumpy road Nissan can get unruly

Nissan easy to drive, lots of rear headroom, not much rear legroom.

Ratings

NISSAN   *****
RENAULT  ****
FORD     ***
VAUXHALL **

Has anyone who reads this notesfile actually got a sunny GTI 2.0,
or managed to test drive one. If so I'd appreciate hearing any comments 
they have about it, especially if they can compare it with a 
Renault 5 GT Turbo (my current car) or the Renault 19 or Clio 16V.

I've test driven the renault 19 and clio 16v, but the NISSAN 
garage here in Reading would only let me sit in their sunny
once they found out it would be a lease car.

The quotes I've got at present are:

Renault 19 16v       = 619
Renault Clio 16v     = 157
Nissan Sunny 2.0 GTI = 602

None of which seem too bad.

Phil.

    Phil,
    
    I test drove a Sunny GTi 2.0L "Press Car" with about 4500 miles on the
    clock.
    
    I think I have a previous reply in the conf. but here we go:
    
    Overall, an excellent car to drive (at the time I had a 2.0L 8valve
    GTE, and the sunny in a traight line blew the GTE away.  On the
    corners, there was a *very* sharp turn in but once on line. in the dry,
    the sunny would have simply pulled away from my GTE without loosing
    traction (though when the road waa a little rougher you could easyily
    loose traction).  
    
    I have also driven the R16v, and found it lacking in comparison to the
    Sunny GTi.. The R16v was simply boring in comparison. (IMHO ofcourse).
    
    What did I end up with... an Audi 80!... Unfortunately I am an
    enginner, and the GTi was ruled out due to lack of space for kit boxes
    (not me you understand, my managers view).
    
    It may be worth calling Nissan UK to find out if there is still a press
    car going about, if there is they may be able to arrange a drive.
    
    Bob

    
    RE: 14
    
    Davenport Vernon, allowed me a test drive in the Primera, despite
    knowing it would be a lease car?
    
    They do have a specialist for 'fleet sales', Mike Clarke, but in his
    absence, I found the other sales staff equally helpful.
    
    Infact, contrary to a number of notes in this conference, I've had no
    difficulty getting attention/test-drives with all local dealers. I've
    always said it was a lease car, but apart from the odd gripe, "We've
    never had an order from Digital", (which I ignore) persistent interest
    has always delivered attention.
    
    Reg

Thanks for the replies, 

I've contacted Davenport Vernon, and have arranged a test drive
for next Thursday. I guess I give up too easily when visiting
garages, I tend to expect them to try selling the car to me
(i.e. offer me a test drive) rather than me having to pester
them for one. 

I phoned Balldocks in Bracknell regarding the Renaults and within
30 mins their fleet dept. had been in contact with Renault UK
and arranged the clio for 3 days followed by the 19 for
5 days (including a weekend). Both cars were delivered to DEC Park,
all I had to do was pick up the keys and drive them.

I agree with the previous noter about the 19 16V - O.K. performance,
good equipment, goodish handling, plenty of interior space,
it just seemed to lack any excitement factor. Guess that's 
the problem when you've had an R5 GTT for three years.

Phil.

    Phil, another car you should should try is the Fiesta RS 1800 (has
    anyone got one of these).
    
    Then again, you might not like Fords. Not many people do in this
    conference :-)
    
    Royston

    
    Sunny GTI was the What Car performance hatchback of the year this year.
    They raved over it compared to all the usual hot hatches. 
    
    Still, test it for youeself -- it's only your view that matters ....
    
    
    Colin