Buying a 9N GTI

[DeanB]

Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really

[flat6]

Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really

True, the new GTI is practically a girls car now

[break]

hmm. interesting. does anyone know roughly what the 0-100 is on a tuned 1.8?

Best i've ever seen anyone manage is around the 6.2s mark.... and that was a fantastic launch and shifts.

Realistically, I'd expect most normal drivers to manage between 6.5 and 7.0 to 100km/h (most of that being eaten up with loss of traction thanks to the lack of LSD)

Funny how times change. I remember when the GTI moniker stood for small car, large engine, manual transmission, etc

Nowadays people want it to be some sort of GT (Grand Tourer) style car - auto/DSG, small economical engine, refined suspension, etc

All a bit of a shame really

You're just looking for a hot hatch from the wrong manufacturer. I made the switch to a real hot hatch and I've never looked back. Sure, I get flogged on the straights, particularly if I'm not in the right gear at the right time.... but this car brings *so* much more of a smile to my face than the Polo ever managed.

[noone]

And what was the price tag?

[DeanB]

And what was the price tag?

He won't have got change from $30k for a brand new one ....

[insanekiwi]

(most of that being eaten up with loss of traction thanks to the lack of LSD)

Clio Sports are certainly nice cars - however, LSD limiting the 0-100km/h is wrong. The traction is an issue with FWD, not due to lack of LSD.

[seangti]

You're just looking for a hot hatch from the wrong manufacturer. I made the switch to a real hot hatch and I've never looked back. Sure, I get flogged on the straights, particularly if I'm not in the right gear at the right time.... but this car brings *so* much more of a smile to my face than the Polo ever managed.

The two cars are chalk and cheese for the desired purpose/intention, for solely fun factor you are absolutely correct, the clio is great, on the track it is simply better than the lightly modded polo could ever want to be. But for daily driving where comfort, NVH, gear shift feel and steering weight (bear in mind I refer to a daily), the Polo is better suited to that.

How many Clio's did you look at till you found one that you would own? I looked at 4 and gave up, a mate was onto his 5th when he bought it in Townsville (and will now sell it cos he bought a Golf GTI cos the clio was too uncomfortable for daily commuting).

[99_FGT]

Oi, I heard that.
Agree with what Sean says, and not with Break. Never had launch limited by a LSD, but that is not the 172/182's strong point anyway.
The build quality and finish is definitely in favour of the polo though.
Al..

HTC rocks

[break]

Clio Sports are certainly nice cars - however, LSD limiting the 0-100km/h is wrong. The traction is an issue with FWD, not due to lack of LSD.

You haven't driven a FWD with a proper LSD setup (new Focus RS is a great example). It makes up for most of the problems at the power levels we are talking about.

The two cars are chalk and cheese for the desired purpose/intention, for solely fun factor you are absolutely correct, the clio is great, on the track it is simply better than the lightly modded polo could ever want to be. But for daily driving where comfort, NVH, gear shift feel and steering weight (bear in mind I refer to a daily), the Polo is better suited to that.

How many Clio's did you look at till you found one that you would own? I looked at 4 and gave up, a mate was onto his 5th when he bought it in Townsville (and will now sell it cos he bought a Golf GTI cos the clio was too uncomfortable for daily commuting).

Oh I absolutely agree that the Polo is miles ahead when it comes to the daily commute. It has the torque where you need it, firm but supple ride, nice light steering, nice light clutch, and a decent seat position.

But yeah, I actually bought the first Clio I saw (well, I looked at a few... and made an offer on the one I saw first). Yes, they are French and suffer typical French build quality.... but as I said, it's not the point of the Clio. As a hot hatch around the mountains they are sublime.... doing just about everything else they are compromised.

But the question is what do you want more in a sports car? I know what I prefer... but I also know that that doesn't suit 90% of buyers.

[kangfu]

Very different cars. The frenchies sure do handle sublimely (i've had a few), but for now i am addicted to boost in my Pogo.