Hello all

I wondered if anyone could offer a comparison between the Sport and the Turbo? I'm currently running a Fiesta si, great for what it is but I've now outgrown it! My main reasons for getting shut of it are, I've had it nearly three years, it's getting old/high miles, it's not fast enough and I desperately want a Scoob!

The situation is this: I can afford a Turbo (P-reg or so) I can insure one £1200 or so but as I'm not that flush running it and generally living might be a problem! This is where the Sport comes in, saving around £400 a year on insurance alone seems like the sensible idea!

Would I be disapointed with the Sports performance? Or on the other hand would I be disapointed with the Turbo should I go the Sport route then upgrade to a Turbo later?I suppose one option is to test drive both but even if you were to go out for an hour or so you still don't get a true feel for the car.

At 24 I am aware of the diference in power between the Fiesta and a Scoob Turbo but without wanting to sound cocky I've worked in the motor trade as a technician for eight years and have driven various fast cars.

Your opinions would be welcomed and if you want a Fiesta let me know!

Bob

 

Do what I did, go to a dealer test drive a turbo, and you will realise there is no substitute!!!

Go for the turbo, it will save you wondering what if!!!

Andy

 

I had a Sport for 12 months before I got the turbo. It was "P" with 12 months warranty stil on it.

It was great. "Only" 120 bhp. That would have been considered tremendous not so long ago. It still has plenty of get up and go as it is such a light car.

AWD fantastic cornering. But best of all the "hill holder clutch" what a fantastic device. All cars should have one.

Servicing costs were exactly the same as for the turbo. mpg slightly better, ran it on NUL.

Insurance, oddly I was paying more for the Sport, until I shopped around.

I don't really know why I had to have a turbo, I guess it was so whatever happens next, I can say I did it. But what a car........

Oh yeah, and turbo or sport you get a great camaraderie from other "niche" owners.

 

Bob,

I had an MY97 Sport for about 18 months beforing trading it for an MY98 Turbo last autumn.

The Sport is a good car but I never found it an exciting or inspiring one. Handles reasonably well but it is set up pretty soft, at least compared to assorted hot hatches I'd driven before. Plenty of traction obviously but it only has 120 bhp or so. In a reasonably big car thats certainly enough to make good progress but its pushing it a bit to describe it as a performance car.

The Turbo is clearly a whole different ball game. Suspension is much stiffer, brakes are better (yes, even the 2 pot set up - the Sport has rear drums) - oh, and its a lot quicker in a straight line But its also a lot more expensive to insure and drinks even more fuel. Ultimately its all down to personal preference (yours and possibly your bank manager's ).

With hindsight, although I enjoyed the Sport, I think I should probably have bought a Turbo instead. At the time I didn't even consider one as I thought it would be too expensive. The reality was that the Sport just made me want a Turbo - so I ended up changing cars much earlier than I had planned which probably cost me even more money!

G

 

BOB.T
I've owned both within the last couple of years.I had the sport 1st for approx 15 months & did enjoy it,certainly cheaper to insure group 13(turbo is 17)after having it for about 4 months i then test drove a turbo for the 1st time and that was it i had to have one,it's all i could think about & what made matters worse was my brother got one before me,eventually i got a uk turbo & have had it for approx 16 months now and wouldn't part with it.
To compare the two yes the insurance is cheaper for the sport and it uses less petrol(unleaded)the servicing for the sport is also a bit cheaper.
Myself i'd rather have an older turbo than a newer sport,go for the turbo if you can but if money dictates otherwise you won't be unhappy with a sport(reasonable performance + it's still 4wd)you could run it for a while as i did and get a turbo later.
Good luck
SCD Simon


[This message has been edited by SCD Simon (edited 28 March 2001).]

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR><B>
The reality was that the Sport just made me want a Turbo - so I ended up changing cars much earlier than I had planned which probably cost me even more money!
[/quote]

I've had both and I could not have put it better myself!!!!

Otis.

 

Thanks guys! Now I really don't know what to do!I might have to go the sensible route and get a sport, more for financial reasons than any other. It doesn't seem such a bad idea as nobody slated the sport, as I was hoping but equaly none of you raved about it either, still it's got to be another step up the ladder from a Fiesta!

The thing I'm worried about is that I've driven a legacy turbo and and impreza turbo ( with blue lights and funny blue and yellow stripes) and was blown away by each of them. I suppose it's test drive time, wish me luck!

Bob

PS I notice there was no offers on the fezzy!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BOB.T:
[B]Thanks guys! Now I really don't know what to do!I might have to go the sensible route and get a sport, more for financial reasons than any other. It doesn't seem such a bad idea as nobody slated the sport, as I was hoping but equaly none of you raved about it either, still it's got to be another step up the ladder from a Fiesta!
I bought a sport following a test drive from a Volvo dealer, great handling great car comfortable,shuddering clutch took it to Subaru dealer for service, test drove new turbo, there really is no comparison, the car I got is a 96 Turbo with PPP greatest car Iv ever driven go for the Turbo if you can youll only regret it later, I only had the sport for a month

 

Bob - You are in the same boat as me You desperately want a Scoob but know deep down that if you have one there'll be no more swift beers down the pub...or clothes....or food...or anything else

I am now under extreme pressure as well so even though I have enjoyed test driving the Turbos ( ) I will have to wait. Basically I have to give the green dog (Primera) back to the company this Friday so need to buy a car on Saturday to get to work on Monday. ****

My plan for now is to buy another 205 GTi for about £1500. Whilst I have this for the next year I can save up for the Scoob. 12 months, I will have saved a few grand up, and hopefully have a better job. Problem solved I have wanted a Scoob for 4 years now so another year wont make that much difference. The sport is probably "fun", but thats all.

 

DW, exactly the same wavelength! The rest of you just want me to go into financial ruin!

So then, if I get a Sport I'll just get bored, if I get a turbo I'm gonna have even less of a life than I have now, hmmm!

I now think I might just keep the fezzy, pay it,next year and be bored then go the whole hog, massive loan and a Turbo! 'ck it!

I could always put word round that mines 4sale and if it goes it goes, then I'll get a .........

Bob

 

Bob

You could do what I'm thinking of doing. Pug 205 Mi16 converted with twin 45's. 160bhp standard, 175bhp carbs, sounds like a Fireblade with the carbs on. There are a couple for sale on the Trader website for about £3000. (search with keyword Mi16v)

I haven't checked insurance yet though, but know they are bloody fast and handle well - I used to have a standard one.

If you are going to look at any Scoobs and need a hand mail me Just not this weekend as I will be on the mad car hunt.

 

Cheers DW

I'm not a big fan of pugs in general, I think working in the trade has put me off. It may be worth considering something along those lines though, an S1 Escort turbo praps!

I'm also available to look at cars if you like? I'm busy on saturday and plan to be still p***ed on sunday morning but I'm free in the afternoon or through the week.

Bob

 

Bob

I may take you up on that one m8. I need to plan some sort of car hunt and look at about 6 or so, so will mail you or post.

DW

 

I had a sport for about 2 months and then went straight into a P1 the sport was great fun to drive, especially after two years of driving a vx frontera ! certainly got me back into driving, loved every minute of the sport, never faltered once... however the P1.... well thats just awesome mate

Greg

 

Ain't no comparison. If you test drive a Turbo you *will* buy one. So if the finances don't stand up (mine didn't but what the hell) buy a Sport and be happy with it.