Has anyone diven one?

If so how does it compare to a standard UK Turbo?

I'm thinking about ordering one to replace my MY99 5dr but I've heard mixed reports.

Any comments gratefully received

TIA

Hadi

 

Technically it's a very nice car, revs to 9k, super suspension and so on. You would, however miss your scoobies tenacious grip and the sheer grunt of the torque.

 

I drove one in July last year - all I can say is that you need to rev it's nuts off! to get anywhere and even then, the power of it is not like any Turbo - ie. there's no 'surge' in any way - you just get linear smooth power which unfortunately feels like no power at all!

It's also very cramped inside - no bigger than an MX-5, two seats, small boot, etc...

With respect "how does it compare to a standard UK Turbo?" - they are totally different cars! If you're used to the 'turbo feel' you'll be disappointed with the power - like when testing a Lotus Elise - the first thing that hits you is, hello, where's the power?

Rich.

 

Thanks chaps.

Rich:

Although there's no 'surge' is it true that it's quicker to 60 than than the scooby?

How did it feel round town and on the motorway/dual carriageway?

I've ended up having to do far more mway driving than I thought before buying my car and it is just horrible (tramlining etc)

 

Only driven round Donnington Park. Its well screwed together, great on the track, noisy on the road, hard work to get even average performance out of it, real concentration needed to get high performance. On Motorway would imagine it is not the worlds bst cruiser! Does give a bit of a surge about 7k, but how often do you want to have to keep above 7k?

Round Donnington, it was all 2nd and 3rd gear, whereas in most other cars it is 3rd and 4th. On tight country lanes, you will find yourself dropping down to 1st gear round some corners.

 

Have you checked your scoobies geometry is correctly setup? Bad geometry may easily account for the tramlining, assuming you don't have silly 18" wheels with painted on rubber, of course!

 

....and of course it is hugely expensive, even as an import

 

Hadi,

Truth is, I only drove it for about 15 minutes so I can't really give you a real good comparison with the UK Turbo, coupled with the fact that UK-wise, I've only driven a 'Prodrived' car so can't comment in that area. But the gut feeling is that it feels 'gutless' unless you rev it like mad!.

However, I must say it's VERY well screwed together, looks good (hood up or down) and sounds glorious when revs are > 7K revs.

And Ran' you can get them now for around 20-21K imported from Belgium - yeah, ok, still not good value when compared to an imported but UK spec Turbo for around £14K.