I think the sport represents excellent value for money. Stick the facelift bumpers on it, some better suspension, couple of silver wing mirror covers and some wheels with a proper offset (it needs a wider track) and you've got a cracking car with performance, economy and looks.
No idea how the insurance compares, I've never checked.
Just having a quick look on Autotrader. 52 plate, 90k Sport 130 is £2800. 54 plate 90k FR is £5k (and the FR isn't a facelift, so thats the same car, 2 years newer for £2200 more). Why by the FR, they're both going to need new suspension anyway.
Definately heading towards the sport price wise seems like a brilliantly deal especially as money save can imporve handling and power later.
I'd personally say get the sport and use the money you have saved over the FR to buy coilovers, 20mm spacers for the rear wheels, and an anti roll bar also for the rear. Will make a massive difference to the way the car handles. Also id spend a reasonable amount on a decent set of tyres as that can make a big difference.
Remaps are also worthwhile.
And in answer to the question about FR bumpers, the range was facelifted in 2006, and the ones with the more aggresive bumpers are the facelift models. Thats why you will find FR's with similar style bumpers to the sports.
got ya cheers for clarification of that mate was a bit confused but thought it was something like that.
No im saying they are so bad, id rather use milk bottle tops inline with my own feet to stop me.
What brake diameter are the rears on a standard Calibra/Cav Turbo? Also specify each axle weight.
Without being rude, my 312mm set up with 501 dot can barely manage fast road use, and just held on at cadwell earlier this year. However I had huge brake fade over in germany on this long toll road you might have heard (I will admit however I was braking more than needed as never been on before, nor played any silly games so had no idea what was next)
Your not wrong about pads, hense why good ones are so expensive. However there is also the caliper you need to think of, and simply put, the 288mm set up as a whole, is poor. I have no doubt if you spend silly money on decent discs and good pads, they are ok for normal road use on standard power. Anymore, or this 'fast' road use you speak off, and the standard brakes are crap.
I guess it all comes down to what people class as fast road use, and normal driving aswell. It might be your fast road use, would be my daily drive to work, whilst my fast road use, is your nutter driving.
This being said, my current tank of diesel is seeing my trip computer state 56mpg.
I only hear the 288mm v 312mm brake upgrade debate from people who dont have 312mm. Funny that
as im looking at doing quite a look gonna try get my heads on a relatively low mileage model around 40/50k ish and got lots of plans for this motor was thinking forge fmic, full exhaust (not sure of the best yet), coils, rarb, 312 tt brakes, remap, possibly hybrid turbo if im really willling hope to build something to be on a par with a mates corsa vxr. any ideas??