Cupra Compared to focus MK1

[tom_mar]

Hi
I was looking at buying a cupra in the next few months but I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a few questions I have
At the moment I drive a 1.8 focus zetec mk1 and am a little worried by reading some opinions on here that the handling may not be as good on the cupra as it currently is on my focus. I think the handling is really good on my focus nice and fluid and fun when it gets twisty.
I would not have much money to spend on the cupra so could only really do the rear wheel spacer's and a front strut brace to improve the handling. Any one have any experience of a mk1 focus and a cupra?
Also at the moment I manage to coax 37 mpg (39 with super) out of the focus could I expect to get near these figures with the cupra?
Thanks for any comments
Tom

 

[Forbez]

Probably about 34mpg on a non chipped cupra, but as per any car it depends how you drive.
As for the handling, the Focus is one of the best handling cars available IMO. You can chuck in into most bends confidently.
The cupra doesnt handle aswell as the focus, but its doesnt handle too bad compared.

But IMO handling is affected by how you drive, so it take your own opinion,

 

[tom_mar]

Hi
So really I would be downgrading in the handling department.
Not sure if their is any point in changing from my focus to a cupra in this case then?
Any one else with an opinion?

Thanks
Tom

 

[acidstrato]

well it'l be quicker as standard
have much more tuning potential or tuning verses cost benefits

in different leagues really, its a typical good alrounder the ford, where as the ibiza is built for thrashing imo

 

[GreyKnight]

The Ford Focus is well known to have an excellent chassis and great handling, to be honest it's probably got the best chassis of all the cars in its class. I think what you need to ask yourself is how often you actually drive your car on the limit of it's handling? Unless you're a regular track day fanatic I doubt the difference in handling will be massively noticeable. The difference in power and straight line performance will be on a different planet though...

Go and test drive one on some familiar roads and see what you think. You can always add stuff like a strutt brace if you really think the car needs stiffening up.

 

[Russ_20vt]

I very much doubt youll notice the difference, infact your proberly think the cupra handles worse due to the fact your be going that much faster

In all honesty in day to day driving i didnt notice the handling to much from moving from a nimble little saxo to my cupra. As i rarely push it to its limits as its just stupid on public roads, on the track im sure you would.

Motorway driving i see around 35ishmpg, my last tank i got 280 miles which i think the mpg trip showed an average of 30mpg.

Russ

 

[tom_mar]

Hi
Thanks for the comments
Dosent sound too bad its just there seem's to be a lot of people saying that the handling is rubbish on this forum?
I like the focus becasue it can flow nicely through a set of corners. I was worried the Ibiza might become a bit unseteled especially if the roads arnt smooth?

 

[flashbsd]

its not very good i must admit, again, depends how you drive it, if you keep off boost for arguements sake until your off the roundabout/corner, you will find it handles quite well, if you try to put power dfown in a bend youve had it!

if you can afford to insure it get the focus RS maybe?

the mk3 isnt a chuckable car, which i personally don't mind, i have the fun on the long straights

i see 49ish mpg on motorway driving @ 75's. 20 quid gets me 150 miles if i'm lucky if i'm heavy footed.

 

[Jonzy]

The ibiza is not a scratch on the focus for handling. As for fuel economy, i cant comment on the focus as im not watching it (company car). My ibiza can give as much as 28mpg on the motorway but rarely above 25mpg around town.

Personally id say the handling isnt very good on a standard cupra, not holding much hope on it getting any better too.

 

[helms]

Having been in the RS and driven one hard i can tell you they handle fantastic. its got to be the best handeling car ive ever been in. we have the a fairly touch bend in basingstoke going into the town centre nick names the AA link.. your doing well if you can get a car down it at 60-65 mph. we went round it my friends RS at 90. and it stuck well...
Thats why i would say its probably my favourite car, if i could get that, i would.

 

[tom_mar]

Well a RS is well out of the quistion im only 19 and would be looking at geting one of the cheaper cupra's out thier
Might stick with the focus then untill i can afford something better than the Cupra.
I live between basingstoke and hook so i know the sweeping right hander your on about ill have to see what kind of speed my focus goes round it.

 

[flashbsd]

not putting them down, but you cant really compare your current focus to a 1.8 turbo.

Driving style is totally different, i rarely rev above 4500rpm so im at the right "revs" in the next gear for full torque.

 

[acidstrato]

wouldnt be too put off by wots been said

next month once revo'd il be looking for RS's, 911s, R32s and anything else with more power than me to take on around some twisties

and im fairly confident id run away from an RS..maybe not a 911 though maybe a boxter LMAO

 

[bbsboy]

I used to drive a 1.8 16v focus and found them to handle very well but i think that was down to their severe lack of power and excitement, i honestly find the ibiza a more rewarding car to drive altho it is a bit more prone to throwing the tail when you lift off, buy the ibiza you wont be dissapointed

 

[Forbez]

Spacers, arb, strut brace and some coilies should sort the handling out!

Hmm, i've got a strut brace fitted, and some spacers, and Silverline X coilovers in the bedroom awaiting fitment!

 

[flashbsd]

i have run away from an RS before

 

[scrob]

I have owned both a mk1 Focus and a mk3 Ibiza Cupra.. Focus would definately outhandle the Ibiza by a mile but was absolutely gutless as far as power goes. To be honest the standard suspension in the Ibiza is absolutely terrible, but for the sake of £360 for an H+R Cup Kit you can totally transform the car which is what I did Car handled reasonably well and was more than capable of a good back road thrash. The Cupra also seems to have better brakes than the Focus and has a much nicer interior, the Focus feels like you are drivin a space ship! One other thing to note is the Ibiza is a fair bit smaller than the Focus and this really shows up when you are inside it.

I'd defs recommend the transition, I know I enjoyed it