Had a test drive of an Ibiza Cupra 1.8T: TDI would be better

[pbirkett]

Yesterday, amongst other things, I had a test drive of an Ibiza Cupra 1.8T, as I was possibly looking to replace my Clio for something a tad more reliable. I got quite a big run out in it.

Without wanting to appear to be trolling, I am not that impressed with it. The handling is understeering and nervous, it lacks the crisp steering that I would expect in a hot hatch, and the engine is rather characterless.

It has good torque though, but not as good as I expected - in gear it was not that much faster than the Clio and if you revved the Clio it feels much faster (though probably isnt in reality).

So whats the point of this post?

Well first off my friend has a remapped 1.8T FR... that felt much faster than the standard Cupra, so remapped obviously makes a big difference. Also, theres a 2 grand premium for a Cupra, and I dont think its worth it as it hardly seems to handle any better and only the brakes are signficantly better. I'd say you would be better off buying a 1.8T FR and tuning it with better suspension, remap, bigger brakes etc and still have change (and a better overall car).

Also, I feel the TDI engine is better suited to the car, since the 1.8T seems like a torquey engine but not one that likes to be revved and to my mind the TDI does this better and doesnt sound that much worse as standard.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I just thought I'd share my views as I wanted to like it, but came away underwhelmed.

I also had a drive in a Type R but that was also disappointing, but thats not for this forum.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

Not thinking of going back to another vRS then?

 

[Mattyh87]

Im not sure what your looking for, if you found the Type-R disappointing why dont you go for a rear wheel drive car if you dont like the tendency to understeer in FWD.

If you want to improve the handling VAG-COM it to make it heavier.

Ive yet to try the FR, will be doing so next month as im considering an upgrade so i cant pass judgement on the engine.

 

[DIFT]

Sounds fair enough, Your not really going to find a better handling hatch than a Clio. But a set of coilovers on the ibiza would transform it.

Out of the box the Clio is a cracking car, but the Ibiza has ton and tons of potential!

 

[pbirkett]

True... my mates FR seems to handle alright, he's put some decent suspension on it and its fast and sounds pretty good... I think i was so disappointed because i expected a cupra, being the range topper to be sorted out of the box.

I got the Clio because its good out of the box, its just a pity its made by french chimpanzee's. To be fair understeer is rarely an issue in it... a tendency to oversteer at times if anything!

I was disappointed with the Type R because it was so clinical... ok its very revvy, but the car had no character at all. It was fast around corners, but the engine didnt sound as good as i thought (for example the Celica T-Sport sounds MUCH better) and the gearing was ridiculously low to make up for having no torque whatsoever below 6000 revs. It looks like a people carrier as well, feels like one when you sit in it, and is stupidly expensive for what it is.

Anyway no i am not going back to a fabia vRS... if i wanted another diesel i would choose the Cupra TDI as its a much better car altogether - the brakes were in a different league to the vRS just for starters.

I've tried a RWD Toyota MR2 as well at the weekend, but I didnt feel it really handled any better than the clio either and was slow and belched smoke out the back.

 

[DIFT]

Would you not consider a diesel again then?

I love my Cupra, and granted it didnt stay standard for long, but i'll but this down to this Website, rather than the failings of the car.

 

[Mattyh87]

Why dont you try the Focus ST?

 

[pbirkett]

I would only consider a diesel if / when i ever want a more refined, practical car for sitting on a motorway. Not as a driving tool to be enjoyed, no offence to anyone - its not that they cant be enjoyable, just that they dont particularly float my boat.

Focus ST = too expensive, and like a big tub of lard.

I am actually beginning to think I will only be happy with something like a Lotus Elise after the Clio. Only problem with that is, its hardly an every day car... very uncomfortable and unrefined and i dont have the space for a second car.

 

[DIFT]

I was looking at an Elise, and guess that would be the next car for me, although, to have it as an only car is known to be hard - V-small boot.

Maybe an S2000, with a nice exhaust on it, it would be a joy to drive on days like today!

 

[frboyz]

I agree the FR (it' my 1.8T he refers to - cheers mate!) is a bargain, can be remapped with full koni suspension for thousands less than a Cupra - however the Cupra to me looks the dogs 8ollocks (I know the facelifted FR is loads better), if I had the cash and could afford the insurance it would be a remapped TDI Cupra everytime.

 

[EB20VT]

I agree the FR (it' my 1.8T he refers to - cheers mate!) is a bargain, can be remapped with full koni suspension for thousands less than a Cupra - however the Cupra to me looks the dogs 8ollocks (I know the facelifted FR is loads better), if I had the cash and could afford the insurance it would be a remapped TDI Cupra everytime.

How much more would the insurance be for a diesel Cupra, the FR petrol is only a couple of groups below both diesel and petrol Cupra's so i wouldn't think there would be that much of a difference??

 

[sssstew]

Not thinking of going back to another vRS then?

the type of daily trips he does from memory doesnt suit a TDI

 

[Ric 2001]

Also had the same problem when buying my Cupra. Really wanted a turbo powered car, and with only a 14k price limit I was looking at some different cars. I didn't want to go down the scooby/evo road, but at the end of the day the VW/Audi 1.8t is one of the best engines, well I like it anyway.

to get the fr upto the spec of a cupra cost alot more than 2k

To name but a few:

Bigger FMIC.
White dial - don't think FR has them
Suspension
Bigger ARB,
Different body kit
Different steering wheel
Different Head liner

Ant FR pump quite alot of money it his FR to make it almost identical to a Cupra.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

the type of daily trips he does from memory doesnt suit a TDI

'Twas just a tongue in cheek comment after some of the posts on Briskoda back along.

What sort of trips don't suit a TDI then? I would use mine all the time (and do mostly very short trips) if it wasn't for inconsiderate b s in car parks.

 

[JimmyDerv]

I came from owning a Fiat Coupe 20VT, which I loved dearly, test drove the 1.8T Cupra and it was not slow but it didnt feel like it had the torque I was used to in the fiat so I got the diesel and I was amazed!, for real world driving these cars are fantastic, best car buying decision I have ever made, that doesnt mean I didnt like the 1.8T its just whatever floats your boat really

 

[Ric 2001]

'Twas just a tongue in cheek comment after some of the posts on Briskoda back along.

What sort of trips don't suit a TDI then? I would use mine all the time (and do mostly very short trips) if it wasn't for inconsiderate b s in car parks.

Mates dad bought a TDi Focus and does 80 miles a day and the dealer said that he wouldn't be saving much if he had gone for the petrol option.

 

[sssstew]

'Twas just a tongue in cheek comment after some of the posts on Briskoda back along.

What sort of trips don't suit a TDI then? I would use mine all the time (and do mostly very short trips) if it wasn't for inconsiderate b s in car parks.

yeah i know andy

from memory he used to do short trips and the car wouldnt get up to temp, and also drive quite hard so the slower to warm up tdi wasnt giving the promised higher mpg which they can return. there was nothing wrong with the car just the type of journeys didnt save him hugely so he changed back to the petrol from what i remember.

 

[BeezerDiesel]

I remember him buying a mk2 Golf for a bit of bangernomics, that ended up more off road than on. Then along came the Clio, then a bit of a fall out with certain 'members' over there.
Just reminds me of myself a bit - going round in automotive circles!