I had a 205 GTI a few years back - I got beaten on the straights and in the corners by mates 172 at Oulton Park... love 205's and had spent loads on mine but it had to go for the reason it was gonna cost loads more (eg fit a GTI-6 lump) just to be competitive with a boggo standard 172 (non cup)
So, I got a classic scooby, an imported STi version 2 with probably 250+ bhp. It went quicker in a straight line that mates 172, obviously, but was still slower getting into the apex and overall I couldn't eek out any meaningful margin at Cadwell park (and was unreliable on the Nurburgring with boost problems).
I missed the character of hot hatches massively too, whizz--bang delivery and the stiff, innert 4x4 chassis didn't suit me.
So, I returned to FWD N/A with the 182 - Yes it's slower than a turbo'd car but it costs so much less to run and there is so much more satisfaction to be had from reeling in so called faster cars under braking and corner entry on track. had an awesome day last summer at Anglesey coastal and finally I could take the same liberties as my mate and we had a right laugh trying to out-do each other for speed into the corners. That's what RS clios do so well.
Just get stickier tyres for track!
