First impressions

[JackD]

Test drove a 172 cup yesterday and have to admit I was very impressed with it's pace! Ate up the revs stupidly fast, especially after 5k! Couldn't stop smiling afterwards! Unfortunately the one i test drove wasn't for me, the dealer was economical with the truth in his advert but will hopefully purchase one in the new year now!
Was also happy with the interior, all I had heard on here was how massively horrific it was (by ff owners I presume) but it wasn't really that bad!

what was your first impression?

 

[jenic]

Name and shame the bad un'

My first impression was its fairly rapid. Most people on here seem to go 1.2 > 172/182, I had a different car between them which was in-between in performance terms so i didn't really feel the big difference in power most do

 

[JackD]

Well it didnt have fsh, as listed, and was overdue cambelt by 2 years/4k miles! I had a 2.0 mk1 focus before, heavier less bhp! Am I right in saying the power from 5k comes from the engine having vvt? Felt similar to my friends ctr tbh!

 

[Brett]

Well it didnt have fsh, as listed, and was overdue cambelt by 2 years/4k miles! I had a 2.0 mk1 focus before, heavier less bhp! Am I right in saying the power from 5k comes from the engine having vvt? Felt similar to my friends ctr tbh!

No its nothing to do with the VVT. All the VVT is for is to reduce idle emission's iirc. The engine just naturally peaks in performance at 5k+ rpm, hence the 5k kick it gives. Mods such as remap and matched inlets can completely smooth this kick out.

 

[JackD]

No its nothing to do with the VVT. All the VVT is for is to reduce idle emission's iirc. The engine just naturally peaks in performance at 5k+ rpm, hence the 5k kick it gives. Mods such as remap and matched inlets can completely smooth this kick out.

Thanks for clearing that up! As much as I love cars, and wish I knew alot about them....I simply know eff all!
So with matched inlets and remap it would be a more continual delivery of power? Quite liked the feel of all that power at once though?!

 

[Brett]

Thanks for clearing that up! As much as I love cars, and wish I knew alot about them....I simply know eff all!
So with matched inlets and remap it would be a more continual delivery of power? Quite liked the feel of all that power at once though?!

Some of the others will know the exact reason the kicks there, I can't remember it word for word.

A remap alone should remove the 5k kick, the matched inlets just make it smoother still. I personally always liked the kick at 5k as it gave the engine character, for driveability though its better to have the smoother power curve.

 

[Spee]

First impression of the Cup? Hooligan car! It was everything my 205 GTis were back in the day, but with a slightly (and only slightly!) more modern and refined feel to it. I stepped down to the Cup from a breathed on Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo LE so power wise I wasn't overly impressed, but the power to weight ratio and the sheer ability of the Cup to change direction make it feel incredibly fast. I love it, makes me feel young again, and it feels like real driving, no driver aids, raw performance, little refinement etc etc. My S60 D5 feels barge like when I drive it now, and that was no slouch for a diesel. My land Rover, well, it feels like a bus! Keep looking, took me 6 months but patience and a lot of wasted time bagged me a 40K example with impeccable history.

Best of luck with the search.

 

[imprezaworks]

First impresseion. Well i had an 04 182 a couple of years ago. And tbh i wasnt impressed. Sold it within 6 weeks lol. To be fair though it was prob due to the car i had previously and i didnt give it a fair assesment. Had my ph1 for about 3 months ish, and love it. Its quick, good on fuel, cheap to run(famous last words) and looks pretty good. All in all im happy

Da

 

[MikeoftheQuays]

I wasn't massively impressed with the pace at first. It felt reasonably brisk but not a lot quicker than my 1.6 Corsa. Overall I loved the feel and was actually impressed with the interior after hearing it get such a slating.

When I got chance to take it for a proper test drive though it changed my mind. I moved the steering wheel so I could see the rev counter and realised I was only taking it to about 4k. The rather loud Piper exhaust was making me think it was higher. Once I had it warmed up and took it right round to the limited I realised it wasn't slightly quicker than the Corsa at all. It fuckin blitzed it.

Now I have had chance for some proper drives I absolutely adore it. Best car I've had by a country mile. Probably sounds pathetic to guys who have had loads of quick cars but to a guy like me it still feels bastardly fast and is a constant joy to drive.

My only concern is what the hell I'm gonna replace it with. The only thing I can think of is a 197 or 200.