Best Handling Car

[gaffer1986]

I've had my 1.6 TDI CR for 18 months now and still love it (especially since the software update in April which sorted the DPF issues).

Even though this is the slowest car I have ever owned, it is definitely the most fun, does anyone on this forum agree with me when I say it's the best handling Fiesta sized car on the market?

It's hard to resist the temptation to blast through country roads and go fast round roundabouts, soooo much fun. More fun that my old Coupe 20v turbo which got to 60 in 6.3 seconds, probably because it doesn't break down every time I put my foot down.

 

[craigmk6]

no the fiesta mk6 is much better not sure what the mk7 is like.

i also had a frp that was 10 years old and it would make a cupra look like a sausage in the bends

do really like the ibiza but its not that good at the handling

 

[gaffer1986]

Really, I've driven the Mk6, loads of under steer. Haven't driven the ST though, that's probably a different kettle of fish. I think the 17s on mine help it. However, I do hate the way the steering is so light and brakes are so sensitive, but you don't notice once you're used to it.

 

[Tilley1]

I think the cupra's handling is pretty rubbish if im honest

 

[vRSy]

You cant have driven many decent cars then. Even the cupra/vRS and polo gti are no where near as good to drive as the other options on the market. It doesnt mean theyre crap but they most definitely are not the best fiesta sized hatch on the market.

Clio, mini, twingo, fiesta etc are all better to drive dynamically. VAg are famed for making cars that dont excite. If you want dynamics you buy a renaultsport

 

[Dabbalz]

I've had all sorts and don't think it's too bad, but not the best small hatch for handling admittedly. It took a bit to find it's limit as I don't just throw it in to corners and risk it, and it does feel like it won't take much to go beyond it's capabilities but it's not the case. Yeah, it's no RX8 (best handling car I've owned) but it's not bad. It'll way out handle the Celica VVTi, that was absolutely crap on corners!

 

[ibizaracebrake]

Most fun I had driving a 'small' car was in a Sunbeam Lotus with a Skip Brown 220bhp engine, LSD at the back and a dogleg box - sideways down the road at 60mph, in traffic! (Ahh, the 80's)

 

[ibizaracebrake]

I think the cupra's handling is pretty rubbish if im honest

Not seen my vid on Youtube taking a row of Caterhams at Castle Combe? If that is a car that doesn't handle I'd like to see one that does.

 

[WJs]

Stock springs, shocks, etc are a compromise. (Like all sporty VAG's) But the moment you start to change that stuff, they become pretty damn good.

 

[Zlash_eX]

VAg are famed for making cars that dont excite.

Exactly. It's not very exciting when you don't break down every 10 miles like you do in other cars...

 

[Deleted member 55317]

My cupras handling is spot on! When not on UK roads haha! When I was in spain I could chuck it in to hairpins at speed i would never had dreamed of and had no understeer no ESP kicking in nothing defo no oversteer haha. Back in the uk i find the nose washes out far to easy in the wet but its still good when the sun shines

 

[vRSy]

Exactly. It's not very exciting when you don't break down every 10 miles like you do in other cars...

Love it. Lets post up the common issues there are with the the vag engines that i see on a weekly basis on the 3 forums i use.

1.4TSI-massive misfire issues, engine failures galore, injectors failing, spark plugs failing, piston rings corroding...

2.0TFSI- Splitting diverter valves, cam shaft followers, coilpacks, fuel pumps, fuel presure sensors, valve springs.....

2.0TDI - blown turbos galore, dpf issues galore

Etc etc

VAG are no where near the top of the reliability surveys. Last one i saw they were beaten by the likes of vauxhall anand ford. Far to much badge snobbery on VAG forums IMO. Some huys misconstrue high quality interiors, high initial costs and good residuals for good reliability.

Such is the unreliability oof this nnew 1.4TSI im spending most of my time just waiting for ssomething to fail

Not seen my vid on Youtube taking a row of Caterhams at Castle Combe? If that is a car that doesn't handle I'd like to see one that does.

Yours is runnng coilovers, stripped interior and semi slicks so lets be fair, its not comparable to a std cupra let alone a 1.6tdi.

 

[J400uk]

Even though this is the slowest car I have ever owned, it is definitely the most fun, does anyone on this forum agree with me when I say it's the best handling Fiesta sized car on the market?

The new Fiesta and MINI are an absolute hoot to drive and best in class IMO... but the Ibiza is a nice steer

 

[Cougar]

Just a shame they look terrible when lined up next to the Ibiza

 

[adambolus]

i dont rate the new fiesta, feels like your not connected to the steering, you turn and hope it does. Not saying the ibiza is perfect but its alot better.

also i feel the fiesta is not a nice place to be, but the ibiza feels comfortable

 

[Deleted member 49882]

I don't think the handling is bad actually. It is certainly not the best in its class, but to be fair, for the type if driving that most of us do every day, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Cupra.

 

[markmeus]

The original post was about the 1.6 TDI and compared to other non sporty supermini's I think it does handle quite well, it's certainly a lot nicer to drive than a 1.2 Clio.

 

[Elliot29]

no the fiesta mk6 is much better not sure what the mk7 is like.

i also had a frp that was 10 years old and it would make a cupra look like a sausage in the bends

do really like the ibiza but its not that good at the handling

My brother had a Ford Racing Puma and yer the handling was immense!!!

 

[gaffer1986]

I did mean best handling car currently for sale in the UK. Must admit, I did forget about the Mini, been years since I drove one and hard to remember what it was like.

Hasn't the 1.6 TDI CR sport got the same suspension as the Cupra? I know with 17s the tyre sizes are the same and the anti roll bar is 1mm thinner.

All I'll say is my car destroys the 1.6 TDCI New Shape fiesta and the 1.5 DCI Clio round the roundabouts and in acceleration. Either that or I am a superior driver. lol I wasn't comparing it to the likes of a RenaultSport Clio because mine's only has 103 BHP and only cost my £12500 that included £1200 worth of options (I did very well).

Cars I was thinking of, not including hot versions that cost £18000:

Clio
Fiesta
Polo
Fabia
Punto
Corsa
207
Micra
Yaris
Jazz
Colt
Swift
No nothing about the DS3
Not sure how the A1 compares either

 

[lefkon]

I think my 5dr fr understeers a bit