Ibiza 1.2 Question...

[Torred1771]

Ive got the opportunity to buy a 2003/52 Seat Ibiza 1.2 for a very attractive price for my partner as a replacement for his Mk2 Ibiza 1.4 SXE. Just wondering what you guys think of the 1.2, hes a bit worried about the power, he loves the 1.4 8V engine in his Mk2 and doesnt really want anything slower, by any means the 1.4 isnt fast but its definitly nippy.

Thoughts please!

 

[rf860]

Ive got the opportunity to buy a 2003/52 Seat Ibiza 1.2 for a very attractive price for my partner as a replacement for his Mk2 Ibiza 1.4 SXE. Just wondering what you guys think of the 1.2, hes a bit worried about the power, he loves the 1.4 8V engine in his Mk2 and doesnt really want anything slower, by any means the 1.4 isnt fast but its definitly nippy.

Thoughts please!

nothing in it really, the horsepower and torque figures are very similar. Although i have never driven any of these...

 

[Torred1771]

I dont expect there to be alot in it, just wondering how it compares to the Mk2 1.4

 

[CGD217]

Erm, check if its had a new tensioner etc. on the timing chain. If not consider getting it done. I'm thinking about getting mine done. Travelling around town its good, well geared, but for motorways/ a roads, it takes some doing in the gears, dont expect much performance with 3/4 people in the car or up hills.

However i love my 1.2, it is my first car but its nice and cheap on insurance and good running costs. If you're not bothered by speed, its a good'un

 

[Torred1771]

Do motorway only a handful of times a year, but there are quite a bit of hills around us and the 1.4 takes it like a champ, might have to find a 1.2 to drive for a bit, I work for a SEAT dealer so that shouldnt be too difficult.

 

[Chris_a_73]

Can be very nippy, especially when redlining

I mainly drive around town, which is amazing for. On the odd occasions when I use motorways, it performs pretty well. Althought I've not driven many other cars, so I can't really compare.

 

[rf860]

Do motorway only a handful of times a year, but there are quite a bit of hills around us and the 1.4 takes it like a champ, might have to find a 1.2 to drive for a bit, I work for a SEAT dealer so that shouldnt be too difficult.

the newer 1.2's have more power (70bhp), not much but does decrease the 0-60 by quite a bit

 

[CGD217]

Same as above, ive only used it on the motorway a couple of times and it perfomes the same as the 10 plate Corsa 1.2 sxi i did my pass plus in a year and a bit ago.

If you get it in the right gear, hills are ok, as with all cars but obviously it depends on the gradient. It is quite a nippy car though, once you hit it for 3k or above it does fly. I've managed to overtake many a derv on an uphill duel carriageway.

Its a good all round car IMO.

 

[Torred1771]

Thanks for the replies guys! Ill get a test drive in it and see what its like..

 

[Blanco92]

The 1.2 has it's bonuses, compared with the 75bhp 1.4s also available in the Mk4. I'm getting 34mpg out of my 1.2 (based on about 1,200 miles) and I've yet to see a 1.4 match that!

The other thing is the 1.2 loves to rev, round town it has plenty of poke, however get out onto open motorways and you feel it missing some torque!

The slight disadvantage is the 1.2 has a clear design fault with the timing chain tensioner, which have been known to let go anywhere between 30k onwards! I've bought the bits and will be fitting the new tensioner and relevant bits and pieces some point this summer.

The 1.4s I think are a bit more reliable, but not as good on fuel, and I don't think there's much in it in terms of performance.

 

[Veyron]

some say the 1.2 can out accelerate the 1.4 up to 60, i sound like clarkson describing the stig now

 

[stezo2k]

I love my car to bits to be honest but always have regretted not going diesel, the 1.2s a decent engine but the MPG could be better and on hilly roads (wales especially) it can be feel quite underpowered although it's a great on flats

I'd personally go for a TDI myself, even the PD75 should outperform it and maps to 110hp which is pretty amazing for a low powered car

 

[Torred1771]

The 1.2 has it's bonuses, compared with the 75bhp 1.4s also available in the Mk4. I'm getting 34mpg out of my 1.2 (based on about 1,200 miles) and I've yet to see a 1.4 match that!

The other thing is the 1.2 loves to rev, round town it has plenty of poke, however get out onto open motorways and you feel it missing some torque!

The slight disadvantage is the 1.2 has a clear design fault with the timing chain tensioner, which have been known to let go anywhere between 30k onwards! I've bought the bits and will be fitting the new tensioner and relevant bits and pieces some point this summer.

The 1.4s I think are a bit more reliable, but not as good on fuel, and I don't think there's much in it in terms of performance.

His Mk2 1.4 averages 35 around here, no motorway driving at all but on an A-road about 60-65mph max and some B-roads 30-40mph...If it goes on the motorway it turns out 40-42mpg at 75mph...

 

[mick-fr]

I've managed to overtake many a derv on an uphill duel carriageway.

Was it an artic? Or were they not trying?

 

[Torred1771]

Was it an artic? Or were they not trying?

 

[rf860]

Was it an artic? Or were they not trying?

i also have to disagree with this (sorry) my old 1.4 with 100hp was not too clever on hills but would give a decent turn of speed on flats and it has more hp and torque than the 1.2

 

[Blanco92]

To tell you the truth, apart from any cars that weren't trying, my 1.2 has yet to burn anybody off!

In fact I tell a lie, in a quick dash from the lights to where a road near me narrows from 2 to 1 lane, I beat an Astra Mk4 diesel estate taxi, however, I think that's more due to me taking him by surprise than my Ibiza's power!

 

[stezo2k]

Not sure if Scoobys have turbo lag but i have managed to keep up with a Scooby before as well as a Civic R. Although to be fair they were chavs driving, probably have no idea how to drive

 

[Chris_a_73]

Lets face it... a 1.2 versus a scooby or type R... no competition.. Ibiza would win anyday...

 

[simp89]

Mate the 1.2 Ibiza has to be driven like a honda, relax at a junction and stalling is so easily done. Having had a 1.4 8v Ibiza before i will say they are quite evenly matched once on the move, infact the 1.2 probably picks up abit quicker when its up the rev range but it lacks torque which to me makes driving it a not so chilled out experience. Nipping round a tractor or slipping out at a junction or roundabout is risky buisness