I haven't seen Dave in the fabia, however, I will assure anyone that does not know him he did not hang around in the fiat and I seriously doubt you would go much faster in the fab.

Personally I never had the enjoyment in the Evo that I thought I would. The problem I think is as cars/tyres get ever better the point at which grip is lost is ever increasing. The few times I did get it to the limit on corners the grip was fantastic but for me the nag was always there if for any reason I did loose grip I was not going to come out well.

I haven't seen Dave in the fabia, however, I will assure anyone that does not know him he did not hang around in the fiat and I seriously doubt you would go much faster in the fab.

Personally I never had the enjoyment in the Evo that I thought I would. The problem I think is as cars/tyres get ever better the point at which grip is lost is ever increasing. The few times I did get it to the limit on corners the grip was fantastic but for me the nag was always there if for any reason I did loose grip I was not going to come out well.

thanks Simon, I actually thought about you in the evo, thinking how hard it is to reach the limits.... its wierd, maybe the vRS is much quicker than the fiat, but maybe I could still drive the fiat as quick as someone in the vRS (on the public road) ...

hhhmmmm

Interesting thread Sharky. I'll add my tuppence worth:

the DSG box has removed one of the layers of communication between you, the road and the car. The Fabia now just 'does it' - and very quickly, effortlessly and efficiently. It has the effect of removing you from the action.

Same with the setup of the car. I've only had a brief passenger ride in the new vRS. But the 'out of the box' setup is quite interesting, and a world away from the Mk1 vRS. Very clinical - precious little roll, and efficient std brakes. The lack of cornering inertia, coupled with the DSG box just swapping cogs for the fun of it, had the impression of a point & shoot vehicle, a grown-up go-kart if you will.

So I think it's the lack of 'rawness' (if that's the right term) that could be unearthed in the Fiat and Mk1 Fabia, is what you've picked up one and perhaps is what's missing. The new one is a different approach, and the feedback/outcome is different as a result.

Interesting thread Sharky. I'll add my tuppence worth:

the DSG box has removed one of the layers of communication between you, the road and the car. The Fabia now just 'does it' - and very quickly, effortlessly and efficiently. It has the effect of removing you from the action.

Same with the setup of the car. I've only had a brief passenger ride in the new vRS. But the 'out of the box' setup is quite interesting, and a world away from the Mk1 vRS. Very clinical - precious little roll, and efficient std brakes. The lack of cornering inertia, coupled with the DSG box just swapping cogs for the fun of it, had the impression of a point & shoot vehicle, a grown-up go-kart if you will.

So I think it's the lack of 'rawness' (if that's the right term) that could be unearthed in the Fiat and Mk1 Fabia, is what you've picked up one and perhaps is what's missing. The new one is a different approach, and the feedback/outcome is different as a result.

I would tend to agree... maybe its what the motoring hacks write about, when they say its a bit "clinical".... its kinda wierd, because its a very very quick point to point vehical, but (to put it a top gear way) it just seems to want to make me drive like captain slow, not clarkson! lol..

It's quick point-to-point but it is it enjoyable at the same time? The answer to that question is all down to the opinion of the driver.....

When you next down this way? I want to come out with you in it

My description of the VRS test drives I had was "deeply impressive". That's very different from "involving".

For me that's a perfectly OK compromise to make for an every day driver, but it won't be my track tool of choice...

It's quick point-to-point but it is it enjoyable at the same time? The answer to that question is all down to the opinion of the driver.....

When you next down this way? I want to come out with you in it

Graham took me out in his Cupra on Sunday. Impressively nippy. But only the driver can tell you if he enjoys it. To me I dont think I could live with the point and shoot. I want to be able to **** up a gear change and kick myself for it.

Graham took me out in his Cupra on Sunday. Impressively nippy. But only the driver can tell you if he enjoys it. To me I dont think I could live with the point and shoot. I want to be able to **** up a gear change and kick myself for it.

Nearly the damn same review to you John, as I went out in Damo's vRS later on in the meet, after you'd gone

Same feelings to you, on all those points above

It's quick point-to-point but it is it enjoyable at the same time? The answer to that question is all down to the opinion of the driver.....

When you next down this way? I want to come out with you in it

I comming to stay for the WSM and jurassic meets

Stop off for a cuppa here on the way back

i was thinking, prior ot modifying my octavia i never thrashed it in all fairness as it does lack a bit, it does roll and understeer and the power wasnt exactly mnd blowing.

however when i modified it, gave it the extra grip and roll resistance it needed, and gave it the engine tweaks it made the car so much more involving that id say i pushed it harder and harder as it was so much nore capable.

I'll probably be the exact same with the fabia. Ill find its weakness's early on, tweak it to get it how i like, and then no doubt ill be much happier. I find after years of tweaking that i cant help myself. I buy a car for its modification potential, as i know 90% of cars are a compromise to make good sales figures. they will never be as focused as you would like.

just a thought

now go get yourself some brakes, springs an ARB and remap :p

Stop off for a cuppa here on the way back

And take a slight detour to north Wales

Stop off for a cuppa here on the way back

I will actually pass manchester... but on my way down on the friday I will have time, staying friday night and Sat night, and the runs are sat and sun, so sunday would be too long a drive to hang around on the way home, sunday will be a long day and I ave to work on the monday :(

Get yourself down there!