I shouldn't even be contemplating this but here goes.. My friend has just bought an Astra vxr and although I've never been much of fan of them after being in its kind of changed my view a bit, it's also made me think about getting a petrol 2.0t as I don't really need a diesel as I don't use mine much but I do like the odd blast on the weekend.

So basically I wouldn't really want a vxr down to everyone having them and the cornering side of things so I've been looking around (dangerous I know) and come across the r26 and there's very few around where I live unlike the Vrs now! They're getting as common as a corsa :( which I don't like. So probably next year I might look into getting one as much as I love the skoda I don't like that everyone's getting the and I don't warrant a diesel anymore due to a van

Has anyone come from a r26 to a Fabia? Or had a r26? If so what do they go like, handle and put power down like? I know they're French and I'll probably get slated for it but I like them for some reason.. Also any common problems?

Opinions and suggestions welcome

Thanks in advance

good suspension set up, handles like a dream even standard, drinks fuel ain't really quick and suffer with electrical faults if u can find a low mileage 1 which ain't been thrashed go for it, tbh I like them I drove a few theres a lovely 1 this guy got by me had it since new 58 plate 27k on the clock its beautiful the front hubs is another issue on them which is expensive but if ur looking at them you already know

They're French and therefore gradually fall to pieces every time you turn the ignition key, upsides are performance and handling, downsides are all build quality related; thin sheet metalwork, thin paint, poor fit and finish, everything you touch can and will break. Good luck.

Nice under-rated car! A looked after example will be no more/less reliable than anything else. You can get some vRS that are nothing but money pits bear in mind!

 

Handling wise it will wipe the floor with a vRS, I'd even go out on a limb and say that it would wipe the floor with a vRS that's had a bit of money spent on suspension mods as well! Renaultsport are well known for nailing the handling on their hot hatch models.

 

Power wise it also has the advantage. It's a better base to start with and a simple remap will give around 260hp and 280lb-ft torque. Do they have a LSD as standard? If not that would be my first mod along with a remap lol. 

 

I'd consider one but I'm more of a Honda and Ford hot hatch fan myself. 

I really wanted one of these but it was way too much money, love the look though and obviously has the performance to match.

 

 

Or one of these

 

 

 

Never been a fan of Fords but always like the Focus RS's

Nice under-rated car! A looked after example will be no more/less reliable than anything else. You can get some vRS that are nothing but money pits bear in mind!

Handling wise it will wipe the floor with a vRS, I'd even go out on a limb and say that it would wipe the floor with a vRS that's had a bit of money spent on suspension mods as well! Renaultsport are well known for nailing the handling on their hot hatch models.

Power wise it also has the advantage. It's a better base to start with and a simple remap will give around 260hp and 280lb-ft torque. Do they have a LSD as standard? If not that would be my first mod along with a remap lol.

I'd consider one but I'm more of a Honda and Ford hot hatch fan myself.

Thanks for comments, that's the only thing that puts me off is it falling apart and the electrics :(

I have a fairly well set up Vrs at 254hp with a lsd on a set of aps and Its okay round the bends but it is heavy.

Yes the r26 has a lsd standard I believe, I would probably do a full exhaust, induction and a map if I was to get one but I'm just finding out and seeing what's what

Only thing is I'd have to persuade myself to get rid of mine which I already found hard to do

I really wanted one of these but it was way too much money, love the look though and obviously has the performance to match.

Or one of these

Never been a fan of Fords but always like the Focus RS's

The only thing with buying a rs is how expensive it is probably the same for the scooby and for something I don't drive apart from the weekend I don't really fancy plowing 20k into a car for it to sit there and only get use on the weekends :/ although I would look into one when the mk3 comes out as I'm sure prices will plummet

Thanks for comments, that's the only thing that puts me off is it falling apart and the electrics :(

I have a fairly well set up Vrs at 254hp with a lsd on a set of aps and Its okay round the bends but it is heavy.

Yes the r26 has a lsd standard I believe, I would probably do a full exhaust, induction and a map if I was to get one but I'm just finding out and seeing what's what

Only thing is I'd have to persuade myself to get rid of mine which I already found hard to do

 

 

Maybe look at getting yourself something a bit older just as an example something like a Pulsar, Evo or Celica GT4, or a MR2. Lighter car to begin with plenty of power and plenty more to tap into. If you do your homework and pick up the right one you'll wipe the floor with your mates vxr and you can have decent reliability too.

The only thing with buying a rs is how expensive it is probably the same for the scooby and for something I don't drive apart from the weekend I don't really fancy plowing 20k into a car for it to sit there and only get use on the weekends :/ although I would look into one when the mk3 comes out as I'm sure prices will plummet

Quite agree I'm a hot hatch fan so I'm always biased towards that type of chassis but I'm a fan of the older Scoobies and especially the Evo's

 

Get something from the 90's and have yourself a little project that will probably only increase in price rather than decrease.

Quite agree I'm a hot hatch fan so I'm always biased towards that type of chassis but I'm a fan of the older Scoobies and especially the Evo's

Get something from the 90's and have yourself a little project that will probably only increase in price rather than decrease.

I did have a look at an evo six but insurance was a fair amount I also quite like the modern technology there's too many options lol

It is a tough choice these days there are so many cars out there that tick the boxes!

 

I've always had petrol hot hatches prior to the vRS which I bought mainly because of running costs. For that it's brilliant and certainly has a nice bit of poke when mapped. Sometimes I do find myself wanting a petrol hot hatch again though they are just a bit more lively and fun to drive. 

It is a tough choice these days there are so many cars out there that tick the boxes!

I've always had petrol hot hatches prior to the vRS which I bought mainly because of running costs. For that it's brilliant and certainly has a nice bit of poke when mapped. Sometimes I do find myself wanting a petrol hot hatch again though they are just a bit more lively and fun to drive.

I'd want a good base car to start with, something that handles well has abit of power and puts down power well standard.

I haven't had a fast petrol hatch and I made the Vrs what it is, it is quick yes but after being in my mates Vxr I've found myself looking and wondering what a petrol hatch is like lol and his vxr is stage 2 and pulls, I have debated going bigger turbo injectors for mine but I can't seem to always end up thinking about a petrol :(

After tuning quite a few r26 meganes during my time I begrudge to say it will run circles around a well set up vrs without doubt. Renault sport set up these cars so well that most drivers run out of talent before the chassis even breaks a sweat. These two cars are in completely different leagues.

All you have to do is attend track days and pop over to the 'ring' to discover the drivers choice. Megane r26's do benefit from slightly more power and torque but most importantly the gearbox with an lsd.

But if your chasing more power (which you will as everyone does) youll find that your at that tipping point with the megane. Their bottom ends are like toffee approaching 300 bhp. A hybrid turbo will easily breech this figure so your facing big ass bills to forge the block to make it reliable. Therefore putting you in scooby and evo territory price wise.

All comes down to cash but as long as you enjoy the drive I'd have the megane any day over the VRS. But I do love the VRS.

Oh and they make a fantastic noise when fitted with a cold air intake system such as itg's or Ktec s

After tuning quite a few r26 meganes during my time I begrudge to say it will run circles around a well set up vrs without doubt. Renault sport set up these cars so well that most drivers run out of talent before the chassis even breaks a sweat. These two cars are in completely different leagues.

All you have to do is attend track days and pop over to the 'ring' to discover the drivers choice. Megane r26's do benefit from slightly more power and torque but most importantly the gearbox with an lsd.

But if your chasing more power (which you will as everyone does) youll find that your at that tipping point with the megane. Their bottom ends are like toffee approaching 300 bhp. A hybrid turbo will easily breech this figure so your facing big ass bills to forge the block to make it reliable. Therefore putting you in scooby and evo territory price wise.

All comes down to cash but as long as you enjoy the drive I'd have the megane any day over the VRS. But I do love the VRS.

I don't really intend to go on a track but I do agree about the handling my other friend has the new fiesta St and that leaves me in corners I'll be giving it my all and he'll have one hand on the wheel going round with ease.

I think I would have to have a test drive of a r26 nearer the time.

Shame about the bottom ends tho I would say I'd be happy with about 300 but I can put money on it id want more, I said I'd be happy with a map on my Vrs

What are the Meganes like to work on? Easy or fidly with everything crammed in?

An absolute pig mate. Not very DIY friendly at all to be honest but renault are rebound for this. We found it quicker in the end to drop engines to do timing belts. That's an example of how poop they are to work with.

An absolute pig mate. Not very DIY friendly at all to be honest but renault are rebound for this. We found it quicker in the end to drop engines to do timing belts. That's an example of how poop they are to work with.

Aha well i kinda expected it to be awkward but I thought I'd ask lol thanks

If you need any info regards these cars speak to Josh Cook from Cook Motorsports or Harold from Ashford Motorsport. These are the two best guys in the renault busy and they'll happily share information with others.

Golf R32?

Golf R32?

 

He mentioned he wanted a car that handles better than the VRS!

Golf R32?

They're okay, but it's just the handling issue again being front heavy, although they have a big engine they aren't that quick :(

1540 Kg, the case for the prosecution rests.

 

Muscle cars are for muscle fags.

I won't be upgrading till next year some time but I'm just keeping my options open, but for now I'm liking the idea of the r26 more and more.

unless between now and next year I go 300+ which I doubt I will but it would be fun

It is a tough choice these days there are so many cars out there that tick the boxes!

 

I've always had petrol hot hatches prior to the vRS which I bought mainly because of running costs. For that it's brilliant and certainly has a nice bit of poke when mapped. Sometimes I do find myself wanting a petrol hot hatch again though they are just a bit more lively and fun to drive. 

Completely agree.

 

I love me little Fabia again for the reasons you mentioned and to be honest I'll probably kept it until I run it into the ground but having in my case the Pulsar as well I get the best of both worlds. As much as the Fabia is a nippy little car the Pulsar is just something else, when the Fabia runs out of puff the Pulsar is just getting into it's stride.

 

Plenty of options out there though so It'll come down to personal preference I guess.