I've no doubt that the Fiesta is fun when driven hard, but it isn't any fun when driven normally I'm afraid, it feels like it just doesn't want to know.

For a blast it's probably brilliant, but as an everyday car, it's ****** IMHO. The local dealer has had 4 cars traded in within the last month that I know of, all less than a year old with low miles. Is this because people find that they can't live with it??

Just to add to my choices, the new Suzuki Swift Sport is coming 125bhp for £10.5k I will most definately be trying one out ASAP!

I take it you wouldn't go down the grey import route? I'm waiting for a '94 Celica GT-Four to be brought over from Japan via a guy near me who regularly imports, it all seems to be a straight-forward process and there haven't been any hitches so far, it just passed MOT today in S'Hampton, so registered once it reaches me, any service work can be done at local dealer, bargains to be had as long as you are careful...

If you look at the Celica seriously, test drive it for an hour or more - I spend a long, long time in a 190 as it's a works car and I really dislike it. It is the most unconfortable car I have ever driven and after an hour or so it gets painful (I'm average height and build).

The reliability isn't all that either - the Toyota guy said they're fine unless you rev them hard - the 190 is VVTI and unbearable below the 6200rpm mark and is on 2nd engine, clutch and gearbox at 30-odd thousand miles. This may not be applicable to the 140.

Dry handling is very good, wet not-so-good.

It's a bigger, heavier car than you'd think and I'm not sure the 140 would be particularly entertaining to drive after a vRS - I certainly find the 190 disappointing to drive on anything other than a twisty, dry road.

Practicality is good though - the boot's a good size and the back seats are usable to a degree, though perhaps not for long journeys.

The interior is cheap and plasticky though and the sunglasses holder is so tacky it p155es me right off!

It's a taste thing but spend an hour or more sitting on one before you make your mind up.

Also worth bearing in mind both tha Celica and MR2 are being discontinues (due to poor sales) to be rpalcaed at a later date - this will affect residuals.

...on the subject of the current Hyundai Coupe, the V6 is an unstressed motor. Only makes 160+ bhp as standard.

I don't know what (if any) tuning routes are available for it but there certainly seems to be scope for improvement.

J.

Good points everyone

I'm not interested in importing, and from some comments I need to be super-picky about a Celica, so I have my plan!

I'm gonna go try the Suzuki Swift Sport as soon as I can, if I love it I will want one and will wait until the new reg to buy it. If not I still have the furby and can continue looking for a Celica. The Hyundai Coupe is still on my list though and I'd be interested to try one

In the meantime I'm busy saving up

Hyundai coupe is not that enthralling really. It is too underpowered imho. Stick an alpine supercharger on it and then it's fun If you look at one got the 2.0 route as it has more tuning potential than the v6.

I drove a Hyundai Coupe last year and was very impressed - you can pick up brand new ones with leather and all the kit (2.0) for 15K easy - they drive nicely and the interiors are better than the one on the celica by a mile.

Look bloody good too IMHO.

I think it's a case of having a drive in both and seeing which you fancy.