Slick Rick's new car :D (Post 59)

[barryl85]

Puma? Seriously guys? they are bad - its a fiesta with a fancy shell and no room in the back! Can anyone say reliability?

From someone that was scoruing the market 'till only very recentley....


Honda Civic You'll really struggle to find a decent age and condition one for less that 2 grand.

You sure about this one? i've seen a few EK hatches for about £2k thats in amazing condition and the 1.4 models are easily the most reliable - and any civic would outlast any other cars in your list even if it had double even treble the mileage.

Problems with buying a civic is insurance - even the 1.4 houses a nasty ins group 7 or 8 which is not good for any teenager. (try insuring a VTI ins group 15!)

Ford Focus 3 doors are unusally hard to find, unless it's a zetec.

All i can say is no! Family car alert. Although comfy to drive!

Saxo's are common as hell, though an un-fiddled VTR may be a problem, Plus, the image!?

Erm apart from as you say the image *cough*chav*cough* - but possibly one of thee most unreliable, uncomfiest and unsafest cars on the road - tin can puddlejumper

Ibiza. I like the look, but haven't driven one or know anyone that has so I'm not so sure.

Ibiza's arent the worst out there but there not greatly reliable and i have to say its more a personal opinion with this one - i dont like them


I'd say Civic EK- easily the best choice and you will find a decent one with your budget but it will possibly be 96-98 pre facelift model.

 

[TheCracker]

Puma? Seriously guys? they are bad - its a fiesta with a fancy shell and no room in the back!

And being based on a Fiesta is bad because...

Can anyone say reliability?

Can anyone say dirt-cheap parts?

You sure about this one? i've seen a few EK hatches for about £2k thats in amazing condition and the 1.4 models are easily the most reliable - and any civic would outlast any other cars in your list even if it had double even treble the mileage.

And a Civic is just a Civic with a bland shell.

 

[barryl85]

And being based on a Fiesta is bad because...

Where should i begin - rust from th einside out - the interiors fall to pieces - they eat suspension arm bushes and strut top mounts.

Can anyone say dirt-cheap parts?

For a Zetec engine??? are you having a laugh?? snap a timing belt and a bent valve alone will cost you £12!!! x 16ish

And a Civic is just a Civic with a bland shell.

Everyones entitled to their own opinon - Civics can be tastefully changed to look like an ek9 - like mine.


Puma's are ugly womans cars - the distance between the tire and wheel arch is ridiculous looks as high as a transit van - and puma racing model (can i say ricer wing and a half????)

 

[Famine]

puma racing model (can i say ricer wing and a half????)

And in your "tastefully changed" Civic, that's about all you'll be looking at...

 

[barryl85]

And in your "tastefully changed" Civic, that's about all you'll be looking at...

You really think so? I didnt think i could see that far in my rear view mirror. My civic vti has been dyno'd at over 180 bhp thank you very much - far greater than the measly 155bhp ford squeezed out of the 1.7 variable valve engine. infact my little 1.6 engine came from the factory with more bhp.

And my car is set up for track use - racing spec adjustable coilovers full damper control - camber arm adjustment front and rear - lighwieght alloys - rear axle brace - lower control arms. Not to mention sticky tires.

 

[Slick Rick]

While we're at it, how much for the alloys?

I dont think Ill be getting the wheels back if the cars a write off. Which it looks like when I inspected it.
If I did get them back Id most likely keep them if I got a Civic or Yaris because they will fit them too. Ill let you know though if I get them back.

 

[Famine]

You really think so? I didnt think i could see that far in my rear view mirror. My civic vti has been dyno'd at over 180 bhp thank you very much - far greater than the measly 155bhp ford squeezed out of the 1.7 variable valve engine. infact my little 1.6 engine came from the factory with more bhp.

And my car is set up for track use - racing spec adjustable coilovers full damper control - camber arm adjustment front and rear - lighwieght alloys - rear axle brace - lower control arms. Not to mention sticky tires.

Quick question: Stock vs. stock, which is quicker - Civic VTi or Ford Racing Puma?

Incidentally, the Puma won Top Gear's Car of the Year in 1997, and the best Used Sporting Car from What Car? in 2001 and 2004. And a bundle of awards for handling from more minor publications.

 

[Race Idiot]

I suggest a 1982 Ford Escort, with optional Tape and am radio. Also sunroof.

The am radio will alow you to listen to the popular sports broadcasts of the day.

Or Indian music.

Indian music owns.

Also the tape player will not work.

FORD SUCKS/OWNS! now listen to my song ♪let's go, tsuke yuki no ose♪

 

[YSSMAN]

Hey, don't point fingers at the foreigner who suggested the Puma... They look cool, and as I've understood it drove well too. Come to America, cars like that don't exist. Well, they do, but they usually come in the form of a Volkswagen. Cheap + Fun to Drive was VERY hard to come by with most cars back then. Until you guys finally sent over the Focus, all we really had was the Mazda Protoge.

 

[Thirdeye]

Or the Integra

 

[tinus2017]

Quote:
1.4 - 1.6 litre engine(preferably 1.4)
Must look at least a little bit sporty or have potential

this is not really a good combination, but
You can also look for an "Opel Corsa / Vauxhall Nova"
I have a 1.8 GSi, and it's pretty fast
But probably not to buy for 2500

Good luck

 

[Perfect Balance]

You really think so? I didnt think i could see that far in my rear view mirror. My civic vti has been dyno'd at over 180 bhp thank you very much - far greater than the measly 155bhp ford squeezed out of the 1.7 variable valve engine. infact my little 1.6 engine came from the factory with more bhp.

And my car is set up for track use - racing spec adjustable coilovers full damper control - camber arm adjustment front and rear - lighwieght alloys - rear axle brace - lower control arms. Not to mention sticky tires.

Just something I'd like to mention. Full damper control isn't that great. It's actually not as good as having fixed dampening for a certain spring rate. It's basically a luxury and bragging rights.

 

[Skid Mark 33]

I always thought looking for a car would be easy and I wouldn't need any help but Im really having trouble finding a decent car. Not really sure where to look or what to look for.

The time has come for me to get a new car, Ive been looking on the ebay and autotrader sites but Im not really finding anything better than my Almera for around the same price. Didnt realise how hard it would be looking for a good car.
Maybe I have too many requirements but the last thing I want to do is downgrade.

Requirements:
£1000 - £2000 maybe 2500 if its really good.
Cant trade.
Preferably Less than 80000 miles.
Dont really want to go older than an R reg (1998) but Ill consider if its a really nice car
1.4 - 1.6 litre engine(preferably 1.4)
Must look at least a little bit sporty or have potential
Has to be a 3 door hatchback.
Preferably a light car (so it would be quick and good on fuel)
Not a Diesel

Ive been thinking about:
Honda Civic EK (My top choice. Id be very pleased if I get one just cant find a nice one)
Citoren Saxo VTR (not too sure, maybe high on insurance and I had a friend who had problems with his VTR)
Seat Ibiza (Also not too sure because I heard their unreliable and they have 8v engines) but they do look good imo
Mitsubishi Colt
Ford Focus
Mazda MX3
Fiat Stilo (3dr ONLY! 5dr looks pants)
Peugeot 206
Toyota Yaris
urm... thats it?!

I dont really want a Golf, Polo or Clio because their too common round this area.

Try using this website. It is very useful in helping you find the car you want, what spec, what plate/year and what sort of price you would expect to pay for it.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/

 

[barryl85]

Quick question: Stock vs. stock, which is quicker - Civic VTi or Ford Racing Puma?

Why change the subject?? my civic isnt stock and you said all i would see is the rear wing on the puma.

Anyway Civic VTi was not the hottest model - try the EK9 Type-r 185bhp out of a 1.6 litre engine and it weighs just over 1 tonne - lets see the puma compete with that it would be a laugh and a half.

Just something I'd like to mention. Full damper control isn't that great. It's actually not as good as having fixed dampening for a certain spring rate. It's basically a luxury and bragging rights.

I'm not even going to reply to that - what a load of mince.

 

[TheCracker]

Puma's are ugly womans cars - the distance between the tire and wheel arch is ridiculous looks as high as a transit van - and puma racing model (can i say ricer wing and a half????)

Which ricer wing is that?

 

[Famine]

Why change the subject?? my civic isnt stock and you said all i would see is the rear wing on the puma.

I didn't change the subject - you opined that the Ford Puma is cack and the Ford Racing Puma even more so - for a bunch of reasons, and chose to introduce, as a comparison, your car.

Which isn't standard (for instance - the Puma's ride height is too high for you, but your car has coilovers and adjustable dampers).

That's like saying that satsumas are rubbish because you have a mandarin cheesecake.

Anyway Civic VTi was not the hottest model

On the EG Civic it was.

And I'll note you avoided answering.

try the EK9 Type-r 185bhp out of a 1.6 litre engine and it weighs just over 1 tonne - lets see the puma compete with that it would be a laugh and a half.

Import only.

Besides, as I'm sure you know, there's more to life than peaky, high-revving horsepower. Like... suspension, for instance, which you've seen fit to change in its entirety on your Rover 200. I mean EG Civic. But no suspension set-up in the world compensates for an excessively high centre-of-gravity, on a narrow car - like the 100mm thinner and 30mm taller EK Civic compared to the Ford Racing Puma... Also, let me know when you find the handling awards the EG or EK Civic won.


Not that I'm entirely sure why we're talking about a £20k car and a modified hatchback for a teenager with a £2k budget and a recently write-off in his insurance history.

 

[barryl85]

Which ricer wing is that?

Erm try this one

I didn't change the subject - you opined that the Ford Puma is cack and the Ford Racing Puma even more so - for a bunch of reasons, and chose to introduce, as a comparison, your car.

Which isn't standard (for instance - the Puma's ride height is too high for you, but your car has coilovers and adjustable dampers).

That's like saying that satsumas are rubbish because you have a mandarin cheesecake.



On the EG Civic it was.

And I'll note you avoided answering.



Import only.

Besides, as I'm sure you know, there's more to life than peaky, high-revving horsepower. Like... suspension, for instance, which you've seen fit to change in its entirety on your Rover 200. I mean EG Civic. But no suspension set-up in the world compensates for an excessively high centre-of-gravity, on a narrow car - like the 100mm thinner and 30mm taller EK Civic compared to the Ford Racing Puma... Also, let me know when you find the handling awards the EG or EK Civic won.


Not that I'm entirely sure why we're talking about a £20k car and a modified hatchback for a teenager with a £2k budget and a recently write-off in his insurance history.

Why write off a car thats clearly better - the EK9 type-r maybe only available in japan but it has been imported hundreds if not thousands of times.

The hottest EG model was an SiR 170bhp + LSD

A stock VTi would give the puma a run for its money if not better it. Especially at the track either an EG or an EK.

I have no idea of any awards for any UK Civics until the EP3 showed up (thats not to say that there isnt) However i will say that the reason for this would be because of how succesfull the Integra DC2 was being rated the best handling front wheel drive car at the time.

And how very mature of you to mention Rover in this - name one part or one piece of a Civic EK or EG that is a rover? Oh wait - you cant - oh well.

 

[TheCracker]

Erm try this one

That's an after market wing. The Ford Racing Puma has no wing (apart from a slightly exagerated tail lip) as standard.

 

[barryl85]

That's an after market wing. The Ford Racing Puma has no wing (apart from a slightly exagerated tail lip) as standard.

Well a friend of a friend used to have one and as far as im aware its an OEM Ford Wing which was optional

another pic of the car on stilts?

And out of interest i was reading the specs on a "racing" (hardly) puma, 0-60 = 7.9???? thats ghastly and a top speed of 126? VTi is almost 140 (and i can assure you a stock VTi goes off the clock with a 145mph marker) Lets hope this Stock vs Stock race does not include a high speed run or it could be embarrasing.

I have to say though - the Racing Puma with no wing and lowered is very sexy

 

[Famine]

Why write off a car thats clearly better - the EK9 type-r maybe only available in japan but it has been imported hundreds if not thousands of times.

I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about with regards to writing things off.

Other than the fact you seem to be interested only in talking about your modified car in a thread for someone who wants to spend £2k on a new car having broken his old one...

A stock VTi would give the puma a run for its money if not better it.

Interesting. At the start of this, Pumas were "seriously bad", and now we're talking about a car you emphatically recommend over them as giving it a "run for its money".

So which is it? Are Pumas "seriously bad", or are they good enough to have you scrambling for trim levels to beat them?

Especially at the track either an EG or an EK.

As your stats show, I wouldn't hold much hope for the Puma in a straight line race - but people who drag race FWD cars are generally not operating on all cylinders anyway. So I wouldn't say especially at the track. I'd say that's precisely where the Puma has the advantage - what with the lower centre of gravity, wider track, shorter wheelbase, lower weight and flatter torque curve.

I have no idea of any awards for any UK Civics until the EP3 showed up (thats not to say that there isnt) However i will say that the reason for this would be because of how succesfull the Integra DC2 was being rated the best handling front wheel drive car at the time.

There's never any particular agreement on what's the best handling front wheel drive car - I've heard the DC2 mentioned along with the Corrado, Puma and a whole host of other cars.

But it doesn't take long to uncover the Puma's handling awards - and bear in mind that the EK Civic was a direct peer at the time.

And how very mature of you to mention Rover in this - name one part or one piece of a Civic EK or EG that is a rover? Oh wait - you cant - oh well.

I'm no expert in the field of either car, but don't the Rover 200 and EG Civic share front springs and brake pads?

 

[barryl85]

I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about with regards to writing things off.

As in wiping it from the board - taking it out of the picture - its still thee best civic hatch ever and it would destroy the puma with ease.

Interesting. At the start of this, Pumas were "seriously bad", and now we're talking about a car you emphatically recommend over them as giving it a "run for its money".

So which is it? Are Pumas "seriously bad", or are they good enough to have you scrambling for trim levels to beat them?

That is very interesting at the start of this thread i was talking about MY car thrashing a racing puma - but you mentioned stock - so i said a Stock VTi would give it a run for its money - and on paper the VTi has more power and is faster in a straight line.

There's never any particular agreement on what's the best handling front wheel drive car - I've heard the DC2 mentioned along with the Corrado, Puma and a whole host of other cars.

But it doesn't take long to uncover the Puma's handling awards - and bear in mind that the EK Civic was a direct peer at the time.

The EG and the DC2 have alot in common in terms of chassis and suspension in some cases identical - and how could the Ek hatch be a direct peer? its a hatch not a sports coupe - the DC2 would be the direct peer.

I'm no expert in the field of either car, but don't the Rover 200 and EG Civic share front springs and brake pads?

Nope that would be the concerto - after 88 or 89 no honda's shared rover parts - anyway it was never 'Rover' parts - it was Honda's parts used on Rovers.

 

[Famine]

That is very interesting at the start of this thread i was talking about MY car thrashing a racing puma - but you mentioned stock - so i said a Stock VTi would give it a run for its money - and on paper the VTi has more power and is faster in a straight line.

On paper the VTi and Racing Puma are separated by 0.2s to 60mph - the VTi is certainly more powerful, but also heavier, narrower and taller.

Your car - which seems to have a cold air intake and a red rocker cover - may be quicker in a straight line than that, but even with the coilovers (which the Puma has as standard) and adjustable dampers, you aren't addressing the fundamental issue of a much higher centre of mass in a much narrower car (4 inches narrower, as it happens).

The handling awards the Puma (and I mean the base Pumas, rather than the FRPs) won that the Civic of the same era didn't do seem to address this issue.


All of which is irrelevant since Slick Rick can neither afford to buy nor insure either car... I'm not sure why the fact that your modified Civic can beat a Puma makes Pumas "fabulously bad", nor why you chose to share it with us.

The EG and the DC2 have alot in common in terms of chassis and suspension in some cases identical - and how could the Ek hatch be a direct peer? its a hatch not a sports coupe - the DC2 would be the direct peer.

The Puma is a coupe-style hatchback. The Integra is a stripped-down coupe - and almost a full half a metre longer than the Puma.

You're confusing "competitor" with "peer" - though I'm not sure how anyone could see the Puma taking sales from the Integra. The Puma and EK Civic were sold at roughly the same time, for roughly the same price and are roughly the same size and body style.

Nope that would be the concerto - after 88 or 89 no honda's shared rover parts - anyway it was never 'Rover' parts - it was Honda's parts used on Rovers.

Interesting how the EK Civic's rear suspension made its way to the MG ZS then really. Was this the 88-89 model EK Civic?

 

[BMW POWER]

I personaly would go for a 1.4 EK Civic, A friend of mine got one a few months back for £800 with 7 months MOT and 6 months TAX. It's a brilliant little thing! very agile and nippy doesn't feel at all underpowered for a 1.4 and will be economical and reliable to run, also it wont hurt you to much on insurance or road TAX. Well just a suggestion anyway.

 

[barryl85]

On paper the VTi and Racing Puma are separated by 0.2s to 60mph - the VTi is certainly more powerful, but also heavier, narrower and taller.

Your car - which seems to have a cold air intake and a red rocker cover - may be quicker in a straight line than that, but even with the coilovers (which the Puma has as standard) and adjustable dampers, you aren't addressing the fundamental issue of a much higher centre of mass in a much narrower car (4 inches narrower, as it happens).

Erm - try also a 4-1 dc sports mani - de-cat - buddyclub prospec cat back - lightweight wheels - magnecor kv85 leads - the pictures you have obviously found on honda thread are dated.

I'm not sure why the fact that your modified Civic can beat a Puma makes Pumas "fabulously bad", nor why you chose to share it with us.

And in your "tastefully changed" Civic, that's about all you'll be looking at...

So you never made any hint of why i would like to bring my car into discussion? No?

And thats not the reason why i do not like puma's

The Puma is a coupe-style hatchback. The Integra is a stripped-down coupe - and almost a full half a metre longer than the Puma.

You're confusing "competitor" with "peer" - though I'm not sure how anyone could see the Puma taking sales from the Integra. The Puma and EK Civic were sold at roughly the same time, for roughly the same price and are roughly the same size and body style.

The integra IS a coupe style hatchback - which matches the puma more than a 3 door hatch. And the integra DC2 was sold at roughly the same time as the EK Civic therefore at the same time as the FRP.

Interesting how the EK Civic's rear suspension made its way to the MG ZS then really. Was this the 88-89 model EK Civic?

Excuse me? Now thats insulting and not true in the slightest. Honda's development tools were taken from Longbridge when MG was shut down in 2005 - The suspension used on an MG ZS was a similar design of the MB6 Civic (rover size and similar shape). But in no way was it Honda Suspension but it was their suspension design for the 5 door hatch.

Therefore 'Rover' suspension was never used on any Honda - and the suspension MG was making and using on new cars was a dated honda design.

Honda Civic EK hatches were all made in Japan with suspension unique to itself - although the coupe's that were made in america shared the same suspension as the 3dr.

The EK4 and EK9 (along with Si's in america (EJ6's)) All share double wishbone setup - however the EK9 was lower and stiffer with thicker anti roll bars and a rear axle strengthener.

 

[Famine]

Erm - try also a 4-1 dc sports mani - de-cat - buddyclub prospec cat back - lightweight wheels - magnecor kv85 leads - the pictures you have obviously found on honda thread are dated.

Just to check...

CAI + 4-1 Exhaust Manifold + Cat-back exhaust + Magnecor Leads = 25hp?

You said this was dynoed - any chance of a plot?

So you never made any hint of why i would like to bring my car into discussion? No?

And thats not the reason why i do not like puma's

No, you already stated why you don't like them:

Puma? Seriously guys? they are bad - its a fiesta with a fancy shell and no room in the back! Can anyone say reliability?

It's not a Fiesta with a fancy shell - it's a Fiesta with a fancy shell, new engine range, new 'box and reworked suspension. No room in the back is scarcely a criticism of a 3-door coupe-style hatchback (especially when most cars carry just the driver most of the time). You may as well denigrate the MX-5 for the same thing...

As for reliability... I've never heard of any reliability issues with the Puma at all.

So what we've got is a null argument and two opinions based on fantasy. And this makes the Puma "bad". The Puma, which has won Car of the Year from Top Gear, and Used Car of the Year twice from What Car? Which received handling awards left, right and centre, beating off its peers which include the EK Civic and, if you insist, the DC2 Integra.


Personally, I don't like the Puma. But there's a difference between what I like and dislike and what good and bad cars are.

The integra IS a coupe style hatchback - which matches the puma more than a 3 door hatch. And the integra DC2 was sold at roughly the same time as the EK Civic therefore at the same time as the FRP.

Quite so (though calling the Integra a hatchback makes me laugh somewhat). The E46 3-series coupe was sold at the same time as both - is it a peer?

The Integra is a wholly different car compared to any Puma. For a start, in the UK there was no model range (unless you include very short options lists). The Puma is a hatchback-based small coupe. The Integra is a medium coupe - in the same sector as the Calibra, Probe, MX-6, Corrado, Alfa GTV, FIAT Coupe (genius from the FIAT naming department there), Celica, 200SX and suchlike, but more track-focussed than any of them. The Puma was in the same sector as the Tigra, 100NX, Paseo, MX-3, CR-X/CR-X del Sol and other tiny, cute coupes.

As a small, 3-door hatch, the EK Civic was more of a peer to the Puma than the full-sized coupe Integra. In fact, this point is reinforced by both cars being on Slick Rick's list of vehicles to buy - which is, after all, the point of this thread. And we can point to both cars and tell Slick Rick that the Puma won handling awards and the EK Civic did not.

Excuse me? Now thats insulting and not true in the slightest.

The Rover 45 donor car did not have a reputation for being a driver's car but in fact it was the most suitable car in the Rover range for transformation into an MG, its Honda heritage providing double-wishbone front suspension and fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

Honda's development tools were taken from Longbridge when MG was shut down in 2005 - The suspension used on an MG ZS was a similar design of the MB6 Civic (rover size and similar shape). But in no way was it Honda Suspension but it was their suspension design for the 5 door hatch.

Therefore 'Rover' suspension was never used on any Honda - and the suspension MG was making and using on new cars was a dated honda design.

I'm not entirely sure what your point is. I've never claimed Honda used Rover parts. But I have shown you two instances of parts from the EG and EK Civic being used on the Rover range - both of which you've summarily refuted.

 

[Perfect Balance]

The EK4 and EK9 (along with Si's in america (EJ6's)) All share double wishbone setup - however the EK9 was lower and stiffer with thicker anti roll bars and a rear axle strengthener.

What rear axle?

 

[Slick Rick]

I got a new car today
A little over budget(when I say little I really mean a lot; Like £900). Its an EP Civic 51 plate 1.4s and had done 58,000 miles.
Pics to follow tomorro because its too dark now.

Oh yea, Insurance company wrote the Almera off offered us £1200 which I thought was great cos I was expecting £900 but for some crazy reason my dad rejected the offer and asked for £1700 so its back off to get re-evaluated.

 

[socomplayer2]

I got a new car today
A little over budget(when I say little I really mean a lot; Like £900). Its an EP Civic 51 plate 1.4s and had done 58,000 miles.
Pics to follow tomorro because its too dark now.

congrats!👍

 

[Slick Rick]

congrats!👍

Thanks.
Heres the pics:







Pretty nice interior, but it feels too soft and cushiony compared to the Almera. The accelerator feels like im pressing a sponge and the steering is way too light. Love the gear shifter though

Love the colour. After owning a bright green Almera for a while, a silver car doesnt do much for me.

 

[Danny]

The colour is...interesting.

Good engine choice, sir.