'99 Clio, then drove it home - about 20 miles. It's the first time I've driven any other car for more than a couple of miles since I bought the mr2 and Oh My God!Obviously my expectations were low to start off with.
In town it was OK, I found myself revving it up to 3000rpm before gear changes to get it to move at all. Then I went round a 90 degree corner and the thing *leaned* onto it's doorhandles, totally uncomfortable and felt like it might crash. I didn't realise how much I'd got used to the mr2's stiff and flat cornering.Then, the A2.
..unbelievably slow. I estimate that 60-70mph in 5th would have taken about 20 seconds if I'd been bothered to wait. I just couldn't believe how slowly the speed climbed. On the way home I stopped at the garage and picked up the 2.
It felt like driving it for the first time. The seats felt really low, the cluth heavy but the torque response was amazing in comparison. Clunky short-throw gear changes, loads of low down power and then the turbo spooled up and I realised I was back in a proper car!I've never regretted buying such a
"committed" car as the 2, but I had got used to it and the hard suspension can be a pain when driving slowly. But within five seconds of being back in my car I felt totally vindicated - I'd trade some bumps and rattles for the handling, power and seating position *any* day of the week. One final point
- I've also driven my brother's '98 Impreza Type-R, with about 330bhp. Obviously it's faster but the steering is nowhere *near* as good, lighter and with less feel. The mr2 is still a much more direct car than the scoob.Luke
