back end does get play in it, the subframe that is, and makes a sound like a big chunk of metal banging around in a big metal trailer
front suspension also gets play at lower arm bushs, anti roll bar bushs, and suspension top mounts (most likely, and most affecting).
change all these and you will get it like new (I'm still saving up to do the whole front end, again, shodding shtty roads in sunderland).
as for handling, they handle fine, you SHOULD be able to feel every single jolt and leaf you run over with the steering wheel (and thru your arse) if yo don't then the car is just plain soft.
you mention..
206, well, yeah the sporty models handle OK'ish, but ride is vague, steering is useless, no feedback (but tehn I think that of anything with PAS).
civic, well if its the little bubble shaped (nastiest IMO, from 1991-1999), they bang around and clatter horrifically compard to the mk1 punto (I know, I spent 2days fixing my mates POS civic, had to drop the entire rear subframe, and ever after changing everything that could be changed it still clattered around and crabbed
fto, well its a grand cruiser type thing, got much beefier suspension, and is ulitmatly designed for beating the hell out of A roads, b roads = jiggly but firm and pert.
as I said, change the bush's all round and you'll notice MASSIVE differences. also rear dampers, the back ends on these start to bounce (almost out of control when loaded atall) after they are around 2yrs old, so yeah, 10yrs down the line they will be horrific.
handling wise, look into track rod ends, make sure the oil in g'box has been changed (old stuff is too thin, so diff turns too easily, inside spins= nasty handling).
also get some decent tyres on there, and NARROW STEELIES!!
I've tried both 15" aftermarket alloys, with 195/50 r15 tyres, and
fiat alloys with 185/55 r14.
both handled much to vaguely for my liking with little or no turn in (read HORRIFIC understeer and tramlining), no feedback, and they clattered off alsorts of roads that were fine on teh steelies.
get some decent tyres up front (I have yokohama's on teh front), and something budget, but good in the wet on the back (I have £18 sava's on the back:slayer: ).
= shed loads of turn in, lift off oversteer, great in the wet aswell as the back is firmly nailed to the ground with the deep cuts and hard profile of the cheap savas etc...
if you want to go further, you could instal the rear anti-roll bar from a gt in the rear, which will give you some bodyroll induced grip at teh front.
beware though, it does make SOME difference, so barrelling into the first chicane that you always hit at breakneck speed WILL result in the car continueing to steer a different direction to normal!!
