looking for imput about choosing the right engine for me.!

[Truffles]

Hello there.

I have a few questions I would like to put to the group if I may.

Ok. Well, firstly I guess I am looking for peoples thoughts about certain differences between a 1.8 115, and a 2lt 155.

Like; what's the difference in the amount of road tax between the two?

The insurance brackets each model are in.. I'm guessing the 2lt one is in the top bracket, and there for a lot more to insure. But when it comes to insuring modified cars from the various companies, does the engine size really matter that much, or do they just ‘pull your pants down swiftly' no matter what the original engine size is.?

I already no it's a task and a half to put the Abrath spoiler on the 1.8 due to the standard part being attached through the rear window, so what's it like fitting one to the 2lt.?

Other body modifications, are they all possible.? I know the front is wider on the 2lt, but u can still get the Abrath front cant u..? and I assume Abrath side skirts, and other rear diffusers still fit… hope I'm right with that one.

I don't plan on buying either unless they have already had there cam belts changed, but are there any other pricey jobs that are worth thinking about looking out for on either models that should be done because I know they all get more expensive with the larger engines. Certainly more than my little 1.4 I currently have.

Im sorry for this being a long winded post. I'm pretty sure I want the 1.8 but im just looking to see what kind of differences there are, mostly financial, betweem the two.

Any feed back would be greatly received.

Thanx.

Tim.

 

[Cynic-al]

hello!

I'm not sure what year the road tax rules changed, but i'm guessing most bravos are on the old road tax rules like my '98 1.6. ie anything below 1500cc is about £100 and anything over is about £175. So this will be the same for the 1.8 and the 2.0 (and the 1.6, grrr). Look on the DVLA website for what year this changed.

The HGT has the same spoiler as the HLX so same problem there. You can either bung the holes or get a different boot, if your planning to modify a different boot may not be as big a problem as it sounds as you will probably want to reshape and respray anyway.

Cambelt on the 1.8 isn't that expensive, i think some garages will do a HGT for a reasonable price too. Servicing will be slightly more on a bigger engine but not a lot. Otherwise its basically the same car that you have, same wear parts etc.

 

[Truffles]

thank u for ur response.. very helpful. :0)

 

[Ian]

It is indeed.

The 2.0, 1.8 and 1.6 both fall into the higher band of tax at £175 for 12 months.

Regarding Insurance, the 2.0 is Group 14 for the 147's and Group 15 for the 155's.

The 1.8 is Group 7?
The 1.6 is Group 6.

Running costs of the HGT are not good. £399 for a cambelt change, and 25-30MPG if drove sensibly.

In comparison, for the 1.8, the cambelt is nearer £150 and you can get anything into the high 30's for MPG, again, if drove sensible. Expect a lot more for motorways.

 

[Oz in manic depression!]

Not wanting to labour the point but my 155 does 31 - 34mpg no problem unning costs will be higher and insurance a lot more.

"What's the word on the street Huggy Bear? "

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[Roberto]

Insurance group ratings...

Bravo

Brava

Marea Saloon

Marea Weekend

I've owned an HGT and always got more than 30mpg out of it. As Al says, running costs of the 2.0L 20v are higher, especially the cambelt issue, but it is a great sounding engine and will keep you smiling.

I've just bought a Marea Weekend 1.8 16V 115 ELX so I will let you know how that compares, but on my initial test drives, it's no slouch I'm sure the smaller and lighter Bravo/s will make it even less so



Rob

 

[Tommy K]

Have you ever considered a JTD with a re-map as an option??

Quicker than a 1.8.... comparible to a HGT (not quicker tho) but you can get upto 50mpg!

If so.. i might know some1 who has 1 forsale

it had its cambelt done after 4/5 years... not @ 72k cos that would be now.. 5/6 years old.


just a thought... if interested please e-mail me [email protected]

Tommy K - Have you got the Bottle!!