29th Nov 2002, 18:14
I recently bought myself my 1st gti-r, and to be perfectly honest with you. until two months ago, I hadn't even heard of the pocket rocket. Infact, the purchase of my gti-r was more accidental.
After months of long hours and strict saving it was time for me to spend it wisely on a car I thought I had wanted for some time. I had originally been looking for an MR2 GT-S twin turbo. I stumbled across a Japanese import garage. It had your normal boring WRX's, (i use the term boring loosely) GT-S's and a couple of pulsars. To cut it short, after what turned out to be a white knuckle of a test drive in a 1991 gti-r and £5000 poorer, I was the owner of an GTI-R. The GT-S had no competition to GTI-R.
I have driven some wild cars in my time, but I can honestly say that the GTI-R is by far the wildest. I have left subuaru's for dust. I love the way the appearance of the car is underestimated and the look of horror on other drivers faces, of who's cars are made to look so small by a car that is years older, and often up to 3 times cheaper. When you add together, performance, value for money and looks alone. Then I don't think the GTI-R can be beaten. Gary lewis.
27th Apr 2005, 05:39
For sure man, I own a GTiR and it's a monster. I'm boosting 1 bar (14.5 psi) and it goes like nothing else. I've beaten WRX's, EVO's and one GTX that didn't make it off the line because it blew it's gearbox. LOL.
But thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick car. The only downside to them is that they are very hard to find some go fast bits for them. They either have to be modified or specially made.
14th Oct 2002, 23:56
The Mazda GTR better than the GTi-R?? I don't think so. And that's coming from one of the biggest fans of the Ford Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD (which is the same as the Mazda GTX). I've been reading up on the GTX and GTR for years, reading every possible review, etc.
In stock form, the GTR makes 156KW, compared to the GTi-R's 170KW.
In reviews that directly compare the GTR to the GTi-R, the GTi-R always wins, because of its performance advantage. In stock form, the Mazda has better handling than the GTi-R, and also has better interior appointments, but the performance potential of the SR20 is greater.
The SR20 is also known to be one of the best, if not the best, 4 cylinder engine. The BP is also a good engine, but where the argument in favour of the GTR falls over is in respect to the transmission. The GTX is probably the most notorious of all 4WD Turbo cars (with the engine mounted laterally, not longitudinally like a Skyline), and its higher performance brother has a strengthened version of this transmission. Not good.
To give an example, I know somebody who had a Laser TX3 (GTX) and with only simple mods such as boost & exhaust, he went through 4 gearboxes. This is compared to examples of the GTi-R here in Australia that are running 334KW engines with the stock gearbox.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference. The GTi-R is still the better option. A person who wants a quick, stock car, cannot go past the GTi-R. A person who wants a car that is modifiable and durable, also cannot go past the GTi-R.
I know where my money will be going in a few months... To a nice GTi-R imported directly from Japan.