Got a tough decision to make soon, just after people's general opinions really. I've always been a turbo person, currently driving a 270bhp Nissan 200SX.

I'm going to look at Beckham's (on this forum) RS1600i. Looks very nice, will know more under closer inspection. That's up for £750.

I'm also going to look at a Escort RST Series 1 that is up for £1500. This had a respray a few years ago with all rust taken care of. Its also had a recent engine rebuild. It's owned by a mechanic and is well looked after I'd say. It's not a custom version though.

I might get a bit of verbal abuse for this comment, but I personally hate the interiors on both, so would probably plumb for RST S2 Recaro's and maybe a dash conversion too! Plus if the S1 wasn't a custom, I'd convert it all to electric. (Is that hard to do?)

Which one do you think would be the better buy and why?

 

Hi there, i dont want to dampen any hopes what so ever, but both cars seem to be in a very low price bracket.
The RS1600i and Series 1 are both very nice cars, id go for the Series 1 but i suppose im biased a bit.

But, when you view em, check em both well proper.
But you never know, might be a bargain to be picked up.

Good luck with em

 

A S1 RS Turbo for £1500 is not going to be a nice one at all TBH

UNLESS, you are one LUCKY fucker

 

Mate if its a non-custom S1 thats even better IMHO as long as some pillock hasn't cut a hole in the roof. Bith are cheap. I know a little of beckhams, had a snapped cambelt a whileback, he said it was just ticking over on the drive but it's worth checking carefully. I love both cars but heart is with the 16i which handles better IMO and has a nicer interior if you find a tidy one

Both cars seem very cheap

 

I'd get both and make 1 good car out of them

 

Any more opinions?

 

XR3i versus a S1... Hmmmm let me have a little think

 

S1 everytime

 

I can copy you a 10 page leaflet detailing the actual differences between a 3i and a 16i if you like Much more than a couple of different spoilers and stickers.

 

My mate had a mint RS1600i a few years ago, a very under estimated car

 

Buy mine

 

Matt, I'd like to see that leaflet mate. I'll be facing a dilemma in April myself, thought not vs. an S1.

 

S1 anyday although 16i's are nice cars...to be honest both cars are likely to be sheds for the money your looking at paying

 

i like both but would go for a s1 first. 1500 quid and had a respray.....i would bet my left bollock the rust wasnt taken care of....just filled n painted. An old s1 thats had the rust taken care of is a 'restored' s1...and they dont go for 1500 unless you are one lucky bastard

 

had both very hard rs1600i will cost less to run maintain but not as cool or as quick as S1

 

Matt, if you'd take £1500 for it then I'd snap your arms off for it and possibly your legs!

 

 

hmm it depends what YOU want.. i would never buy a N/A car over a turbo one.. im just too used to driving turbo'd cars.. to be honest though £1500 is going to be a nailed S1 id be surprised if the dorrs were hanging on by much more than a rusty spot weld!
and as for the 16i its not exactly expensive.. i remember my mate had one about 2yrs ago... that 'looked mint' and he sold it for £1300 IIRC however i knew what it was really like under the shiney new paint

 

Both are cheap, but are they cheap for a reason, S1 is what I would choose, but was thinking about going to see that RS1600i myself as I have never had one

I would suggest a S2, if you ripp out interiors and dashes on either the S1 or the 16i, you will lower it's value and it's not what buying those cars are about, they are harder to come by and for the cash your paying, expect problems.

A decentish S2 can be picked up for £1500 - £2000, it's more modern, has the trim you want and parts are easier to come buy. Plus you'll have a good chance of getting a car that needs little work and can be enjoyed.

You may have found 2 bargains so by all means go and have a gander, but if you are on a budget and looking to get into a turbo for cheap £££ then head down the S2 route, I think you'll be happier.

Let us know how you get on.

 

Got to buy both and have the best of both worlds mate!!

Heres mine and its got the best of both worlds!!

 

Thats

 

Originality is key with both these cars IMO. Especially the 16i. if it's on a dizzy or theres loadsa mods on it, it wont be worth much anyway.

I like the turbo'd one above .

 

s1 IMO. Non customs are very rare.. i used to have one of these.
As most people have said.. for £1500 i'd expect it to be a right dog.
I had one of mine restored a couple of years ago, and with a 110k mile 200 odd bhp engine that sold for over 4 grand, and in all honest that was cheap for what it was imo.
1600i also seems cheap at the price as these are very rare too.

 

I'd choose the S1 personally.

Both nice cars with character and they still look good on the roads.

As said by others both are very cheap for what they are, if they're any good that is!

 

im really fancying a 16i at the mo myself just to use over summer! i dont know much about market prices but imagine they a lot cheaper to run and buy than the S1. S1 is a classic that i will have one day but something about the "XR3" ( Gaz) think i need one!

 

I bought my S1 with a loan, would never have saved up for one as it was a second car and something else would have come up that needed the cash more urgently.

Got the loan, £118 per month and don't even notice it anymore, just another bill, then I went and spent more on it in just over a year than it cost me to buy, £3,500 then sold it on to some luck bloke in Blackpool who got all the benefits of my cash, still he seemed a top lad and I was pleased to see it goes to someone who will keep improving on it.

I miss my S1

 

I like the look of both of them. 1600's are a lot cheaper for wot you get..but it has to be the turbo if it is better condition every time. The better engine output is worth it imo...unless you do wot others suggested, get both & make i top motor out of the 2, then sell the other to recoup some cash.

Gary: very tidy geeza.

 

s1 for looks and power(im biased as ive got one)
rs1600i for a decent car but bear in mind both will have loads of problems/hard parts to get hold of if they go wrong
if you prefer the s1 to buy try other places rather than pf/autotrader...etc as they will price them up even if they are doggy
take someone with you that knows mk3's inside and out regardless of rs1600i/s1

 

ill have to say s1 nate...but again biased...i got one but the rs1600 in black...cant go wrong...

for that price for any of the two you got a bargain there...

 

i would say both of them would be rot box's for that money
i know of a rs 1600i thats not running very good bodywork but
has been standing for 5 years and he wants £950 for it and it
is worth that as ive seen it

anyway if you dont like the s1 trim buy a s2 if you dont want a s2 them
then get the s1

 

Had an S1 AGES ago befor i got the saff. Nice car,really comfy interior too! Far better than the leather in the saff. I'll get shot down for this but in std form they are slow as fook,don't handle and don't stop. I had a Pug 205 1.9 prior to the S1 and it pissed on it in all areas but comfort! Find one of those instead and you'll have a big grin on.

Stands well back...

 

Vaughny, How you get on mate, either one any good??

Matt

 

gotta say thats what i'd do

1600i's are really rare and can make it a bit of a sleeper with engine and running gear from an rs turbo

gott be a black or grey rs 1600i

 

Remeber the white one in performance ford in March this year with the 1.9 engine in, looked really nice,

It's up for sale at the mo, £3,700, think it's been up for sale for a while unless it's been changing hands, bit cheaper and it would make a good purchase me thinks