STALLED wrote:Can't believe that the Mi16 has become so rare over there in the UK - there are quite a few left here?
Last time the Mi16 register did a count, about 2 years ago, there were less than 900 left in blighty, so reckon on easily sub 800 now, so there are less left than Lotus Cortinas.
I got a sweet one, and once it's been repainted (booked in August 24th) it'll be a minter. 405 Mi16 handles and brakes in a different league to virtually any other car this side of a Ferrari, and has absolutely phenomenal levels of grip - you'd have to be cack handed indeed to stuff one in a hedge. Very popular as a cheap trackday car becuase of this, which in turn contributes further to their rarity. The 205 GiT is slightly quicker off the mark, with a similar top end, but on the road the Mi aces it as the engine just revs...an revs...and revs...up to 133mph and 7500 RPM(or 138 ependant on tyre size option).
205 is a better propostion for parts, and there is a helluva lot o aftermarket support outthere, but it's common as much, is tricky on the limit, and is cramped and with a tiny boot compared to the Mi, which, funnily enough, is cheaper to insure.
I'd say try and find a half decent Mi and preserve it for future generations, but don't be ashamed of a 205 (although the later 115bhp 1600 is a far nicer drive than the lumpen 1.9) - both cars are easily cpable of flushing their contemporary rivals head doen the toilet!
Avoid late phase I's (the 1.9) Mi's as they're strangled by emissions. Otherwise, there isn't much to choose dynamically between the earlier phI's and the 2.0 litre phase II, and the rare Mi16 4x4 is a rare and highly prized treat.
Oh, and I get 33mpg overall at the moment, slightly more on the 97 RON go juice, and mine is running a Superchipped ECU from a ZX 2.0 16v.
. i have owned both cars and was more than happy with both but they both have their good and bad points. i think the Mi16 is my all time favourite car but the 205 is of similair performance and it would be cheaper to fix WHEN it does go wrong cos the 1.9 8v is a common engine where as the Mi16 is getting very rare. 
. what one have you got Turbolag ? ill be looking for an F or G plate 1.9 cos i think its a nicer revving engine than the 2.0 l and its got no cat 
