Good counsel, I decided, to try the 2.0. Better to check it out now now than to have doubts later.
I had a go in a 2.0 yesterday, and then drove the 1.5 again to compare. I did it that way round because I knew I would love the 1.5 again if it came first, and driving it after the 2.0 would show it in its 'worst' light if it was really not as good.
There is a difference - the 2.0 feels quicker right away, bound to as it can produce more of its power at lower rpm - it tops out at 6000 when the torque falls off rather than the 7000 of the 1.5. Pressing it through corners, it also feels firmer, although that does not necessarily translate into grip - the 1.5 sticks like glue, and feels better than the 2.0 in a bumpy corner.
You know that point, where you have given it some beans through the gears, when you think you should check the speedo? That seems about 10mph higher in the 2.0, on the same roads.
The brakes incidentally feel fantastic on both; helped no doubt by a very light car. The 2.0 has bigger discs, and more relevantly maybe slightly wider tyres, but they are both superb stoppers.
I really enjoyed both, and would happily have either. The 2.0 is quicker to accelerate, but I liked the corners better in the 1.5. The revvy nature of the 1.5 is fun and feels it in the intermediate gears, and it rides a bit better than the 2.0. I actually hit the limiter, by accident, very clumsy, in the 2.0, driving it subconsciously perhaps like the 1.5. That was about 6600 I think. The 1.5 will probably go close to 8000.
One conclusion from that is that I might as well have the 2.0, it can't hurt. Another is that I don't need to spend the extra dosh for the 2.0, the higher insurance group, the bigger tyres and the extra fuel, while regretting that revvy engine which, bragging rights aside, gives the 1.5 the edge.
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