Didn't want a turbo because...
This is the part I'm missing. See, if there was a down side you were listing, some sort of tradeoff, like the one Preloader and I have with our alcohol modded cars, then sure you could argue the merits of one or the other for particular applications.
I dump on the automatics all the time but the truth is (and I do admit this) for many applications, the auto is better. Hard pull, the auto will do all the shifting on the dime every time, so your quarter mile and 0-100 times will probably be better on an auto. Likewise, stop and go rush hour traffic, hell with those two car length per start clutch operations. Manual is better for many reasons, but auto is better for a few and to each his own.
This isn't that situation, or that is to say, if it is that situation, nobody seems to be explaining the up side of the 1.8 so I can see where it has its strengths vs the strengths of the 1.4.
"not a turbo" is not a strength, not unless you can identify a downside of the turbo.
"I don't need that much power" isn't a strength, because the 1.4 is better at not giving you power than the 1.8. Yeah, it's also better at giving you more power than the 1.8, but that isn't the issue here. It's better both sides of the coin.
If you were comparing a 1.8 NA to a 1.8 turbo, and you said "I don't need the extra power" I'd concede the point, because why pay extra and haul around the added weight and added complexity for a turbo you will never use.
If you were comparing a 1.4NA (yes, you can get them this way in Europe) to a 1.4turbo, you'd have a point as well, although it's hard to imagine under USA driving conditions being able to say the 1.4NA is all you need.
But those options aren't on the table, so you need to come up with a case where the 1.8 NA beats the 1.4 turbo.
Even the title of this thread belies my point. It isn't "the 1.8 is the better engine for some applications" it's "there is nothing wrong with the 1.8." I agree, it's a perfectly good engine, I just put it to you that for at least some applications the 1.4 is better, and I can think of zero applications where the 1.8 is better.
MPG? 1.4t
Power? 1.4t
Coolness? 1.4t
Logical use of technology to help save the planet and wean us off foreign oil? 1.4t
1.8 has:
Slightly cheaper? 1.8
Dealers actually stock it? 1.8
Those aren't very good arguments.
