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VR46
289 posts
12 months
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R32 is the classiest hot hatch by far imo, suplime v6 and silky smooth. 4wd with all the toys and typical vw build quality. Leagues ahead of the french unreliable crap!
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Raoul Duke
813 posts
32 months
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Given your budget i would go for the Alfa everytime, the looks, sounds and rarity make it much more desirable than an S3. Haven't seen enough of them in these parts to really notice any sort of "thuggish" connection as was mentioned earlier in the thread, bit surprised that they may have this image really! The C30T5 would be the second choice, very underated in my opinion. They really do look great in cosmic white with the right wheels. The boot isn't the best though, in fact general practicality is somewhat lacking - had a very long look at the D5 version myself and sadly found that space was just too compromised for my needs, but the engine, seats and stereo are  As you have an estate to cover the practical needs it wouldn't be a bad choice at all.
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Needa308GT4
311 posts
15 months
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all this love for the R32.
Whilst a good car for what it is, is it really 'classy' or is that just what the marketing people at Wolfsburg WANT you to think????
After all, it 'looks just like a golf' therfore it's a bit run of the mill. Not as common as muck as the vile 1 Series or quite as dull as an A3 but is it classy? Nah.
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zabba
240 posts
84 months
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I'm a big fan of a the Mk5 Gti and R32 as a "one car solution", reasonable image, performance and practicality in one package. However, a 330 Estate offers all of this, so you'll not really be getting much different.
If I was you I would put my 15k into something more interesting like a elise/boxster/s2000/TVR etc. If you want a hot hatch, get a clio/megane sport or CTR.
Other options, Z3M coupe - much more special than the other hatches listed but will cost more in maintenance and can only sit 2, or VW Scirocco, golf in a frock but different looking and slightly better to drive.
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Needa308GT4
311 posts
15 months
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zabba said: I'm a big fan of a the Mk5 Gti and R32 as a "one car solution", reasonable image, performance and practicality in one package. However, a 330 Estate offers all of this, so you'll not really be getting much different.
If I was you I would put my 15k into something more interesting like a elise/boxster/s2000/TVR etc. If you want a hot hatch, get a clio/megane sport or CTR.
Other options, Z3M coupe - much more special than the other hatches listed but will cost more in maintenance and can only sit 2, or VW Scirocco, golf in a frock but different looking and slightly better to drive. If I was to spend 15k on a car that was 'nice' I'd expect it to be somewhat better than 'slightly better to drive' than its dull 'less frocked' derivative. Driven a lot of VAG stuff and, TTRS aside, all of that ilk are abut as interesting a drive as a standard Golf/Octavia/Leon etc. ie, they're not.
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Wheelrepairit
1,695 posts
73 months
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I've an S3 on a 61 plate and I chuffing well love it, only done 2500 in the 8 months I've owned it due to breaking my leg but it ticks all the boxes for me.
Did a track day in it last sat and enjoyed it more than when I had my R35 GTR.
For me it ticks all the boxes.
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Dblue
1,542 posts
69 months
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Golf GTi , Pref Ed30 , classy, fun ,solid. No one ever regretted buying a Golf GTi.
Course you should save and get a Megane RS250 sport with CUP chassis. Just sublime. Perfectly practical, very quick, entirely reliable and the Renaultsport magic is there in spades.
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150bhp
550 posts
41 months
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You know you want to... 
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chongwong
604 posts
16 months
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VR46 said: R32 is the classiest hot hatch by far imo, suplime v6 and silky smooth. 4wd with all the toys and typical vw build quality. Leagues ahead of the french unreliable crap! my boss has one, it's a manual 08 plate, and while I agree with you on the lovely engine, it's been horribly unreliable. So far it's destroyed it's gearbox, the clutch pedal doesn't return to it's disengaged position unless you pull it up with your foot, and on it's MOT it needed it's Cat replaced, also, he's only had it for about 8 months. However there's an old K reg (iirc) 205 GTI that comes into the Carpark, that according to the owner has never had to have anything done to it except good maintenance
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robsco
5,316 posts
45 months
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GTA would be my choice too. The only doubt is whether it passes the country house test... They're a glorious looking car but perhaps slightly too "tattooed forearm". That said, who gives a toss, you get those looks and that glorious engine.
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Baryonyx
6,875 posts
28 months
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VR46 said: R32 is the classiest hot hatch by far imo, suplime v6 and silky smooth. 4wd with all the toys and typical vw build quality. Leagues ahead of the french unreliable crap! I don't think it's particularly classy, certainly not now that it's got a big chav following (like most VW/Audi stuff). 4WD? Haldex 4WD, far inferior to a proper 4WD system. Typical VW build quality? Most VAG stuff seems pretty sloppy and unreliable to me, at least as far as modern cars go. If I've had a car break or fail on me recently it's either been VAG or Vauxhall! I'd trust the French hot hatches more than I would VAG and their over-complicated, overpriced and under-engineered tat! Though the R32 is still one of their best products.
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GravelBen
10,028 posts
99 months
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The Alfa was my first thought too. As far as the R32 Golf goes, I seem to remember reviews when it was new commenting that it made a nice noise but wasn't that quick or involving to drive. Mazda 3 MPS worth a look too if you want something subtle. Or there is always one of these if performance becomes the priority...  
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GTASmallville
535 posts
34 months
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When I read the thread title I knew an Audi S3 would be on your radar but I seriously urge you to look into an Alfa Romeo 147GTA  They are an awesome bit of kit, quicker than almost any other 'hot hatches' around except the latest stuff from VW and Audi...don't go by online figures done in magazine articles as Alfa was clearly sandbagging with the figures as mine is up on the bhp and torque figures and more importantly is quick as hell, able to keep up with faster cars with ease  Big boot, comfortable, very rare compared to any other hatch around with less that 400 made and deffo less left on the road now!! Depending where you are your more than welcome to try out mine, I swear you'll fall in love with her...oh and did I mention that engine? best sounding engine this side of a Fezza or Lambo 
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Dave Hedgehog
5,320 posts
73 months
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Needa308GT4 said: all this love for the R32.
Whilst a good car for what it is, is it really 'classy' or is that just what the marketing people at Wolfsburg WANT you to think????
After all, it 'looks just like a golf' therfore it's a bit run of the mill. Not as common as muck as the vile 1 Series or quite as dull as an A3 but is it classy? Nah. classy? more probably classless, in that its at home at harrods or aldi
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Dave Hedgehog
5,320 posts
73 months
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Baryonyx said: VR46 said: R32 is the classiest hot hatch by far imo, suplime v6 and silky smooth. 4wd with all the toys and typical vw build quality. Leagues ahead of the french unreliable crap! I don't think it's particularly classy, certainly not now that it's got a big chav following (like most VW/Audi stuff). 4WD? Haldex 4WD, far inferior to a proper 4WD system. Typical VW build quality? Most VAG stuff seems pretty sloppy and unreliable to me, at least as far as modern cars go. If I've had a car break or fail on me recently it's either been VAG or Vauxhall! I'd trust the French hot hatches more than I would VAG and their over-complicated, overpriced and under-engineered tat! Though the R32 is still one of their best products. typical comment on haldex by people who have never lived with one / don't know how to use it. In 99% of situations you will not be able to tell the difference to any other Audi 4WD system, they behave remarkably similarly, only driving on the limit will display different characteristics. Sure the MKIV system being proactive is a big step up over the reactive MK2 version but that can be fixed with a controller change. I have owned haldex and "normal" quattro cars extensively. I was actually surprised how easy it is to get the back out on the S3 and how accommodating the ESP is with a litle bit of rear end drift Sure there are better 4WD systems in EVOs and the GTR but if its good enough for the Veyron
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JohnoVR6
360 posts
81 months
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robsco said: They're a glorious looking car but perhaps slightly too "tattooed forearm".  Not that it concerns me in the slightest what others think of a/ my car, but two things: 1) What the hell does that mean? And 2) Why?!
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Vitorio
464 posts
12 months
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JohnoVR6 said: Not that it concerns me in the slightest what others think of a/ my car, but two things: 1) What the hell does that mean? And 2) Why?! I think he means the GTA looks a bit aggressive compared to the standard 147, or say, a golf. Still, i would find the subtle aggression combined with style preferable to the boy racer image that comes with just about every hot hatch, golf GTIs in particular
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Bitzer
2,034 posts
37 months
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Dave Hedgehog said: typical comment on haldex by people who have never lived with one / don't know how to use it.
In 99% of situations you will not be able to tell the difference to any other Audi 4WD system, they behave remarkably similarly, only driving on the limit will display different characteristics. Sure the MKIV system being proactive is a big step up over the reactive MK2 version but that can be fixed with a controller change. I have owned haldex and "normal" quattro cars extensively.
I was actually surprised how easy it is to get the back out on the S3 and how accommodating the ESP is with a litle bit of rear end drift
Sure there are better 4WD systems in EVOs and the GTR but if its good enough for the Veyron
+1 with you Dave. I've owned both types as well. I'm pretty sure the Freelander uses a haldex system, but then again what do Land Rover know about 4wd systems 
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braddo
2,989 posts
57 months
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I think of all the Golfs the R32 is the least 'classless'.
Its bodykit and wheels make it look a bit blinged and yoof. A standard Golf or an unmodified GTI in a subtle colour would meet the posh hotel test better than any R32.
The 3.2 A3 meets the classy and quick criteria but I don't think anyone considers them a hot hatch. An Alfa GT 3.2 would be in the same vein and is a good suggestion.
The 147 GTA is a good call, perhaps after a bit of suspension tweaking from someone like Autodelta.
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edo
12,573 posts
134 months
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2007 Audi S3 QUATTRO 3DR FACTORY SATALITE NAVIGATION 2.0 3 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 23,667 miles, Metallic Blue. Satellite Navigation, Full Leather Interior, Sunroof, Alloy wheels, Headlight washers, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Side airbags, Radio/CD, Rear headrests, Sports seats, Traction control, Alarm, Electric door mirrors, Body coloured bumpers, Remote central locking, PAS, Rear wiper, Front head restraints, Heated door mirrors, Drivers airbag, Front electric windows, Service indicator, Front fog lights, Leather seat trim, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Space saver spare wheel, Trip computer, Heated front seat, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Isofix child seat anchor points, Steering wheel reach adjustment. £13,950   
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