The hottest 5dr hatch (or small saloon) for 7k?

[BUG4LIFE]

Mk1 Leon Cupra R (as has been said) or a Mazda 6 MPS. Though I might be in the same position as you in the not to distant future and I'd want a mint E46 330i saloon...the only problem being they are rare as hell?!?!

[ManOpener]

E36 M3 Evo saloon.

[anonymous-user]

Gruber said:

BMW 130i.

I've just bought one with exactly the same criteria - entertaining, 5 doors, rwd, etc.

Mine is really growing on me.

Great shout.

[rb5er]

Impreza, 130i or Focus ST if it was my money.

[irish boy]

ManOpener said:

E36 M3 Evo saloon.

+1

I had 2 of these back in the day, a 3.0 and traded it in to bmw 2 years later for a 3.2 evo, both saloons. They are superb, but to find a good one will require patience and willingness to travel.

[a_bread]

7k would surely get you the best ST220 in existence ... Just a case of finding it. You'd still probably have some change.

I have up my e46 330 for one. The ST is a better more chuckable drive with what feels like more top end punch (mine in stock form has about 10hp more and is lighter than a well optioned 330) and a sportier sound.

130is are great, lovely engine but 7k will not be getting you one of the better ones - and they are rare! Most 1 series buyers went diesel or at least small 4 cyl

[WetPaint]

As much as I'd love a 130i, a good one is out of budget. It would be my first choice.

The Leon Cupra R isn't something I'd though of but looks an interesting proposition. There is one near me so I'll go and have a look.
E36 M3 also appeals, but the 4 doors are few and far between, especially in acceptable condition.
330i is still a contender.
ST isn't something I'd considered either. Worth a look too.

Thanks.

[DaveCWK]

Pretty much none of the suggestions so far will get high 20's mpg about town. Expect mid-20s at best and that's if you baby it.

[bozzy101]

Mazda RX8

[viggyp]

Alfa 156 GTA. They're going cheap and no doubt the prices will rocket like most rare Italian hot hatches/sport saloons.

[PompeyPaul]

bozzy101 said:

Mazda RX8

OP wants high 20s+ MPG round town. Whilst I have not owned an RX8, my understanding is that the rotary will struggle to get any sort of MPG round town starting with a 2, let along high 20s?

[bozzy101]

PompeyPaul said:

OP wants high 20s+ MPG round town. Whilst I have not owned an RX8, my understanding is that the rotary will struggle to get any sort of MPG round town starting with a 2, let along high 20s?

Lol...I know. They can be picked up for peanuts though and the savings can be spent on fuel.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[Soupie69uk]

BMW 130i or Mazda 3 MPS

[cib24]

Whilst the rx8 has awesome rear doors for easy access to the back seats, they are very small. You can fit two adults in the passenger side but the seat behind the driver is pretty much useless.

[HJMS123]

aka_kerrly said:

MK5 Golf r32?

for 7k? That would be the ropiest example around!

[rejn]

It wouldn't have the noise you want, but you could do worse than a mk5 golf gti.
It it were my money, I'd probably give a 130i a go... I believe they're not massively practical (bad seat/boot space a bit compromised), but the sounds should be good.

[chunoo]

I've been looking for almost exactly the same car, although one with a decent sized bout that isn't an estate and I've come to the conclusion that there isn't one��

[DoubleSix]

I dunno, I can easily sling a pram and all we need as a small family in the boot of my 130i, trips to B&Q or IKEA just involve dropping the seats flat...

As such the estate we bought for family duties sits idle a lot of the time.

[HonestIago]

Spend £4-5k on the best blobeye (04-05) Impreza WRX you can find and use the spare cash for an exhaust/remap and a little extra fuel (expect low 20s mpg around town). 0-60 sub 5s and as practical as you ever need

[RicharDC5]

I'd be looking for an Accord Euro R