Which AWD hatchback - £7K budget.

[scarble]

Weird.. I could have sworn I'd seen 8Ls with V6s..
although early 8Ps look more like 8Ls than the newer 8Ps.. maybe?
idk.. all Audis look the same

Edited by scarble on Wednesday 20th August 12:37

[tomjol]

There are a few 8L S3s around running VR6s, but they've been retrofitted. Notably a turbocharged one run by a Greek tuner, supposedly putting out 1000+ horses.

[Bigbox]

scarble said:

The 8L A3/S3 quattros are nice and stealthy, less brash than the Golfs and newer A3s/S3s. They might not be the most engaging drive but as Q cars go, so long as they're not yellow..

I must be going dotty though because I was sure there was a 3.2 V6 quattro badged as an A3, but Wiki says the biggest engine was a 1.8T even in the S? Wiki only lists V6s in the 8Ps.

Edited by scarble on Wednesday 20th August 11:29

I had a 3.2 v6 A3 Quattro and it was mega!

[telecat]

I don't think they are down in your price range yet but the Mitsubushi ASX has All wheel Drive.

[VladD]

telecat said:

I don't think they are down in your price range yet but the Mitsubushi ASX has All wheel Drive.

The AWD versions only have a diesel engine, so that's a no go. It's a bit 4X4 looking too.

[nickfrog]

A set of winter tyres will do a much better job than 4wd and will allow you not to have to run a 4wd the rest of the time. Win - win.

[scherzkeks]

nickfrog said:

A set of winter tyres will do a much better job than 4wd and will allow you not to have to run a 4wd the rest of the time. Win - win.

A set of winter tires on an AWD would obviously be the best option, but I suppose when one does not understand traction, comments like this are inevitable.

[VladD]

Had a look at an Impreza hatch and the boot is just too small. Fine on depth and width, but just not enough height. I suspect the Golf will have the same problem, as mentioned above. I think an Impreza estate may be the next port of call.

[nickfrog]

scherzkeks said:

nickfrog said:

A set of winter tyres will do a much better job than 4wd and will allow you not to have to run a 4wd the rest of the time. Win - win.

A set of winter tires on an AWD would obviously be the best option, but I suppose when one does not understand traction, comments like this are inevitable.

Your new thing is Freudian projections I have noticed. When you don't understand something (like the traction circle) you then try and tell those who politely try to explain to you the basics that THEY don't grasp the most basic concepts. It's at least the third time I have noticed this.
"Projection is a defense mechanism that involves taking our own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people"

I find that drivers who genuinely understand traction don't rely on 4wd to manage traction for them. A 4wd car will have zero traction if there is no adhesion in the first place. Winter tyres provide that adhesion and are a FAR better solution than 4wd. But I have only lived in the Alps for 10 years, so what do I know ?

scherzkeks said:

lose lateral traction under power

Lateral traction ? ;-)

Has your instructor said you were ready for the Ring yet btw ? I'd love to see your understanding of traction and car dynamics in action, I might learn a thing or 2. Are you gonna make it or not ?

Edited by nickfrog on Monday 25th August 16:31

[Riknos]

VladD said:

Had a look at an Impreza hatch and the boot is just too small. Fine on depth and width, but just not enough height. I suspect the Golf will have the same problem, as mentioned above. I think an Impreza estate may be the next port of call.

Jesus man, if it's not tall enough let your dog duck down a bit? How far do you travel with it in the car?

I have a 2 seater and the dog has to make do with the footwell in the car, or if she's lucky she can put 2 paws up on the wife's lap.

[VladD]

Riknos said:

VladD said:

Had a look at an Impreza hatch and the boot is just too small. Fine on depth and width, but just not enough height. I suspect the Golf will have the same problem, as mentioned above. I think an Impreza estate may be the next port of call.

Jesus man, if it's not tall enough let your dog duck down a bit? How far do you travel with it in the car?

I have a 2 seater and the dog has to make do with the footwell in the car, or if she's lucky she can put 2 paws up on the wife's lap.

This will be the only car he travels in, so will need to be comfortable for long journeys when we go on holiday etc. He could lie down easily in the boot of the Scooby hatch, but wouldn't be able to move around at all, so it'd be too restrictive.

[v8250]

VladD said:

Had a look at an Impreza hatch and the boot is just too small. Fine on depth and width, but just not enough height. I suspect the Golf will have the same problem, as mentioned above. I think an Impreza estate may be the next port of call.

Vlad/All, you're missing the one great buy of the century within this price range...the Subaru Forester XT. Right price, perfect for rural living, tough as old nails, tremendous parts supply, very good interior and space, not the usual German/Euro' box, plenty of power from day one, if you're into upgrading it's simply endless, plus...get a set of winter tyres/spare set of wheels and very little will stop an XT.

It's time for tea...crazy Ruskey-style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsSzQJacPw

+++ They're subtly smart in upsetting the pseudo-sports Audi, BMW, Mercedes & Porsche type folk [read the 95%'ers] when they realize they can not shake off an FXT

[VladD]

v8250 said:

Vlad/All, you're missing the one great buy of the century within this price range...the Subaru Forester XT. Right price, perfect for rural living, tough as old nails, tremendous parts supply, very good interior and space, not the usual German/Euro' box, plenty of power from day one, if you're into upgrading it's simply endless, plus...get a set of winter tyres/spare set of wheels and very little will stop an XT.

It's time for tea...crazy Ruskey-style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsSzQJacPw

+++ They're subtly smart in upsetting the pseudo-sports Audi, BMW, Mercedes & Porsche type folk [read the 95%'ers] when they realize they can not shake off an FXT

The Forester is a great wagon. A bit on the large side, but perhaps worth a look.

[v8250]

VladD said:

The Forester is a great wagon. A bit on the large side, but perhaps worth a look.

Now that's the interesting thing, once you're used to the Forester they are not at all largesse. The floorpan is essentially an Impreza Wagon and compared to today's oversized girthy wallowers they're decidedly small. Yesterday evening I was parked next to a Q5 and Q7, the FXT looked tiny. The other point is that although they weigh 1500kg, they're still lighter than many modern day saloons plus you can comfortably tow 2000kg.

[scarble]

Yes but he asked for a hatchback

Still, the most apt answers are all the ones starting with Subaru...

[VladD]

scarble said:

Yes but he asked for a hatchback

Still, the most apt answers are all the ones starting with Subaru...

Unfortunatly I don't now think there's a hatchback that will fit the bill. The rear diff reduces the boot height by too much.

[anonymous-user]

nickfrog said:

scherzkeks said:

nickfrog said:

A set of winter tyres will do a much better job than 4wd and will allow you not to have to run a 4wd the rest of the time. Win - win.

A set of winter tires on an AWD would obviously be the best option, but I suppose when one does not understand traction, comments like this are inevitable.

Your new thing is Freudian projections I have noticed. When you don't understand something (like the traction circle) you then try and tell those who politely try to explain to you the basics that THEY don't grasp the most basic concepts. It's at least the third time I have noticed this.
"Projection is a defense mechanism that involves taking our own unacceptable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people"

I find that drivers who genuinely understand traction don't rely on 4wd to manage traction for them. A 4wd car will have zero traction if there is no adhesion in the first place. Winter tyres provide that adhesion and are a FAR better solution than 4wd. But I have only lived in the Alps for 10 years, so what do I know ?

scherzkeks said:

lose lateral traction under power

Lateral traction ? ;-)

Has your instructor said you were ready for the Ring yet btw ? I'd love to see your understanding of traction and car dynamics in action, I might learn a thing or 2. Are you gonna make it or not ?

Of course not, but all credit to your continuing quest

[scherzkeks]

nickfrog said:

scherzkeks said:

nickfrog said:

A set of winter tyres will do a much better job than 4wd and will allow you not to have to run a 4wd the rest of the time. Win - win.

A set of winter tires on an AWD would obviously be the best option, but I suppose when one does not understand traction, comments like this are inevitable.

Your new thing is Freudian projections I have noticed. When you don't understand something (like the traction circle) you then try and tell those who politely try to explain to you the basics that THEY don't grasp the most basic concepts.

Projection is your specialty, along with the staw man argument.

[v8250]

VladD said:

scarble said:

Yes but he asked for a hatchback

Still, the most apt answers are all the ones starting with Subaru...

Unfortunatly I don't now think there's a hatchback that will fit the bill. The rear diff reduces the boot height by too much.

So an FXT it is...we look forward to seeing pics post purchase.

PS have a chat with some of the FXT owners here www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/ ...and ask them why they drive Foresters...you'll be itching to buy a low mileage, FSH FXT in no time at all

[VladD]

v8250 said:

VladD said:

scarble said:

Yes but he asked for a hatchback

Still, the most apt answers are all the ones starting with Subaru...

Unfortunatly I don't now think there's a hatchback that will fit the bill. The rear diff reduces the boot height by too much.

So an FXT it is...we look forward to seeing pics post purchase.

PS have a chat with some of the FXT owners here www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/ ...and ask them why they drive Foresters...you'll be itching to buy a low mileage, FSH FXT in no time at all

Still a toss up between a FXT and an Impreza Estate in SL spec. I think we'll go and drive both.