Warm hatch options?
Discussion
I had a Panda 100hp. I sold my Clio 197 F1 for it to save funds. It was fun for a bit but the novelty wore off and I sold it after 9 months.
When I first bought it I was really taken with it and had a great time. In the end it became clear that it was pretty lacking; it understeers a lot which was really frustrating. The chassis is okay but it couldn't really cope with much more power. Compare that to my 172 Ph1 which feels like it could cope with another 100bhp. I know that's a funny thing to say but it gives you an idea of advanced the chassis is in comparison.
I would like to try a Swift Sport. I would certainly try one if I was going back into the warm hatch market.
When I first bought it I was really taken with it and had a great time. In the end it became clear that it was pretty lacking; it understeers a lot which was really frustrating. The chassis is okay but it couldn't really cope with much more power. Compare that to my 172 Ph1 which feels like it could cope with another 100bhp. I know that's a funny thing to say but it gives you an idea of advanced the chassis is in comparison.
I would like to try a Swift Sport. I would certainly try one if I was going back into the warm hatch market.
I can vouch for the Twingo GT. I find it a good laugh. It will accelerate... briskly? 60 is in 9.5 seconds. It will happily trundle at "motorway speeds" although it is doing 3,500rpm at 70mph. It has decent grip and not too excessive roll, it won't really lift off oversteer, but the rear will give some movement. Brakes are good enough. The engine is a 1149cc turbo, it produces ~100bhp with an overboost feature in 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th for a few seconds, it's about ~105bhp.
In terms of cost mine averages 38mpg but I drive it hard. Best I've had on a long run. Swansea to Nottingham and back again, was 49.6mpg. There's decent brand tyres available for £60-80/corner. Tax is £130/year. I can insure it for £40/month (fully comp, 16,000 miles/year, SDP&C, mrs named on the policy, parked on road, factory car park in the day, not the best postcode etc. etc.)
It needs cambelt after 5 years or 70,000 miles. I had mine done at 5 years and 60 odd thousand and I think it was about £200. It has had one failure, an ABS unit. This was quite costly if I'm honest, costing around £700 to sort out after the diagnostics, wiring check and ABS unit replacement plus labour at a Renault dealer.
Mine came with bluetooth for your phone, automatic lights and wipers, usb and audio jack connections, electric windows (not one touch) and electric mirros (not heated). Manual seat adjustment. The boot is quite small, but if you fold down the rear seats you can get a bike in there just about. There are only two rear seats but they both slide back and forth like the front so there's okay leg room in the back.
Want to know anymore? Just ask.
In terms of cost mine averages 38mpg but I drive it hard. Best I've had on a long run. Swansea to Nottingham and back again, was 49.6mpg. There's decent brand tyres available for £60-80/corner. Tax is £130/year. I can insure it for £40/month (fully comp, 16,000 miles/year, SDP&C, mrs named on the policy, parked on road, factory car park in the day, not the best postcode etc. etc.)
It needs cambelt after 5 years or 70,000 miles. I had mine done at 5 years and 60 odd thousand and I think it was about £200. It has had one failure, an ABS unit. This was quite costly if I'm honest, costing around £700 to sort out after the diagnostics, wiring check and ABS unit replacement plus labour at a Renault dealer.
Mine came with bluetooth for your phone, automatic lights and wipers, usb and audio jack connections, electric windows (not one touch) and electric mirros (not heated). Manual seat adjustment. The boot is quite small, but if you fold down the rear seats you can get a bike in there just about. There are only two rear seats but they both slide back and forth like the front so there's okay leg room in the back.
Want to know anymore? Just ask.
Thanks all for the suggestions
/
The ability to maintain momentum along narrow interesting roads is more of an interest than 0-60, 1/4 mile, top speed etc. (Say 90-100bhp in a small petrol car)
It would primarily be my wife's car, but would be used for our shorter journeys (without luggage) and be my choice (over the big, wide Mondeo estate) for the back roads and on the days that I drive to work.
Interesting that the Panda was regarded as "understeering".
Twingo interesting, but I have doubts about Renaults -that's the second mention of expensive brake problems I've heard about this week, plus the many electrical issues that friends and colleagues have suffered.
Fiesta Zetec/S rather than the ST?
ps. I could fit a rear ARB etc. to our current Fabia, but it is then a 'modified' car.
IntriguedUser said:
finding it a bit hard to decide what a warm hatch is.
I'm thinking of a fairly cheap (purchase,insurance, mpg, VED), small 4 seater that can fit children in the back, something that is light/nimble, handles well, has good feel/feedback and doesn't understeer off the road on every bend. /
The ability to maintain momentum along narrow interesting roads is more of an interest than 0-60, 1/4 mile, top speed etc. (Say 90-100bhp in a small petrol car)
It would primarily be my wife's car, but would be used for our shorter journeys (without luggage) and be my choice (over the big, wide Mondeo estate) for the back roads and on the days that I drive to work.
Interesting that the Panda was regarded as "understeering".
Twingo interesting, but I have doubts about Renaults -that's the second mention of expensive brake problems I've heard about this week, plus the many electrical issues that friends and colleagues have suffered.
Fiesta Zetec/S rather than the ST?
ps. I could fit a rear ARB etc. to our current Fabia, but it is then a 'modified' car.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 20th September 09:44
Borrowed my brother in laws MINI Cooper last year when we were between cars and it was great fun.
Quick enough and nimble.
Really good fun.
His was an 03 with 130k but engine felt strong and it seemed to be holding together ok.
Small in the back and tiny boot.
Swift gets a good write up
IMO those 2 will feel more 'sporty' than the Fiesta Zetec or Panda
Quick enough and nimble.
Really good fun.
His was an 03 with 130k but engine felt strong and it seemed to be holding together ok.
Small in the back and tiny boot.
Swift gets a good write up
IMO those 2 will feel more 'sporty' than the Fiesta Zetec or Panda
MC Bodge said:
Fiesta Zetec/S rather than the ST?
I wouldn't bother with a ZS. ST isn't really that fast, certainly isn't a 'hot' hatch by any stretch of the imagination, is cheap enough to run (not much extra than my old 1.4) and is a hoot in the corners.Also, it didn't even cost me that much to buy, early cars are very high on the smiles/£ scale now.
Swift always gets good reports.
a 2.0 150bhp Fiesta will certainly be faster than necessary. a 2.0TD Mk4 Mondeo Estate is fast enough for my needs (I also ride a motorbike -I'm not looking for a dragster performance from a car)
justanother5tar said:
I wouldn't bother with a ZS. ST isn't really that fast, certainly isn't a 'hot' hatch by any stretch of the imagination, is cheap enough to run (not much extra than my old 1.4) and is a hoot in the corners.
Also, it didn't even cost me that much to buy, early cars are very high on the smiles/£ scale now.
I doubt that the ST would pass 'the wife test'(especially with stripes!) or the VED/insurance/MPG testAlso, it didn't even cost me that much to buy, early cars are very high on the smiles/£ scale now.
a 2.0 150bhp Fiesta will certainly be faster than necessary. a 2.0TD Mk4 Mondeo Estate is fast enough for my needs (I also ride a motorbike -I'm not looking for a dragster performance from a car)
MC Bodge said:
I doubt that the ST would pass 'the wife test'(especially with stripes!) or the VED/insurance/MPG test
Tho other half loves driving my (Stripeless, I have to add) ST.Tax is only 220 a year, insurance is 800 for the year with me and partner on, both fairly young and modifications declared. MPG isn't great if you drive it as Henry intended.
The plan would be to fit Rainsport tyres and improve forward & reversing lighting (and maybe fit a set of extra driving lamps).
Something that is too hard-riding or lacking in ground clearance wouldn't be ideal.
1.4 litre non-turbo petrol or equivalent would be fine.
Something that is too hard-riding or lacking in ground clearance wouldn't be ideal.
1.4 litre non-turbo petrol or equivalent would be fine.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 20th September 11:57
justanother5tar said:
Tho other half loves driving my (Stripeless, I have to add) ST.
Tax is only 220 a year, insurance is 800 for the year with me and partner on, both fairly young and modifications declared. MPG isn't great if you drive it as Henry intended.
another vote for the st150. Tax is only 220 a year, insurance is 800 for the year with me and partner on, both fairly young and modifications declared. MPG isn't great if you drive it as Henry intended.
Changed jobs this week which has meant a 60 mile commute and I've averaged just over 40mpg (computer reads 42.1) and thats with a k&n and pipercross catback system.
I'm very pleased with it, by no means is it fast but it handles great and has plenty of power for overtakes.
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