£8K on a Hot Hatch

[Born Too Slow]

Hi all

As it always happens, my inner teenager is aching for a Hot Hatch, I previously owned an MG ZR which I loved, and it met an untimely death, now I have a new job and some more money to spend...

I've been looking into getting a decent hot hatch for my commute to work, weekend trips and occasional blast to Oxford, I do around 15-18 miles daily journey wise, I have a MK2 MX5 which I love, but will soon be too uneconomical to repair by its next MOT

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on their previous experiences

I've looked into...

1. 2006 - Late 2007 Ford Focus ST: Seems to be sensible choice in every regard, plenty about, mid point for power, decent interior and Mountune modifications can be done locally

2. 2006-2008 Mazda 3 MPS: Most power, but high tax band, I've heard high maintenance too, good interior, but I've heard the driving experience is unfulfilling

3. 2006-2009 Honda Civic Type R: I really want an EP3, but clean examples are hard to come by

4. 2006- Renault Megane 230 R26: Always fancied one of these, and it seems to fall into the category similar to the Focus, fairly sensible choice, but as always, people like to sh*t all over Renault

5. 2006 - Mini Cooper S John Works: I like the idea of a 218bhp Mini Cooper, but I couldn't see myself driving one

6. 2007- Astra VXR: Fairly sensible choice, but it'd involve going far, many of the local ones for sale have some history haha

7. 2009- Corsa VXR: Newest model out of my choices, smaller than the other choices, but I've heard horror stories of clutches and gearboxes being almost service items on these

8. 2007- Golf GTI: Very sensible choice, and can be found in good spec for very reasonable prices, but I always imagined them to feel almost underperforming compared to other cars in the class

I've also considered cars such as 2009- RX8's, 2005 Nissan 350z's etc

Just wanted to see if people would share their thoughts

Thanks!

[Hudson]

Do you want the EP3 because you want the EP3 or because the internet told you the FN2 is terrible? I'm not trying to sound like a dhead (believe it or not) but the FN2 is in that price range and is worth a look.

Out of that list i have the Focus ST. It is not without it's faults and is slower than a lot of the others in standard form however a remap and a new intercooler transform the car completely. Plus they sound fking glorious

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

As you mentioned EP3s, have you explored the JDM EP3 option? I'm not sure if your budget is enough for a freshly imported one though. It is a step above the UK EP3s as they have more power and an LSD as standard.

[trickywoo]

130i would be worth consideration also. I'd have one if they weren't so ugly.

Out of your list I'd go Focus. They can be a bit thirsty and the pre-facelift cars run the risk of cracks in the block, particularly if tuned.

[Born Too Slow]

Thanks for the responses guys

I have "read" the FN2 is awful, I have yet to try one, I've tried an EP3 and it was fun, I am keeping a fairly open mind about all of these cars, I love the look of them and I love a decent VTECH

I have considered buying an ST, then having the Mountune 260 work done later in the year, there's a few in my local area with good history

I forgot to add the BMW 130i to the list, I like the 3 door M sports, but finding one without very high mileage at a reasonable price has put me off a little

[dibblecorse]

Some good cars there..

If the Golf isn't your thing then a number of the Scirocco variants fall nicely into your budget, smart looking, reasonably quick, nice fit and finish and fairly bullet proof, also like for like tend to be a little cheaper than the Golf as you're not paying the GTI tax ......

As I already have one of those if it were me buying I'd be heading towards the R26 on your list from what I have experienced and read about them, but then I like French cars generally.

[IanCress]

2007 - Leon Cupra? Can go to 300bhp pretty easily, cheaper and quicker than the Golf it's based on.

[Leins]

Born Too Slow said:

5. 2006 - Mini Cooper S John Works: I like the idea of a 218bhp Mini Cooper, but I couldn't see myself driving one

Why not? They're great fun

[WCZ]

I've driven everything on your list at one point or other, each were underwhelming in their own way (the R26 was probably the most fun though, looking at the classifieds they've increased in value too I notice!) - I'd probably go for a DC5 or an evo 6 if you can find one.

[HorneyMX5]

I went through that list just over 2 years ago. I bought an FN2 Civic Type R. I only sold it after 18 months and 35,000 miles as I needed something to tow race cars with. It was brilliant, fun, reliable, cheap to maintain and just all round awesome.

[SuperVM]

If it were me, I'd be looking at E46 M3s.

[HorneyMX5]

SuperVM said:

If it were me, I'd be looking at E46 M3s.

For £8K? They'll be utter nails in a nasty colour at that price point.

[p1stonhead]

Clio Trophy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGyY9V068x4

[SuperVM]

HorneyMX5 said:

SuperVM said:

If it were me, I'd be looking at E46 M3s.

For £8K? They'll be utter nails in a nasty colour at that price point.

No, they'll mostly be black and will probably be perfectly fine.

[neil-935ql]

p1stonhead said:

Clio Trophy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGyY9V068x4

What a great picture ! I would go for the Megane I have had a clip 182 not trophy , great car but I have a reanaultsports Megane now and it's just as good to drive but with more space

[Born Too Slow]

I've looked at a few E46's on Auto trader

I'm 25, and currently my insurance on the MX5 cost me £700 last year, with a renewal due in May, running costs are always in the back of my mind, which is why I've shyed away from some nice 350Z's and a few RX8's

so it'd be a bit touch and go, but a decent Manual M3 would be a real treat, I'd avoid the SMG's

Wouldn't pass up a well specced Clio 197 Trophy either, the only reason I looked straight at a Megane was pricing, a relative Clio of the same year was hovering around the same price

Thanks guys! Seeing all these responses for a new user is great!

[rb5er]

Out of your list I'd have the Focus ST (and did).

An E46 M3 at that price will be a high miler, probably with dubious history and an uninspected or cracked boot floor. They are far more expensive to maintain than a hot hatch.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Leins said:

Born Too Slow said:

5. 2006 - Mini Cooper S John Works: I like the idea of a 218bhp Mini Cooper, but I couldn't see myself driving one

Why not? They're great fun

For 5 minutes, providing the road is smooth.

[SuperchargedVR6]

IanCress said:

2007 - Leon Cupra? Can go to 300bhp pretty easily, cheaper and quicker than the Golf it's based on.

Or the Golf Edition 30. Same engine but a lot better looking and holds it's value better.

[Leins]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Leins said:

Born Too Slow said:

5. 2006 - Mini Cooper S John Works: I like the idea of a 218bhp Mini Cooper, but I couldn't see myself driving one

Why not? They're great fun

For 5 minutes, providing the road is smooth.

Ditching RFTs helps an awful lot to improve that