Which "classic" hot hatch would you most like to own?
Discussion
one of the original Hot Hatches. 900kg, 150bhp. more than enough. dogleg zf box, mine had the full fast road setup with plated diff, nicely set up twin 45s, uprated brakes. would quickly get to 110mph, and pretty much all you need on country lanes. loved it. sub 7s to 60mph, instant torque.
200Plus Club said:
one of the original Hot Hatches. 900kg, 150bhp. more than enough. dogleg zf box, mine had the full fast road setup with plated diff, nicely set up twin 45s, uprated brakes. would quickly get to 110mph, and pretty much all you need on country lanes. loved it. sub 7s to 60mph, instant torque.
So much want for another drive in one of those...what hot hatch would I most like to own? That was always a no brainer for me, Pulsar GTiR. I always wanted to own a pulsar but annoyingly I was only 8 when they were new so I had to wait a while but I eventually got one
0-60 in about 5.5(ish) seconds is hilarious even today, never mind back in 1992. Apart from that party trick its not that good by modern standards but I forgive it all just for the bonnet vents
I had an 8v mk2 golf a few years ago and apart from the straight line performance I'll admit I think I preferred driving that than the pulsar
so even though I now own one of my childhood dream cars what I really want is a......
AX GT
0-60 in about 5.5(ish) seconds is hilarious even today, never mind back in 1992. Apart from that party trick its not that good by modern standards but I forgive it all just for the bonnet vents
I had an 8v mk2 golf a few years ago and apart from the straight line performance I'll admit I think I preferred driving that than the pulsar
so even though I now own one of my childhood dream cars what I really want is a......AX GT
200Plus Club said:
Burgerbob said:
205 1.6 GTi in graphite grey
Always wanted one, but I've only ever driven one once. A collegue in the early 90's tried to sell me his. It was way out of my budget and the insurance woud have been a no no, but he still let me drive it like I'd stolen it round the streets of Stoke on Trent. To this day that was my maddest, most reckless and memorable drive in a car on roads - and probably rather stupid thinking about it now...
Problem is, if I got one now I'd have to treat it with a little restraint, and that would be missing the point
You would be a fair bit quicker down the same roads now in an Astra vxr believe me! Always wanted one, but I've only ever driven one once. A collegue in the early 90's tried to sell me his. It was way out of my budget and the insurance woud have been a no no, but he still let me drive it like I'd stolen it round the streets of Stoke on Trent. To this day that was my maddest, most reckless and memorable drive in a car on roads - and probably rather stupid thinking about it now...
Problem is, if I got one now I'd have to treat it with a little restraint, and that would be missing the point
Loved my 205gti , one was written off in an "incident"
My good old sunbeam lotus was quicker believe it or not, used to romp on in 3rd and 4th, lots of torque.
s m said:
105bhp or 115bhp one?
Brilliant thread OP. 
So I'll start with something that isn't a hatch!
Back in 1982 I bought this:-
Then one night in 1984 I was driving from Brighton towards Rottingdean when I saw a pair of headlights coming up fast behind me as I went down the hill towards the roundabout below the St Dunstans Blind Home. No problem I thought, I'll take the roundabout much quicker than him. But not much quicker, and going up the hill on the other side a Capri 2.8 Injection passed me like I was going backwards!
Lesson learnt - I soon bought a 1982 Strato Silver 2.8 Injection!
A year later I got a job offer I couldn't refuse so I had to sell the Capri for a house deposit.
But in 1987 we had the big storm so loads of overtime for those of us working in insurance claims, so in 1988 a Caspian Blue over Silver 2.8 Injection got bought! (Unfinished business)!
After 2 years with that, vaguely sensible cars took over (e.g. Granada Scorpio)until 1993 when I bought a really shonky Sierra Sapphire that had it's clutch release bearing decompose. I needed a car quickly, and found an X-plate 1.6 litre Golf GTi. Great car - throttle response was instant, and it weighed little more than a bean can! (Only downside was the clutch cable pulling through the bulkhead and a lack of brakes).
A couple of years later I needed another temporary stand-in and got a 10+ owners and over 100K miles 16V MKII GTi! Despite a sh*gged bush somewhere in the rear suspension it was an absolute hoot to thrash around!
Then in 2014 I took a work-place pension early and decided to treat myself to a Z4 Coupe, but with a mother in her 90s who needed transport for hospital appointments, etc. I had to get something vaguely practical so I got a 325ti Sport Compact (as you would)!
I realise neither is from the "hot-hatch" era, but they're both hatches and I really prefer RWD!
Sadly I don't have digital photos of previous cars, but this is the current pairing:-
I'd love an Escort Cosworth or an RS500 but that is never going to happen unless I have a Lottery win, although finding a Tipo Sedicivalvole would be really special. Even if just for the name!
ETA toyoda look away now!
So I'll start with something that isn't a hatch!
Back in 1982 I bought this:-
Then one night in 1984 I was driving from Brighton towards Rottingdean when I saw a pair of headlights coming up fast behind me as I went down the hill towards the roundabout below the St Dunstans Blind Home. No problem I thought, I'll take the roundabout much quicker than him. But not much quicker, and going up the hill on the other side a Capri 2.8 Injection passed me like I was going backwards!
Lesson learnt - I soon bought a 1982 Strato Silver 2.8 Injection!
A year later I got a job offer I couldn't refuse so I had to sell the Capri for a house deposit.
But in 1987 we had the big storm so loads of overtime for those of us working in insurance claims, so in 1988 a Caspian Blue over Silver 2.8 Injection got bought! (Unfinished business)!
After 2 years with that, vaguely sensible cars took over (e.g. Granada Scorpio)until 1993 when I bought a really shonky Sierra Sapphire that had it's clutch release bearing decompose. I needed a car quickly, and found an X-plate 1.6 litre Golf GTi. Great car - throttle response was instant, and it weighed little more than a bean can! (Only downside was the clutch cable pulling through the bulkhead and a lack of brakes).
A couple of years later I needed another temporary stand-in and got a 10+ owners and over 100K miles 16V MKII GTi! Despite a sh*gged bush somewhere in the rear suspension it was an absolute hoot to thrash around!
Then in 2014 I took a work-place pension early and decided to treat myself to a Z4 Coupe, but with a mother in her 90s who needed transport for hospital appointments, etc. I had to get something vaguely practical so I got a 325ti Sport Compact (as you would)!
I realise neither is from the "hot-hatch" era, but they're both hatches and I really prefer RWD!
Sadly I don't have digital photos of previous cars, but this is the current pairing:-
I'd love an Escort Cosworth or an RS500 but that is never going to happen unless I have a Lottery win, although finding a Tipo Sedicivalvole would be really special. Even if just for the name!
ETA toyoda look away now!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 13th December 01:30
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