Which hot hatch?

[stuart_83]

Afternoon all,

After a number of years of financial ruin (credit card debts / overly expensive mortgage), I got myself sorted a while back and have decided to treat myself to a change of car in the new year.

With a budget of £16k-£20k, I was originally going to buy an E92 330D M Sport, but decided life's too short, and I'd quite like to go back to some hot hatchery.

Now ... what do I buy?

I'll be 34 in Jan, no kids (yet), and cover roughly 15k miles / year, commuting into Birmingham across some pretty poor and speed bumped roads. Because of the mileage I could do without stupidly low MPG. Only currently getting 40mpg out of my Alfa GT Jtdm, so early-mid 30's (the same as my previous car, a MK1 LCR) would be perfect.

Had a few Renaultsports in the past, so really liking the look of a Megane 265 ... they can be picked up for a decent price with low mileage, but would it be too thirsty (that F4R engine is a few decades old) and too harsh a ride for a mixed commute of 20 miles each way?

Also liking the look of the current VAG crop of cars ... The Octavia's a lot of car for the money, but perhaps a little too understated. On the other hand with a remap they can make 300bhp and become a fantastic sleeper. Leon Cupra comes pretty high on the list too - adjustable dampers to suit my mood, fantastic engine, and again won't attract too much attention from undesirables.

On that note I don't want anything that's too desirable to low-lifes ... so Golf R / S3 and M135i are out.

Any thoughts people?

Also, since its been a LOOOONG time since I've bought anything modern, this may sound strange, but whats the best way to actually go out and have a drive in each of these?

I'm quite conscious about wasting people's time, even if it's a large dealer... Any tips?

[tomsugden]

I do about 15,000 miles per year in my Audi S1, and it's a brilliant thing. Easily does 40mpg on a run, is very quick, and very comfortable too. The suspension adapts according to the drive mode you're in too. I'm about 12 miles north west of Northampton if you want to come and have a go.

[benjeffrey]

What about -

Cupra:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

GP2 (Probably the best investment):
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Megane RS:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

2 Outsider options

370z:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

TTS:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Just some food for thought

[d8ns18ly]

I bought myself a 2013 MINI John Cooper Works for ~£15k, they're a lot of fun to drive, and also comfortable on long journeys (Since buying it, I've done 16k miles)
With a remap you can quite easily get them up to 230/240bhp

[stuart_83]

tomsugden said:

I do about 15,000 miles per year in my Audi S1, and it's a brilliant thing. Easily does 40mpg on a run, is very quick, and very comfortable too. The suspension adapts according to the drive mode you're in too. I'm about 12 miles north west of Northampton if you want to come and have a go.

Ta, I do really like the S1 (a friend of mine used to have one) but I could do with something a little bigger.

I have the occasional Ikea trip etc which needs carrying out, plus I've recently become an Uncle ... so being honest I should probably go for something more spacious.

[stuart_83]

benjeffrey said:

What about -

Cupra:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

GP2 (Probably the best investment):
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Megane RS:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

2 Outsider options

370z:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/n...

TTS:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Just some food for thought

Yeah, I've looked at the TT and 370Z and really like them both. If I were going for a 6-cyl, I'd probably go down the Z4 3.0si Coupe route though as it's a little less thirsty.

Had originally wanted a mint MK5 R32 as I could buy it out in cash, but again fuel economy.

TT is very nice too, always had a soft spot for them after nearly buying a MK1 a few years ago. I might go and have a look at one as they're surprisingly practical for a coupe, just like my current Alfa.

Keep getting drawn to the Cupra or Megane for some reason - they just seem to tick every box, but in different ways.

[AMGJocky]

Never found my Megane's engines to be too thirsty.. whilst they were stock anyway .

For 16-20k, I'd be eyeing up a 265 Cup.. maybe even a 275 assuming depreciation has had it's way, Astra J VXR or maybe a Mk6 Golf R. Always preferred those to the Mk7 and they're infinitely less common (also with a suitable amount of exhausts for a 2L 4 pot ) If you can stretch to running a Mk5 R32 then just do it.. lump of a car with the dynamism of a teapot, but the noise... oh the noise.

Edited by AMGJocky on Tuesday 25th October 14:44

[Matttrakker]

Highly recommend a golf mk6 R, I absolutely love mine, hardly see any mk6 Rs around my way, the inside quality is superb esp with the recaro heated CS's
I've had mine remapped and it's superb all round.
I really like the look of the Megane cups too, but haven't driven one to say it's good or not.

[stuart_83]

AMGJocky said:

If you can stretch to running a Mk5 R32 then just do it.. lump of a car with the dynamism of a teapot, but the noise... oh the noise.

Edited by AMGJocky on Tuesday 25th October 14:44

They've been tempting me for years. I can easily afford to run one, it's just justifying the costs.

It's like the purchase ... I'm really quite comfortable now, but I just can't bring myself to spend silly money on a car, so I can afford to go to £20k, but realistically I'd like to spend less. Coming out of a lot of debt has made me see things differently.

Need to have a look at a MK6 R now too ...

[stuart_83]

AMGJocky said:

Never found my Megane's engines to be too thirsty.. whilst they were stock anyway .

Edited by AMGJocky on Tuesday 25th October 14:44

Just out of interest, what could you get mpg wise from your Meganes?

[DanQyou]

Im not sure if it is the same basic engine but back when my mum had an old shape Renaultsport Megane (06) it would average 29-32 mpg.

[Gavin0478]

Not quite a hatch in the normal sense but how about a Scirocco r?

[RMK87]

I'm in the same shoes and opted for a high mileage Edition 30 in need of TLC. Wasn't quite ready to spend £15k on newer metal considering history with finance and loans.

Paid £5500 for the car and currently enjoy restoring the car in stages with a choice of few mods. DSG is very good for commuting and I do about 18k a year. Yes I could have purchased a diesel but this is the hot hatch I've always wanted.

So far am on around £6700 spent and figure I will spend another 1500/2000 on it. Yes I wont recover my money but I will have a car perfect for me. 300BHP, DSG, 5DR.

[stuart_83]

I swore never to buy a rough example again after my current Alfa.

Gorgeous car, but bought it for v.cheap due to the low mileage, and to be fair cosmetically it was great, and still is.

But ... So many hidden nasties. It's cost me about £3k over the last 18 months. It's stupid of me to get rid now it's running perfectly, but I can afford to buy and run something really nice now.

After some very sad recent personal events which I won't go into, I've decided and been rightfully advised that life's too short to be sensible all the time, and if I like a car and can afford it, to just do it.

But which car? ...

[stuart_83]

RMK87 said:

. Yes I could have purchased a diesel but this is the hot hatch I've always wanted.

So far am on around £6700 spent and figure I will spend another 1500/2000 on it. Yes I wont recover my money but I will have a car perfect for me. 300BHP, DSG, 5DR.

And yep, I'm still tempted to spend less and get an R32, something I've always wanted.

The money I'm not spending on finance can be spent on fuel!

It's hard to get my head around spending so much on a car again. The last time I did was in 2006 when I bought a brand new MK2 Leon FR TDI for £16500 and sold it 12 months later when I took on a horrendously expensive mortgage by myself after a relationship breakdown.

If only new performance cars were £16500!

[stuart_83]

Gavin0478 said:

Not quite a hatch in the normal sense but how about a Scirocco r?

I have looked at them, but they're in dire need of an update. Beautiful looking things after the facelift though.

The new 2.0 turbo engine is quite a bit better on fuel / performance so I've heard.

[Hub]

Surprised you ruled out the M135i - are they that attractive to lowlife, any more than any other hot hatch? They're actually quite subtle rather than shouty in terms of looks and seem to otherwise tick your boxes?

[stuart_83]

They do, and a mate of mine has a 235i which is amazing ... But a friend I work with had his M135i "taken" from him by some burley dudes when he was getting his son out of the car.

Tempted by maybe a 2013 M135i as I'd hope older cars are less attractive to scum.

I'll have a word with my brother's mate who's a local copper - he seems to know what the current flavour is for cars being nicked.

[Rawwr]

Go and drive some and then buy the one you like the most.

[Ahbefive]

I wouldn't rule out a few hundred quid difference a year in fuel economy costs for the sake of thousands in depreciation.

Depreciation can far outweigh the cost of having a juicy car.