A £3K Hot Hatch

[Skipppy]

I hope to be in the position to buy something that I should be able to have a little fun with in the coming weeks.

I am after a hot hatch and have a budget of £3000. I've been pouring over the classifieds and looking at options and appear to have narrowed it down to three contenders:

-Mini Cooper S
-Renault Clio Sport (i'd go for the fullfat 182 variant)
-Honda Cvic Type R

I am leaning towards to the Clio at the moment. I have driven a John Cooper Works but have yet to drive the other two.

Anything I am missing? What would you go for and why?

[kiethton]

I had this choice and chose the EP3 and don't regret it one bit!

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Wish I got an un-modified version though....

I sold it after I got back and half wish I still have it!

Biggest things to look for are:

Regular servicing as they can use a little oil (receipts as well as stamps!)
Mileage history check
Accident Damage (case for any hot hatch)
OEM radio's can be a little flakey
Clutches - If it has trouble changing gear at high RPM's its likely the clutch that has gone - they don't tend to slip

Edited by kiethton on Monday 10th February 14:21

[HemiCommander]

I had a 182, it was the best car I've ever owned. Not a single problem in 3 years and over 30k miles either. Make sure the belts and dephaser have been done or budget accordingly and the choice of tyres is very important (I recommend Michelin Pilot Sport 3s). As always try to find one that hasn't been ruined by the hard of thinking as many of them have now fallen into the hands of undesirables.

[DMN]

I also had this choice and went with an EP3.

The 172's and 182's I was looking at where in a right state. The EP3 I ended up buying had a full service history, plus recent clutch and belt changes. Best of all apart from a silly cone filter, it was completely orignal. All for just under £3K.

On the list kiethton kindly provided I'd add:
Alarm: the battery in the fob can go and its not an easy one to source.
Suspension: The front mounts can fail, easy to replace though. Listen out for any knocking over bumps.

[Skipppy]

I haven't driven a Type R before but can appreciate that they will be a completely different car having the power a lot further up the rev range... I am not sure if that appeals to me to be honest.

[STW2010]

Skipppy said:

I haven't driven a Type R before but can appreciate that they will be a completely different car having the power a lot further up the rev range... I am not sure if that appeals to me to be honest.

Drive one. When the vtec kicks in (yo) it's pretty interesting!

[DMN]

Skipppy said:

I haven't driven a Type R before but can appreciate that they will be a completely different car having the power a lot further up the rev range... I am not sure if that appeals to me to be honest.

I can see how some people would be put off by that. However I try to look at it another way. The car has a split personality in my eyes: it can be just another 2.0 petrol hatchback when it needs to be, and it can be a stomping track car when it needs to be.

Of course if its just as a weekend fun car, then the VTEC kick-in (yo) can be lowered from 6,000rpm to 4,500rpm by remapping it.

[SidewaysSi]

I would always suggest an Integra DC2 for anyone with £3k ish to spend. It's basically a homologated Group N car and therefore much more focused than the EP3. Even though I have other toys in the toybox and after 5 years of driving mine, it still brings a smile to my face! It costs very little, never breaks down, does 40mpg on run and absolutely delivers on the road. Don't think there is another lighter, sharper, race focused car this side of a GT3. Brilliant thing and much recommended.

See here for my thoughts:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...