The hottest 5dr hatch (or small saloon) for 7k?

The hottest 5dr hatch (or small saloon) for 7k?

Author
Discussion

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

181 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
quotequote all
Chaps and chappesses, I'm struggling to choose my new car. Help?

There is a baby. Current car (Mini convertible) isn't suitable. I need 5 doors (4 in saloon)and a proper boot. I also want something engaging to drive. It needs to be happy in town but I'd also like something I can take to a track pretty much stock and still have a good time. Budget is 7k but I'm more than happy to spend less.

My criteria from most important to least:

Chassis/handling - the more engaging and responsive, the better. Driving pleasure is essential.
noise - I can deal with 4 cylinders, but it needs a grumble or shout. V6 is preferred.
driven wheels - prefer rwd, but i know there are some cracking fwd cars out there.
mpg - high 20's + around town
power - if the chassis and noise are good, I'll take something slow - ish.

I keeping coming back to an e46 330i, but they all have many, many miles on them. Newer 3's just dont appeal. A mk2 Golf GTI would be lovely, but they are getting very leggy too these days and I'm not sure I'd like baby in the back if I were to be involved in an RTA.

So, decent chassis and noise followed by reasonable safety and mileage.

Ideas?

lamboman100

1,445 posts

121 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Renault Megane R26 or Subaru Impreza WRX.

aka_kerrly

12,417 posts

210 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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MK5 Golf r32?

Gruber

6,313 posts

214 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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BMW 130i.

I've just bought one with exactly the same criteria - entertaining, 5 doors, rwd, etc.

Mine is really growing on me.

Cupramax

10,478 posts

252 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Mk1 Leon Cupra R

GAL001

1,444 posts

175 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Impreza is one of the best all rounders, although not the v6 it still burbles!

DoubleSix

11,710 posts

176 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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130i, Straight six burble with RWD...

MissChief

7,101 posts

168 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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E46 M3 although coupé not hatch/saloon. It's also likely to be a shed. Should get a nice 330i saloon for that though.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

158 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Mint mk4 R32 Golf or a 130i.

The only options.

mpm1987

755 posts

185 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Mazda 3 mps?

danp

1,603 posts

262 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Mondeo st220 if the 130i boot isn't sufficient?

Hub

6,431 posts

198 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Vladimir said:
Mint mk4 R32 Golf or a 130i.

The only options.
Mk2 Focus ST? More of a GT perhaps than perfect hot hatch, but so is the R32. Great engine though.

There may need to be a trade off somewhere - eg mk5 Golf GTI a better steer and a newer/better example for the money, but a less characterful engine compared to the R32. Check if the 130i is practical enough - and would you get a good one for the budget?

Boobonman

5,654 posts

192 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Minter of an E36 M3 saloon? They're my favourite E36, still engaging, very PH and bound to only go up in value.

DoubleSix

11,710 posts

176 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Hub said:
...and would you get a good one for the budget?
Probably not tbh

veevee

1,455 posts

151 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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e90 330i?

greggy50

6,166 posts

191 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Mountune Focus ST would be a good choice would prefer it over the Golf R32 myself

Other option is the 130i as others have mentioned but these are not very big in the back at all...

43034

2,963 posts

168 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
quotequote all
Low mileage E46s are out there... but get in line wink

I just missed out on one with 52k on the clock! Absolutely mint.

Playing the waiting game for another now!

delboy735

1,656 posts

202 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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ArmaghMan

2,408 posts

180 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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C32 AMG

Escy

3,922 posts

149 months

Saturday 5th April 2014
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Alpina B3