Best hot hatch for £5000
Discussion
I'm currently on the look out for a new fun weekend car and am almost dead set on getting a Megane R26 but just wondered if there was anything better for the price? They look like real bargains for the money really and are supposed to be excellent drivers cars.
I also looked at FN2 Type R and love the interior but really am not keen on the exterior looks... other options I looked at were the Clio 197/200 which take my fancy every now and again, but the thing I always get stuck on with those is lack of power/gains. Although everyone raves about how well they handle and how fun they are to drive so I understand it's not all about power.
Not necessarily stuck on the idea of a hot hatch either, but I don't really know what else I'd go for.
I also looked at FN2 Type R and love the interior but really am not keen on the exterior looks... other options I looked at were the Clio 197/200 which take my fancy every now and again, but the thing I always get stuck on with those is lack of power/gains. Although everyone raves about how well they handle and how fun they are to drive so I understand it's not all about power.
Not necessarily stuck on the idea of a hot hatch either, but I don't really know what else I'd go for.
SaggyOstrich said:
am almost dead set on getting a Megane R26 but just wondered if there was anything better for the price?
Nope.I never used to be a fan them when they were released but they have aged well and are great to drive. Theres nothing better for the money.
Mine is surprisingly capable on track (remapped) and upsets a lot of cars with much more power.
Edited by Ahbefive on Friday 8th June 13:06
Ahbefive said:
Nope.
I never used to be a fan them when they were released but they have aged well and are great to drive. Theres nothing better for the money.
Mine is surprisingly capable on track (remapped) and upsets a lot of cars with much more power.
Yeah I agree completely, when they came out I wasn't a fan but now think they look great especially with a bit of an aggressive stance.I never used to be a fan them when they were released but they have aged well and are great to drive. Theres nothing better for the money.
Mine is surprisingly capable on track (remapped) and upsets a lot of cars with much more power.
Edited by Ahbefive on Friday 8th June 13:06
It's a difficult one this. No, there probably isn't anything much better for the money than an R26. However, you said that you're after a fun weekend car and the Megane, to me, has always been a more grow-up option. Something like a decent Clio 200 will be more raw and possibly have more fun-factor to it.
Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
Save Ferris said:
A couple of months ago I went through the same process with the same budget, looking at the same kind of cars!
I went for a 2008 FN2, and it's great, no regrets at all.
Yeah see I do keep going back to them but just can't get past the styling! I think though with the Mugen wing they look far better.I went for a 2008 FN2, and it's great, no regrets at all.
culpz said:
It's a difficult one this. No, there probably isn't anything much better for the money than an R26. However, you said that you're after a fun weekend car and the Megane, to me, has always been a more grow-up option. Something like a decent Clio 200 will be more raw and possibly have more fun-factor to it.
Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
Having owned both, id say the R26 is actually a lot more raw.Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
The R26 still has the older generation feel about how it drives and delivers its thrills. The Diff alone makes it the only choice out of the 2 for me.
I really didnt get on with the 200Cup to be honest, it felt too planted in some situations, then came unstuck when really hooning. Cap that off with the gearbox issues and its a non starter for me.
My favourite hatch was the 182 CUP but theres no way i would get back into one now with the inflated prices, driving position and overall quality.
If it were my money it would be R26 i think. Civic's dont do it for me (Despite owning an Integra now) and
DUBS73P said:
culpz said:
It's a difficult one this. No, there probably isn't anything much better for the money than an R26. However, you said that you're after a fun weekend car and the Megane, to me, has always been a more grow-up option. Something like a decent Clio 200 will be more raw and possibly have more fun-factor to it.
Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
Having owned both, id say the R26 is actually a lot more raw.Obviously, it all depends on what constitutes fun for you. I don't see how you can go much wrong with either a Renault Sport Clio or Megane either way.
The R26 still has the older generation feel about how it drives and delivers its thrills. The Diff alone makes it the only choice out of the 2 for me.
I really didnt get on with the 200Cup to be honest, it felt too planted in some situations, then came unstuck when really hooning. Cap that off with the gearbox issues and its a non starter for me.
My favourite hatch was the 182 CUP but theres no way i would get back into one now with the inflated prices, driving position and overall quality.
If it were my money it would be R26 i think. Civic's dont do it for me (Despite owning an Integra now) and
For me, something like a 200 Cup will be much more raw than any Megane. However, a Megane will be much more raw than a Golf.
SaggyOstrich said:
Mainly a fun road car but with a few track days thrown in, like 2/3 per year.
As far as fwd hot hatches go at this price range the megane is in a league of its own on track. As an every day car it can be a bit bumpy and is not the most refined, good fun though. All the thrills/spec of a mk1 focus RS but at half the price.
So far I'm loving my R26. Only things that bother me are an incredibly rattly interior and fuel consumption. I do drive in a sprited manor most of the time admitted but mine averages 22-23 mpg on tesco momentum.
Also I am finding modifying to be a bit addictive, already spent £580 on an exhaust, £300 on some good front tyres, it's having some suspension refreshing done on Wednesday for about £600 and then a bespoke remap for about another £550. Also considering intercooler and coilovers. Slippery slope.
Also brilliant fun watching gti's dissappear behind you
Also I am finding modifying to be a bit addictive, already spent £580 on an exhaust, £300 on some good front tyres, it's having some suspension refreshing done on Wednesday for about £600 and then a bespoke remap for about another £550. Also considering intercooler and coilovers. Slippery slope.
Also brilliant fun watching gti's dissappear behind you
SaggyOstrich said:
This is all pretty much confirming what I think, the R26 seems like the best choice!
Bit left field but what about a Boxster S (986)? I realise that's not a hatch back lol but supposed to be fun cars and within budget.
I was going to suggest a boxster S. I've owned Clio 182 cup, Mégane R26 and 986 boxster - all very good, capable cars.Bit left field but what about a Boxster S (986)? I realise that's not a hatch back lol but supposed to be fun cars and within budget.
My opinion? - if you can can afford the higher running costs, for a weekend toy, I'd get the boxster, 100%
manracer said:
My opinion? - if you can afford the much, much higher running costs, much less practicality and have a large bork fund for if it goes wrong for a weekend toy, I'd get the boxster, 100%
FTFY 
My friend has a lovely Cayman S (£25k) and he wishes he'd bought a megane as there is nothing between them on track other than a gulf in bills. The Cayman in his colour does look more impressive though.
Edited by Ahbefive on Saturday 9th June 06:46
Ahbefive said:
manracer said:
My opinion? - if you can afford the much, much higher running costs, much less practicality and have a large bork fund for if it goes wrong for a weekend toy, I'd get the boxster, 100%
FTFY My friend has a lovely Cayman S (£25k) and he wishes he'd bought a megane as there is nothing between them on track other than a gulf in bills. The Cayman in his colour does look more impressive though.
Edited by Ahbefive on Saturday 9th June 06:46
IF OP wanted a proper track day toy then of course Id say Mégane/clio
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