What £5k-£6k hot hatch?

[white_goodman]

I think that I've sorted my wife out with a bigger car in preparation for the birth of out first baby which now leaves me with my wife's Fiat 500. Although its a fantastic little car (we have had it from new and not had any problems) and I am happy to drive it for the time being, a red 1.2 Fiat 500 is not really me. What small 3dr hot hatch could I get to replace it with which won't leave me too much out of a pocket? (It's a 59-plate 1.2 Pop with about 20,000 miles).

A Renault Clio would be the obvious choice I'm sure and easily available in my budget but unfortunately I don't really like Renaults. I would love an Abarth 500 but they're way out of budget. I have however considered the following:

Ford Fiesta ST150
Suzuki Swift Sport
MINI Cooper S

I like the MINI but I don't think that £5-6k would get me a turbo model. I've heard that the supercharged ones are really thirsty and that older MINIs have their fair share of problems. Any thoughts on any of the three that I have suggested or are there any other suitable alternatives?

[GTASmallville]

Alfa 147GTA would wipe the floor with them and then some get one...and they are actually quicker than what the official figures say

[Codswallop]

Out of the 3 in your shortlist, I would say the Swift is probably the best all rounder and is well regarded by the press as being good to drive.

Some other alternatives;

207 GTi (same engine as new turbo Cooper S, reviews say chassis is pants though)
Colt CZT
Panda 100HP
Fabia VRs

[andrew186]

civic type r?

[McAndy]

I'm currently going through similar choices. The Swift Sports are just out of my price range currently so Fiesta STs have been high on the list. Also Focus ST170s, but their age puts me off.

Forgive me if I'm wide of the mark, but since you're expecting then I'm guessing running costs could be a reason for your small hatch decision? If so, consider the Fiesta Zetec S 1.6 TDCi. Being a geek I've done a nice calculator in Excel and it's ~£800/annum less to run over 12k miles. While it's acknowledged to be down on power it has far more torque and is >100kg lighter, so compensates somewhat.

Now finding one for sale, that's another issue!

[white_goodman]

Thanks. Some good alternatives but don't want anything too expensive to run (147 GTA) or expensive to insure (Type-R). 35-40 mpg in general use would be preferable. We like the Fiat because it's cheap to run but would prefer something quicker and more fun.

Edited by white_goodman on Sunday 4th December 16:19

[YoungOne]

Swift sport is a good car but bear in mind it only likes to drink super unleaded. Get about 38mpg out of mine on tesco momentum which isn't too bad.

[GTASmallville]

If you like the 500 then how about the Fiat Panda 100HP? I hear they are cracking cars

[white_goodman]

GTASmallville said:

If you like the 500 then how about the Fiat Panda 100HP? I hear they are cracking cars

Yes, good call. I would prefer a 3 door but I do like these, so probably should consider one. I also forgot to mention the VW Lupo GTi which I like the look of (but they are quite rare). Are these good cars? I guess that I should also consider a mk4 Golf GTi turbo around this budget but possibly a bit too big to fit in my garage!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Golf is best hatch by miles.

[GTASmallville]

If you want a warm hatch then maybe an Alfa 147 2.0 twinspark? You can get a spotless one for half your budget with every single option , you might like to look at a Fiat Stilo Schumacher? But have no idea what they are like!

Or this...Alfa GT...they actually have more room in them than the 147 hatch
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3126861.htm

Golfs are nice and 'reliable/well bolted together' but they are ever so dull and drab, I personally don't like them

[elephantstone]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Golf is best hatch by miles.

Really???????

[anonymous-user]

white_goodman said:

Thanks. Some good alternatives but don't want anything too expensive to run (147 GTA) or expensive to insure (Type-R). 35-40 mpg in general use would be preferable. We like the Fiat because it's cheap to run but would prefer something quicker and more fun.

Problem is (and I'm not being biased) a Clio Sport will hit 35-40 mpg easily on a motorway and will do not much less around town.

ETA: I say 'problem is' because I see you don't want a Renault.

[WEHGuy]

GTASmallville said:

If you want a warm hatch then maybe an Alfa 147 2.0 twinspark? You can get a spotless one for half your budget with every single option , you might like to look at a Fiat Stilo Schumacher? But have no idea what they are like!

Or this...Alfa GT...they actually have more room in them than the 147 hatch
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3126861.htm

Golfs are nice and 'reliable/well bolted together' but they are ever so dull and drab, I personally don't like them

Me too. They are just so boring.

[Dave Hedgehog]

andrew186 said:

civic type r?

id go for a CTR for the bomb proof engine and gearbox, handy as most hot hatches get a canning

[Traveller]

Seat Cupra R Mk1, 270 BHP with a map, comfortable, VAG internals and very practical with kids and all associated stuff that goes with them.

Edited by Traveller on Tuesday 6th December 08:40

[McAndy]

Dave Hedgehog said:

id go for a CTR for the bomb proof engine and gearbox, handy as most hot hatches get a canning

Buying guide in this months evo. Check the history! So many have been caned to within a µm of their life.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

elephantstone said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Golf is best hatch by miles.

Really???????

Indeed

[matt-ITR]

Having owned a Swift Sport I'd say it expensive to run for what is it.

The tyre size was unique (maybe not any more?), the only tyres were Goodyear Eagle F1's and were hard to get hold of.
Tax wasn't that cheap, most of the competitors were much less
Fuel economy is 35mpg or less, which isn't great for a 1.6 with only 125bhp.

Fun to drive, but not fast by any means. Nippy and surefooted with a great gearbox and an engine that loves to rev.
My DC2 integra had similar running costs, so I would guess the Civic Type R wouldn't too much more than the Swift.

[soad]

Integra type r dc2
Fiat coupe turbo