Second hand hot hatch options. Advice welcome.
Discussion
Hi all,
Time to hand back my snotter Polo as my contract he has been extended. So I will be in the market for a decent hatch. Key criteria:
1. Will need to cart kids around from time to time, 4 and 2 so not the biggest.
2. Fuel economy not a major concern, still fairly reasonable here. (south africa).
3. Budget around R200k, circa 16k. Cars expensive here so rules out a fair few like BMW 130 etc. Plus had a coupe 123d in the UK so fancy something different.
4. Not fussed if 3 or 5 door.
5. Because of need to carry the kids looking for a reasonable ride comfort.
6. Insurance is capped at 40gbp a month through work
7. Age wise looking at stuff from 2005 onwards
Been a while since a hatch, last one was an S3. Shortlisted the megane F1 I think they are called from 2007 and Mini Cooper S. Don't really like the looks of the focus st but maybe could be persuaded. Am I missing a cracking car to consider, like a Mazda 3 mps, flaw there is have only seen a very few here. Skodas out for same reason. Welcome recommendations on above, insight on things to look out for and reliability issues. Alternative ideas also welcome.
Thanks
Chris
Time to hand back my snotter Polo as my contract he has been extended. So I will be in the market for a decent hatch. Key criteria:
1. Will need to cart kids around from time to time, 4 and 2 so not the biggest.
2. Fuel economy not a major concern, still fairly reasonable here. (south africa).
3. Budget around R200k, circa 16k. Cars expensive here so rules out a fair few like BMW 130 etc. Plus had a coupe 123d in the UK so fancy something different.
4. Not fussed if 3 or 5 door.
5. Because of need to carry the kids looking for a reasonable ride comfort.
6. Insurance is capped at 40gbp a month through work
7. Age wise looking at stuff from 2005 onwards
Been a while since a hatch, last one was an S3. Shortlisted the megane F1 I think they are called from 2007 and Mini Cooper S. Don't really like the looks of the focus st but maybe could be persuaded. Am I missing a cracking car to consider, like a Mazda 3 mps, flaw there is have only seen a very few here. Skodas out for same reason. Welcome recommendations on above, insight on things to look out for and reliability issues. Alternative ideas also welcome.
Thanks
Chris
Edited by joburgporsche on Saturday 21st April 12:45
Megane R26 all the way! Ignore other suggestions and choose that. My mum ran one for 3 years as a lease car it was awesome, sounded great went like the clappers returned nearly 30mpg, awesome handling and plenty of space. What more could you want? We had no problems with reliability and tyre life was surprisingly good.
I am a touch biased though so I'll suggest alternatives as the Golf GTI, and the focus they're as close as you'll get to the megane in terms of handling but they're a touch softer so may be worth considering.
I am a touch biased though so I'll suggest alternatives as the Golf GTI, and the focus they're as close as you'll get to the megane in terms of handling but they're a touch softer so may be worth considering.
Grovsie26 said:
DoubleSix said:
Just spotted you said 130i was ruled out but are you sure?? They're under 10k here in the UK, I got a heavy spec low miler for 12.5k......
makes ya eyes bleed though.We've had a MkV GTi for 3 years. And it's a genuinely good all-rounder.
- Nice place to be
- Comfy (ride on 18s is a bit crashy)
- Handles crisply - good turn-in, good poise, responsive
- Well-built (even after 5 years)
- Reliable-ish (new steering rack and new autochanger aside)
But compared to the 'teg it's a little bit...bland, a bit aloof (aren't all modern cars). And the engine doesn't sound up to much from inside. There is a very good chassis under there, but you don't find it until you're REALLY pressing on, and the pedals are typical modern VAG - over-servo'd brake and floor-hinged accelerator - HnT is difficult.
Focus ST for me is a better 'hot hatch' - more theatre and more involvement. But I'd be more concerned about longevity with the Ford. EP3 CTR is the other one we looked at - better B-road blaster than either of the others (sound, throttle-response, etc.), but not as good an all-rounder.
- Nice place to be
- Comfy (ride on 18s is a bit crashy)
- Handles crisply - good turn-in, good poise, responsive
- Well-built (even after 5 years)
- Reliable-ish (new steering rack and new autochanger aside)
But compared to the 'teg it's a little bit...bland, a bit aloof (aren't all modern cars). And the engine doesn't sound up to much from inside. There is a very good chassis under there, but you don't find it until you're REALLY pressing on, and the pedals are typical modern VAG - over-servo'd brake and floor-hinged accelerator - HnT is difficult.
Focus ST for me is a better 'hot hatch' - more theatre and more involvement. But I'd be more concerned about longevity with the Ford. EP3 CTR is the other one we looked at - better B-road blaster than either of the others (sound, throttle-response, etc.), but not as good an all-rounder.
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