A classy hot hatch
Discussion
Maybe its because I grew up with them, or that I want to retain my youth, but I am drawn to hot hatches. However given that I am now a more middle aged family man, I don't want to look like a baseball capped youth driving one, and want to be able to pull up at a nice country hotel in it without it looking out of place (don't bother with the comments that you should sod everyone else's opnion and get what you want 
)
This will be a weekend car and it needs to fit 2 kids and a dog (for short journeys) in it, I have been thinking about the newer Audi S3 (265bhp) to cover all bases, but wondered if there was an equally "classy" looking vehicle which provides the same if not better performance, but possibly for less cost. Budget is up to around 15K, but if I can get the same performance, similar reliability and something which meets the country house test, then willing to consider anything. The other one on my radar is a BMW 330, but already have an estate version and its not a hot hatch and no dog space.
Insurance shouldn't be an issue, currently pay £220 a year for a group 18, but I don't want something thats going to need a lot of work as my current steed costs me about £400 a year to run.
)This will be a weekend car and it needs to fit 2 kids and a dog (for short journeys) in it, I have been thinking about the newer Audi S3 (265bhp) to cover all bases, but wondered if there was an equally "classy" looking vehicle which provides the same if not better performance, but possibly for less cost. Budget is up to around 15K, but if I can get the same performance, similar reliability and something which meets the country house test, then willing to consider anything. The other one on my radar is a BMW 330, but already have an estate version and its not a hot hatch and no dog space.
Insurance shouldn't be an issue, currently pay £220 a year for a group 18, but I don't want something thats going to need a lot of work as my current steed costs me about £400 a year to run.
Mk5 Golf R32?
A great 'do everything' car, and can be seen at 5* hotels or on a council estate without raising an eyebrow. Not as powerful as the Audi at 250bhp, but sounds a hell of a lot better.
Or Golf GTI Edition 30? Same engine as the S3 so can be remapped to circa 300bhp easily.
A great 'do everything' car, and can be seen at 5* hotels or on a council estate without raising an eyebrow. Not as powerful as the Audi at 250bhp, but sounds a hell of a lot better.
Or Golf GTI Edition 30? Same engine as the S3 so can be remapped to circa 300bhp easily.
Alfa 147 GTA? If you can find an example which doesnt have aftermarkt stuff done, it will look quite classy i think, and with the parcel shelf out it should hold a dog in the boot as well.
Most hot-hatches arent that classy though, comes with being targetted at young people with more money then sense of style.
Most hot-hatches arent that classy though, comes with being targetted at young people with more money then sense of style.
Vitorio said:
Alfa 147 GTA? If you can find an example which doesnt have aftermarkt stuff done, it will look quite classy i think, and with the parcel shelf out it should hold a dog in the boot as well.
Most hot-hatches arent that classy though, comes with being targetted at young people with more money then sense of style.
Have always fancied one of these, in the dark blue with tan leather, could be a good shout.Most hot-hatches arent that classy though, comes with being targetted at young people with more money then sense of style.
Vitorio said:
Alfa 147 GTA?
Would have to agree with this, although I am slightly biased 
I've never really considered it a hot hatch, more a GT hatch. It'll quite happily waft down motorways at 70something mph, returning healthy MPG. But will still go like a good 'un when egged on. It's unassuming and 95% of the public don't actually know what it is, which is always good for bruising egos. And those seats...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Ticks all the boxes, plenty of go, looks smart, no whiffy image and well under budget.
S3 as you say is the obvious one but a decent sportback will be another 6k on that.
Ticks all the boxes, plenty of go, looks smart, no whiffy image and well under budget.
S3 as you say is the obvious one but a decent sportback will be another 6k on that.
Alfa numeric said:
Sadly, the Golf's just don't do it for me. I was always in the 205 GTI / GT Turbo camp. Had the former and it was ace, but the fact you could bend the panels by resting your hand on them, the sensible cap comes on in terms of the family and I think I have passed the retro stage.Dr G said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
Ticks all the boxes, plenty of go, looks smart, no whiffy image and well under budget.
S3 as you say is the obvious one but a decent sportback will be another 6k on that.
That looks good. Do you know if the power can be brought up to S3 levels (or more) easily?Ticks all the boxes, plenty of go, looks smart, no whiffy image and well under budget.
S3 as you say is the obvious one but a decent sportback will be another 6k on that.
JohnoVR6 said:
Would have to agree with this, although I am slightly biased
I've never really considered it a hot hatch, more a GT hatch. It'll quite happily waft down motorways at 70something mph, returning healthy MPG. But will still go like a good 'un when egged on. It's unassuming and 95% of the public don't actually know what it is, which is always good for bruising egos. And those seats...
Ooh yes, it might not be as sharp as some competitors, but i'd have one over any other hot hatch, if only to have that 3.2 Busso V6, truely one of the best engines ever made.I've never really considered it a hot hatch, more a GT hatch. It'll quite happily waft down motorways at 70something mph, returning healthy MPG. But will still go like a good 'un when egged on. It's unassuming and 95% of the public don't actually know what it is, which is always good for bruising egos. And those seats...
BlueEyedBoy said:
That looks good. Do you know if the power can be brought up to S3 levels (or more) easily?
It's the same engine as the R32, 3.2 V6, and unfortunately there isn't much you can do to them to up the power without going FI. The R32 feels much nicer than the 3.2 Audi though, different suspension and set ups. If you can get an R32 with the recaro bucket seats you will never look back.
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