What £3k hot hatch?
Discussion
I really fancy another 205 GTi (one of my favourite cars ever) or possibly a mk2 Golf GTi as a 2nd car (we're keeping my Impreza as our family car). However, it has been more than 8 years since my last one (and it was quite an old car then). Am I looking at it through rose-tinted specs? I'm sure it would still be a blast in the summer on a twisty B-road but if I was using it for everyday commuting (which I will be), the crap heater and annoying habit of kangarooing in traffic might get on my nerves. Also, my wife would want to use it for shorter, local trips and I'm not sure about the lack of power steering, ABS and any safety features to speak of from her point of view. Is there a more modern equivalent to a 205 GTi/mk2 Golf GTi for driving thrills without the compromises or is their no substitute for the real thing?
I want a smallish 3 door hot hatch, it has to be less than 4m long (to fit in the garage) and can't be more than £3k. I also like my hot hatches simple, so don't want any extra unecessary gadgets that will just add unecessary weight and go wrong and I don't want anything modified, as it will be a pain to insure!
I like 20th century Peugeots, so have considered a mk2 106 Rallye (though difficult to find a standard one) or a 306 Rallye/GTi-6. I don't know if the 180bhp 206 GTi is any good but from what I have read probably not.
A £3k Civic Type-R would probably be a bit ropey (and expensive to insure)!
mk4 VW Golf GTi 1.8T or Focus ST170 (a bit too sensible)
VW Lupo GTi?
Fiat Punto GT Turbo?
The most obvious and best value option would probably be a Clio 172/182 Cup. I've always been a bit ant-Renault but quite like the look of these. What is the Cup pack exactly? I'm guessing that not all 182s are Cups? It looks like a decent 182 Cup would be a bit over budget (I'd want a blue one not boring black or silver)! The 172 Cups are a bit cheaper and look great but am I right in thinking they don't have ABS? Is the 182 worth the extra money?
Any thoughts on any of these options (or any alternatives) or should I just go with my original instinct and look for a tidy 205 GTi?
I want a smallish 3 door hot hatch, it has to be less than 4m long (to fit in the garage) and can't be more than £3k. I also like my hot hatches simple, so don't want any extra unecessary gadgets that will just add unecessary weight and go wrong and I don't want anything modified, as it will be a pain to insure!
I like 20th century Peugeots, so have considered a mk2 106 Rallye (though difficult to find a standard one) or a 306 Rallye/GTi-6. I don't know if the 180bhp 206 GTi is any good but from what I have read probably not.
A £3k Civic Type-R would probably be a bit ropey (and expensive to insure)!
mk4 VW Golf GTi 1.8T or Focus ST170 (a bit too sensible)
VW Lupo GTi?
Fiat Punto GT Turbo?
The most obvious and best value option would probably be a Clio 172/182 Cup. I've always been a bit ant-Renault but quite like the look of these. What is the Cup pack exactly? I'm guessing that not all 182s are Cups? It looks like a decent 182 Cup would be a bit over budget (I'd want a blue one not boring black or silver)! The 172 Cups are a bit cheaper and look great but am I right in thinking they don't have ABS? Is the 182 worth the extra money?
Any thoughts on any of these options (or any alternatives) or should I just go with my original instinct and look for a tidy 205 GTi?
Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 14th June 23:13
t get a mint mark 2 gti for your budget. or a clio 172
In Februaury I bought an EP3 Type-R for £3000 72k FHSH and in great condition just 18 miles from my house, they are available that cheap, but insurance is a bit of a bummer.
I've found that Cliosports 172/172cup/182 are more to insure than the Civics, but they will have more of the old school french hot hatch feel.
A 206 GTI180 is something I have never driven but they do get very bad rep due to poor driving position and the 17 inch wheels giving it a bad ride.
A mint 106 GTI could be had within your budget, the similar lift off oversteer fun that can be had in a 205 gti, but with slightly more up to date interior and looks.
If I were in your position I would look at either a 106 S2 rallye or a 172 Cup, as they are more driver focused than an average Clio 172, but with less toys.
I've found that Cliosports 172/172cup/182 are more to insure than the Civics, but they will have more of the old school french hot hatch feel.
A 206 GTI180 is something I have never driven but they do get very bad rep due to poor driving position and the 17 inch wheels giving it a bad ride.
A mint 106 GTI could be had within your budget, the similar lift off oversteer fun that can be had in a 205 gti, but with slightly more up to date interior and looks.
If I were in your position I would look at either a 106 S2 rallye or a 172 Cup, as they are more driver focused than an average Clio 172, but with less toys.
I've just bought my second Clio Sport, this time a 172 Phase 1 (previously a 182).
I've driven loads of cars, and the Clios are good fun. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, and very capable on the corners.
However, for £3k you might get a DC2 Integra, and they are even better. That said, I think the Clio is actually a better all rounder, as it is a bit more comfortable, just as practical, and a lot more stealthy; my Integra attracted all kinds of attention - the nice attention was good, but it attracted jealous scrotes as well (I was once threatened by a group of about 10 lads who were promising to take it off my hands. Not good). The Clio doesn't quite have that fabulous engine noise, rifle bolt gears, torsen diff, double wishbone suspension and excellent driving position, but it is still at least 90% as fun.
I've driven loads of cars, and the Clios are good fun. 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, and very capable on the corners.
However, for £3k you might get a DC2 Integra, and they are even better. That said, I think the Clio is actually a better all rounder, as it is a bit more comfortable, just as practical, and a lot more stealthy; my Integra attracted all kinds of attention - the nice attention was good, but it attracted jealous scrotes as well (I was once threatened by a group of about 10 lads who were promising to take it off my hands. Not good). The Clio doesn't quite have that fabulous engine noise, rifle bolt gears, torsen diff, double wishbone suspension and excellent driving position, but it is still at least 90% as fun.
Thanks for the suggestions. LCR and DC2 Integra probably too long for my garage! Hadn't considered an Ibiza Cupra. R5 GT Turbo another classic but reliable? Plus the only one on Autotrader is selling at 4000 pounds. Clio Williams a bit flimsy. As I thought, a Peugeot or a Renault Clio 172/182 seems like the best bet. That mk2 Golf GTi looks lovely though Digby and I guess not that ridiculously priced really, although Sheffield is a fair old trek from me!
Edited by white_goodman on Friday 15th June 15:10
white_goodman said:
I like 20th century Peugeots, so have considered a mk2 106 Rallye (though difficult to find a standard one) or a 306 Rallye/GTi-6. I don't know if the 180bhp 206 GTi is any good but from what I have read probably not.
The 106 Rallye Register forum has a good turnover of cars - standard ones do come up quite often.The 306 Rallye is a good car, although completely different in character to the 106. I didn't enjoy the 206 GTI, even the 180 didn't have that sparkle somehow.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff