Jaguar-y Hot Hatch?

[flat-planedCrank]

Hi all,


Looking for a new car - warm / hot hatchback - but I can't seem to pin down many cars that fit the bill...

I'm basically looking for a hot hatch made by Jaguar's handling department - Has poise, handling and grip (oh and fun), but doesn't trade it all in for 'brick at each corner' suspension.



So far I'm looking at a short list of one - Focus ST - and perhaps...

Non-cup Clios? - Never tried them, any thoughts?

Fiesta ST? - Similar 'style' of suspension to the Focus ST?


Can anyone think of any others?



Thanks all

[George H]

1 series?

Or possibly a Golf.

[Wadeski]

that little Mercedes hatch thing with? C200K?

[Stu R]

Citroen DS3? Only been in one very briefly but it's nowhere near as jarring as Minis from my experience. Failing that if you're prepared to go a bit bigger the Focus ST is decent, though I prefer the Volvo C30.

[Scottish_ninja]

Alfa Guilietta?

Powerful, efficient and more class than ST's and the like.

[VR6time]

Golf, Focus, seat Leon, . as the 1series is destroyed by run flats.


does depend on budget which you didn't mention, as best handling car with a hatch is a Cayman.

[Biscuit Bus]

MINI Cooper S with either 16" rims or 17" rims with non-runflat tyres.

I find mine more comfortable than my old 197 which had cup packs which I felt rode not a lot worse than the std car. The new 200 is supposed to be a bit more supple though.

Of the others I've tried the Golf GTi (especially with adaptive dampers), Focus ST and Mazda 3MPS would all be worth a look.

Unfortunately, there are no genuine substitutes for cars built by Jaguar engineers!

[insanojackson]

Scirocco, nice interior, suspension on comfort setting.

[Pentoman]

MK5 or newer Golf is an OK bet. Avoid the audi a3 from 2004 on. Probably best to avoid older VAG products (anything pre 2003 I suppose) as they don't mix these chassis qualities that well. Avoid astra. Focus? - it's ok but not really fluid like a Jag. Probably the most jaguar-like small car might be a Mercedes C-class coupe, but could you call it a hot hatch? I'm not sure. They come with a range of strong engines, but not sure how fun they are. Oh hang on one more suggestion - something French. I haven't tried all the most recent models and they probably aren't as good as they used to be, but in the 90s a Peugeot or maybe Citroen would have been the perfect answer to this question. The new RCZ is supposed to be okay. And the Clio cup may not be a bad idea - I believe the older ones could be relatively supple, even the cup which had fancy suspension of some sort. Megane R26.R is supposed to ride well, better than it's sisters because it's lighter. Finally If it's big enough then I would really consider trying a 206, probably not the 180 model, just the normal GTi - that is if you don't mind internet experts telling you you should have bought a Clio Cup . I love mine and it's a good match to my Merc 190Es, which are very Jaguar-esque in their ride/handling, while being more fun in a cheeky fwd way. The last 'supple' car I can remember driving that was made after 2000 except a Lotus Elise.

[chriscoates]

Wadeski said:

that little Mercedes hatch thing with? C200K?

Do you mean this? If so, it's a good shout - quite a rare car as well

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2687111.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2312053.htm

[Rammy76]

You didn't say a budget but I found the R32 Golf to be supple yet still handled well with plenty of grip.

[insanojackson]

chriscoates said:

Do you mean this? If so, it's a good shout - quite a rare car as well

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2687111.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2312053.htm

I think he means the cut off c class thing, a bit like a merc version of a 3 series compact.

[richcorsavxr]

the new corsa vxr burg
http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/stillatthewheel/arc...

[EDLT]

Just buy a Jaguar.

[flat-planedCrank]

Thanks for the replies all


Looking at buying used, about £7-9k...

[davepoth]

EDLT said:

Just buy a Jaguar.

Really, +1. If you want a jag, get a jag.

[fathomfive]

VR6time said:

Golf, Focus, seat Leon, . as the 1series is destroyed by run flats.


does depend on budget which you didn't mention, as best handling car with a hatch is a Cayman.

A Leon? With supple suspension?

[iphonedyou]

Volvo C30 (also mentioned above).

My girlfriend has a C30, lovely interior.

[iphonedyou]

Volvo C30 (also mentioned above).

My girlfriend has a C30, lovely interior.

[chriscoates]

iphonedyou said:

Volvo C30 (also mentioned above).

My girlfriend has a C30, lovely interior.

Mentioned above twice, actually.