Yet another hot hatch query, but with a twist

[Phokaioglaukos]

Need to buy a car in early January with comfortable long distance room for two and a couple of largish dogs. Prefer 5 doors and like AWD, but fit and finish and a sporty ride are more important. A manual gearbox is required. Good power and handling is also necessary. The chart below has some outliers too: the Cayman is a fun car that we will bring from the US in a few months. The larger cars are points of comparison. The M140i seems to be the pick of this litter. Agree? Am I missing another candidate?

[ZX10R NIN]

Is AWD a must?

Also rough idea of budget?

[esxste]

I suggest your picks are between the Focus RS and the M140i. Same price band, similar power/acceleration.

Focus RS has AWD.

M140i has better interior trim.

Outside looks wise; thats your call tbh

Me, I'd probabaly take the RS.

[Phokaioglaukos]

ZX10R NIN said:

Is AWD a must?

Also rough idea of budget?

AWD desirable, but not essential.

Budget not a concern for this car, at least in the range of vehicles appropriate for the roads in Ireland where the car will go after six months in Scotland.

[Phokaioglaukos]

esxste said:

I suggest your picks are between the Focus RS and the M140i. Same price band, similar power/acceleration.

Yes, been thinking similar, but I do like the trim of the M140i a great deal better than that of the Focus. I will need to see if anyone is tuning the A3 to improve its power. The S3 and RS3 are not to be had with a manual gearbox.

[Nickp82]

Have you considered the Leon Cupra?

[AJB88]

Nickp82 said:

Have you considered the Leon Cupra?

AWD and Manual not possible.

[Nickp82]

Yup but AWD was not a must, hence the 140, ST and GTi being on the list

[AJB88]

Nickp82 said:

Yup but AWD was not a must, hence the 140, ST and GTi being on the list

Ah I cant see the list as at work and pictures are blocked.

[ZX10R NIN]

This one is simple, it's going to Scotland & Ireland where there are some great A roads which means a good chassis is required in which case I'd be getting either a last of the line Megane RS with the Ohlins Dampers preferably or if you really need 5 door I'd be looking for the new Megane RS.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Phokaioglaukos]

1. Never heard of the Leon Cupra. Not sold in the US, but isn't a Seat just a cheaper VW? Not trying to offend, but that is what I thought. How am I wrong?

2. Have to buy in January, and I thought the new Megan RS will not be available by then. Is that wrong too?

Thanks for the help!

[aaron_2000]

Phokaioglaukos said:

1. Never heard of the Leon Cupra. Not sold in the US, but isn't a Seat just a cheaper VW? Not trying to offend, but that is what I thought. How am I wrong?

2. Have to buy in January, and I thought the new Megan RS will not be available by then. Is that wrong too?

Thanks for the help!

SEAT is just as good as VW, at least the Leon is anyway. To answer your question, I'd say being in the US you'd maybe want the BMW, I imagine it'll be a nicer car to drive day to day, and with a good set of tyres you won't miss AWD.

[loskie]

M140 and 2 largish dogs don't go.
Look at a Skoda Octavia VRS Estate or Golf R Estate too

[talksthetorque]

Just a note that several people on here have cited that X drive BMWs don't come with sports suspension.
that may be a good thing for the potholes, or a bad thing for the fun twisties in both Scotland and Ireland.
But if you're from the canadian border states, then the potholes are nothing compared to frost heave.

[Nickp82]

Phokaioglaukos said:

1. Never heard of the Leon Cupra. Not sold in the US, but isn't a Seat just a cheaper VW? Not trying to offend, but that is what I thought. How am I wrong?

2. Have to buy in January, and I thought the new Megan RS will not be available by then. Is that wrong too?

Thanks for the help!

On a basic level you are right - Seats tend to be a cheaper version of their VW equivalent, we have a Golf GTD and a Leon Cupra and the Golf has a higher quality of feel in the interior (also rattles more!) but I much prefer the exterior styling of the Leon so it comes down to personal taste.

[Heartworm]

I can't get on with the BMW, I find the driving position in relation to the peddles to be cramped and I just couldn't find a way to relax comfortably in it.