Need some advice (£14-15k)

[joezeph]

Hi All,

Been trawling through pages of used cars to replace my Ibiza FR 1.2. Looking at spending around 14-15k on a hot hatch after driving my mates remapped S3(2010) with the DSG which I surprisingly enjoyed over manual and deciding its time for a change. I wont be adding masses onto its total, mainly town driving and weekend blasts (5-8k a year). Like the idea of something a bit more grown up but still nippy, looked at golf GTI's under 45k miles. Any other suggestions of what to look at or why not the golf would be appreciated as I'm no real expert.

[S54Love]

Have you looked at M135i's? They're just slightly out of budget, with autos starting from £15k:

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

Each to their own, but it is a bit different to a regular hot hatch being RWD and a 3 litre straight six. Spec can vary from car to car so keep your eyes peeled if you have something specific you want e.g. nav or heated seats as not all will have it.

[madmatteo]

I second the M135i option if your budget can be stretched a little. However, you could always stick with Seat again and consider a Leon Cupra 280 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I've just swapped a Golf R for a Leon 300 and its made for a very interesting comparison. The Golf was a great car - no question. However, it was a bit of a blunt instrument. The Leon feels more like a driver's car (despite the same engine and power as the Golf) which I'm quite enjoying.

Another slightly less obvious choice at your budget is a Peugeot 308 Gti (270 version ideally) - supposed to be really good if you go by the reviews. Example here - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Both could be worth a look anyway.

[joezeph]

Both great shouts , cheers guys will do some digging.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want the best drivers hot hatch then you need to look at the Megane RS it's a great car (comfortably better than a Golf Leon etc) as well as being very tuneable.

RS265 Lux with the Cup Chassis & Recaros

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

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

Last of the line 2.5T Focus ST-3 (with some change to visit Mountune GGR etc for some choice upgrades)

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

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

Leftfield

VXR (no less of a driver's car)

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

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

Peugeot Sport 308 GTI

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

Mugen Type R

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

If I was going to look at a VAG car it would be the S3:

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

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

[jam_up]

I have a mk6 GTI DSG and it’s a great daily commuter, but doesn’t exactly thrill on the occasional country road I go down. It definetly ticks the box of being grown up though - just the right amount of spice appearance wise.

I would go for a mk7 if you can as it’s a significant step up on the mk6. Personal preference would be: mk7 GTI > mk6 Golf R (hardly see any of these!) > mk6 GTI edition 35 > 8p S3.

However gotta agree with a few posters above in that the m135i is a great shout. You can just about get the auto ZF in your budget. Not exactly pretty (subjective, I know!) but quicker than any VAG above and RWD.

[TameRacingDriver]

If you dont want to stretch your budget buying a 135i, go for a 130i instead (previous generation). They are still fast, N/A, some say sound better, and you would have lots of change for petrol/mods/coke+hookers.

[MaxSo]

Giuletta for a bit of a left field option.

https://youtu.be/2k0M50u7n2k

[SteA]

We’ve got a Leon 280 and an S3. The Leon with 380 bhp (just a remap, PS4S tyres and better front pads) is a seriously fast car on both road and track. It’s bizzarrely quick on track for a comfortable road car. The biggest complaint is that it’s too competent. On a twisty, bumpy road, whatever the weather, it carries serious pace with no fuss. Not good in some respects it all depends what you want... I wanted a quiet, bland family wagon that doubles as a fast track car without much messing around with it. If I wanted something with more character and in many performance ways, more flaws, I would choose an M135i, great cars

[ZX10R NIN]

M135's are good cars but they do run out of ideas when it comes to B/A road fun the Renault is a much better car dynamically than the BMW.

[JackReacher]

ZX10R NIN said:

M135's are good cars but they do run out of ideas when it comes to B/A road fun the Renault is a much better car dynamically than the BMW.

+1, the "fun" in these is straight line pace, not going around corners unless you are into drifting on the road. The rear can get a bit twitchy which helps, but very poor damping and sterring. I would go for a Megane if you wanted a truely fun hatch, Leon Cupra probably 2nd choice. If you don't need practically and happy paying more maintenance costs but less depreciation, buy the best 987 Cayman 2.7 you can for the budget and refresh the suspension.

[KhabibSmesh]

madmatteo said:

I've just swapped a Golf R for a Leon 300 and its made for a very interesting comparison. The Golf was a great car - no question. However, it was a bit of a blunt instrument. The Leon feels more like a driver's car (despite the same engine and power as the Golf) which I'm quite enjoying.

I thought the Cupra had the same engine as a GTI just beefed up a bit, R is a completely different engine (I think...)

[SteA]

KhabibSmesh said:

I thought the Cupra had the same engine as a GTI just beefed up a bit, R is a completely different engine (I think...)

No, the R and the Cupra have the same engine, with the R being heavier so arguably not as good as a track tool if that’s of any concern. Interesting looking at the actual weights of cars as weighed by Evo, even the Golf GTI was apparently 90 kg heavier than the Cupra, with the R being heavier still. Weight makes quite a difference, when I had a light remap on mine (before the DSG map), with 350bhp, you needed 400 bhp in something like an M135i to have the same straight line pace on track.

[MaxSo]

Battle : Golf VII R DSG vs Leon III Cupra DSG vs M135 i Steptronic (F20)

[joezeph]

Woah, loads to look at. Thanks for your suggestions, makes it a lot more interesting having something to go off. Ill get booking some test drives!

Am I being a dinosaur discounting private sales if I am not a complete expert on each of the choices? Also with mileage on these, is the general trend these tend to be fine after going 50k+

Edited by joezeph on Friday 8th June 11:58