Another "what hot hatch would buy for 5k thread"

[_callly]

Hello, I've been reading and reading about what hatch to buy.
I still can't make my mind up and now wanting to hear about what you have or what you would have.

Max budget 5k, I want to spice up my drive to and from work (50 miles)

I've been leaning towards an ep3 at the moment, although wanting to know if they are still worth it?
Would love a 225 but I've read too many horror stories. A few friends have said a vxr with some handling mods would be a weapon?

What would you choose and why?

Edited by _callly on Saturday 23 February 15:25

Edited by _callly on Saturday 23 February 16:10

[and31]

Nice facelift R53 Cooper S-,pulley,intercooler ,decent exhaust,induction kit and some half decent coilovers is easily doable for your budget-
It’s what I did and I bloody love it-always enjoy driving it
I don’t need to use it for commuting though-that might be an issue cos it’s a tad thirsty!

[_callly]

and31 said:

Nice facelift R53 Cooper S-,pulley,intercooler ,decent exhaust,induction kit and some half decent coilovers is easily doable for your budget-
It’s what I did and I bloody love it-always enjoy driving it
I don’t need to use it for commuting though-that might be an issue cos it’s a tad thirsty!

I've never really looked at them, I've driven a new shape cooper s and it was pretty fun.

How bad is it on fuel haha?

[and31]

On a run driving nice and steady I’m sure you could get 30 odd mpg.
However it’s very difficult to resist putting your fit down at every opportunity!!
That supercharger whine is very addictive lol
The fuel consumption is largely irrelevant to me as it’s only a weekend toy-but the computer is currently saying 26mpg-but that’s with a lot of nipping to the shops and no long runs recently
Always great fun to drive though-I’m a massive classic mini geek-and have owned some highly tuned examples (last one was dynoed at 127bhp)
The r53 is the nearest I can get to that experience-noisy,fast,hard ride,but much more useable than the old one lol

[ZX10R NIN]

If it was me i'd be buying the best Focus ST-3 I could find:

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

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

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

[and31]

I must add that I don’t hesitate to use the r53 for long journeys if needed-I recently had to travel from Hertfordshire to Hereford for a family funeral-three hours each way and it was no problem at all.my back seat passengers faired less well though..
A bit cramped to say the least

[Joelonghair]

The FN2 never gets a mention but I think it should, a lot of motor for the money. Same sweet engine as the EP3 and to my mind looks better and has a far superior interior. Most ST's are getting a bit leggy and doubt they have the same resilience and reliability of the Honda.

[ZX10R NIN]

ST's are proving just as reliable as the Honda's the FN2 is a good shout they haven't held their money as well so you can get a newer one compared to the ST. I'd still have the ST over the Type R (especially the Mountune tweaked one) every time but the Type R might suit your requirements OP.

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

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

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

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

[DoubleD]

The civic makes the focus look very bland!

[V8RX7]

If you have the open roads where you can rev the EP3 I think it's the best option.

If you're more stop start, the low end of the 182 might be more fun

[Joelonghair]

Also worth noting the ST responds very well to a tune and a couple of go faster bits, the Type R does not. This can be a positive in either case depending on your outlook.

[V8RX7]

ZX10R NIN said:

ST's are proving just as reliable as the Honda's the FN2 is a good shout they haven't held their money as well so you can get a newer one compared to the ST. I'd still have the ST over the Type R (especially the Mountune tweaked one) every time but the Type R might suit your requirements OP.

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

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

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

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

You missed the obvious advantage of driving an FN2 - you don't have to look at the hideous exterior when you're sitting inside it.

Of course walking blindfold towards it, is tricky

[egor110]

_callly said:

and31 said:

Nice facelift R53 Cooper S-,pulley,intercooler ,decent exhaust,induction kit and some half decent coilovers is easily doable for your budget-
It’s what I did and I bloody love it-always enjoy driving it
I don’t need to use it for commuting though-that might be an issue cos it’s a tad thirsty!

I've never really looked at them, I've driven a new shape cooper s and it was pretty fun.

How bad is it on fuel haha?

The suspension is also harsh compared to a clio 182 , it feels like my 172 cup did on coilovers.

I actually had to check my mini wasn’t lowered but it’s not just stock suspension.

The mini doesn’t feel quicker than the Clio but I think that’s because the power comes on quite linear whereas the Clio you use all the revs , mini is very stable in corners though .

[g7jhp]

You could pick up a Golf GTI Mk5 with circa 65k miles for £5k which would be better for a 50 mile commute and unlikely to lose much value.

[DoubleD]

V8RX7 said:

You missed the obvious advantage of driving an FN2 - you don't have to look at the hideous exterior when you're sitting inside it.

Of course walking blindfold towards it, is tricky

At least they arent bland looking like most cars. I rather like them for that.

[ZX10R NIN]

V8RX7 said:

You missed the obvious advantage of driving an FN2 - you don't have to look at the hideous exterior when you're sitting inside it.

Of course walking blindfold towards it, is tricky

I like the looks of these more alien looking Civic.

[rustfalia]

Ep3 all day long.

I bought a low mileage slightly modified (in the right way) ep3 last year and still in love.
Previous car was a '17 fiesta st3...
240bhp screamer...only downside is the 26mpg and driving it like a yob.

Had 182s, sts, and a wrx this is miles better.

Fn2 might be a more slightly better prospect for daily a daily depends on your tolerance levels

[and31]

egor110 said:

_callly said:

and31 said:

Nice facelift R53 Cooper S-,pulley,intercooler ,decent exhaust,induction kit and some half decent coilovers is easily doable for your budget-
It’s what I did and I bloody love it-always enjoy driving it
I don’t need to use it for commuting though-that might be an issue cos it’s a tad thirsty!

I've never really looked at them, I've driven a new shape cooper s and it was pretty fun.

How bad is it on fuel haha?

The suspension is also harsh compared to a clio 182 , it feels like my 172 cup did on coilovers.

I actually had to check my mini wasn’t lowered but it’s not just stock suspension.

The mini doesn’t feel quicker than the Clio but I think that’s because the power comes on quite linear whereas the Clio you use all the revs , mini is very stable in corners though .

Mine feels much quicker than a clio thanks to the pulley(190 odd bhp on the dyno-I’m not chasing bhp though-the car feels much much more urgent than standard)and surprisingly the ride is much better on coilovers than standard (ST xta’s) very impressed with them

[and31]

I’ll be getting bigger brakes and a cam/injectors and bespoke tune(mynes) for the r53 later this year.that should take it up to about 230 odd bhp- plenty fast enough for me

[rustfalia]

225 will look pennies to run if you have a spell r53.