On with the next hot hatch but which one?

[thenortherner]

After nearly six months of running a 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.3 now might be a decent time to change cars with there being a decent chance of a good deal now dealerships are opening and wanting to get the money coming in again.

I'd gotten into the habit of changing cars frequently but this time I'm looking for something that I'll keep for a couple of years or so. To date I've had:

R56 Cooper S
F56 Cooper SD
Fiesta ST-3 Mountune
Clio 200 n/a
EP3 Type R
595 Competition 180
Polo GTI DSG
208 GTI Prestige

I'm doing up to 20K miles a year and looking for something:

Ideally under 3 years old
Fewer than 25K miles
Capable of 40 mpg+ when taking it steady
Reliable and won't cost the earth to run
I do a couple of trackdays a year too
Budget of up to £14K

Sorry, 2 seaters are ruled out on the basis I need to stick my bike in the car sometimes but coupes are fine so long as the rear seats can be dropped.

Trouble is I've had just about everything that's in my price range. And I'm starting to feel a bit old for small hot hatches now I'm in my mid-30s. As much as many of the cars I've owned were great they do suffer with an image problem!

I'm contemplating an F56 MINI Cooper S. I can get a well-spec'd 2017-2018 model within my price range and they don't suffer from the same image problems as other hot hatches. I hear they respond well to a remap too!

Alternatively, a 208 GTI by PS. I had a 2018 GTI Prestige which was a really decent car and held it's own on a trackday at Bedford last year. I hear the PS model is much better still. There aren't many about and top money's being asked.

Thoughts welcome.

Edited by thenortherner on Wednesday 27th May 20:58

[Petrolsmasher]

bmw m135i??

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you considered an Astra GTC VXR they're a very good steer & go well round a track whilst being a very good daily:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

2016 308 GTI PS 270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

208 GTI PS I'd take the 308 in reality

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I have to say if the 208 is on the cards I'd be looking for an ST200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Also look at the much overlooked & underrated DS3 Performance this is exactly the same car as the 208 GTI PS but because of the badge you'll get a slightly newer one for less outlay

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[thenortherner]

Thanks.

The BMW is a little older than I'm wanting and with higher miles too. Great cars from what I've seen. Though can't imagine the running costs would be comparable with something newer and without comparable performance.

ST200s are rarely discounted from dealers and to be honest, like the ST, they attract all the wrong attention. I had the MK7.5 ST-3 with a Mountune kit which is essentially the same car. I'm not sure I'd have another - the interior is dated and it doesn't sound all that great. But beyond that I'm not sure I can live with that image. This is reaffirmed since joining the ST200 owner's group and seeing some of the pictures and discussions.

Vauxhalls are 100% ruled out for the above reason x100.

Good shout on the DS3 but the interior isn't up to much, I prefer the 208.

So really it looks like it's down to the F56 Cooper S, 308 GTI and 208 GTI By PS...

[stevemcs]

Would the extra space of the clubman over the hatch be more beneficial? The slightly longer wheelbase helps with the ride.

[Poseidon]

Around this price range there is only one car I would consider, it should hold its value better than the others mentioned too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Petrolsmasher]

Poseidon said:

Around this price range there is only one car I would consider, it should hold its value better than the others mentioned too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I like these myself but interior just seems so cheap. Whats the reliability like on them?

[griffter]

Megane GT - too warm (not hot?):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[DoubleD]

Petrolsmasher said:

Poseidon said:

Around this price range there is only one car I would consider, it should hold its value better than the others mentioned too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I like these myself but interior just seems so cheap. Whats the reliability like on them?

They are as reliable as anything German. The interiors look a little dated, but are pretty solid. One of these would be the best option for the OP.

[T6 vanman]

Failing on the
Under 3 years old (2016)
Under 25k mileage (35k)
Under £14k (Man maths at it's best)
I give you
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[gashead1105]

You can get a Mk8 Fiesta ST-2 for c14k...

[Petrolsmasher]

T6 vanman said:

Failing on the
Under 3 years old (2016)
Under 25k mileage (35k)
Under £14k (Man maths at it's best)
I give you
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Sounds st though thats the only negative but a big one.

[Zetec-S]

stevemcs said:

Would the extra space of the clubman over the hatch be more beneficial? The slightly longer wheelbase helps with the ride.

My wife has gone from a 3dr Cooper SD hatch to a Clubman Cooper S. Far more composed and "grown up" (which is along the lines of what the OP is after), but still good fun.

[thenortherner]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The Megane's probably a little too thirsty to be doing 20K miles a year in. No doubt the pick of the bunch though in terms of how well it drives.

Civic Type R and Clubman S are too far out of reach - I'd happily take either though..

Think I'll be going for a used F56 Cooper S LCI with 10K miles on it. I've found one for sale privately that's just turned 2 years old and was bought from a main dealer last year and has MINI service history and a reasonable amount of kit. Looks like they'll accept £12.8K for it - they were originally wanting £13.8K.

Arnold Clark value it at only £10.9K but there's no way to add options/spec so this might push it up a bit. Tempted to hardball the seller and offer £12K.

Interestingly, I put the details of cars I'm interested in into Arnold Clark's 'sell us your car' page and MINIs seem to retain the value badly. The Fiesta ST does pretty well though.

Edited by thenortherner on Thursday 28th May 21:30

[stevemcs]

Its above the mileage restriction and the paint may have been rollered on but its less than your budget, oh and an admin fee of £199

https://www.cargiant.co.uk/car/mini/clubman/MW66HH...

[thenortherner]

This one's decent and with full Renault history, it's a shame they're crap on fuel. The price is very decent - Arnold Clark are offering to buy it at what it's being sold at:

https://www.williamsgroup.co.uk/select/used-vehicl...

Re. the Clubman - not sure I'd want to buy from a car supermarket and as you say, the miles are a little on the high side.

[stevemcs]

Mini have some starting around 14k.

[stevemcs]

How about a 125i, same engine as the cooper, rwd and often gets passed by because of the M135i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ChrisH72]

Does that megane have the cup chassis?

I'm not sure how you can tell visually but I've followed values of them and noticed that non cup cars are worth a fair bit less on the used market.

[CJ1]

Highly recommend the F56 Cooper S, had one for two years and loved it. Had it remapped to 260bhp yet still returned 45mpg on a run!

Although if you can stretch 100% go for a F56 JCW, sound much better and holding value very well.