Your opinions - hot hatch. Audi S1 / 308 GTi / Leon CUPRA...

[JFReturns]

Good morning all,

Looking to buy a used hot hatch early next year and would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on my current shortlist! Especially if you’ve owned or driven them

Criteria:

- Budget up to £18k, could go to £20k but would need more time to save
- Prefer manual BUT due to injury the clutch action would need to be light (my current Giulietta is just about okay but town driving causes issues)
- Would prefer 220bhp+
- MPG not really relevant
- Smaller the better! I have to drive narrow country roads and just like small nimble cars
- Firm ride okay, but again due to back / neck issues it needs to be compliant and not jarring. My old Fiat 100hp was just about okay for reference
- Five doors
- Max five years old / 40k miles ish

So based on what I’ve read / watched my current favourites are:

- Audi S1 (favourite! Love everything but expensive and some say dull)
- Peugeot 308 GTi (imagine great drive, cheap. Not sold on front end looks)
- Seat CUPRA XXX (love looks and performance)
- Golf GTi / R (expensive, find them slightly dull I don’t know why)
- Yaris GRMN (unique! Probably out of budget)
- MINI JCW (sure this will be amazing to drive but can’t love the looks )
- Civic Type-R (great to drive I imagine, performance. The looks are a bit of an acquired taste!)

Obviously when I’m a bit closer financially I’ll start test driving but for now your opinions on these are appreciated! I’ve got an open mind on other suggestions too.

One other thing, this will be a big investment for me and I’d want a proper test drive not just 10 minutes down the road and back. I don’t want to waste a dealers time and would be happy to pay for an extended test drive, does anyone else feel the same and was there a solution? The best experience I had was 10 years ago the dealer let me take an Impreza home for a couple of hours to see if it fitted in my garage - great buying experience but I’ve had nothing like that since.

Thanks,

Robert

[Blanchimont]

What about an Hyundai i30n?

[quintonside]

Hi

I had a brand new 308 GTi On a rolling monthly lease for about 6 months back in 2016/17. I quite liked it at the time. Fairly nice to place to be, quick and fairly understated.

Looking at the prices of them second hand, they seem pretty well placed for their age. No way would I buy a new one!

What I will say though is I’ve just got a new Cupra and this blows it out of the water for pure speed and handling etc.

Couldn’t really comment on the others, as I’ve not been in them.

[culpz]

I'm a bit biased, but out of that lot, I'd give the Leon Cupra a good look. They're a bit more fun an engaging than a Golf R/S3 but still nice places to sit when not driving hard. They're pretty damn good on fuel for the performance aswell. I'd recommend the DSG, as it works so well with the engine. You can still get a manual but i believe they're known to have weak clutches. I'm really enjoying mine at current.

Other suggestions:

Fiesta ST
Focus ST
Clio 200/220 Trophy
Polo GTI
Megane 280
Hyundai i30N
BMW M135i/M140i

World's pretty much your oyster at this price point for hot hatches

[Jamescrs]

Out of the original list I'd probably go for the Mini JCW but I am a Mini Fan.

The VAG cars don't do anything for me at all and the Civic is over the top with the styling for my taste.

I drive a Peugeot 508 at work and I find the driver controls all a bit unintuitive, I've got used to them but I can't say I'm a fan.

I'd probably look to buy a BMW 140i (I'm biased as I own a 240i) but you may not want rear wheel drive looking at your list?

As an alternative I do like the look of the Hyundai I30N so I'd be giving one of those a good look over too, a bit more left field which appeals to me

[CJ1]

I would definitely go for the S1. Hardly ever see them about, And will hold their value for better than any of the others you mentioned will. It’s also a slightly detuned S3/Golf R engine that can easily achieve 300 bhp on a stage 1 remap.

Only thing to keep an eye out for is the clutch, they aren’t the strongest!

[ZX10R NIN]

From your list it would be the 308 GTI PS they're a cracking drive & practical too

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008142...

A45 AMG a little over budget but some haggling & a little stretch will see you in one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006230...

A250 AMG Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

Leftfield

Infiniti Q30 Sport (same car as the A250 above but it's also AWD) for 2-3k under budget they're a good warm hatch but tick all of your other requirements.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007311...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002137...

Another good warm hatch alternative is the Volvo V40 T5 they also some of the nicest front seats

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008172...

GLA250 AMG Line Premium Plus good vision on the country lanes as well as being Auto with sensible ride comfort

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007020...

Infiniti Version of the GLA above

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008222...

Now back to the hot hatches

Focus ST-3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008202...

Hyundai i30N

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...

RS3 although this will be older they'll also hold their money better than everything listed apart from maybe the A45

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007291...

[pb8g09]

I had this selection a couple of years ago.

I got it down to Mini JCW vs Audi S1. I went for the latter. It was a great car, but I sold it after 4 months for something with 6 cylinders. I probably should have got an M140i to begin with....

If your budget is around £13k go for a flat bottomed steering wheel S1. When you test drive one, accelerate to 30mph in top gear and check the rev counter doesn't skip and the revs grow smoothly. If it does, budget £2k for a new up-rated clutch, though that will mean the clutch isn't as soft as you're hoping.

If your budget is above this, then I'd be looking at decent spec'd JCW's or an M140i.

I wouldn't go for anything bulky and warm that's been listed above as it sounds like they won't give you the fun you're looking for on the country lanes but I'll let you decide that yourself!

[JFReturns]

Hi all,

Apologies for dropping off the radar with this thread, things didn’t quite work out as expected because of the whole COVID situation!

But it looks like I’ll need to get another car sooner than expected so AutoTrader app reinstalled and saved search alerts reenabled. Prices seem to have shot up since this thread started! No Type-r or i30n in budget at all so unfortunately crossing those two off.

Still love the S1 but none locally. There’s a manufacturer approved Leon cupra nearby so will be looking to test drive that soon.

The MINI JCW seems to be slightly more common so although I can’t love the looks I’m sure it’s worth a test drive to see if it wins me over. I do like the Clubman looks wise compared to the hatch but I suspect I’m in the minority there

M135i / M140i seem to have gone up in price and I don’t know why but BMWs leave me a bit cold… no logical reason why, can’t explain it. If there are any local I might have a look.

Any other suggestions please let me know! Would also be interested in how you are all finding test drives at the moment, as mentioned in the OP I really want a proper test drive as for me it’s a huge investment.

Thanks,

Robert.

[Wagonwheel555]

JFReturns said:

Hi all,

Apologies for dropping off the radar with this thread, things didn’t quite work out as expected because of the whole COVID situation!

But it looks like I’ll need to get another car sooner than expected so AutoTrader app reinstalled and saved search alerts reenabled. Prices seem to have shot up since this thread started! No Type-r or i30n in budget at all so unfortunately crossing those two off.

Still love the S1 but none locally. There’s a manufacturer approved Leon cupra nearby so will be looking to test drive that soon.

The MINI JCW seems to be slightly more common so although I can’t love the looks I’m sure it’s worth a test drive to see if it wins me over. I do like the Clubman looks wise compared to the hatch but I suspect I’m in the minority there

M135i / M140i seem to have gone up in price and I don’t know why but BMWs leave me a bit cold… no logical reason why, can’t explain it. If there are any local I might have a look.

Any other suggestions please let me know! Would also be interested in how you are all finding test drives at the moment, as mentioned in the OP I really want a proper test drive as for me it’s a huge investment.

Thanks,

Robert.

Everything has gone up in price because demand is outstripping supply on the used (and new) market it seems.

Clubman JCW is a good shout, we had a Clubman Cooper S and was a lovely car for the 3 years we had it. Could get 50mpg easily on a run but stick it in sport mode and pops and bangs galore (but not too loud). Rear seats we useable, we had a 1 year old in a car seat and he had ample room. Boot is a decent ish size, 360L from memory.

Peugeot 308 GTI is a good shout too, prefer the Mini Interior by a mile but the 308 will likely be quicker. We have an X-Drive 330D F30 and despite being quicker to 60 on paper than a 308, I couldn't outdrag one at all a few weeks back on a dual carraigeway.

[JFReturns]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Everything has gone up in price because demand is outstripping supply on the used (and new) market it seems.

Clubman JCW is a good shout, we had a Clubman Cooper S and was a lovely car for the 3 years we had it. Could get 50mpg easily on a run but stick it in sport mode and pops and bangs galore (but not too loud). Rear seats we useable, we had a 1 year old in a car seat and he had ample room. Boot is a decent ish size, 360L from memory.

Peugeot 308 GTI is a good shout too, prefer the Mini Interior by a mile but the 308 will likely be quicker. We have an X-Drive 330D F30 and despite being quicker to 60 on paper than a 308, I couldn't outdrag one at all a few weeks back on a dual carraigeway.

Thanks, I’ve added both to my search alerts. Still not a huge choice locally but have booked a Leon test drive. Might have a look at a local GT86, I know it’s not a hot hatch but at least it’s interesting! There is a nice looking m135i so will call about that too.

[JFReturns]

Test drive with the Leon was good. I was very concerned about the harshness of the ride from what I’ve read / watched, especially with 19” wheels. But it was comfortable and supple - I would say my Giulietta / wife’s s-line a1 are firmer and more crashy!

Roads were damp and whilst getting used to the throttle response I did experience axle tramp. But I don’t think that’s a huge issue just means throttle needs feathering in lower gears rather than just booting it like you could in an S1 or Golf R.

Gear change nice and solid, driving position and seats great, economy looked good from what I could see. Liked it!

[ZX10R NIN]

It shows why test drives are so important vs what you read.

[JFReturns]

100% agree!

[JFReturns]

Deposit placed on the Cupra 290, pick it up tomorrow. Thanks for your input everyone!

Robert.

[Macron]

Cool, Reader's Car thread when you have it!

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP.