Best used hot hatch for £20k?

[Mobrown]

Just sold a great Golf Mk5 GTI DSG that I’ve had for the last 3 years and decided I want to treat myself to a modern equivalent, but just can’t decide what’s good out there, budget is 20k however the current inflated used prices looks to affected this price point a lot, nearing 50 I’m wanting something fast, comfortable, fun and subtle.

Here’s the choices:
Golf GTI : will it be too similar to a mk5 gti with a bit more power?
Golf R : nice but a bit too chavvy, plus it’s still a golf
AMG A45 : nice but the interiors look a little tacky, also I’ve heard the ride is firm
Audi S3: high prices, very nice and current favourite especially the saloon, will it drop a lot in value? also the budget would buy a pre facelift, much difference between pre and post facelift

Eastern hatches such as Type R, iN are nice but I think I prefer German

Budget can be increased but I don’t want to get carried away!

I have an E46 M3 as a weekend/summer car I’m using daily now, have that for the analogue RWD fun so could potentially wait it out.

Interested to know your thoughts or any recommendations I’ve missed or reviews on any cars above from owners

[Wixzylol]

If I had £20k to spend I don't think I could look past a M135i or M140I

[RichTT]

My better half has the mk7.5 facelift GTI. It really does everything. More than rapid enough for any real world use, like a tardis inside when needed. Wonderful fit and finish to the interior. The digital dash is nice and the media system is good as well. Really don't have anything to complain about. WBAC is coming back with 20k valuations for ours which has about 34k on the clock.

[Belle427]

7.5 Gti is probably the sensible choice if you don't fancy trying the M140i.

[anonymous-user]

M140i can be good if you modify it but as standard is a pretty poor steer although maybe not great pairing if you have an E46 M3.

Golf R is a decent if boring car much as the S3 is. GTi is a bit more entertaining but loses out on traction over the R.

I30 N is a decent car, Civic is a really ugly although great car and you'd only get an FK2 for that budget.

Megane, probably out of budget and not German enough

Focus RS is the best of the bunch imo although out of price range and you'd probably call it chavvy if you only want German cars and care about badges more than how a car drives.

[scoey1001]

I would also go for the best spec 7.5 gti i could find.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 308 GTI is a great hot hatch & would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107024...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107094...

The M140i may work for you as from what you describe you're not looking for ann out & out hot hatch:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107175...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106163...

i30N

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105112...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107104...

Now if you don't mind a saloon & going a bit leftfield you can get a Giulia Veloce 280 for your budget & it fits your brief.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...

Or fully leftfield 3.0TT Q50 Sport, it does tick a lot of boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093...

[colin79666]

Fiesta ST (preferably with performance pack). A good mk8 2019-2020 is in budget. The mk8 has fairly subtle styling, a more comfortable ride than the mk7, and being a segment down from the likes of the Golf it fits better on tight B roads imho. More usable performance too, I sometimes think hot hatches have got too hot now for country roads.

Edited by colin79666 on Saturday 24th July 16:48