Hot hatch recommendations

[mattie007]

Hi all,

Looking for a new car, narrowed it down to a Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N and BMW 140i.
A mate of mine has the 140 so I know what they are like, but if I want brand new the Honda and Hyundai seem a good bet. I like the idea of rwd and 6 cylinders but the BM does seem compromised in some areas.
Never had a proper ‘fast car’ expect a MG ZS 180 a few years back. I love the Toyota Yaris GR, but waiting lists seem very long.
Any recommendations or other cars I should look for? Currently driving an MG3 so it’ll be a big step up! Will be used for commuting and hopefully some trackdays.

[mattie007]

No real budget in mind, I guess I don’t want to spend more than £30k. Haven’t really considered leasing but there is some deals out there. I have looked at the Golf, Merc and Focus but they don’t grab me. I had looked at the Fiesta ST, probably all the car I need, but size wise I was looking to move up from the supemini class. Requirements are that it’s around 300bhp, not too harsh on the ride with a decent box and handling.

[GreatGranny]

Does it need to be a hatch?

M240i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...

A45

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

TTS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107225...

GTI Clubsport (I know you've discounted the Golf but these are meant to be a fantastic drive)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107034...

[Pixelpeep 135]

I would highly recommend the BMW m135i xDrive - these are now 4pot, but still make 306bhp, with the added advantage of now being 4wheel drive (FWD bias)

Interior, imo, is light years better than anything else in the sector right now, especially for the money.

Leasing can be had for around £330pm (plus initial payment of about £1500) for 8k miles pa - it's a lot of car for the money.

I've come from a 35i Z4 and even though you lose the sound, you gain in every other area.

go test drive one.

[Martyn76]

Golf GTI TCR (290hp) at the top of your budget, step up from the std GTI.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...

[Canon_Fodder]

Mini JCW?

Although not really a step up from super-mini class so perhaps not what you're after

[Volvolover]

Hyundai

Just more accessible fun

[Delahorney]

Martyn76 said:

Golf GTI TCR (290hp) at the top of your budget, step up from the std GTI.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107215...

Looking to get out of my i30N due to huge amounts of positive equity in the current market and this looks very tasty.

[KobayashiMaru86]

I look every day for Type-R's. Prices are particularly nuts. Lots for sale though and lots in the groups have cashed in which is fair enough. Hoping the market will saturate soon and things start getting reasonable again. Nothing brand new appeals to me anyway.

[jdizz]

Biased posting; Leon Cupra or Leon Cupra 4Drive?

[LightningBlue]

I was looking earlier at the previous model Renault Megane RS…values have increased a bit from last year, so £15000-£16000 for a dealer approved model but that’s still half of your budget. I’d definitely be looking at one of those, they drive superbly and look fantastic. Personally I much prefer the looks of a swoopy 3 door to all the 5 doors around now. For that reason I’d go for the fastback i30 of your original list, they look very elegant on the road.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd suggest taking a good look at the Megane RS 300 Trophy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107054...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...

Leftfield:

370Z Nismo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106244...

A35

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106083...

[HustleRussell]

You need to drive them. A 140i for example is a very grown up car which will bear little resemblance to your ZS 180.

[Blanchimont]

I've had a fair few hot hatches, including an M135i, Megane RS and now own an i30N.

I didn't like the M135i, and it was knackered.

I've got an i30n now, and it drives just as well and the Megane (which imo is one of the best made) but it's a much better daily.

Up there with the best cars I've owned.

[Pixelpeep 135]

Blanchimont said:

I didn't like the M135i, and it was knackered.

To be fair, the one you ran was from 2014, the 2021 model is different in pretty much every way.

Also, if it was knackered, it might explain why you didn't like it?

[Evil.soup]

mattie007 said:

Hi all,

Looking for a new car, narrowed it down to a Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N and BMW 140i.
A mate of mine has the 140 so I know what they are like, but if I want brand new the Honda and Hyundai seem a good bet. I like the idea of rwd and 6 cylinders but the BM does seem compromised in some areas.
Never had a proper ‘fast car’ expect a MG ZS 180 a few years back. I love the Toyota Yaris GR, but waiting lists seem very long.
Any recommendations or other cars I should look for? Currently driving an MG3 so it’ll be a big step up! Will be used for commuting and hopefully some trackdays.

The Yaris may be a wait, but could well be worth the wait and is more likely to hold its values over the other cars you have mentioned. You could be looking at 8 to 10 months as a guess...

[stevekoz]

Evil.soup said:

mattie007 said:

Hi all,

Looking for a new car, narrowed it down to a Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N and BMW 140i.
A mate of mine has the 140 so I know what they are like, but if I want brand new the Honda and Hyundai seem a good bet. I like the idea of rwd and 6 cylinders but the BM does seem compromised in some areas.
Never had a proper ‘fast car’ expect a MG ZS 180 a few years back. I love the Toyota Yaris GR, but waiting lists seem very long.
Any recommendations or other cars I should look for? Currently driving an MG3 so it’ll be a big step up! Will be used for commuting and hopefully some trackdays.

The Yaris may be a wait, but could well be worth the wait and is more likely to hold its values over the other cars you have mentioned. You could be looking at 8 to 10 months as a guess...

I wouldn't worry too much about buying brand new if you want the Yaris, you can pick one up with a few miles and beat the watiting list. But they are still top money -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107275...

[DaveH23]

Pixelpeep 135 said:

I would highly recommend the BMW m135i xDrive - these are now 4pot, but still make 306bhp, with the added advantage of now being 4wheel drivhttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/formatting.htme (FWD bias)

Interior, imo, is light years better than anything else in the sector right now, especially for the money.

Just watched a review by whatcar to have a look at the interior and what struck me during the review was what was said about the exterior.

"We were talking to some of the designers at the launch last night and they were explaining how they had a blank sheet of paper for this new car. They could be as inventive as they wanted"

[Pixelpeep 135]

DaveH23 said:

Pixelpeep 135 said:

I would highly recommend the BMW m135i xDrive - these are now 4pot, but still make 306bhp, with the added advantage of now being 4wheel drivhttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/formatting.htme (FWD bias)

Interior, imo, is light years better than anything else in the sector right now, especially for the money.

Just watched a review by whatcar to have a look at the interior and what struck me during the review was what was said about the exterior.

"We were talking to some of the designers at the launch last night and they were explaining how they had a blank sheet of paper for this new car. They could be as inventive as they wanted"

The front is the worst thing about the car design wise - i love the look of the profile and the rear. You just have to trust that you'll grow to love the front.

And, you know what, i have.

If i was to think of an analogy it would be 'sure, there are prettier girls out there, but this one is average looking, has a great personality and an absolute slut in the bedroom'