Sorry - another what hot hatch

[R2Detour]

I currently have a Mk3 Focus RS.

After nearly two years of ownership and nearly 10k in maintenance over 35k miles I just fancy a change.

Hot hatches always are at the top of my list as I can only have one car and it needs to be a do it all - shops, kids, commutes and weekend fun.

I’ve liked the Focus it gets under your skin but the reliability for high use is to be frank - painful.

I’d like something fun and sharp. Realistically I’d like something that is at home doing a few hrs on the mway as it is carving valley passes.

I spent 30k near enough on the focus but due to market realistically only going to have 20k.

My options so far are

A45 (2015 onwards)
Megane RS 280 cup

Anyone have any experience of those or have any other options?

I won’t consider a golf - I live in the centre of bham and they are on every corner and wrapped around every lamppost.

I also don’t fancy the m135/140i for the same reasons really though I’m a big BMW fan they just attract the wrong attention.

Cheers

[Frimley111R]

CTR
A35 (newer one than the A45)
i30N

[Super Sonic]

CTR.

[resolve10]

Any reason for not considering the Megane 300 Trophy? Will feel closer to your RS in terms of performance.

i think you'd find an A45 a bit sterile after the RS.

Bear in mind Renault aren't the most renowned for reliability either. I'm in a Megane RS Facebook group (used to own a Trophy) and a few people are having gearbox failures on manuals. The batteries are also known for being problematic.

[R2Detour]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 15 May 2025 at 17:42

[wyson]

I would have thought the A45 would attract the wrong attention as well.

Hyundai i30n is a bit lower key and under the radar?

[Belle427]

Newer focus ST maybe or is it too similar?

[Frimley111R]

TBH on the RS Megane forums it would be hard not to find a few failures given they way they are made to be driven. I don't think there are any issues with them but like anything, if you hammer the gearbox for long enough....

[juice]

i30N ?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505092...

[Ian-pwse9]

Another vote for the I30N

[R2Detour]

resolve10 said:

Any reason for not considering the Megane 300 Trophy? Will feel closer to your RS in terms of performance.

i think you'd find an A45 a bit sterile after the RS.

Bear in mind Renault aren't the most renowned for reliability either. I'm in a Megane RS Facebook group (used to own a Trophy) and a few people are having gearbox failures on manuals. The batteries are also known for being problematic.

Trophy is around 23/24k and I’ve really only got max 20k and i don’t want to stretch in current climate else it would be on the list. I’ve had several Renaults and honestly difference i can only imagine would be negligible for the extra money it costs.

[R2Detour]

Super Sonic said:

CTR.

Can only afford fk2 and can’t get on with the looks. I’d love the fk8 but again out of budget and not willing to stretch.

[R2Detour]

wyson said:

I would have thought the A45 would attract the wrong attention as well.

Hyundai i30n is a bit lower key and under the radar?

I tested the i30 before the focus.

It was thirsty by the looks of itit. On the test drive I checked the clock and the average was 23mpg - my 400+ FRS gets better than that. So it certainly seems to guzzle.

In a straight line it don’t feel that fast, felt wheezy. Cornering was good but steering was heavy. Interior also let it down in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong the focus isn’t great but forgave that as it was still quite special. The i30 felt like a Hyundai with an exhaust. But I know I’m in the minority.

You aren’t necessarily wrong about the a45 image but whereas everyone in bham has a golf r or m135/140 you don’t see any a45 or Meganes.

I’d also consider a coupe of some sort. As long as it covers all the bases. Saloons would be too big to enjoy on a weekend (in my budget)

[R2Detour]

wyson said:

I would have thought the A45 would attract the wrong attention as well.

Hyundai i30n is a bit lower key and under the radar?

I tested the i30 before the focus.

It was thirsty by the looks of itit. On the test drive I checked the clock and the average was 23mpg - my 400+ FRS gets better than that. So it certainly seems to guzzle.

In a straight line it don’t feel that fast, felt wheezy. Cornering was good but steering was heavy. Interior also let it down in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong the focus isn’t great but forgave that as it was still quite special. The i30 felt like a Hyundai with an exhaust. But I know I’m in the minority.

You aren’t necessarily wrong about the a45 image but whereas everyone in bham has a golf r or m135/140 you don’t see any a45 or Meganes.

I’d also consider a coupe of some sort. As long as it covers all the bases. Saloons would be too big to enjoy on a weekend (in my budget)

[R2Detour]

wyson said:

I would have thought the A45 would attract the wrong attention as well.

Hyundai i30n is a bit lower key and under the radar?

I tested the i30 before the focus.

It was thirsty by the looks of itit. On the test drive I checked the clock and the average was 23mpg - my 400+ FRS gets better than that. So it certainly seems to guzzle.

In a straight line it don’t feel that fast, felt wheezy. Cornering was good but steering was heavy. Interior also let it down in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong the focus isn’t great but forgave that as it was still quite special. The i30 felt like a Hyundai with an exhaust. But I know I’m in the minority.

You aren’t necessarily wrong about the a45 image but whereas everyone in bham has a golf r or m135/140 you don’t see any a45 or Meganes.

I’d also consider a coupe of some sort. As long as it covers all the bases. Saloons would be too big to enjoy on a weekend (in my budget)

[ChrisH72]

A bit of a wildcard as you said no saloons but I'd say an Alfa Giulia would be fun.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025050219...

[ZX10R NIN]

308 GTI, cracking steer & you'll come in under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504251...

RS 280, with the Cup Chassis:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505082...

FK8 Type R but higher miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504081...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504231...

[jam_up]

S3? Probably similar crowd to Golf R’s etc though but less common.

I know you said no Golfs but GTI’s have a better image. Not as fun as others mentioned here but maybe a GTI Clubsport 40 or TCR might appeal more.

[lee1610]

I’ve had the 280 and 300 trophy meganes, very capable cars. Manual gearboxes have issues with bearings and will whine in 5/6th at higher speeds. Mine failed at 19000 miles, £1300 for a rebuild which isn’t too bad. I’ll be back in one again and miss mine, sold it to buy a m2 comp.

If going for the 280/300 cup chassis is a desirable option with lsd.

Batteries on the trophy can be an issue, left me stranded at the petrol station but easy fix for £50 with a lawn mower battery.

Pretty reliable, rare, great fun

[R2Detour]

Thinking of leaning towards the Megane. The Peugeots read like a great steer but I can’t get over the looks.

And Whilst not ballistic like the Focus and the a45 I’m sat wondering when I ever really got to use that power. It’s fun every once in a while but you can’t even use full throttle before you are in licence losing territory.

The RS appeals for being newer and rare - when do you ever see them?!

Says a lot too If you want another after going to an m2 comp.

I do worry about reliability though - the focus has been nothing but a pain and money pit and I’d rather enjoy a few years trouble free. Which I know really should mean buying new but I can’t justify 50-60k plus on a new car.

So hope if I pull the trigger on an RS that it doesn’t sh*t itself soon after.