Hatchback recommendations

[ORD]

I am sorry to bother you with a "What car?" thread that does not involve a single 993 or other Porsche. I am testing your patience and kindness because I trust at least some of you to say sensible things about other cars that you have driven and/or owned.

Any thoughts on a modern family hatchback? I have got down to the Golf (140bhp), Mazda 3 (162) or 1 series (170). Am I missing any that are worth trying? I have ruled out the Focus on the basis of driving one that belonged to my parents.

Following test drives, I think the Mazda is the most fun to drive - suprisingly, the BMW is a bit dodgy at speed and is a fat fk of a car (1400kg, which shows in the way it handles). It also has the most pleasant engine - a fairly responsive 2.0 NA lump that does not mind being revved.

Requirements - hatchback, 5 doors, decent room in the back, at least 140bhp, petrol. Any comments on cars that meet these reqts would be very gratefully received.

(No, a classic Porsche will not meet with the wife's approval.)

[shoestring7]

A Golf Gti/911(x2) combination does me just fine - I have two sons, one going on 6ft and they're happy enough. A Mk6 Gti is a £15k car now, does 40mpg easily enough, has paddles if you want, meets the 'prestige' test the ladies like to apply, and doesn't feel like a low rent hatch to drive.

SS7

Edited by shoestring7 on Tuesday 6th May 16:48

Edited by shoestring7 on Tuesday 6th May 16:49

[mdianuk]

Bought a brand new Golf GTI PP a few weeks ago, very good compliment to a Porsche I reckon. Rear seats have a lot of room, though the compromise is defiantly boot space, which is quite limited. The lesser engine models are good too, if a little basic; try to aim for a Match or GT version, though unsure if they come in petrol, or just diesel.

[ORD]

Thanks. Both good shouts. New GTI may be ruled out by my wife as being "a waste of money", but a used one might be a good compromise.

I have just been looking around on the internet and most are DSG, which is a shame.

[supersport]

I have a MK5 GTi manual, and it is a brilliant family car. You can someone 7ft tall in the back quite happily and there is loads of space in the boot. I can even get my bike in.

Fuel economy is cack though at about 35mph when driving like a granny.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Alfa Giulietta. As much as anything because it's not a Golf, Focus, 1 Series etc. Or how about a new A Class?

[DoubleSix]

Meh to all the above.

You want a 130i - RWD, 5 Doors, 260BHP, petrol straight six.

I ran one alongside my Cayman and it made the transition a whole lot less jarring when hopping from to the other.

[thegoose]

S3? I think I'd prefer a 130i or 135i though.

[RB_987s]

Another vote for the Golf from me, I used to run one alongside my Cayman and it was a very good car.

Some food for thought - have you thought about a saloon? The reason I ask is that they are as cheap as chips secondhand as everyone seems to want 4X4s or people carriers nowadays. I bought a 3 yr old Mazda 6 with 30K on the clock for just over 7K from a main dealer. Dirt cheap to run too, my last service was only 175 quid!

[andy97]

I have a 1st generation BMW 1 Series 123 D and really like it. RWD, twin turbo, decent boot, fun, excellent performance (207 Bhp and masses of torque) and excellent fuel economy (I get 45+ without hanging around although the official urban cycle rates it at56mpg!!).

I haven't drive the new 1 series but a second hand 123D is well recommended.

[Actus Reus]

Lease a Golf R. Tell the wife it's 4WD so 'good in the rain'.

[kbooker]

Have you thought about a used 530d, a friend runs one for family duties, cracking car for the money

[Gio G]

Actus Reus said:

Lease a Golf R. Tell the wife it's 4WD so 'good in the rain'.

+1

[ORD]

Dolf Stoppard said:

Alfa Giulietta. As much as anything because it's not a Golf, Focus, 1 Series etc. Or how about a new A Class?

That is part of my thinking with the Mazda 3 - so far the best I have driven, too.

Mercedes will be ruled out as being too obviously expensive. My wife has a thing about cars being expensive (although I am allowed my car for working hard, or something).

[ORD]

andy97 said:

I have a 1st generation BMW 1 Series 123 D and really like it. RWD, twin turbo, decent boot, fun, excellent performance (207 Bhp and masses of torque) and excellent fuel economy (I get 45+ without hanging around although the official urban cycle rates it at56mpg!!).

I haven't drive the new 1 series but a second hand 123D is well recommended.

Thanks. I dont think I am prepared to get a diesel, tbh. I expect it is a cracking car, though - the 2.0d in the Golf that I test drove was even pretty impressive.

[ORD]

RB_987s said:

Another vote for the Golf from me, I used to run one alongside my Cayman and it was a very good car.

Some food for thought - have you thought about a saloon? The reason I ask is that they are as cheap as chips secondhand as everyone seems to want 4X4s or people carriers nowadays. I bought a 3 yr old Mazda 6 with 30K on the clock for just over 7K from a main dealer. Dirt cheap to run too, my last service was only 175 quid!

Good shout. Saloons have been ruled out as being "old men's cars". It is a car for my wife, so I do have to listen to these things, unfortunately! A Mazda 6 or a 3 series would be my choice in her position.

[ORD]

Gio G said:

Actus Reus said:

Lease a Golf R. Tell the wife it's 4WD so 'good in the rain'.

+1

Unfortunately, she has heard me shout "Oh fk off! AWD is a waste of fking time except in snow!" too many times when I read car reviews.

And I think she might notice that it is a bit "pointlessly fast" (as she put it when I suggested the M135i, although that is also a pleasant car inside so I dont know what she is on about...).

[DoubleSix]

Maybe the new Volkswagon ManUp would be appropriate...

[Actus Reus]

Then another vote for Golf Mk.VII (though not an 'R') - the TSi engines are nice, and the interior, like the exterior, is understated, but classy enough. Had I kept my Cayman, rather than going 'one car' for a while, it's what I'd have got. BMW 1-series appeals to me on many levels, but the looks of the thing are a bit off, and too many estate agents seem to have them.

If you can live with a much smaller car, the new Mini is nice inside.

[ORD]

DoubleSix said:

Maybe the new Volkswagon ManUp would be appropriate...

It's a car for her, so I dont think that's wholly fair!