Hot hatch under £5k

[raceboy]

Looking for a replacement for my aging EP3 shape Civic Type R, had it 3 years and it’s time for a change.
Budget of £5k but don’t mind spending less.
Current front runners include the FN2 shape Civic Type R, Mk5 Golf GTi, and Clio 192 but what else is out there, or any pitfalls with the current short list...

[SebringMan]

Out of that it would be a Golf GTi, or the CTR.

Alot of me would be tempted to pocket the cash and get a Clio 1*2 however.

[Berkshire bred]

R26 megane. You should find a decent one for 5k with some research and patience. also they piss all over mk5 gti's which is quite good fun

[Johnny5hoods]

Last summer I bought a BMW 130i for the budget you mention. My previous car was a Clio 182 FF. Both interesting, but very different. Any FWD hot hatch is going to be different to the 130i. It's the only car of its kind.

[meehaja]

Leon Cupra, Audi tt is low price at the moment (though not a true hot hatch)?

[Ahbefive]

R26 is more fun and quicker than any cars on your list.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd agree with most of the above the R26 Megane would be my first pick with your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

ST-3 Focus (this is the car I choose when I was looking for a hot hatch & I can't fault it)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want to stay with the N/A experience then I'd say the Clio 197 is a better car than the Civic:

F1 Edition 197 With the Recaros

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cheaper F1 but the seat needs reupholstering

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

197 Cup (you can easily remove the graphics)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The VAG option I'd choose is the Leon FR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[raceboy]

Some good ideas, can’t say I’d ever though about a Megane, not exactly the prettiest thing in the car park though.
I do quite like the Clio though, but it must have the Recaros.
Would be tempted with a 130i, or any large petrol engine 1 Series but they are rarer than hens teeth.
TT isn’t big enough, I need the hatchback to get 2 push bikes in on a regular basis, although it’s not out the question if I borrow SWMBO’s car for bike duties, but then I can go completely ‘off piste’

[Nick-ST]

I would be very tempted to keep hold of the EP3 type r. Values are only going in one direction for them!

[raceboy]

I do like the EP3 it puts a smile on my face on a Monday morning even after spending time in the weekend toy, but mine isn’t what you call ‘Concours’ and is nicknamed the Chavic in the household, wouldn’t mind a nice stock Premiere Edition, butI fancy a change too.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 130i isn't in the same league as the Megane Clio or ST IMO in terms of being a true driver's hatch, the suspension gets overrun when pressing on but if you take it back to 8/10ths they're very good but again this is just personal opinion the 5 pot in the ST is sweeter.

130i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Another good alternative to the 130i is the 3.2 Audi A3 (basically it's a R32 underneath) which is a very good & capable car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

TBH it really will come down to personal preference so test drives are the only thing to help form an opinion, as none of the cars listed by people are bad ones.

[p4cks]

Yeah you'd get a decent Golf GTI for £5K - they're really good cars

[culpz]

Ahbefive said:

R26 is more fun and quicker than any cars on your list.

The general consensus is that the Renaultsport Clio's are generally more fun than the Megane's, as the latter are a bit more grown up and less raw. I've never driven a Megane though, if i'm honest. That's just what i seem to hear alot of from the people that have owned both and reverted back for fun.

[Ahbefive]

culpz said:

Ahbefive said:

R26 is more fun and quicker than any cars on your list.

The general consensus is that the Renaultsport Clio's are generally more fun than the Megane's, as the latter are a bit more grown up and less raw. I've never driven a Megane though, if i'm honest. That's just what i seem to hear alot of from the people that have owned both and reverted back for fun.

Maybe those people prefer a N/A engine? Personally I prefer a turbo and having driven a Clio 197 I would say that the megane is just as raw but much quicker and imo better. The mk2 megane is not a car that is large or full of sound deadening, they are quite basic once you look past the Recaro seats. There seem to be just as many meganes as clios on track days. I prefer the megane and I know many other people do too.

[culpz]

Ahbefive said:

culpz said:

Ahbefive said:

R26 is more fun and quicker than any cars on your list.

The general consensus is that the Renaultsport Clio's are generally more fun than the Megane's, as the latter are a bit more grown up and less raw. I've never driven a Megane though, if i'm honest. That's just what i seem to hear alot of from the people that have owned both and reverted back for fun.

Maybe those people prefer a N/A engine? Personally I prefer a turbo and having driven a Clio 197 I would say that the megane is just as raw but much quicker and imo better. The mk2 megane is not a car that is large or full of sound deadening, they are quite basic once you look past the Recaro seats. There seem to be just as many meganes as clios on track days. I prefer the megane and I know many other people do too.

The N/A engine is definitely part of it and gives it that raw feeling. I think it's probably the size of the car too, being smaller and more fun to chuck around and a bit more nimble. Not saying that the Megane isn't, but i can see the Clio having a different character than it's bigger brother.

[raceboy]

To be honest the Megane is just too Fugly, and a bit too big, aesthetics are more important than out right speed and dynamics, I'd be more tempted with a Twingo Sport if the bikes would fit.

[Ahbefive]

raceboy said:

To be honest the Megane is just too Fugly, and a bit too big, aesthetics are more important than out right speed and dynamics, I'd be more tempted with a Twingo Sport if the bikes would fit.

I appreciate that some don't like the looks. They certainly are not big though, smaller than a Focus or Golf.

[culpz]

Ahbefive said:

I appreciate that some don't like the looks. They certainly are not big though, smaller than a Focus or Golf.

I didn't say that they are big but rather larger than the Clio.

[raceboy]

I'd consider a Focus as too big, and equally as fugly, or to be honest just a bit 'meh', the Golf is pushing the size a bit, a Polo would be better if the bikes fit.

[Ahbefive]

culpz said:

Ahbefive said:

I appreciate that some don't like the looks. They certainly are not big though, smaller than a Focus or Golf.

I didn't say that they are big but rather larger than the Clio.

The megane and clio are the same width, the megane has a 30mm lower roofline and is 22cm longer. Their size really is comparable. Hardly anything in it.

But then it seems the OP wants a luke warm supermini rather than a hot hatch.