What do you think the hottest hatch is out of the bunch

[GA55SED]

Hello there fello pheaders I'm currently in the process of looking for a new hot hatch I've got a budget of no more than 6k I have a few ideas Leon cupra r
Civic type r
Mk1 r32 golf
Audi s3 mk1

Out of the bunch the type r is the one I've always had a thing for and the one my heart as always fully wanted but at the same time the r32 is sticking out and hard to brush away under the carpet.

I'm not really fussed about 5 doors etc or mpg I just want one of them off the list
If any body could give some ideas and there own views of the above this would be much appreciated.

I would love some feed back off anyone that's owned any of the above.

Thanks people

Edited by GA55SED on Sunday 19th August 10:56

[Dave Hedgehog]

R32 is the iconic car out of that list

good ones should hold there money or even appreciate a little

[Terminator X]

Can you get a DC5 ITR for that money? If so, do it.

TX.

[GA55SED]

Your quite right my thoughts are the same regarding the r32 especially with that music to your ears v6 growl. If I could afford the mkv r32 i wouldn't need any help choosing as deep down that's what I want but another 3k on the car would defiantly get the mrs having a moan. And I can't see geting a new r32 with mt budget

[tinkertaylor]

EK9 or EP3 Type R for me.

[GA55SED]

Have you owned a ep3 by any chance ?

[zeduffman]

GA55SED said:

And I can't see geting a new r32 with mt budget

Also they don't make them anymore The Mk6 version is the R (2.0l turbo rather than the VR6) and that starts at nearly £32k...

[GA55SED]

Apologies I meant newer model as in the last of the r32s. The golf r looks nice but to be honest even in I had anywhere near the money for one of them I would be looking at a e90 m3 not a golf I personally think they should of never of let go of the r32 unit on the first place but with time comes change I suppose

[caraddict]

Type R.

[FlauM]

Mazda 3 MPS however, I am slightly biased!

[Vitorio]

I've heard the R32 be described as a bit heavy and cumbersome for a hatchback, so while it might be very quick, it could be less nimble then the competition, which imho is BAD for a hot hatch.

I'm not a big civic fan, but out of your list the CTR appeals most

Given free choice, i'd be looking for an alfa 147 GTA, stylish italian hatchery with a lovely 3.2 litre V6

[GA55SED]

caraddict said:

Type R.

I've heard quite a few who love the mps but if I'm honest I'm not a fan

[ryanthescot]

what about a megane r26?

[tomsugden]

Having owned a Mk1 Audi S3, I can honestly say I'd have another in a heartbeat. Very capable and comfortable car, 30+ mpg when needed, lots of toys, 4wd for the winter months (yes I know it's a haldex system). Some of the early ones were 210bhp rather than 225bhp though.

[GA55SED]

Vitorio said:

I've heard the R32 be described as a bit heavy and cumbersome for a hatchback, so while it might be very quick, it could be less nimble then the competition, which imho is BAD for a hot hatch.

I'm not a big civic fan, but out of your list the CTR appeals most

Given free choice, i'd be looking for an alfa 147 GTA, stylish italian hatchery with a lovely 3.2 litre V6

I've also heard the that with the r32 it can be a tad weighty at the front end abit like the vr6 I would of thought. I think it's just the growl of r32 That sucks me in to wanting one.

I must say tho I personally think the type r is the best handling out of the bunch

[NISR227]

Civic Type R EP3 - owned one for a couple of years. I would recommend you get a fastroad geometry setup though, for £80-£150 (got mine done at APB) it will be the best money you spend on the car. Makes it turn in better, easy predictable lift-off over steer and really does improve the handling and feel of the car. Obviously LSD and Hondata K-pro/100 remap improves things further but will cost some.

Very reliable, they just beg to be driven hard and take it all in its stride. Yes you have to really thrash it to get the best out of the car but it rewards when you do this, the gear change is still one of the best manual changes on any car and it all can be addictive on a good b twisty road. The lack of torque down low isn't as bad as you think, you can't rely on it for overtakes, more like change down a couple of gears to do that, but there's still enough to get around with when your takeing it easy.

I came from a highly modified turbo hatch, and I've got another turbo hatch after the Civic, completely different ways to drive, but all good in their own way.

Re the S3, tried one once, very boring to drive, no feel with the wheel. Leon Cupra R is the better option if you want the same turbo route at that price, 1.8T used well like the S3, but with a better chassis. R32 is special, still rare, torque, and awesome sounds, not really a handler though and very very thirsty.

[V88Dicky]

If in doubt, buy the car with most cylinders. It's the only way to be sure

[NISR227]

ryanthescot said:

what about a megane r26?

There are some approaching £6k, but with higher miles and they can cost if thing go wrong. Buy the best you can find. Alot more expensive to run than the EP3 (for example 235/40 18 tyres) but then then they do have far more grip with the LSD, through and especially out of corners, it's very easy to cover ground quickly. Over looked because of the more extreme .R version getting all the praise, but the R26 is the better everyday road car that absorbs bumpy b roads and even grips good in the wet too.

Edited by NISR227 on Sunday 19th August 12:03

[GA55SED]

ryanthescot said:

what about a megane r26?

I currently own a Renault 5 gt turbo and it's like my little baby it never sees day light these days but I must say when I take it out it's just something else and puts most of the usual hot hatches in the rear view mirror from the lights.

And it's weird because the amount if people that comment on the car when I'm out in it is unreal and then I take my everyday drive out which is a mk2 focus rs and nobody batters a eye lid compared to my little r5 turbo.

I must say tho I'm not a fan of new Renault hatches I drove a megane turbo not sure of the exact model but it just felt so cheap sorry to the lovers of newer Renault hit hatches but there just not for me

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Another thumbs up for the 147 GTA. I tried many cars before I bought mine, including those on your list, and it was just streets ahead as a package. Fitted a Q2 diff and it was even better.

Try one and you'll see what I mean.