RE: Renault Megane 300 Trophy vs. VW Golf GTI TCR

[Kenny Powers]

I haven’t spent any time with either of these machines, but I think the Megane is one of the nicest looking cars currently on sale. Great proportions. Having said that, I would never consider buying one until later in its life when the runout model is inevitably twice as good to drive. As is tradition with Renault.

[Derek Chevalier]

Mackofthejungle said:

Ali_T said:

Where's the prestige & pride in owning the single most generic, unimaginative car choice on the planet?

Lets not pretend that there's any imagination or interest in owning any hot hatch currently on the market. It's a bland fest of enormous hatches, so you might as well have the one with decent residuals and a usable infotainment system.

Agreed, Civic is terribly bland and anonymous

[GTEYE]

It’s basically the same as it ever was, Renault better to drive, Golf better to own.

But as everyday drivers, the Renault Nav/Media System is so terrible it writes the car off for me. This is an area VAG understands.

And such a shame we live in an era of 300hp mega hatches, how terribly bland. It’s not soooo bad you know!

[Derek Chevalier]

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

[Brian Fallon]

It's a shame Audi has phased out the 3 door S3. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, but it has a great 4wd system and is a whole lot quicker (0-100kph in 4.5 seconds for the 310hp, automatic version) than either the VW or Renault. The base price of the S3 includes everything you'd need for a good driving experience. The Renault, with options, works out at a similar price.

[cerb4.5lee]

GTEYE said:

And such a shame we live in an era of 300hp mega hatches, how terribly bland. It’s not soooo bad you know!

We also live in an era of heavy cars though and 300bhp is needed to make them actually feel quick. If they were lighter they wouldn't need as much power.

I shouldn't really moan though because the future is electric and they are seriously heavy!

[wab172uk]

Brian Fallon said:

It's a shame Audi has phased out the 3 door S3. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, but it has a great 4wd system and is a whole lot quicker (0-100kph in 4.5 seconds for the 310hp, automatic version) than either the VW or Renault. The base price of the S3 includes everything you'd need for a good driving experience. The Renault, with options, works out at a similar price.

As an every day car, and a feel good factor the S3 is hard to beat. It's quicker than the pair too. But (as an S3 Saloon owner) they are very boring to drive. Fantastic all-rounders, quick, but dull.

Both the Megane and the Golf will be more fun to drive.

[Burgerbob]

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

But you've missed the point of these cars. No-one would buy any hot hatch as a dedicated track car, there are much better ways to spend £30k if this is what you want. Being the fastest round a track is kind of pointless when you use it to sit in a traffic jam on the way to work, or on the school run. A hot hatch is all about making a daily car good fun to drive and as such it is a car full of compromises. Some like the CTR will major on speed round a track, others like the Golf will major on daily useability. You pays your money and takes your choice for what is best for you.

[nickfrog]

wab172uk said:

I was expecting better thing from the Trophy, but the reviews seem to suggest it's a 280 with all the options and an extra 20BHP. Still not as it should be. It's a shame.

The previous Trophy was exactly the same so I am not sure what you were expecting, although the difference was 10hp and the 2 piece discs weren't available.

[Derek Chevalier]

Burgerbob said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

But you've missed the point of these cars. No-one would buy any hot hatch as a dedicated track car, there are much better ways to spend £30k if this is what you want. Being the fastest round a track is kind of pointless when you use it to sit in a traffic jam on the way to work, or on the school run. A hot hatch is all about making a daily car good fun to drive and as such it is a car full of compromises. Some like the CTR will major on speed round a track, others like the Golf will major on daily useability. You pays your money and takes your choice for what is best for you.

Other than the looks how is the Golf better than the Civic in daily usability?

Civic is bigger inside, has well weighted controls and has a decent ride (in comfort mode). It also doesn't have the handicap of german "reliability".

[Blanchimont]

The only thing I keep thinking about with the new Megane as with the Mk2 one, they did the same, brought a trophy out not long after the original. Then brought the R26/R26R out which blew everyones mind at the time. I wonder if they're doing the same here.

Out of the two, I would have the Megane. The Golf does nothing for me.
If I had to buy one with money, Buy the best spec previous gen trophy I could find, fit a bigger intercooler, downpipe and map it to 320hp. The interior is a bit basic in the old shape, but it worked, you had enough, and it was eminently more focused on the drive, over the aesthetics.

[Onehp]

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

But you've missed the point of these cars. No-one would buy any hot hatch as a dedicated track car, there are much better ways to spend £30k if this is what you want. Being the fastest round a track is kind of pointless when you use it to sit in a traffic jam on the way to work, or on the school run. A hot hatch is all about making a daily car good fun to drive and as such it is a car full of compromises. Some like the CTR will major on speed round a track, others like the Golf will major on daily useability. You pays your money and takes your choice for what is best for you.

Other than the looks how is the Golf better than the Civic in daily usability?

Civic is bigger inside, has well weighted controls and has a decent ride (in comfort mode). It also doesn't have the handicap of german "reliability".

On Hockenheim, the Cupra R and Clubsport S are faster. And the Cupra R has a rear seat. Just mentioning.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/test/seat-leon...
And in a Swedish test, the Cupra R was over 2 s faster to 125mph than the Type R, if such matters to you. Not sure you can still buy them in the UK, but they are certainly underestimated as the 'brand' isn't as strong as GTI or Type R....

[Derek Chevalier]

Onehp said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

But you've missed the point of these cars. No-one would buy any hot hatch as a dedicated track car, there are much better ways to spend £30k if this is what you want. Being the fastest round a track is kind of pointless when you use it to sit in a traffic jam on the way to work, or on the school run. A hot hatch is all about making a daily car good fun to drive and as such it is a car full of compromises. Some like the CTR will major on speed round a track, others like the Golf will major on daily useability. You pays your money and takes your choice for what is best for you.

Other than the looks how is the Golf better than the Civic in daily usability?

Civic is bigger inside, has well weighted controls and has a decent ride (in comfort mode). It also doesn't have the handicap of german "reliability".

On Hockenheim, the Cupra R and Clubsport S are faster. And the Cupra R has a rear seat. Just mentioning.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/test/seat-leon...
And in a Swedish test, the Cupra R was over 2 s faster to 125mph than the Type R, if such matters to you. Not sure you can still buy them in the UK, but they are certainly underestimated as the 'brand' isn't as strong as GTI or Type R....

Was the Civic on Cup2s like (I believe) the other 2 were?

I'm not sure the Cupra has the chassis to match it's (great) engine.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/hot-ha...

[greenarrow]

Burgerbob said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Burgerbob said:

Both good cars. In fact I think all the current crop of hot hatches are good cars and it's virtually impossible to say one is better than another, just one is more suited to an individual's wants and needs.

I disagree. Looks aside, the Civic is leagues ahead of the pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9mFuqdOZ0

But you've missed the point of these cars. No-one would buy any hot hatch as a dedicated track car, there are much better ways to spend £30k if this is what you want. Being the fastest round a track is kind of pointless when you use it to sit in a traffic jam on the way to work, or on the school run. A hot hatch is all about making a daily car good fun to drive and as such it is a car full of compromises. Some like the CTR will major on speed round a track, others like the Golf will major on daily useability. You pays your money and takes your choice for what is best for you.

I agree and also with your choice Burgerbob....I've never understood why the 308GTI is so overlooked. Of the sub 300BHP crop, Its the lightest so its quicker than the Megane 280, Golf GTI or Hyundai i30n. I've seen track tests where it lapped faster than the Hyundai too. It has the largest boot, uses the least amount of fuel and is nicely understated, plus its rare. A good package for someone with a family wanting discreet power and a bit of fun. I guess the badge counts against it, ironic seeing as Peugeot ruled the hot hatch scene in the 80s and 90s....

[Onehp]

Derek Chevalier said:

Was the Civic on Cup2s like (I believe) the other 2 were?

I'm not sure the Cupra has the chassis to match it's (great) engine.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/hot-ha...

Probably not. I'm not here to argue that the Cupra R has a better chassis, that goes to the Type R with its wide tracks. Just that the difference isn't a huge as one is let to believe - I've seen more tests where the Cupra R is on mediocre Bridgestones or the likes for some reason, a fair bit more mellow than the 245 SC6 tyres on the Type R. And I do thinkt the type R is great, would just put some money towards 19" or even 18" wheels, and a spoiler delete on a more discrete colour... it would be a hard choice between these two.

By the way, the article you linked is wrong, the weigh exactly the same on paper (they were comparing EU with kerb weight). In practice the Type R with the extra equipment packs is heavier by 50kg, the Cupra R fully equipped already as a special. Goes some way in explaining why the Cupra is quicker out of bends. Oh, neither does the Cupra have a twin scroll turbo, but the water cooled exhaust manifold is divided in two seperate tracts before the go into the turbine. Cheers.

Edited by Onehp on Friday 5th April 11:37

[Fire99]

It's fairly simple for me. If I want a 'hot-hatch' then I'll be wanting a manual gearbox. A couple of tenths here or there on paper, aren't going to cause me any sleepless nights.
Neither would be my obvious choice but the Megane fits the demands list better. The Golf doesn't seem to really know what it is.

[WCZ]

i'd rather have a clubsport s tbh

[Mackofthejungle]

Derek Chevalier said:

Mackofthejungle said:

Ali_T said:

Where's the prestige & pride in owning the single most generic, unimaginative car choice on the planet?

Lets not pretend that there's any imagination or interest in owning any hot hatch currently on the market. It's a bland fest of enormous hatches, so you might as well have the one with decent residuals and a usable infotainment system.

Agreed, Civic is terribly bland and anonymous

It's both bland and enormous, like every Golf sized hatch on the market. It's the wrong segment to make hot hatches in, I can't believe people don't see this. You want a hot hatch? Pick the smallest and lightest hatch and make it fast and fun. Done. The ONLY reason to make hot hatches out of cars this big is to make them practical and comfortable. How very hot hatch.

[shantybeater]

Does anyone else think the size of the renault badge is plain ridiculous? it just looks so tacky. I've noticed it with mercs as well:

normal:



comically retarded:

[Varelco]

I drove a trophy around Silverstone last year, mind blowing how much speed it could carry around the track, trying to do that on the road would just be insane..

Both very competent cars but about as interesting as a cucumber sandwich, yet this segment is so popular.