RE: Focus ST vs. Golf TCR vs. Megane Trophy vs. i30 N

[Derek Chevalier]

CABC said:

ExPat2B said:

You are utterly, completely wrong on this point. A hot hatch is very much bought because it can perform every day duties, competently, economically, comfortably and with enough space for kit, kids and friends, and STILL be fun, that is its entire point of existence.

If you don't care about fuel economy, ride comfort, luggage space then get a bike. Seriously, a good motorbike will destroy any hot hatch in terms of fun and be much cheaper.

If you are scared of bikes, then get a sports car, they are even more fun than hot hatches. For the price of one of these hatches you could get a 3.8L 997 Carrera 4S Cabriolet AWS as one of a thousand examples of a sports car that would be more fun.

i get a sense that some people view the hot hatch as sports car genre in its own right. best displayed by the removal or the rear seats in some versions! of course mega hatches now have blistering performance, but i've never come across one that felt like a sports car.

EVO think otherwise.

"Doesn’t drive like a hot hatch, but a superbly engineered sports car that happens to be front-wheel drive"

https://www.evo.co.uk/honda/civic-type-r

[CABC]

Derek Chevalier said:

EVO think otherwise.

"Doesn’t drive like a hot hatch, but a superbly engineered sports car that happens to be front-wheel drive"

https://www.evo.co.uk/honda/civic-type-r

funny, but now they've released the toned-down model it's on my list to consider in the future. i've admired it from write ups but not driven it. seems to be a good all rounder that is civilised and sporty.
Evo write a lot of things that enable everyone to take something positive away. i'm still not sure that good though it is, it'll be that sporty to me. but my version of sporty tends to be lightweight.

[Derek Chevalier]

CABC said:

Derek Chevalier said:

EVO think otherwise.

"Doesn’t drive like a hot hatch, but a superbly engineered sports car that happens to be front-wheel drive"

https://www.evo.co.uk/honda/civic-type-r

funny, but now they've released the toned-down model it's on my list to consider in the future. i've admired it from write ups but not driven it. seems to be a good all rounder that is civilised and sporty.
Evo write a lot of things that enable everyone to take something positive away. i'm still not sure that good though it is, it'll be that sporty to me. but my version of sporty tends to be lightweight.

It's not a small car, but at 1400kg it's not that heavy considering its a decent sized family car.

It hides its weight pretty well on track - turning off all driver aids shows quite a neutral chassis. I have a share in a Clio 182 as well - the Civic is more serious on track, but still fun, especially on the first session back at Bedford in the New Year on a cold.damp surface - because of the long wheelbase it seems to oversteer to a certain angle but is catchable.

I have my name down for one of the yellow lightweight versions - will have to see if I get a cancellation.