RE: £25k mega-hatches | Six of the Best
Discussion
OP said:
But it hadn't fallen into quite the same unrelenting trap as its rival - the first generation A45 was impressively well rounded and deftly drivable. It was also savagely fast.
The 2.0-litre motor might not have produced the giant sonic riffs that Ingolstadt's inline five conjured from all engine speeds, but it summoned speed with even greater vigour.
Not sure I quite understand this part regarding the A45. It seems to imply that the RS3 isn't well rounded or drivable, when in fact it drives pretty similarly to the A45. The 2.0-litre motor might not have produced the giant sonic riffs that Ingolstadt's inline five conjured from all engine speeds, but it summoned speed with even greater vigour.
And to say that it's faster is untrue. The RS3 is faster by quite a margin from a dig and in gear.
Edited by tril on Saturday 11th July 15:15
tril][quote said:
But it hadn't fallen into quite the same unrelenting trap as its rival - the first generation A45 was impressively well rounded and deftly drivable. It was also savagely fast.
The 2.0-litre motor might not have produced the giant sonic riffs that Ingolstadt's inline five conjured from all engine speeds, but it summoned speed with even greater vigour.
Not sure I quite understand this part regarding the A45. It seems to imply that the RS3 isn't well rounded or drivable, when in fact it drives pretty similarly to the A45. The 2.0-litre motor might not have produced the giant sonic riffs that Ingolstadt's inline five conjured from all engine speeds, but it summoned speed with even greater vigour.
And to say that it's faster is untrue. The RS3 is faster by quite a margin from a dig and in gear.
200Plus Club said:
You've not seen video doing the rounds on FB of the type R understeering off a normal bend and into a field then ?
:-)
For info I have driven a few modern hot hatches, including some track time in a brand new Astra VXR which was impressive to be fair. Still wouldn't buy one tho.
I've seen lots of car crash videos online. What's special about the type r one?:-)
For info I have driven a few modern hot hatches, including some track time in a brand new Astra VXR which was impressive to be fair. Still wouldn't buy one tho.
If the VXR comment is supposed to be a dig at mine, well there is nothing in your current fleet that would interest me either. At least the VXR is quick
200Plus Club said:
Argleton said:
200Plus Club said:
fantheman80 said:
200Plus Club said:
Not for me. 25k gets you into some nice non fwd sports cars.
It's six of the best hot hatches, not sure why you bothered commenting.I have the civic, but absolutely adore the RS MK2.Residuals are nuts.
You have a different opinion. That's how it works.
You're an arse. That's my opinion, you may have a different opinion. That's how it works.
Oh, and the A45 is AWD not FWD..
As I say, arse.
Killboy said:
200Plus Club said:
You've not seen video doing the rounds on FB of the type R understeering off a normal bend and into a field then ?
:-)
For info I have driven a few modern hot hatches, including some track time in a brand new Astra VXR which was impressive to be fair. Still wouldn't buy one tho.
I've seen lots of car crash videos online. What's special about the type r one?:-)
For info I have driven a few modern hot hatches, including some track time in a brand new Astra VXR which was impressive to be fair. Still wouldn't buy one tho.
If the VXR comment is supposed to be a dig at mine, well there is nothing in your current fleet that would interest me either. At least the VXR is quick
Argleton said:
200Plus Club said:
Argleton said:
200Plus Club said:
fantheman80 said:
200Plus Club said:
Not for me. 25k gets you into some nice non fwd sports cars.
It's six of the best hot hatches, not sure why you bothered commenting.I have the civic, but absolutely adore the RS MK2.Residuals are nuts.
You have a different opinion. That's how it works.
You're an arse. That's my opinion, you may have a different opinion. That's how it works.
Oh, and the A45 is AWD not FWD..
As I say, arse.
I'll leave you to your hot hatch love in, cba
Baldchap said:
For me the Mk 7 Golf is arguably the best all round car ever made.
... people who've never sat in one will tell you it's dull.
On this list there's one world class car that will be remembered as the best of it's kind, and perhaps the best hot hatch ever. Arise, Sir Mk 7 Golf.
You're deranged, and that's coming from someone with a Mk 7.5 GTI in the garage. It's (like the R) undoubtedly a good all-round car, but on PHer criteria such as character, sound, and driving fun, it's dire.... people who've never sat in one will tell you it's dull.
On this list there's one world class car that will be remembered as the best of it's kind, and perhaps the best hot hatch ever. Arise, Sir Mk 7 Golf.
From this list I'd go for the Focus RS, Megane or M140i.
200Plus Club said:
Argleton said:
200Plus Club said:
Argleton said:
200Plus Club said:
fantheman80 said:
200Plus Club said:
Not for me. 25k gets you into some nice non fwd sports cars.
It's six of the best hot hatches, not sure why you bothered commenting.I have the civic, but absolutely adore the RS MK2.Residuals are nuts.
You have a different opinion. That's how it works.
You're an arse. That's my opinion, you may have a different opinion. That's how it works.
Oh, and the A45 is AWD not FWD..
As I say, arse.
I'll leave you to your hot hatch love in, cba
SidewaysSi said:
The Ford and VW are pretty lame and the BMW a mess unless tweaked.
The Mégane is surely easily the best out of that lot.
I think that's a tad of an exaggeration si.The Mégane is surely easily the best out of that lot.
The M140i isn't the sharpest handling car of the article, for sure, but unless the article was 'best hatches for trackdays' then that is not the point.
It's not a 'mess' at all, it's very good until you push it at 9/10ths and then it's suspension & diff starts to fall short (which is easily remedied if that is what you want the car for).
As a daily driver, it's the best one in the article in my opinion (in auto spec), because it has such a smooth gearbox in comfort mode, and it just steers really well (light steering), for ambling around town. It's quiet and refined, and actually very economical.
Then, when you want to drive at 9/10ths (which is about as far as you really want to on a public road) the sport+ and sport gearbox modes stiffen up the suspension to corner extremely well for an open diff car, the gearbox revs right out before changing up, it sounds fantastic with the exhaust valve open, and the steering stiffens for a better feel.
The rear seats fold flat, which was great when I moved my daughter from house to house, and it has the comfiest seats and best driving position for me, of all the cars in the article (I've driven all of them, and plenty of other cars too, being in the motor trade).
Yes it's not the best at any one thing, but it is the best compromise of all in my opinion.
That is why I bought one myself.
konster296 said:
Late 987 Cayman S
E92 M3 Competition
M2s are also starting from £25K
I still believe that a Megane Trophy would destroy all of these.
None of those will be for the boring stuff that a hatch will do...E92 M3 Competition
M2s are also starting from £25K
I still believe that a Megane Trophy would destroy all of these.
Cayman is useless if you need to carry more than one one other passenger. Neither the M coupes will be great for chucking kids in the back.
Those listed age all fab cars but don’t offer the same practicality a hatch does. All add significantly higher running costs too...I really want an E90 M3 but I’d have been looking at 20ish mpg and £500 VED vs. roughly 30mpg and £150 VED with cheaper servicing and parts plus folding seats etc. I don’t doubt that the M3 us more interesting and better to drive though bit at a price.
Olivera said:
Baldchap said:
For me the Mk 7 Golf is arguably the best all round car ever made.
... people who've never sat in one will tell you it's dull.
On this list there's one world class car that will be remembered as the best of it's kind, and perhaps the best hot hatch ever. Arise, Sir Mk 7 Golf.
You're deranged, and that's coming from someone with a Mk 7.5 GTI in the garage. It's (like the R) undoubtedly a good all-round car, but on PHer criteria such as character, sound, and driving fun, it's dire.... people who've never sat in one will tell you it's dull.
On this list there's one world class car that will be remembered as the best of it's kind, and perhaps the best hot hatch ever. Arise, Sir Mk 7 Golf.
From this list I'd go for the Focus RS, Megane or M140i.
SidewaysSi said:
I presume they aren't purely talking about the engine. Whilst the Merc is hardly that exciting, it is far better than the Audi which is beyond crap.
What a surprise you're having a dig at an Audi! I won't bother getting into a discussion with you because it simply isn't worth it.These discussions always ignore why most people buy a hot hatch and why suggestions like a Cayman make no sense.
They’re usually the only car the driver has. They have to wear many hats. School run. Shopping. Runs to the tip. Family holidays. Solo laughs. Cross -country, all weather pace. All whilst being affordable to buy and run.
They are popular because they can do all of these things without usually being the best at any one of them compared to another non hot-hatch alternative.
It’s the all-round appeal. People don’t live on race tracks and generally aren’t driving on the door handles daily. Instead they want a car that can sit for 200 miles of motorway driving with no fuss or drama and then be a little hooligan when the roads are right, in all weathers.
They’re usually the only car the driver has. They have to wear many hats. School run. Shopping. Runs to the tip. Family holidays. Solo laughs. Cross -country, all weather pace. All whilst being affordable to buy and run.
They are popular because they can do all of these things without usually being the best at any one of them compared to another non hot-hatch alternative.
It’s the all-round appeal. People don’t live on race tracks and generally aren’t driving on the door handles daily. Instead they want a car that can sit for 200 miles of motorway driving with no fuss or drama and then be a little hooligan when the roads are right, in all weathers.
Gweeds said:
These discussions always ignore why most people buy a hot hatch and why suggestions like a Cayman make no sense.
They’re usually the only car the driver has. They have to wear many hats. School run. Shopping. Runs to the tip. Family holidays. Solo laughs. Cross -country, all weather pace. All whilst being affordable to buy and run.
They are popular because they can do all of these things without usually being the best at any one of them compared to another non hot-hatch alternative.
It’s the all-round appeal. People don’t live on race tracks and generally aren’t driving on the door handles daily. Instead they want a car that can sit for 200 miles of motorway driving with no fuss or drama and then be a little hooligan when the roads are right, in all weathers.
Great post, totally agree. The fact I dont two wheel or quarter of a mile on a daily basis means any one of those would be pretty cool (well apart from the type R as I can't handle the looks). For what I would use a mega hatch, I think it'd be the Golf and Megane as my top two picks, possibly the BMW a close third. They’re usually the only car the driver has. They have to wear many hats. School run. Shopping. Runs to the tip. Family holidays. Solo laughs. Cross -country, all weather pace. All whilst being affordable to buy and run.
They are popular because they can do all of these things without usually being the best at any one of them compared to another non hot-hatch alternative.
It’s the all-round appeal. People don’t live on race tracks and generally aren’t driving on the door handles daily. Instead they want a car that can sit for 200 miles of motorway driving with no fuss or drama and then be a little hooligan when the roads are right, in all weathers.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff