What Hot Hatch for under £10k

What Hot Hatch for under £10k

Author
Discussion

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
I ont like the FN2. The rear is awful and they went backwards with the torsion beam suspension IMO. Id only really consider an EP3.

I simply dont like BMW as a brand or identity. I apologise if that offends some but its true.

The Alfa is going to cost too much to run and maintain and not really after a Cat D.

The mini is something that would potentially tick the boxes but isnt it a little small and feminine(no offence intended but i only ever see them driven by hot women)? I have a german shep/collie cross that would at times need a boot to be transported in around the local area so couldnt justify a hatch with no boot like the mini.

swilding

555 posts

250 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
Johnnytheboy said:
swilding said:
I really want to like 197 and 200 RS clios but they just have no torque.
Are hot hatches meant to have torque?

I'm not being rude, I'm just thinking aloud. I've got a very torquey hot hatch (albeit a big fat one) and it doesn't feel like a hot hatch.

Arguably, a defining element of a hot hatch is the need to rev the valves off.
Agreed but not at the expense of the car being 'slow' in the mid range. Having to thrash it or changing down 2 or 3 gears can get tiresome.

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
If its THAT bad why are they so highly rated by writers and are reguarly regarded as the best car in class? Not argueing genuine question.

Tallbut Buxomly

12,254 posts

216 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
oj121 said:
I ont like the FN2. The rear is awful and they went backwards with the torsion beam suspension IMO. Id only really consider an EP3.

I simply dont like BMW as a brand or identity. I apologise if that offends some but its true.

The Alfa is going to cost too much to run and maintain and not really after a Cat D.

The mini is something that would potentially tick the boxes but isnt it a little small and feminine(no offence intended but i only ever see them driven by hot women)? I have a german shep/collie cross that would at times need a boot to be transported in around the local area so couldnt justify a hatch with no boot like the mini.
Concerned about doggy duties you say?? Problem solved....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-WnzSbVcf0&fea...

Job Jobbed!

You're welcome.

swilding

555 posts

250 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
oj121 said:
If its THAT bad why are they so highly rated by writers and are reguarly regarded as the best car in class? Not argueing genuine question.
I agree with you. I was just a little disappointed with the test drive. Like I said I really wanted to like them.

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
Its not going to be a dog mobile....the focus will be used for that it just needs to have the space on the rare occasion I drive her somewhere to go out rather than walk there. An estate is a no im afraid.

Chr1sch

2,585 posts

193 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
I see so any hatch without a decent parcel shelf is out then...

Why not look to something like a Mazda 6mps (dog on back seat) or I have to say my old Leon Cupra was great although the dash is quite dated by modern standards (no worse than a focus)

andy43

9,722 posts

254 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
R32 - just for the noise it makes.
Or maybe an Impreza wagon? It's kind of hot-hatchey.
Of your original list, the Cupra or Golf. The rest are french or rubbish hehe

danaus

1 posts

156 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
Long time lurker - first time poster...

Another vote here for the 3 MPS. I'm a big fella like you (6'5" and 13 stone) and it's a comfortable place to be. I found I sat too high in the Focus ST, and has issues fitting comfortably behind the wheel in the Impreza. Had my MPS for 50k miles and it's great, definitely not boring to drive!

No one knows what they are either, so you can zoom around in a Q ship and not attract the wrong attention.

Biscuit Bus

173 posts

165 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
quotequote all
Another vote for the R56 MINI Cooper S. If you can get past the image they are genuinely a cracking car.

I've owned a 197 with cup packs and an EP3 - I'd argue the Clio is a better car overall but both can be a little ordinary unless you can regularly get you foot down. I chose these over a Corsa and an Astra VXR respectively. The Vauxhalls didn't feel like hot hatches to me, rather quick standard cars. But both were faster than the car I chose in a straight line. I had an extended drive with a Golf GTi and although it is a very very capable car it isn't a hot hatch to me. I also looked at the 3 MPS but it was like driving a supersonic diesel.

If the MINI isn't for you though I'd be going for one of the six cylinder options that have been suggested. A few more years and they won't be an option.

If the

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
Interesting that you owned a lot of the cars mentioned. I think the Mini maybe too small and im not pretty enough to be mistaken as a hot woman. I really like the idea of the 197F1 but still so confused.

ArmaghMan

2,412 posts

180 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
Mk4 Golf R32??

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
Looking at fairly higher milers at that price and it will be a beast to run aswell.

paulmoonraker

2,850 posts

163 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
MY05 Impreza WRX PPP. Better MPG than the ST, and not too dear to run (servicng etc). Insurance should be reasonable at 27.

Sorry if this has been suggested and discounted.

Pig ugly, but it will be hilarious round the fens and destroy any hatches wink

VxDuncan

2,850 posts

234 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
Can't help too much with the suggestions, but knowing the fenland roads I really would underestimate the need for solid, reliable mechanics. Decent ride would be a priority too. Too many track focused cars will struggle with the pish poor potholed and crazy cambered roads, you need something that rides well, but is also damn quick.Grown up in other words. Too short a wheelbase that's too stiffly spring will be a nightmare in the fens. I'd avoid the alfa for it's tendency to eat wishbones and suspension bushes. Likewise, I'd imagine the cilo would be shaken apart pretty quick. What about something like a Volvo C30 R /T5? Too old man? Likewise I think the VRS was a good call. What about the legacy/Forrester? At least you'll get off the parking tickets round those parts!

Whatever you do make sure the test drive involves the worst roads you know, check the ride and watch for it following cambers and crashing over bumps.

Grovsie26

1,302 posts

167 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
The DC5 obviously gets my vote. It's a far far better car than both VXR's listed and Cupra.

The Golf would be more refinded but to boring IMO

The DC5 strikes a good balance between daily driver and fun drives just because you can on b-roads. A good one can be had now for about 8k. Insurance won't be a problem at 27.

The mrs certainly wouldn't be getting to far away in a ST, in cornering you'd be reeling her in rather easily. biggrin

oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
You would struggle to get a good DC5 with half decent miles for 8k. They all sit fairly closely around the 10k mark.
I am thinking the Golf might be 10 years too early for me. Too sensible if there is such a thing.
It may also be the same boat with the MPS. It looks a little mundane and boring. It sounds grandads new shopping mobile rather than hot hatch.

kiethton

13,895 posts

180 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
BMW 130i - comes in budget, should hold its own against an ST and the one linked is very well specced

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2706944.htm


oj121

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

172 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
I discounted the BMW quite a few times. They are dog ugly and dont like th stigma that comes with them. Would rather keep what I have and mountune it than buy a BMW.

kiethton

13,895 posts

180 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
fair point