Which hot hatch?
Discussion
Another for the Megane, I've driven all of the current crop of hot hatches (bar the A45 AMG) and they all fall into insignificance against the Megane. In my opinion, of course. The only car that came close for reward was the Civic Type R.
Whereas the Megane makes you laugh out loud, it's not as fast as the Golf or the Civic but so rewarding to drive. I've just bought an R26 to pass the time until I have the money for a 275 Trophy or Cup S. Get one with the Ohlins if you can too!
Whereas the Megane makes you laugh out loud, it's not as fast as the Golf or the Civic but so rewarding to drive. I've just bought an R26 to pass the time until I have the money for a 275 Trophy or Cup S. Get one with the Ohlins if you can too!
Well I've ended up doing something a bit ... errr ... different than expected.
No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get anyone at Evans Halshaw (where the Megane I wanted) to pay any interest at all in me wanting to make an offer on / buy the car.
Three calls over three days, each of which ending in being told a salesperson from the branch would call me ended up with me abandoning any hope of buying it. It's like they don't want your money.
Took a look sideways then ... After a few really s
tty commutes into work and looking at the state of the roads in Castle Brom and Small Heath, I decided the Megane, although amazing, just would be way too tiresome for the daily commute / death run.
Went back to looking at the Cupra, mainly due to the DSG, then something else came up ... And you guys are going to hate me for this.
I've put a deposit on an Octavia VRS 230.
Moon white, 65 plate, (registered end of Jan 16), DSG, 5.4k miles, ex Skoda demo car with almost every optional extra you can throw at it. It has literally everything bar a sunroof and dcc. And I ended up getting it for less than a 3 year old bog spec Cupra.
So sensible won out on this one - sorry.
Doesn't mean I can't get it remapped to 300bhp though!
Here's the ad - doesn't list half the spec though.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Pick it up on the 19th.
Flame suit on.
No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get anyone at Evans Halshaw (where the Megane I wanted) to pay any interest at all in me wanting to make an offer on / buy the car.
Three calls over three days, each of which ending in being told a salesperson from the branch would call me ended up with me abandoning any hope of buying it. It's like they don't want your money.
Took a look sideways then ... After a few really s
tty commutes into work and looking at the state of the roads in Castle Brom and Small Heath, I decided the Megane, although amazing, just would be way too tiresome for the daily commute / death run.Went back to looking at the Cupra, mainly due to the DSG, then something else came up ... And you guys are going to hate me for this.
I've put a deposit on an Octavia VRS 230.
Moon white, 65 plate, (registered end of Jan 16), DSG, 5.4k miles, ex Skoda demo car with almost every optional extra you can throw at it. It has literally everything bar a sunroof and dcc. And I ended up getting it for less than a 3 year old bog spec Cupra.
So sensible won out on this one - sorry.
Doesn't mean I can't get it remapped to 300bhp though!
Here's the ad - doesn't list half the spec though.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Pick it up on the 19th.
Flame suit on.
I'm not going to criticise that choice. I personally prefer the estate but other than that it's a decent choice. That primer grey colour they come in is one of my favourite colours (that probably says a lot about me).
I know that for me the compromise cars always last longer and manage to work their way into my heart. I'm not sure what part of the country you are in but It doesn't matter what season it is here, the roads are always fairly uneven, patched up, often potholed and you've got as much chance of a damp or wet road in July as you do in any other month.
I know that for me the compromise cars always last longer and manage to work their way into my heart. I'm not sure what part of the country you are in but It doesn't matter what season it is here, the roads are always fairly uneven, patched up, often potholed and you've got as much chance of a damp or wet road in July as you do in any other month.
nunpuncher said:
That primer grey colour they come in is one of my favourite colours (that probably says a lot about me).
Same here. It's the only thing I'd change if I had a choice. Apart from that I can't find anything on the market that comes close.Has full heated (front and rear) leather, DSG, adaptive cruise, upgraded satnav, lane assist, heated front windscreen, auto lights / wipers, electrically adjustable memory seats, android / apple mirroring ... the list goes on. Oh, and two years warranty and european breakdown.
Yes, it's not going to be as involving as it's rivals, but I genuinely think it came along for a reason. For the reasons stated before I'd unfortunately taken the Megane off the list, and was struggling to get excited about the Leon. Just seemed a hell of a lot of money for a 3 year old car ... and there weren't many around in the spec I wanted. Then this showed up, and I couldn't let it go. It HAD to be the 230, wasn't even slightly interested in the standard model. Not sure why ...
A map will take it to 300bhp if I want to go down that route (and invalidate the warranty), but it ticks every box and taking into account the opportunities I realistically have to stretch the car's legs on the road this will most likely be all the car I'll ever need.
Really REALLY looking forward to picking it up.
Good for you!
Remember that suggestions from people on here are opinionated guff- mine included.
You're the one who was left cold by someone who should have sold you a Mégane, and you're the one who's delighted with your Octavia 230. I imagine it'd be a nice step up from my 220 with that diff!
Good for you, and enjoy it!
Remember that suggestions from people on here are opinionated guff- mine included.
You're the one who was left cold by someone who should have sold you a Mégane, and you're the one who's delighted with your Octavia 230. I imagine it'd be a nice step up from my 220 with that diff!
Good for you, and enjoy it!
stuart_83 said:
I genuinely think it came along for a reason.
You know, cars do that. 3 days after swapping a Corolla 1.3 for a Cadillac BLS (Saab 9-3 diesel in drag), I needed to drive 800 miles in one day to get my dad to a family funeral. The right car (strangely) does come at the right time.Edited by blearyeyedboy on Thursday 8th December 18:45
Jonno02 said:
I'm a cupra man myself, but that Octavia is lovely!
Yep, I just couldn't argue at that price.This is the Megane I would have bought if anyone wanted to sell me a car during generally the worst month for used car sales :
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/...
Obviously they felt they didn't need / want to sell it.
Didn't even pay the screen price for the VRS (not far off) and Lookers Skoda so far have been incredible. Absolutely top class customer service and I've only paid the deposit so far.
Evans Halshaw - learn some lessons you bunch of amateurs. Won't even bother looking at an ad in the future if its got their name on it.
stuart_83 said:
Evans Halshaw - learn some lessons you bunch of amateurs. Won't even bother looking at an ad in the future if its got their name on it.
I wonder how they sell anything.
stuart_83 said:
Same here. It's the only thing I'd change if I had a choice. Apart from that I can't find anything on the market that comes close.
Has full heated (front and rear) leather, DSG, adaptive cruise, upgraded satnav, lane assist, heated front windscreen, auto lights / wipers, electrically adjustable memory seats, android / apple mirroring ... the list goes on. Oh, and two years warranty and european breakdown.
Yes, it's not going to be as involving as it's rivals, but I genuinely think it came along for a reason. For the reasons stated before I'd unfortunately taken the Megane off the list, and was struggling to get excited about the Leon. Just seemed a hell of a lot of money for a 3 year old car ... and there weren't many around in the spec I wanted. Then this showed up, and I couldn't let it go. It HAD to be the 230, wasn't even slightly interested in the standard model. Not sure why ...
A map will take it to 300bhp if I want to go down that route (and invalidate the warranty), but it ticks every box and taking into account the opportunities I realistically have to stretch the car's legs on the road this will most likely be all the car I'll ever need.
Really REALLY looking forward to picking it up.
They are surprisingly swift for a big chunk of metal, on a wet drive over Tomintoul and the lecht I was surprised to find that I couldn't escape my palls VRS in my clio 197. Despite being the heavier and more powerful car it also beat my Mpg on the trip Has full heated (front and rear) leather, DSG, adaptive cruise, upgraded satnav, lane assist, heated front windscreen, auto lights / wipers, electrically adjustable memory seats, android / apple mirroring ... the list goes on. Oh, and two years warranty and european breakdown.
Yes, it's not going to be as involving as it's rivals, but I genuinely think it came along for a reason. For the reasons stated before I'd unfortunately taken the Megane off the list, and was struggling to get excited about the Leon. Just seemed a hell of a lot of money for a 3 year old car ... and there weren't many around in the spec I wanted. Then this showed up, and I couldn't let it go. It HAD to be the 230, wasn't even slightly interested in the standard model. Not sure why ...
A map will take it to 300bhp if I want to go down that route (and invalidate the warranty), but it ticks every box and taking into account the opportunities I realistically have to stretch the car's legs on the road this will most likely be all the car I'll ever need.
Really REALLY looking forward to picking it up.
stuart_83 said:
This is the Megane I would have bought if anyone wanted to sell me a car during generally the worst month for used car sales :
http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/...
Oh that Megane looks lovely, makes me sad you didn't/couldn't buy it! http://www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/...
Although I did thoroughly enjoy the PH Fleet vRS every time I got into it. Very different proposition to the Meg but I'm sure you'll enjoy it and ultimately will be a more comfortable place to be day to day, will just lack the feedback and enjoyment of the Megane. If you've got a good deal on it though hopefully you won't lose too much when you realise the error of your ways and start looking for a Meg next year
BenLowden said:
If you've got a good deal on it though hopefully you won't lose too much when you realise the error of your ways and start looking for a Meg next year
I'll have to stick with this for a few years I think! The 'normal' Octavia didn't appeal too much, and I most likely would've ended up with a bog spec. This being the 230 (and the stupidly high spec) just pushes it into special territory for me.
True, the Megane was far better to drive than anything else I tested, and every time I see once I'll probably wonder "what if ....", but I'm really happy with my choice. I have a feeling it will be a lot better to drive quickly than I and most people think, and will probably be more capable than my driving skills!
It's my first modern car for about 10 years and a real treat to myself for working hard and getting myself out of the
so I'm glad I've gone with something easy to live with ... with gorgeous alloys and seats at least! And it'll be 100% mine in 3 years time, none of this PCP / GFV stuff. Old Skool.
Ahbefive said:
Oh, I thought you wanted a hot hatch rather than a family 5door car.
Well, it's a hatchback with a 230bhp 2.0T engine, the same as a Golf GTi, which is also classed as a hot hatch.Yes, it may be less hardcore than my original choices, but it's still in essence a type of hot hatch.
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