Which 30 grand fast hatch would you buy?

[white_goodman]

There's a plethora of new 300bhp+ fast hatches out there right now for around 30 grand but if you were going to buy one, which one would you buy? The Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 AMG are out for me simply because they're too darn expensive. If I was spending that kind of money, I wouldn't be buying a small hatchback, even though I'm sure that they are very fast and impressive and also the lack of a manual gearbox option lessens the appeal for me.

So that leaves us with the Golf R, Audi S3, Focus RS, Civic Type R, BMW M140i or possibly the Leon Cupra and Renaultsport Megane as well? Technically it's not a hatch but in the interest of completeness, the Subaru WRX STI may be worthy of inclusion as well.

A quick poll amongst my mates puts it roughly 50:50 between the Focus RS and new Civic Type R. The Focus appealing to the ones who used to be into Imprezas/Evos and the Civic for its hero-like Nurburgring status and its track car/touring car vibe.

I haven't driven all of them. The Golf R is fast and a great all-rounder but I thought a little dull, the S3 I expect much the same. I've driven lesser Focus and 1-Series and they're very good but both platforms are pretty dated now Being PH though, I expect that the M140i being RWD may well be a popular PH choice. I have driven the new Civic with the 1.5 turbo and it's a brilliant small hatch. Great chassis, nice interior and a nice gearbox, so it has potential and I've seen a white new-style Type R and personally thought it looked fantastic.

So, if you were in the market for a 30 grand fast hatch, there's never been so much choice: FWD, AWD, RWD, 4 or 6 cylinders, 3 or 5 doors. What would be your choice?

[Welshbeef]

Or a few year old M5/RS6 etc.

[Loyly]

If I had to get a new one, it'd be a Civic Type R. If I were spending the same amount of money on a used car I'd be after a Boxster or Cayman.

[JamesRR]

Focus RS or M140i, I'd only be able to make my mind up properly between them having test driven both.

[DoubleSix]

140i

[white_goodman]

Welshbeef said:

Or a few year old M5/RS6 etc.

Running costs...

[daemon]

JamesRR said:

Focus RS or M140i, I'd only be able to make my mind up properly between them having test driven both.

+1

Of that list, thats the two i'd look at.

[Welshbeef]

white_goodman said:

Welshbeef said:

Or a few year old M5/RS6 etc.

Running costs...

V Depreciation.

[irish boy]

I would probably spend £6k on a 2 year lease on a leon cupra 300. Drove one last week and its superb, much more exciting than the golf.

[Welshbeef]

The question is are these really worth £30k?
That's a fair heft of £ for a hatchback.

OP have you done the purchase price to base salary ratio?i know YOLO but you'll lose £15k+ on any of these options in 3 years. Not small beer.

[steve-5snwi]

Focus RS

[horsemeatscandal]

This question has made me realise how much I wouldn't be willing to spend that amount of money on those cars, even though I am a hot hatch fan. If I had to, WRX STI (but only because the Megane isn't out yet).

[ZX10R NIN]

For me if I had to buy this weekend, it would be an RS but not the new one it would be the MK2 for me.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If not that then a Megane Trophy R would be my pick

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[daemon]

Welshbeef said:

The question is are these really worth £30k?
That's a fair heft of £ for a hatchback.

OP have you done the purchase price to base salary ratio?i know YOLO but you'll lose £15k+ on any of these options in 3 years. Not small beer.

On a Focus RS? - short supply and strong residuals make me think otherwise.

Also, heavy discounts avail on an M140i so on both of those i'd say £10-12K drop in 3 years is viable.

Edited by daemon on Friday 21st July 22:07

[white_goodman]

Welshbeef said:

V Depreciation.

It was more of a hypothetical really. There are always some good bargains to be had when you compare new and used but I'm not convinced that a 30k M5/RS6 is done depreciating yet and being relatively more complex, I wouldn't be surprised for either of them to throw up a four figure or worse repair bill. Also, despite having it's own appeal (namely big power), a large, heavy automatic saloon/estate is quite a different beast to a small, compact, relatively light and simple hatch. If the M5/RS6 was 20k then the risk might be more worthwhile but a 30k Boxster/Cayman as an alternative seems like a less risky alternative. Not that you have the option to lease a used model though, if that's your thing.

[Deerfoot]

DoubleSix said:

140i

Cracking engine.

[DoubleD]

Welshbeef said:

The question is are these really worth £30k?
That's a fair heft of £ for a hatchback.

But £30k would be fine to spend on a saloon? Or a 2 seater drop top?

[Welshbeef]

DoubleD said:

Welshbeef said:

The question is are these really worth £30k?
That's a fair heft of £ for a hatchback.

But £30k would be fine to spend on a saloon? Or a 2 seater drop top?

No but £30k spent one DB7 is a sensible choice.

[DoubleD]

Welshbeef said:

DoubleD said:

Welshbeef said:

The question is are these really worth £30k?
That's a fair heft of £ for a hatchback.

But £30k would be fine to spend on a saloon? Or a 2 seater drop top?

No but £30k spent one DB7 is a sensible choice.

Ha ha ha ha

[RammyMP]

I've read a few threads on here with folk saying that they hate their Focus RS's and have chopped them in after a couple of months. So my vote goes for a 140i, Broadspeed had them at £25k a month or so ago, tried to talk the wife into getting one but to no avail!