Which 30 grand fast hatch would you buy?

[ToothbrushMan]

Welshbeef said:

Absolutely

While the RS is a bit council
The 140i is very bland
Megan's RS looks pretty cool
Civic TR shell suit time with back turned base ball cap
Golf R that's a bit golf club
Leon 300 a budget Golf



But the best bit about cars is you but whatever the fk you want (even a PT cruiser...) if you like it. Who cares what anyone else does or doesn't think. Unless your trying to buy an investment classic & OP has discounted the DB7 so it's modern depreciating vehicles.

hang on a sec......ive seen countless S3, Golf R and Focus RS drivers whove dug out the old baseball caps...its not just the Type R brigade. not so much wearing them backwards though as its not a Hip Hop music video we're talking about here but still seeing 40 and 50 year old guys doing their "Blogs/Vlogs" etc on these cars does seem to reveal plenty of cap wearers. Dunno what it is, dunno the reasons but you never see guys driving the 1.6 focus or the diesel Golf with a baseball cap. I just dunno why the performance versions attract cap wearers of all ages. Maybe its a mean and moody aura their trying to put out about themselves cost theyve got a bit o power..... LOL.

[anonymous-user]

Lynch91 said:

The M140i hands down, it sounds fantastic and is absolutely rapid!

if it sounds so good why do bmw use fake noise in the cabin?

[ScoobyChris]

I was in a similar position a few months back and picked the M140i. One of my criteria was it had to be discreet though which ruled out a few on your list.

Went a bit mad on options and it came in at 29800 OTR for a 5dr auto via TRL.

Chris

[kitcat7]

Great topic, and, I have to say sensible replies. A pal & I were in a similar position just over a year ago, before the Focus was available, but to cut a long story short, he went for the Civic Type R and I went for the Golf R.

He isn't wholly convinced by the need to rev. his Civic to make it fly, and I love the huge torque of the Golf. It's amazing what they have done with LPT turbos now - no lag and maximum torque at just over 2000 revs. He also thinks the Civic is a bit leery with all the scoops and spoilers, whilst I like the understatement of the Golf, debadged natch.

I suppose, in the end it will, as ever, depend what you want out of a car, personally I wanted something fast, torquey and low key and the Golf has given me everything I could've asked for.

[rich146]

Fastlane said:

+1

Just done a deal on a manual 5 door metallic Cupra for £259pm for 10k miles - even with the admin fee it works out at £266/month over 2 years...absolute bargain!

Not bad but I got my Scirocco R DSG this month with 11k miles working out at just £312 a month. With the Leon DSG costing what (+39)? Works out @ £305 a month for 10k? Nothing in it. Depends what you want I guess.

[rich146]

rich146 said:

Not bad but I got my Scirocco R DSG this month with 11k miles working out at just £312 a month. With the Leon DSG costing what (+39)? Works out @ £305 a month for 10k? Nothing in it. Depends what you want I guess.

Mine is a 3 year deal

[Lynch91]

The Spruce goose said:

Lynch91 said:

The M140i hands down, it sounds fantastic and is absolutely rapid!

if it sounds so good why do bmw use fake noise in the cabin?

Due to the level of cabin insulation, makes for a pleasant place to rack up thousand of miles on the motorway

[HJMS123]

Would have to be the 140i for me ... couldn't look past the engine!

If I could it would probably be between the golf r and focus rs

[ZX10R NIN]

It would be the RS3 for me again for it's engine.

[Patch1875]

ScoobyChris said:

I was in a similar position a few months back and picked the M140i. One of my criteria was it had to be discreet though which ruled out a few on your list.

Went a bit mad on options and it came in at 29800 OTR for a 5dr auto via TRL.

Chris

Did you spec the adjustable suspension?

[Scrubs]

Go test drive the Focus RS and the M140i.


Then buy the M140i.


The Focus has nothing on that new straight 6 40i engine. Much better interior as well and equipment as well. Oh, and way better residuals.

[ScoobyChris]

Patch1875 said:

Did you spec the adjustable suspension?

Yup!

Chris

[DoubleD]

Scrubs said:

Go test drive the Focus RS and the M140i.


Then buy the M140i.


The Focus has nothing on that new straight 6 40i engine. Much better interior as well and equipment as well. Oh, and way better residuals.

Better residuals than a RS? Are you sure about that?

[KarlMac]

Civic Type R or WRX STI. Because I'm a yobbo and fun cars should be bought with the heart not the head.

I die of boredom driving any of euro hatches. And if I got an RS it's probably get knicked or break. Or (if the focus hire car I've got is any indication) be horrendous to drive on long journeys due to the awful seat/pedal position ford insist on using.

[Bradley1500]

It would be the Honda Civic Type R for me.

The rest, with the exception of the BMW and Renault, leave me cold. The Honda in comparison seems bonkers, and I like that. It also appears to be a much rarer car than the others, bar the Subaru.

The BMW would have been my choice, except I’m not keen on the styling of the 140i model. I much prefer the 135i.

I have to say, I was surprised at the suggestion of an M4 earlier in the thread as I hadn’t realised these had dropped to this price point. So, ignoring the OP’s question, and forgetting that I’m comparing a three year old car to a new car here, I would stretch the budget and buy the best F80 M3 I could find.

[seadragon]

Type R might be more rare, but they change their marks so often, that it's not like you get to enjoy it for long before the next version comes out, same with Vauxhall VXR.

ETTO and would never say who is right or wrong. I am a VW guy and have the R estate and it's awesome. I would definitely recommend that or maybe the RS3.

[ZX10R NIN]

Scrubs said:

Go test drive the Focus RS and the M140i.


Then buy the M140i.


The Focus has nothing on that new straight 6 40i engine. Much better interior as well and equipment as well. Oh, and way better residuals.

I think you'll find the RS will hold it's money better than the M140

[BenLowden]

I've driven everything on your list, bar the M140i. The best cars to drive are the Civic Type R and the Megane, but I'd take the Megane. If you can get a Trophy R, it'll be a safe place to put your money, just look at values on R26Rs. The looks of the Civic kills it for me sadly, but it was incredible to drive and one of the best gear changes I've ever experienced. All depends on what you want it for though really!