Hot hatch under £5k
Discussion
raceboy said:
Looking for a replacement for my aging EP3 shape Civic Type R, had it 3 years and it’s time for a change.
Budget of £5k but don’t mind spending less.
Current front runners include the FN2 shape Civic Type R, Mk5 Golf GTi, and Clio 192 but what else is out there, or any pitfalls with the current short list...
Clio 200 would get my vote over a 197 due to the revised gearbox. Ideally a FF car with Cup suspension and if possible, Recaros.Budget of £5k but don’t mind spending less.
Current front runners include the FN2 shape Civic Type R, Mk5 Golf GTi, and Clio 192 but what else is out there, or any pitfalls with the current short list...
Ahbefive said:
But then it seems the OP wants a luke warm supermini rather than a hot hatch.
My problem, as ever, is wanting something no one seems to make.Had a look at the new Civic Type R yesterday...HOW BIG IS IT!
The current Jazz is as big as my EP3, how about a Jazz Type R Honda? Or a Polo 'R'
Happy at about 200bhp in a package no bigger than the EP3, at this rate I'm keeping the Civic.
Got a mk5 Golf GTI and only thing to mention is they seem a bit devoid of character after a Type R. Had an FN2 but had to sell it as the ride was awful and the missus has problems with her back. Then again, if you've got a weekend toy this may not be an issue. If i had the choice again, i'd be looking at the Megane or Focus ST. It's not a bad car by any means, but it's also not one i've ever driven for fun... or taken the longer route home from work etc.
ZX10R NIN said:
Another good alternative to the 130i is the 3.2 Audi A3 (basically it's a R32 underneath) which is a very good & capable car.
The Audi, although quite nice has ruled itself out of the running by being £520 a year to tax, I don't mind, well I do mind, but tolerate paying that for the Aston but not for the daily. 
I've found a local dealer that appears to have a few of these sort of class cars in stock so going to have a pop over at my earliest convenience and rule a few more out.
After being busy for just about every weekend since starting this thread I finally got chance to go car shopping, and based on what I liked the look of for sale within a sensible distance, and the with a bit of luck should be picking this up tonight.
A bit tatty around the edges, but for a daily hack that's fine and well under the original budget.
A bit tatty around the edges, but for a daily hack that's fine and well under the original budget.
zedx19 said:
Never has anyone on here uttered the words "meh" to a 5 cylinder 20v turbo before.
I've owned a Mk4 Golf GTi 
Shiv_P said:
Did the gearbox issues not worry you?
At this price point everything has something to worry you about, there was a tiny 'grunch' between 2 of the gears on the test drive but that could just have been me, we'll see how it drives on the way home when it gets a bit more of a workout. 
If it needs a new box in the not too distant future it'll sting a bit but pails into insignificance compared to the bills my other car can throw my way, so fingers crossed it lasts a while.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff