What Hatchback Up To £2k?

[neenaw]

I'm looking for a new car at the moment but really can't decide what to go for.

I'm probably going to go with a hatchback, nothing bigger than Golf/Focus size needed really. It needs to be able to fit a set of roof bars on to get the bikes on the roof and a boot big enough with seats folded down to get two small dogs in. My budget is £2k and I'm looking for something that's gonna be fun to drive but not cost the earth to run. I'm only going to be doing about 4k a year in it so not huge mileage.

Renaultsport Clio 172
Peugeot 206 GTi/GTi 180
Peugeot 306 GTi6
Focus ST170
Golf 1.8T

I'm currently leaning towards the Clio but was wondering if anyone's got any suggestions about the others?

[ZesPak]

Out of that lot, I'd go for the Clio.

Depending on what it should do, I'd look into the 147 as that's probably the best looking hatch you can get for that budget, or any budget for that matter.

[neenaw]

ZesPak said:

Out of that lot, I'd go for the Clio.

Depending on what it should do, I'd look into the 147 as that's probably the best looking hatch you can get for that budget, or any budget for that matter.

I'm not too keen on the Alfa's, not sure why but I've never really liked them!

[Luke167]

205 GTI, what other hot hatch can you get for the money that is only going to appreciate? Thread over!

ETA: Do not choose the 206 whatever you do, it's missing the gear that it desperately needs and that's sixth.

[missing the VR6]

Luke167 said:

205 GTI, what other hot hatch can you get for the money that is only going to appreciate? Thread over!

MK2 Golf GTI!

[Evil.soup]

A bit of a wild card but a standard un-modified XR2i could be a way forward. Its not really quick but they have retro cool and are starting to hold their value and become quite rare! You could see all your money back in 12 months if its looked after and kept standard.

[neenaw]

Evil.soup said:

A bit of a wild card but a standard un-modified XR2i could be a way forward. Its not really quick but they have retro cool and are starting to hold their value and become quite rare! You could see all your money back in 12 months if its looked after and kept standard.

The only concern is whether an XR2i would last another 12 months without disappearing into a small pile of rust!

[Jimslips]

neenaw said:

I'm looking for a new car at the moment but really can't decide what to go for.

I'm probably going to go with a hatchback, nothing bigger than Golf/Focus size needed really. It needs to be able to fit a set of roof bars on to get the bikes on the roof and a boot big enough with seats folded down to get two small dogs in. My budget is £2k and I'm looking for something that's gonna be fun to drive but not cost the earth to run. I'm only going to be doing about 4k a year in it so not huge mileage.

Renaultsport Clio 172
Peugeot 206 GTi/GTi 180
Peugeot 306 GTi6
Focus ST170
Golf 1.8T

I'm currently leaning towards the Clio but was wondering if anyone's got any suggestions about the others?

Driven them all. Owned clio and golf.
Clio every time. Most fun IMO.

[kpb]

A3 1.8T (Quattro if you can get one). Build and component quality on a different planet to the rest on your list except maybe the Golf. Might be important given your budget and the likely age of the car.

[bakerstreet]

I'd take the 206 GTI off the list for a start.

Clio probably the best out of that list.

Focus is great value, but I think they look a little too understated for what they are. Mk4 Golf GTI is also too understated in GTI form

[BigCojones]

From that list forget the Golf, 206 and argubly the Focus. I'd say it's between the 306 GTi6 or the Clio....hmmm, Clio methinks, as it's more modern.

[r1ch]

If you're only doing that kind of mileage, get a nice 205 GTI. For fun, its better than all of your suggestions, except maybe the clio 172, reckon thats like a modern 205 gti.

[Evil.soup]

neenaw said:

Evil.soup said:

A bit of a wild card but a standard un-modified XR2i could be a way forward. Its not really quick but they have retro cool and are starting to hold their value and become quite rare! You could see all your money back in 12 months if its looked after and kept standard.

The only concern is whether an XR2i would last another 12 months without disappearing into a small pile of rust!

Indeed there is that but as long as you pick one up that has not been bitten by the rot bug then you should be ok as long as its looked after. I was looking at them just yesterday with my brother as he is considering buying something to run when he is in the country that won't be eating his money while standing still. Came across a good looking example in Plymouth and I am now trying to twist my brothers arm to buy it.

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

[Chrisw666]

kpb said:

A3 1.8T (Quattro if you can get one). Build and component quality on a different planet to the rest on your list except maybe the Golf. Might be important given your budget and the likely age of the car.

Hmm an overweight lardy Golf in a pretty frock or a hot hatch?

I'd take a 306GTI, Clio and then ST170 in that order.

Others to consider, Alfa 145 Cloverleaf, Ford Puma, 205gti, MK2 Golf GTI, Civic 1.8 VTI, 106gti, Saxo VTS, Xsara VTS or (despite its modest power)E36 318ti Compact.

[Kozy]

I vote Civic 1.6VTi. Bit wet in stock form but get one with some decent suspension upgrades and they are a hoot to drive.

[Jimslips]

Kozy said:

I vote Civic 1.6VTi. Bit wet in stock form but get one with some decent suspension upgrades and they are a hoot to drive.

Civic not an option

[5lab]

puma would tick all your boxes? or corrado vr6? or porsche 944? or celica 190?

basically, small coupes based on hatches (except the 944)

[BigCojones]

Chrisw666 said:

kpb said:

A3 1.8T (Quattro if you can get one). Build and component quality on a different planet to the rest on your list except maybe the Golf. Might be important given your budget and the likely age of the car.

Hmm an overweight lardy Golf in a pretty frock or a hot hatch?

I'd take a 306GTI, Clio and then ST170 in that order.

Others to consider, Alfa 145 Cloverleaf, Ford Puma, 205gti, MK2 Golf GTI, Civic 1.8 VTI, 106gti, Saxo VTS, Xsara VTS or (despite its modest power)E36 318ti Compact.

Oh yes the Puma is a good suggestion! Easily afford one of the last 1.7 models and there is enough space for the requirements.

A3 is ok suggestion, but it is not a fun car. At all. I would trade 'build quality' for handling any day!

[Mr2Mike]

kpb said:

A3 1.8T (Quattro if you can get one). Build and component quality on a different planet to the rest on your list except maybe the Golf. Might be important given your budget and the likely age of the car.

The driving experience is in a different league as well; a much lower one. Typical numb VAG offering that misses one of the most essential ingredients of a performance hatch. I'm sure it will break less than a Clio, but it isn't a patch on the French offering in terms of driver involvement.

[Mr2Mike]

Kozy said:

I vote Civic 1.6VTi. Bit wet in stock form but get one with some decent suspension upgrades and they are a hoot to drive.

I agree, but they hold their value insanely well which great for owners but as a buyer you are looking at cars which are probably ten years older than most cars listed by the OP. They also attract the very worst of the bodgers who mistakenly think they can improve the cars looks or performance with cheap bolt on tat.