Where are the hot hatches?!
Discussion
Was thinking the other day that 20 odd years ago when I started driving, you saw people everywhere in Fiesta XR2s, 205 GTIs, Golf GTIs etc..they looked like they were having a lot of fun and these were the cult cars. On any cross country trip, or back road blast you'd meet at least one!
Fast forward to 2012 and you just don't seem to see people out in Megane 250 cups, or Leon Cupras, Golf GTIs and the like. Ive only seen about 3 current shape Clio Cups too, which is strange, given the rave reviews and reasonable price..Mk2 Focus ST is popular,ditto the EP3 Civic Type R, but the new stuff is just not out there. One exception is the Cooper S.
Why is this? Is the hot hatch market dead on its feet? Are the new cars just too expensive and not enough fun, or do people just do track days with these cars? I've only seen one Megane 250 Cup locally and its pottered about by a middle aged woman, says it all really. DO we need some new hero cars that people actually buy and enjoy on the road?!
Fast forward to 2012 and you just don't seem to see people out in Megane 250 cups, or Leon Cupras, Golf GTIs and the like. Ive only seen about 3 current shape Clio Cups too, which is strange, given the rave reviews and reasonable price..Mk2 Focus ST is popular,ditto the EP3 Civic Type R, but the new stuff is just not out there. One exception is the Cooper S.
Why is this? Is the hot hatch market dead on its feet? Are the new cars just too expensive and not enough fun, or do people just do track days with these cars? I've only seen one Megane 250 Cup locally and its pottered about by a middle aged woman, says it all really. DO we need some new hero cars that people actually buy and enjoy on the road?!
Edited by Bezza1969 on Saturday 30th June 11:44
Car manufacturers are too far up their own arses now, it's become about who can put the most bhp through the front wheels and who has the biggest rims rather than making fun cars. The Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are the closest modern day counterparts to the 205 GTI and its peers, IMO.
My guess is that the prices have risen too far, the cost of motoring means that when you are at the age when a hot hatch really appeals you can't afford it and when you can you are probably no longer in a position to want it.
Hell it shows up in the fact that 16/17 year olds aren't desperate to get their licences in the same way my contemporaries where.
Hell it shows up in the fact that 16/17 year olds aren't desperate to get their licences in the same way my contemporaries where.
I don't think the problem lies with the cars. Recently we've seen everything from warm Twingos and Pandas through to Porsche-bothering Meganes and Focuses. Instead I suspect it's a combination of a depressed economy, ever rising insurance premiums and a sudden surge in fuel prices. Average income buyers just aren't being as extravagant with everyday luxuries (although ironically the classic car market is booming and even some of the more affordable weekend cars are going up in demand as people downsize during the week and buy themselves a weekend toy to make up for it...)
PumpkinSteve said:
Car manufacturers are too far up their own arses now, it's become about who can put the most bhp through the front wheels and who has the biggest rims rather than making fun cars. The Swift Sport and Twingo 133 are the closest modern day counterparts to the 205 GTI and its peers, IMO.
Give me a modern hot hatch over a swift or twingo anyday: two of the worst cars on the road imo. I see plenty of hot hatches everyday, unfortunately they are outnumbered by people carriers nowadays.Edited by Schuey M on Saturday 30th June 12:17
yes, in my day it was xr2's, gti's, Nova's, etc, and if you couldnt afford the hot hatch version you had the basic one with as much mods as you could afford. The cars were set up for a bit of speed and handling.
Nowadays people dont seem as interested in that. More about the looks now than the performance.
Nowadays people dont seem as interested in that. More about the looks now than the performance.
Schuey M said:
Give me a modern hot hatch over a swift or twingo anyday: two of the worst cars on the road imo. I see plenty of hot hatches everyday, unfortunately they are outnumbered by people carriers nowadays.
Every motoring publication disagrees with you. Both cars have extremely positive reviews, and for good reason. Obviously you have driven neither.Edited by Schuey M on Saturday 30th June 12:17
Schuey M said:
I have been a passenger in the swift and driven the twingo. Hated them both tbh, not so much as a hot hatch; more of a "tepid hatch". Any modern hot hatch should really have 200+bhp, stiff suspension and be as light as poss.
None of what are deemed classic hot hatches had anywhere near 200+bhp. Define light.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff