Hot Hatch Options Circa £2 - 4k
Discussion
Hi, I fancy a hot hatch for winter (I have a big 4x4 but unless there is 3' of snow I'd rather be in a little FWD when it's slippery)
I want something NICE, not a rattlebox and if possible fun.
A quick look around seems to suggest:
Mini Cooper S - not keen on the image / interior - but I like SC'd cars
Civic R - is an R too hardcore - hated the Integra R - is an S worth considering ?
Audi S3 - I suspect it isn't fun
Cupra R - wasn't overly impressed with my Cupra
Corolla T Sport - ?
Accord R - I know it's not a hatch but it's a similar type of car
Clio 172 / 182 - is the build quality / reliability ok ?
Megane 225 - sorry just can't stand its looks
Anything I haven't considered / opinions on the current list ?
Last year I bought a mint Mk2 Golf Gti with a 2ltr 16v transplant and TBH it didn't have enough torque
I'm looking to use this for commuting and the odd long drive as I don't have a remotely sensible car.
I want something NICE, not a rattlebox and if possible fun.
A quick look around seems to suggest:
Mini Cooper S - not keen on the image / interior - but I like SC'd cars
Civic R - is an R too hardcore - hated the Integra R - is an S worth considering ?
Audi S3 - I suspect it isn't fun
Cupra R - wasn't overly impressed with my Cupra
Corolla T Sport - ?
Accord R - I know it's not a hatch but it's a similar type of car
Clio 172 / 182 - is the build quality / reliability ok ?
Megane 225 - sorry just can't stand its looks
Anything I haven't considered / opinions on the current list ?
Last year I bought a mint Mk2 Golf Gti with a 2ltr 16v transplant and TBH it didn't have enough torque
I'm looking to use this for commuting and the odd long drive as I don't have a remotely sensible car.
V8Triumph said:
No suggestions to make but just wanted to say I *love* the idea of a V8 RX7 
Try this one...http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Yes I was thinking of a Mk2 VR6 transplant but thought there might be a modern equivalent.
It doesn't have to be a torque monster but it won't be seeing a day out in Wales I have better cars for that so attainable performance in daily traffic (my old 205 1.9 GTi was stunning at this but I'd like something better built)
I don't want to step up a class otherwise I'll end up with an Evo which I'll drive too fast.
I remember the Civic (unlike the Teg) having usable performance below Vtec doesn't it ?
I guess I'll have to try the Cooper - drove a friends Mini (non SC) and it seemed ok but squeaked a bit.
I was hoping for something unusual I hadn't thought of - I don't mind older or modified.
It doesn't have to be a torque monster but it won't be seeing a day out in Wales I have better cars for that so attainable performance in daily traffic (my old 205 1.9 GTi was stunning at this but I'd like something better built)
I don't want to step up a class otherwise I'll end up with an Evo which I'll drive too fast.
I remember the Civic (unlike the Teg) having usable performance below Vtec doesn't it ?
I guess I'll have to try the Cooper - drove a friends Mini (non SC) and it seemed ok but squeaked a bit.
I was hoping for something unusual I hadn't thought of - I don't mind older or modified.
The Civic is fine, dont let people moan otherwise ! Used mine daily for 5 years.
Theres easier and more comfy cars out there but its nice and responsive and vtec is addictive, just have to be in the right mood.
Dont go above 4k rpm on my usual daily commute so its pretty economical, mway 6 gear rpm 3.5 to 4k can be annoying though !
Theres easier and more comfy cars out there but its nice and responsive and vtec is addictive, just have to be in the right mood.
Dont go above 4k rpm on my usual daily commute so its pretty economical, mway 6 gear rpm 3.5 to 4k can be annoying though !
The CTR is a great car. We had a new one in 2004. I'd have bought one myself had I not needed a short car for parking purposes.
I bought a 34k mile Fiesta ST as, in reality, 148hp is sufficient for my needs and returns a steadt 32mpg and is slightly cheaper on insurance.
I bought a 34k mile Fiesta ST as, in reality, 148hp is sufficient for my needs and returns a steadt 32mpg and is slightly cheaper on insurance.
Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 22 October 14:37
Accord R is a good choice, though it's still no low RPM torque monster the bigger 2.2 engine is a bit more tractable in daily driving than the CTR. For any given price they'll be much better looked after than a CTR, at the top end of the budget are likely to be relatively low mileage (for the age), mature owner cars with FHSH, mine certainly was and that was only £2700.
They're very well screwed together, nice interiors and the steering is better than the CTR being proper hydro PAS instead of electronic, plenty of feedback with a nicely weighted feel from the chunky Momo wheel. The suspension design is far superior to the CTR, there's better brakes and the all important LSD as standard. The seats are proper Recaro's and although a subjective matter I find them far more comfortable than the EP3 seats.
Downsides are the rear seats don't fold down, and gearing that feels slightly long in 1st-4th, and slightly short in 5th, but it's not a deal breaker. Makes for slightly more relaxed driving around town over the short geared CTR, which IMO is half the reason a lot of people don't like them.
Try (a standard) one, you won't be disappointed!
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
They're very well screwed together, nice interiors and the steering is better than the CTR being proper hydro PAS instead of electronic, plenty of feedback with a nicely weighted feel from the chunky Momo wheel. The suspension design is far superior to the CTR, there's better brakes and the all important LSD as standard. The seats are proper Recaro's and although a subjective matter I find them far more comfortable than the EP3 seats.
Downsides are the rear seats don't fold down, and gearing that feels slightly long in 1st-4th, and slightly short in 5th, but it's not a deal breaker. Makes for slightly more relaxed driving around town over the short geared CTR, which IMO is half the reason a lot of people don't like them.
Try (a standard) one, you won't be disappointed!
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Edited by Kozy on Monday 22 October 13:26
NicDale said:
Mine's for sale, full 2.9 vr6 in to a tornado red big bumper mk2, smack bang in the middle of your price range too 
Yes I saw it before posting this... really quite fancy that but I've never owned any of the later hot hatches so I'm taking a good look around.Although if you happen to be travelling through the Midlands in the future it might be worth a PM.
RacingBlue said:
Clio 1*2.
Cheap, plentiful, and nowhere near as unreliable as you might think.
Just because you've had no problems with yours doesn't mean others don't.Cheap, plentiful, and nowhere near as unreliable as you might think.
Rated 5-star by Evo, universally lauded for their performance, yet second hand values are terrible. There might be a reason for that, don't you think?
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