hot hatch for £3-£5k

[C2james]

hey

just thinking of hot hatches to get next year and so far my favourite two are the clio 182/trophy and the civic type r but cant really think of many others that really appeal to me, so what cars would you guys be looking at for roughly £3-£5k. insurance hopefully shouldnt be much of an issue as i might change when im 21 and as long as running cost dont run into the thousands i should be ok.

cheers

Edited by C2james on Monday 17th December 23:03

[Defcon5]

5k will get you a 197 next year. Maybe a focus ST too?

[Flash ST]

Had an EP3 for 18 months, no issues. Slightly better fuel economy than my ST. Great car, great fun. Best gearbox and engine combo I have had in a car.

[AMST09]

Just about get a mk1 focus RS if you look hard enough or high mileage 5pot focus ST

Old/high mileage Audi S3?

Depends are you after comfort or driving experience

[Mastodon2]

Got to be the EP3 for the noise and the involving drive. Good luck with the insurance though, none of the cars in this bracket will be cheap.

[ajb85]

Stretch it to £6k and then BANG! You've got yourself an Alfa 147 GTA.

(Note: it may also go 'bang' at some point but it's all part of the fun)

[C2james]

Well pretty much all of the cars I'm looking at are no more than £1000 to insure, I wouldn't mind a decent "driving experience" but still need room to carry things and occasionally a couple of people.

[AMST09]

ajb85 said:

Stretch it to £6k and then BANG! You've got yourself an Alfa 147 GTA.

(Note: it may also go 'bang' at some point but it's all part of the fun)

Or torque steer into a hedge but apart from that...

[ajb85]

In fairness the EP3 Civic is the most viable and sensible option all round, if not the most inspiring. V-Tec reliability and starting prices at around £2k, allowing the rest for insurance. Big miles not a problem, timing chain maintenance is just the one to keep an eye on. Performance is peaky so if you're not used to V-Tec you might find less powerful cars more torquey. I think the fast Clios trump Honda on this front and dare I say it.... they're a little more fun too.

[PaperCut]

C2james said:

Well pretty much all of the cars I'm looking at are no more than £1000 to insure, I wouldn't mind a decent "driving experience" but still need room to carry things and occasionally a couple of people.

What about a SEAT Leon Cupra/FR/Cupra R? With the 1.8 20vT engine (180/225bhp).

Or a Skoda Octavia vRS?

[C2james]

For some reason I've never really liked the seats or skodas.

[bertieg]

if you can pick up a good trophy then i think you'll struggle to get much better. just make sure the shocks have been refurbed, and you'll have a fantastic car

[aka_kerrly]

Don't overlook the BMW 325TI compact or for something a little different, on autotrader right now is a MK3 golf VR6 with a supercharger fitted for £3295!!!

Edited by aka_kerrly on Tuesday 18th December 00:05

[C2james]

I wouldn't mind a RWD car but don't like the compact and don't want an mx5, an E36 M3 could be cool but don't think I could find. Nice one for my price.

[anonymous-user]

I think insurance will still be £1500 - £2000 when you're 21 on those cars. I would try to get a 197 with that budget, or if not a late 182 Trophy.

[Chunkychucky]

Jesus, you still agonising over this? What's this been, 2 years now? . Got to be the EP3 mate

[Another Fluffer]

Ford Racing Puma?

[C2james]

Oh shut up chucky all the cats I've look at the insurance has never Ben £1500-£2000 that's Ferrari territory.

Just looked at imprezas as I've never really looked at them before and insurance seems ok and they are just in my price range too.

[MissChief]

C2james said:

Oh shut up chucky all the cats I've look at the insurance has never Ben £1500-£2000 that's Ferrari territory.

Just looked at imprezas as I've never really looked at them before and insurance seems ok and they are just in my price range too.

Quite thirsty mind. Leon Cupra R easily in that territory. You might get a ratty Focus ST-2 for that next year as well.

[C2james]

Actually looking at running costs, maybe not.