Hot Hatches - Page 1 - Car Buying

DanCam

Original Poster

20 posts

98 months

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Thursday 31st August 2017

Hi Guys.

Might be in the market for a new car in a few months. I'm a big hot Hatch fan but having owned an M135i which despite the engine, left me rather cold I feel I need to do a little more testing and research this time.

Now I don't think the M135i is a true hot Hatch. It's more a mini GT and if you judge it in that context it scores much better.

Lots of hatches are fast, but to be honest I find some almost too fast to enjoy on public roads and I crave something a little slower but more fun. A car where you can keep the throttle pinned for longer periods and feel the chassis load up in a bend without travelling at warp speed.

What I Crave is a Fiesta ST. I had one for a short while and it is truly a great car. However it is now a little long in the tooth, particulalry inside.

I am debating wether to hold out for the new 2018 FIesta ST or maybe look at something like a Mini JCW? I don't mind the higher cost as the interior is pure BMW. But I would be disappointed if the driving experience fell short.

I do need to test drive some options as I said before but keen to get owners thoughts.

But then there's options in the size above. Options like the GTI Clubsport which seems a great option for driving dynamics, size and interior toys. The R seems a little dull reading many owner reviews.

Or the Focus R.S. This might be my best bet and whenever I see one I snap at the neck to watch it drive past. Is this the Fiesta ST but in a bigger package?

So in short, what's the most fun hot Hatch of the moment?

It's the Fiesta ST isn't it. This thread was pointless. I just like a good debate 😂

Cheers

steve-5snwi

9,625 posts

111 months

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Thursday 31st August 2017

An F56 Cooper S with race exhaust and evolve remap would make a great daily or even the challenge 210.

Would a Abarth 595 be too small ?

ZX10R NIN

29,503 posts

143 months

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Thursday 31st August 2017

Aftershox

397 posts

176 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

2013 Mini GP - You will not be disappointed.

daemon

38,051 posts

215 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

ZX10R NIN said:

Can i just take a moment to commend you on your commitment on threads like this to find some really interesting cars. You're always up for taking the time and you put thought in to it.

I really enjoy clicking down through your lists any time i see them.

RSTurboPaul

12,317 posts

276 months

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[news]

Friday 1st September 2017

daemon said:

Can i just take a moment to commend you on your commitment on threads like this to find some really interesting cars. You're always up for taking the time and you put thought in to it.

I really enjoy clicking down through your lists any time i see them.

+1 to that!

HJMS123

988 posts

151 months

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[news]

Friday 1st September 2017

daemon said:

Can i just take a moment to commend you on your commitment on threads like this to find some really interesting cars. You're always up for taking the time and you put thought in to it.

I really enjoy clicking down through your lists any time i see them.

x2! Real credit to PH beer

Hammy98

871 posts

110 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

I've got an F56 Cooper S, whilst its a great daily driver if you're looking for some proper fun I'd be considering a late model GP. My dad had one a couple of years ago, they really are mental little things.

esxste

4,099 posts

124 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

I'm driving a Fiesta ST at the moment... and i love it.

It's only my second car its nearly 3 years old now, and I'm looking at options. And given the way people with far more experience of driving different cars talk, I'm a little scared that I might have been a little spoiled by the ST biggrin

fido

18,013 posts

273 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

It puzzles me that you could prefer a FWD hatch (though admittedly a great handling one) to a RWD car with a straight-six .. irked

Has it got the LSD fitted (BMW or aftermarket)? Maybe that's the problem - as the lack of LSD and soft suspension - make it a bit lame?

Edited by fido on Friday 1st September 10:27

Patrick Bateman

12,761 posts

192 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

fido said:

It puzzles me that you could prefer a FWD hatch (though admittedly a great handling one) to a RWD car with a straight-six .. irked

Has it got the LSD fitted (BMW or aftermarket)? Maybe that's the problem - as the lack of LSD and soft suspension - make it a bit lame?

Edited by fido on Friday 1st September 10:27

A sorted FWD hatch can be every bit as fun to drive hard as a properly sorted RWD car, let alone one that isn't known for its damping being its strong point.

HJMS123

988 posts

151 months

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[news]

Friday 1st September 2017

Patrick Bateman said:

A sorted FWD hatch can be every bit as fun to drive hard as a properly sorted RWD car, let alone one that isn't known for its damping being its strong point.

Exactly this! Most people that give these comments haven't driven a properly sorted FWD car so simply make assumptions. Don't forget the BMW steering .....

fido

18,013 posts

273 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

HJMS123 said:

Most people that give these comments haven't driven a properly sorted FWD car so simply make assumptions.

I've owned both the Integra Type-R (1999) and a Civic Type-R; the former which Evo magazine rated as one of the greatest front-drive cars ever. Even the ITR doesn't have the same level of throttle adjustability as the MX-5, because it's driving the wrong wheels. I will say however that I was very impressed by the Fiesta courtesy car I was given a few months ago - it is a lovely car - and I would happily drive it every day.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

126 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

Its driving the wrong wheels?

The only wrong wheels to drive on a car are the little ones that adjust your seat.

Patrick Bateman

12,761 posts

192 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

Having less throttle adjustability doesn't automatically equate to less fun though.

Fun cars are more than the sum of their parts.

DanCam

Original Poster

20 posts

98 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

With the M135i it was an auto and for sure I would go Manual next time. I'm currently driving a Gen2 911 Carrera PDK and as great as it is for this car I still believe at road speeds a Manual is more fun and engaging in most.

The BMW steering was not confidence inspiring. I never knew what the front tyres were doing and this meant you just had to trust it rather than feel it. It did stick everytime but it doesn't give any confidence. It was always a leap into the unknown.

Thanks for the replies. I will test drive a number of cars for sure. Just genuinely
Intrigued to hear people's opinions on what they believe is fun. Because some people equate speed to fun. My point is that for me I don't believe that is the case.

RWD is purer yes, but on public roads it is not always easy to enjoy. The risks are high. In a FWD worse case scenario you get some understeer and lift. Get the tail sliding in a RWD and those less experienced can get in a heap of trouble.

Love the look of the ST200 but again the interior age puts me off. May just wait for the new Model Reviews which I'm sure won't be a million miles away.

Anyone driven a Golf Clubsport?

DoubleD

22,154 posts

126 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

You say worst case for FWD is just lifting off after getting understeer, some FWD will oversteer at that point.

DanCam

Original Poster

20 posts

98 months

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[news]

Friday 1st September 2017

If your getting lift off oversteer on the roads your probably going too fast. I'm talking about balancing the car just as it starts to push. Not going in very hot to induce lift off oversteer.

I'm sure most drivers have no clue how to Catch a FWD slide.

Bodged

117 posts

128 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

fido said:

It puzzles me that you could prefer a FWD hatch (though admittedly a great handling one) to a RWD car with a straight-six .. irked

Has it got the LSD fitted (BMW or aftermarket)? Maybe that's the problem - as the lack of LSD and soft suspension - make it a bit lame?

Edited by fido on Friday 1st September 10:27

The 135i is a great GT but a poor hot hatch, point it at a good B road and it's just all over the shop. I chopped mine in for a civic type R which is much more fun and practical although I miss the ability to exit junctions sideways. The 135i was modified, suspension, remap etc but the gearing was way too high and you can really feel the weight when you press on.

manracer

1,548 posts

115 months

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Friday 1st September 2017

I like to think I've had my fair share of hot hatches as well as nippy rwd cars, Cayman s and 370z etc.
The one that sticks out as the most fun was my Clio 182 trophy. My Fiesta ST was a very similar drive in terms of Fun handling, lift off oversteer, keen turn in. I highly recommend the fiesta even with its firm dampening which actually isn't that bad once you're used to it as well as when you get above 40mph or so.
I personally think that when you are giving it some that you can commit more in well balanced fwd car than you could in the equivalent rwd. Just my opinion mind.

Edited by manracer on Friday 1st September 21:52