Hot Hatch Suggestions Under £12k?

[JustYourAverageCarGuy]

Evening,

Getting bored of my first car now and am in the lucky position to get a new one. I was looking at Audi S1's but decided £18.5k for a second hand one is slightly absurd and a tad out of budget.

Therefore, im looking for any suggestions of a hot hatch priced at £12k or under (i am slightly flexible either way so dont hesitate to suggest higher priced cars). Age isnt a problem as long as its bags of fun to drive.

Cheers

[Commander2874]

Well i drive a type r fn2 model which I love but with your budget i imagine you are after something a bit more modern and with more power.

Could you stretch a bit more for an m135i? Or a few k and get a nice st-3?

[JustYourAverageCarGuy]

Yeah i could probably stretch to that.

Although a Fiesta St-3 would probably not be a great option for me. The new model comes out this year and its an incredibly common car so deprecation would be huuuuuuge.

However, if it puts a smile on my face who gives a fk

[Commander2874]

What about focus st-3? Although same logic would apply to that. Renault hot hatches get a lot of praise as does a mini sport but dont know much about those 2.

The newish vauxhall vxr's loom quite nice too.
Personally you can't go wrong with a 135i

[JustYourAverageCarGuy]

True true, only problem is that M135i breaks the bank in insurance (i cant afford to insire anything more powerful than 250bhp)

[KhabibSmesh]

I'm in a similar boat, really interested in an m135i but insuring a 3ltr is just ridiculous for me. A Golf R is £600 LESS a year.

Does a new model really cause a massive drop off in the price? I was looking at an ST 3 myself

[Robmarriott]

Megane 250

[Cudd Wudd]

Robmarriott said:

Megane 250

This is exactly what I would go for.

Or, if you want to enjoy something brand new, and don't mind a drop in power, look at the up! GTI. A bit over budget, but the running costs should be very reasonable and the benefits of new tech and warranty etc. I suspect it will be a great little car to own.

[Ahbefive]

Cheaper Megane R26, Focus ST, Impreza STi hatch, Mazda 3 MPS, VW Golf, Astra VXR, Audi S3.

[ZX10R NIN]

Depreciation affects all hot hatches the same Golf depreciate just as quickly as Focus ST's so don't let that be you deciding factor.

I'd say go for the last of the line 2.5T Focus in ST-3 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or go for the best drivers hatch & look in the direction of the Megane RS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Other options:

Clio RS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Astra GTC VXR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ecsrobin]

I would also be looking at the Megane at that price range.

[DUBS73P]

Depends what you want really

For me it would be a Megane 250/265, ive had 2 already and am after my 3rd now after selling my M3. Such an awesome car and love driving them and appreciate them even more when they have gone. Just do everything i want from a car, space, involvement, power (when remapped) and really efficient (compared to a 4.0 V8!).
Really have to be patient though to get a good Spec. My first was Capsicum Red, every option that i wanted, RS Moniter (To set sport mode to linear) is a must, Recaro Seats, Cup suspension and then the nice extras i wanted were proper climate control, visibility pack (for cornering lights and Xenons) and 18 inch alloys ideally. Second was a base CUP spec and really didnt like how basic it was, felt like a big step back even from my R26.

The Scirocco R is definitely worth a look if you want something more premium but less involving, its the only way i'd go if i decided on a dual clutch as i love the DSG boxes. The scirocco is infinitely better looking than the Golf equivalent and in theory, should be slightly cheaper to run than the megane

If you wanted to lower the budget id get the Civic Type R FN2 CW Edition, just purely for the LSD. Although when i drove one, it never really felt fast, but was involving due to the engine. Having had an S2000, i dont think id quite appreciate this option though.

And if you wanted 12k (Or even a bit less) but smaller size, then literally just go and buy a Fiesta ST-3 and enjoy!!

Edited by DUBS73P on Thursday 1st February 10:30

[clarkeysntfc]

Depending on the size of car you're after I'd either go for a Fiesta ST, or Golf GTI.

[boombap]

Slightly older and cheaper, but not inferior suggestion would be a 130i.

[DoubleD]

Bags of fun = Renault Megane