Hot hatch that ISN'T a Mk7 ST.

[anthonysjb]

Hi all,

Struggling to decide which motor to go for. Budget £10k.

Typical usage is a 12 mile each way daily commute, blasting to Goodwood every few weekends, country road hoons and carrying my mountain bike around.

I'm looking for something that can achieve great economy, modern, fit the bike easy, make me smile on a B road, be reliable and fast.

Everything points towards a Mk7 Fiesta ST. Trouble is I've had one already. It was great mind.

I've also done the Clio RS thing (had a 182, it broke) and Mk5 Golf GTI. Is there anything I've not thinking of or am glancing over that I need to try?

Current list of options is only the Mk7 Fiesta ST. Hmm.

Any opinions appreciated. Thanks!

[GTiWILL]

What about a Toyota GT86?

Yes yes, I know it’s not a hatchback but it’s -

Reliable
Back seats fold down for the bike
I managed over 40mpg driving steadily
197bhp so adequately quick
Make you smile on a country lane.
Modern

Also...added benefits of rear wheel drive and LSD.
Nice gearbox
A bit different to the norm!

[DoubleD]

Megane RS250 is the pick for this.

[ZX10R NIN]

Megane RS250 the drivers hot hatch (better & more composed than the Fiesta imo) of choice.

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Astra GTC VXR A good steer & a sweet underrated daily

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

[anthonysjb]

Unfortunately I think the GT86 will feel a bit slow. The GTI is remapped, previous ST was stage 2 (245bhp), and without the torque it would feel like a step back. But thanks!

Megane 250 is a great shout. I'll have to research reliability etc more though, not sure!

[ZX10R NIN]

Reliability is no more of an issue than your GTI they really just seem to work.

[DoubleD]

Reliability isnt an issue

[GTiWILL]

anthonysjb said:

Unfortunately I think the GT86 will feel a bit slow. The GTI is remapped, previous ST was stage 2 (245bhp), and without the torque it would feel like a step back. But thanks!

Megane 250 is a great shout. I'll have to research reliability etc more though, not sure!

I had a MK5 Golf GTI along with a Civic Type R so I feel qualified in saying; I wouldn’t say the ‘86 feels slow in comparison, however I found an NA 1.6 MX5 perfectly acceptable! I’ve also driven the new Supra plenty and I think that fker is excessively quick for the road. Maybe I’m just a soft lad!

Anyway...I think you should be open minded and give a GT86 a try anyway. There’s a lot more to it’s appeal than its 0-60mph...appeal that won’t present itself until you are driving it down the road.

[blearyeyedboy]

anthonysjb said:

Megane 250 is a great shout. I'll have to research reliability etc more though, not sure!

Reliability is really good for that generation of Mégane.

And I'm no fanboy after my Mk1 Mégane tried to kill me with steering failure on a motorway...

[TheAlastair34]

JCW Mini

[anthonysjb]

MINI a touch small out back for the bike unfortunately... had a 5 door one as a courtesy car and was more of a pain than the Fiesta to get it in.

Megane 250s being researched currently. Cheers.

[Gio G]

What about an Audi S1? Not sure how big your bike is..Managed to shoe horn my mountain bike into it..

G

[anthonysjb]

Gio G said:

What about an Audi S1? Not sure how big your bike is..Managed to shoe horn my mountain bike into it..

G

A bit pricey for me unfortunately but would consider otherwise.

[Hammy98]

BMW 130i?

RWD hatch and from what I've read on here seemingly reliable, 280bhp N/A with a map.

Integra Type R? K20 engine is reliable if serviced accordingly. I see a chap commuting in his white one every morning.

You say you've done a Mk5 GTI already - what about an Edition 30? Decent bit more power on tap.

Can you get into a leggier Scirocco R at this price yet?


The Megane is definitely the best steer though.

[Obee72]

Loved my 130i and they are at the bottom of their depreciation curve if actually maybe slowly on the up. If you can get a low'ish miler then you'll love the straight 6 sound !! Very good in terms of reliability as they are the last of the 3.0 NA's before they started bolting turbo's onto them.

[anthonysjb]

130i is interesting for sure, but after something a bit newer. Same for the Megane 250, checking out the 265s!

Still, the little ST is ticking all the boxes. God damn.

[gashead1105]

anthonysjb said:

130i is interesting for sure, but after something a bit newer. Same for the Megane 250, checking out the 265s!

Still, the little ST is ticking all the boxes. God damn.

I had a Megane 250 when the first came out, on a cheap PCP deal they were doing at the time. I am also now on my second Mk 7 Fiesta ST. I therefore feel qualified to comment on this properly.

The 250 will feel a little faster, but it has a lot more grip (especially at the rear) and is just not as fun as the Fiesta. Plus, any Megane you get for c10k is surely going to be a good 5 years older than the Fiesta you'll get for your budget? Plus, you'll be surprised at the lack of fuel economy in the Megane if you drive it properly. TLDR - Fiesta over a 250 Megane, every time. Comparing to a 275 might be a different story...

[nickfrog]

TheAlastair34 said:

JCW Mini

The OP will need a small mountain bike if it's to fit in it.

Megane would be a good shout. I have put my mountain bike in it a few times too (Mk3) and that worked well with just the front wheel off.

[TheAlastair34]

anthonysjb said:

MINI a touch small out back for the bike unfortunately... had a 5 door one as a courtesy car and was more of a pain than the Fiesta to get it in.

Megane 250s being researched currently. Cheers.

ahh didnt read that bit sorry!

i agree i MTB alot and bought the clubman JCW to be fair not the hatch, its alot rarer than ther hatch and commands a price premium but i really like it had its 3 years now and still enjoy it unlike other hot hatchbacks i have owned

[aleksboch]

Honda Integra Type-R ?