Most fun "NEW" hot hatch?
Discussion
Around a year ago, I reluctantly traded in my 2009 R56 MINI Cooper against the mk7 Golf Estate that I now have due to a misfire that neither myself or my mechanic could diagnose and several unsuccessful attempts to switch out components to fix the problem. With the exception of efficiency, the Golf is better than the MINI objectively in every way but even a year down the line, I still find myself missing the MINI. Up until the engine issues, it had ran faultlessly for 3 years and it successfully combined a lot of the driving characteristics that I enjoyed about some of the older cars that I owned with some modern refinements to make it easier to live with.
My wife is also due a change of car and my intention was to give her the Golf and retain it as our family vehicle and get a cheap diesel for my commute (50 mile round trip). Having enquired about diesel cars on here having not owned one for a while, I'd pretty much settled on an older VAG car with a PD TDI lump as they seem pretty robust, reliable and capable of big mileages without major issues and I have had good experiences with them in the past. I've had several older Golf TDIs and a Polo TDI as company cars in the past, so thought that I might go with an Audi A2 TDI or an Audi A3 Sportback (8P?) with the 2.0 TDI PD engine, as I've never owned an Audi, they're fairly cheap and plentiful (well the A3s are anyway) and thought that I might try one for a change.
However, it got me thinking, the way things are going, it's fairly likely that my next car will be an EV. I'm OK with this but maybe for my last ICE daily, I should go for something a bit more fun?
I'm not set on a brand new car but generally like to drive a current model. The performance and all-round competence of the latest generation of mid-size hot hatches is very impressive but outright performance isn't the be-all-and-all for me, it's a 2nd car, so I don't really need the extra practicality (but have 2 kids, so need a back seat). I also suspect that the smaller, lighter class of hot hatches with around 200bhp are more fun to drive on the road and cheaper to run.
Naturally, my first thought was a MINI JCW (F56?). 230bhp in a small car like a MINI should be pretty fun, I don't love the looks (I think the R53/R56 generation looked a lot cleaner) but the extra rear/boot space and refinement would be welcome and hopefully the mechanical package (shared with the 1/3-Series?) should be more robust than the old Prince engine?
On the other hand, my wife has a bit of a downer on MINIs due to the issues that we had with ours but still loves the Fiat 500, of which we owned a 2009 1.2 model from new for 3.5 years. We never had an issue with this car, it was very economical and quite fun in its own way but quite a wild ride even at the speed limit on a bumpy B-road and the steering wasn't that great. However, my wife loves them, they look quite cool and although in my opinion they don't drive as well as the MINI they may possibly be a bit more practical and a 595 Competizione could be quite a fun and characterful little car.
The other possible contender is a mk8 Fiesta ST. I'm a fan of the mk7 but actually, the mk8 is growing on me and I think that the interior is significantly better. I applaud that they still offer it as a 3 door but actually, I think that the styling better suits 5 doors and it offers a bit more practicality than the MINI/Fiat. I've only driven a Titanium model and thought it was a nice car but found the steering a little "quick", which was a bit of a shame, as Ford's steering is normally very well-judged. It seems that these cars are a bit of a "theft magnet" too.
I can't really think of any other options, I don't want an auto, so not a Polo GTI or an RS Clio. I like the Up! GTI but perhaps it's a little light on power? A friend just bought a new Suzuki Swift Sport, got a fantastic deal on a new one and really loves it but I'm not sold on the looks and would rather have something different to him.
So what in your opinion is the most fun, "NEW" (as in current) hot hatch?
My wife is also due a change of car and my intention was to give her the Golf and retain it as our family vehicle and get a cheap diesel for my commute (50 mile round trip). Having enquired about diesel cars on here having not owned one for a while, I'd pretty much settled on an older VAG car with a PD TDI lump as they seem pretty robust, reliable and capable of big mileages without major issues and I have had good experiences with them in the past. I've had several older Golf TDIs and a Polo TDI as company cars in the past, so thought that I might go with an Audi A2 TDI or an Audi A3 Sportback (8P?) with the 2.0 TDI PD engine, as I've never owned an Audi, they're fairly cheap and plentiful (well the A3s are anyway) and thought that I might try one for a change.
However, it got me thinking, the way things are going, it's fairly likely that my next car will be an EV. I'm OK with this but maybe for my last ICE daily, I should go for something a bit more fun?
I'm not set on a brand new car but generally like to drive a current model. The performance and all-round competence of the latest generation of mid-size hot hatches is very impressive but outright performance isn't the be-all-and-all for me, it's a 2nd car, so I don't really need the extra practicality (but have 2 kids, so need a back seat). I also suspect that the smaller, lighter class of hot hatches with around 200bhp are more fun to drive on the road and cheaper to run.
Naturally, my first thought was a MINI JCW (F56?). 230bhp in a small car like a MINI should be pretty fun, I don't love the looks (I think the R53/R56 generation looked a lot cleaner) but the extra rear/boot space and refinement would be welcome and hopefully the mechanical package (shared with the 1/3-Series?) should be more robust than the old Prince engine?
On the other hand, my wife has a bit of a downer on MINIs due to the issues that we had with ours but still loves the Fiat 500, of which we owned a 2009 1.2 model from new for 3.5 years. We never had an issue with this car, it was very economical and quite fun in its own way but quite a wild ride even at the speed limit on a bumpy B-road and the steering wasn't that great. However, my wife loves them, they look quite cool and although in my opinion they don't drive as well as the MINI they may possibly be a bit more practical and a 595 Competizione could be quite a fun and characterful little car.
The other possible contender is a mk8 Fiesta ST. I'm a fan of the mk7 but actually, the mk8 is growing on me and I think that the interior is significantly better. I applaud that they still offer it as a 3 door but actually, I think that the styling better suits 5 doors and it offers a bit more practicality than the MINI/Fiat. I've only driven a Titanium model and thought it was a nice car but found the steering a little "quick", which was a bit of a shame, as Ford's steering is normally very well-judged. It seems that these cars are a bit of a "theft magnet" too.
I can't really think of any other options, I don't want an auto, so not a Polo GTI or an RS Clio. I like the Up! GTI but perhaps it's a little light on power? A friend just bought a new Suzuki Swift Sport, got a fantastic deal on a new one and really loves it but I'm not sold on the looks and would rather have something different to him.
So what in your opinion is the most fun, "NEW" (as in current) hot hatch?
I would wait until you can test drive a Toyota GR Yaris. After that you can still decide if it's not for you. It's a one of a kind car and you might regret it later if you go with a other car first.
That being said you haven't actually mentioned a budget in your post so it might be outside your price range. It's certainly more expensive than the likes of a Fiesta or Swift Sport for obvious reasons.
You shouldn't expect heavy rebates or depreciation to change that either.
That being said you haven't actually mentioned a budget in your post so it might be outside your price range. It's certainly more expensive than the likes of a Fiesta or Swift Sport for obvious reasons.
You shouldn't expect heavy rebates or depreciation to change that either.
Have a drive in an Audi S1. They go like stink, handle well and can even return 40mpg on a run. This is probably the best one for sale at the moment with a full complement of options:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10680174?c...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10680174?c...
Civic Type R. No other hot hatch comes close for my money, and I did extensive research! 
Fiesta ST is a good shout, but for me looks a bit plain to be a "hot hatch". I know Type R's looks are polarising, but it feels alive and edgy all the time you're driving it. I guess this could become wearing if you had a lengthy commute, but they are fun and extremely quick cars to drive, and maintain a manual box.
For the money, I don't think anything else comes close.
Fiesta ST is a good shout, but for me looks a bit plain to be a "hot hatch". I know Type R's looks are polarising, but it feels alive and edgy all the time you're driving it. I guess this could become wearing if you had a lengthy commute, but they are fun and extremely quick cars to drive, and maintain a manual box.
For the money, I don't think anything else comes close.
tomsugden said:
Have a drive in an Audi S1. They go like stink, handle well and can even return 40mpg on a run. This is probably the best one for sale at the moment with a full complement of options:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10680174?c...
I've always fancied one of those. https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10680174?c...
cerb4.5lee said:
I've always fancied one of those.
I've had one. Great cars but not in the same manner to the others being listed here. It doesn't make you grin like a kid, it definitely feels like it has more power than quoted though. I'd have another in heartbeat contrary to what I said when I sold it...!A 5 door mk8 ST would probably be ideal, I'm awaiting delivery of mine and hope to be in it by next weekend.
Knocks spots off my old Leon Cupra for fun factor that's for sure. VAG stuff tends to be anodyne in my experience.
The F56 mini may be worth a look but the 5 door just has the wrong proportions and apparently they're not as engaging as the R56 but I can't comment on that.
Knocks spots off my old Leon Cupra for fun factor that's for sure. VAG stuff tends to be anodyne in my experience.
The F56 mini may be worth a look but the 5 door just has the wrong proportions and apparently they're not as engaging as the R56 but I can't comment on that.
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