Best second hand hot hatch?

[srebbe64]

One of my daughters has totalled her car so I’m going to give her our ‘donkey’ (Toyota Yaris) so am thinking of buying a second hand Golf GTI to replace it (classless, bit of poke) any other suggestions?

[RS93]

What’s the budget ?

[ZX10R NIN]

Lots but it depends on how much you want to spend?

[Skyrocket21]

Octavia VRS, more practical i.e bigger boot etc and more under the radar. Golf GTI is a peach though if you don't need any extra space.

[AJB88]

Budget and age?

[srebbe64]

Up to £20k??

[The Rotrex Kid]

Civic Type R or Megane RS

[ZX10R NIN]

If it has to be VAG it'd be the S3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010225...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

or the Leon Cupra:300

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010144...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...

i30N Performance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

308 GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...

But also think about the RS3 as it'll offset it's slightly higher running costs with lower depreciation

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010165...

A45 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

[MrGTI6]

Not a conventional hot hatch, but I'd be looking at an M140i. And then I'd take it to Litchfield!

[Belle427]

Golf R gets no love here but it is really hard to beat.

[VeeFource]

Belle427 said:

Golf R gets no love here but it is really hard to beat.

Subjectively I think the Audi S1 does and is more of an alternative machine. I say that because I haven't driven a Golf R but a lot of people on the S1 forum have come from one and find the S1 has a lot more character and is less clinical. Sporty Golfs are everywhere like the BMs and also a fair bit bigger than a Yaris. But if the OP is after practicality per buck then yeah, he'd be best looking elsewhere than an S1.

Edited by VeeFource on Saturday 31st October 20:53

[Heaveho]

If reliability is an issue, the i30N is at the top of the list in the suggestions above.

[DoubleD]

Megane RS275 will be the most fun for your money.

[anonymous-user]

Megane, I30N, Golf R, M140i, Focus RS, A45 AMG, RS3. Loads of cars available for £20k.

[randomman]

I had this exact same quandary a few weeks ago.

I pick up my 140i in three hours.

I had the usual shortlist, the golf r was very capable but ultimately it felt a bit anticlimactic overall. I didn't feel that the DSG box added anything over the ZF8 (except being more awkward at slow speeds). I have a soft spot for Leons but, despite what some would have you believe, it just never felt happy putting its power down.

The golf GTi perhaps got the short straw with me as I hopped back into my Fiesta ST afterwards and, apart from build quality, didn't feel like it added much else.

I didn't put too much though into the Mégane overall, I'm perfectly willing to accept it's good at what it does, it just wasn't going to be where I put my money.

Where the BMW did it for me, it managed to feel a bit more grown up and a bit more lairy at the same time. No other hatch out there (short of the RS3 IMO) can match the engine note or the shove of mid range torque. In a darker colour it's pretty innocuous to the untrained eye. And, most importantly, it has a
reasonable exhaust/cylinder ratio.

[ZX10R NIN]

When it comes to engine notes you forgot (as did I) about the Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

[jwilco]

ZX10R NIN said:

When it comes to engine notes you forgot (as did I) about the Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

More of a midsize estate than a hot hatch.

[srebbe64]

I’m inclining towards a 4 door Golf R.

[DoubleD]

jwilco said:

ZX10R NIN said:

When it comes to engine notes you forgot (as did I) about the Polestar V60

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

More of a midsize estate than a hot hatch.

Yeah that isnt a hot hatch

[jwilco]

srebbe64 said:

I’m inclining towards a 4 door Golf R.

Can't go wrong with a Golf R. I would recommend trying to find one with the adaptive dampers if you do as they really do help with making it a car for all situations. Same applies if you fancied a GTI.