£9k - what do you buy? (hot hatch maybe)
Discussion
I've done this before and no doubt I'll do this again... I'm struggling to work out what car to buy this time round. Right now, I've got a Clio 182 which I don't hate but I want something a bit newer than 2004. I'm pretty certain I want a newer car of a similar feel, so another hot hatch but that's not a deal breaker as I'm single and very (very) rarely have other people in the car.
I'll have a maximum of £9k.
The shortlist so far is;
Fiesta ST180
Abarth 595
Megane RS of some sort
Golf GTI/Scirocco
208 GTI (although it would need to be a 'by Peugeot Sport' one and that's too much money I think)
The criteria are newer than 2010, not a million miles, better than the 30MPG which the 182 does, not a BMW (I've been there and I just don't want one this time) That's it though, anything goes other than that.
I'll have a maximum of £9k.
The shortlist so far is;
Fiesta ST180
Abarth 595
Megane RS of some sort
Golf GTI/Scirocco
208 GTI (although it would need to be a 'by Peugeot Sport' one and that's too much money I think)
The criteria are newer than 2010, not a million miles, better than the 30MPG which the 182 does, not a BMW (I've been there and I just don't want one this time) That's it though, anything goes other than that.
With your budget there's one car I'd be looking at before others & that's the Astra GTC VXR it has a similar setup to the RS Megane (LSD Revo Knuckle Suspension etc) they're a good steer & you'll get a nice 2013 one for your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144038876630?hash=item2...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103290...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144038876630?hash=item2...
Yep. To be honest. The two for that money as ZX states (as always with his unending car wisdom) are the GTC VXR and the Megane RS.
The Golf Gti - its a good allrounder. Goes to the shops well. Goes round a B-Road well. But its not got the hot hatch "fizz" that either of the above two have.
The Scirocco is not as good as the GTi. Looks ok, goes ok, but its not a hot hatch and just isn't as sorted as the GTi and its not on a par with either the Megane or the VXR.
I'm on the other side of the fence. I think the Megane is the winner.
Reasons why - They have similar set ups but the steering has a more natural and weighted feel in the Megane to the VXR. The gear shift is crisper and feels tighter in the Megane. You just feel all that bit more connected to the car. That said, i can't disagree the VXR is only a wee bit behind and its just my opinion and you'd need to drive both to see which you like more (if you ended up choosing either one of those).
The VXR on the other hand - you will get a newer car. I have to admit its a nicer place to sit i think, the seats are lovely and it has a rarity element to the Megane RS. I see a fair few of the Meg's on the road and certainly not as many GTC VXRs. Which when you add the Griffin badge into it - means you get a bit of a bargain.
Not sure i would offer up many alternatives really. At that price bracket, not included BMW and a hot hatch. Really it only leaves maybe -
The Audi S3 - you can get a 2011 model (sportback) with not a million miles on the clock.
Again - not as "fizzy" as the others but its a nice place to be and its definitely a good car. No arguing that. Just feel a little numb to drive in my experience/opinion.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...
If and i do mean IF you can find one and haggle you could get yourself a Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeotsport. This is a very good car. A very very good fun car. Maybe slightly underpowered compared to the others but honestly, it will make you laugh just how fun it can be. The Fiesta ST is as good maybe, but they are far more common not that i would discount them on that basis. Just for me they have a bit of a reputation these days as that "youth" car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
Lastly from me. I'll throw in the Toyota GT86.
No. Not a hot hatch but a dam fine looking and handling coupe that you can pick up within your £9k budget (maybe with a bit of haggling). These are a great car. So much fun, dynamic chassis, handling is superb. They don't have the "go" of a hot hatch but then its a different package. Engine needs to be worked, chassis needs to be used. Its a different recipe and whilst i think they are underpowered, i think its worth considering as an "out of the box" option, so i thought it was worth mentioning.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032...
The Golf Gti - its a good allrounder. Goes to the shops well. Goes round a B-Road well. But its not got the hot hatch "fizz" that either of the above two have.
The Scirocco is not as good as the GTi. Looks ok, goes ok, but its not a hot hatch and just isn't as sorted as the GTi and its not on a par with either the Megane or the VXR.
I'm on the other side of the fence. I think the Megane is the winner.
Reasons why - They have similar set ups but the steering has a more natural and weighted feel in the Megane to the VXR. The gear shift is crisper and feels tighter in the Megane. You just feel all that bit more connected to the car. That said, i can't disagree the VXR is only a wee bit behind and its just my opinion and you'd need to drive both to see which you like more (if you ended up choosing either one of those).
The VXR on the other hand - you will get a newer car. I have to admit its a nicer place to sit i think, the seats are lovely and it has a rarity element to the Megane RS. I see a fair few of the Meg's on the road and certainly not as many GTC VXRs. Which when you add the Griffin badge into it - means you get a bit of a bargain.
Not sure i would offer up many alternatives really. At that price bracket, not included BMW and a hot hatch. Really it only leaves maybe -
The Audi S3 - you can get a 2011 model (sportback) with not a million miles on the clock.
Again - not as "fizzy" as the others but its a nice place to be and its definitely a good car. No arguing that. Just feel a little numb to drive in my experience/opinion.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...
If and i do mean IF you can find one and haggle you could get yourself a Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeotsport. This is a very good car. A very very good fun car. Maybe slightly underpowered compared to the others but honestly, it will make you laugh just how fun it can be. The Fiesta ST is as good maybe, but they are far more common not that i would discount them on that basis. Just for me they have a bit of a reputation these days as that "youth" car.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
Lastly from me. I'll throw in the Toyota GT86.
No. Not a hot hatch but a dam fine looking and handling coupe that you can pick up within your £9k budget (maybe with a bit of haggling). These are a great car. So much fun, dynamic chassis, handling is superb. They don't have the "go" of a hot hatch but then its a different package. Engine needs to be worked, chassis needs to be used. Its a different recipe and whilst i think they are underpowered, i think its worth considering as an "out of the box" option, so i thought it was worth mentioning.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032...
Thanks for the replies.
I had a GT86 and didn't get on with it, it was great to throw around but I didn't like the power delivery and most of all, I couldn't get the seat back far enough so never felt comfortable in it.
The 208 seems like it's probably just a hair too much money. There is one on ebay at £10500 but it's modified and has cheap coilovers which puts me off. Good coilovers I could live with but cheap ones I just don't think will work.
The Astra I'd not even considered, the one thing which puts me off is the gearbox, I know a couple of people who have had them and they've both suffered from the common bearing problem. Still worth a look though.
I'm not fussed by the 'youth' image of the Fiesta but it does make it quite a lot harder to find a standard one.
Food for thought. Thanks.
I had a GT86 and didn't get on with it, it was great to throw around but I didn't like the power delivery and most of all, I couldn't get the seat back far enough so never felt comfortable in it.
The 208 seems like it's probably just a hair too much money. There is one on ebay at £10500 but it's modified and has cheap coilovers which puts me off. Good coilovers I could live with but cheap ones I just don't think will work.
The Astra I'd not even considered, the one thing which puts me off is the gearbox, I know a couple of people who have had them and they've both suffered from the common bearing problem. Still worth a look though.
I'm not fussed by the 'youth' image of the Fiesta but it does make it quite a lot harder to find a standard one.
Food for thought. Thanks.
Steve we're in agreement I agree the Megane is the better drivers car 
the reason I put the Astra ahead is because the OP wanted something newer & at his 9K budget the VXR ticked more boxes.
The Megane's are a little older but has the better chassis, the Astra counters with the better interior & by being slightly softer it's also a better daily, as you say they're a rare sight on a personal level I prefer the look of the Astra compared to the Megane.
Cup Chassis RS 250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
the reason I put the Astra ahead is because the OP wanted something newer & at his 9K budget the VXR ticked more boxes.The Megane's are a little older but has the better chassis, the Astra counters with the better interior & by being slightly softer it's also a better daily, as you say they're a rare sight on a personal level I prefer the look of the Astra compared to the Megane.
Cup Chassis RS 250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105032...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104111...
Robmarriott said:
Thanks for the replies.
I had a GT86 and didn't get on with it, it was great to throw around but I didn't like the power delivery and most of all, I couldn't get the seat back far enough so never felt comfortable in it.
The 208 seems like it's probably just a hair too much money. There is one on ebay at £10500 but it's modified and has cheap coilovers which puts me off. Good coilovers I could live with but cheap ones I just don't think will work.
The Astra I'd not even considered, the one thing which puts me off is the gearbox, I know a couple of people who have had them and they've both suffered from the common bearing problem. Still worth a look though.
I'm not fussed by the 'youth' image of the Fiesta but it does make it quite a lot harder to find a standard one.
Food for thought. Thanks.
I've supplied a fair few & know of one client who suffered this issue, also use it as a negotiating tool.I had a GT86 and didn't get on with it, it was great to throw around but I didn't like the power delivery and most of all, I couldn't get the seat back far enough so never felt comfortable in it.
The 208 seems like it's probably just a hair too much money. There is one on ebay at £10500 but it's modified and has cheap coilovers which puts me off. Good coilovers I could live with but cheap ones I just don't think will work.
The Astra I'd not even considered, the one thing which puts me off is the gearbox, I know a couple of people who have had them and they've both suffered from the common bearing problem. Still worth a look though.
I'm not fussed by the 'youth' image of the Fiesta but it does make it quite a lot harder to find a standard one.
Food for thought. Thanks.
I sent the client that had an issue to WG Motorworks who did a great job of sorting his issue with a same day drive in drive out service, as I remember it they also can carry out preventative work as well.
It may be worth giving them a call/website & seeing what the cost could be, then haggle hard.
There is this seemingly unmodified PS 208 GTI for sale a smidge over your 9k budget that would be worth a look if you want the 208:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104251...
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