Sporty frugal hot hatch/coupe. 7-10k

[Legacywr]

I’m in the market for a sporty hot hatch, coupe, maybe a small 4x4 to run alongside my Mustang. The performance isn’t the main criteria, fuel consumption is pretty important though. I’d want rear seats for my grandchildren too.

I guess I could go to £10k for the right car, but I’d be happier at a lower price point.

I’d be wanting a quality car, low owners, reasonable mileage, no mods.

Current cars on my mind are…

Golf GTI Mk5 or Mk6, I think that I’d go for a DSG, so that I have the option of an auto against my manual Mustang.

Scirocco, as above, but is the 1.4 worth considering?

Suzuki Swift Sport.

Seat Leon Cupra, maybe an FR?

Mk7 Fiesta ST. This should be too of the list, but I can’t help thinking they look a little odd? The 5 door Fissta is a much better looking car?

An Audi A3 or A1, maybe in Quattro form.

Best to add, I don’t want a 1 series, or any Vauxhall’s… just one of those things

[trevalvole]

The thread linked below has some useful info on VAG 1.4TSI engines:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

But if you are looking at these engines with a DSG, then unlike the 2.0TSI ones they'll be dry-clutch and it took them a long time to get them right, if they ever did.

Edited by trevalvole on Wednesday 2nd February 18:39

[georgeyboy12345]

Sounds like you want a diesel "warm" hatch - all under £30 a year to tax (the Volvo is 0!), genuine 50+mpg, ULEZ compliant and decent performance too

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 JTD-M 175 TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...


Volvo V40 D4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...


Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

[MDL111]

I really like my 2012 RS Clio - great to drive, small, relatively frugal

[ZX10R NIN]

If you can live with a manual then the Astra GTC SRI 140 is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111290...

Or you can get an Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

Clio GT Line 120 these are auto as standard

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201311...

Kia ProCeed GT Tech manual only:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201151...

Giulietta Sportiva auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201301...

[georgeyboy12345]

Or if you want to avoid the black pump, here are some petrol alternatives

Alfa Romeo Giulietta TB Multiair
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...


DS3 1.6 THP
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111270...


If you want something with the 1.4 TSI engine, then a Seat Leon with a manual gearbox is a good idea (avoid the DQ200 autos paired with this engine). These are only £20 a year to tax and get 40+ mpg
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...


Or if you want an auto, the 1.8 TSI DSG is a better combo as they use the better wet clutch DQ250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109177...

[Legacywr]

Sorry, should have said, no diesels.

Those Alfa’s seem to pop up in a lot of these threads. I don’t know much about them?

[Legacywr]

MDL111 said:

I really like my 2012 RS Clio - great to drive, small, relatively frugal

I’m sure this is a good shout, only problem is, I looked at RS Megane in 2011, I found it much to harsh and a bit cheap inside. I’m guessing the Clio will be similar?

[Legacywr]

This caught my eye…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-st-150-/275...

[Pixelpeep 135]

I don't see any mention of a Civic type R here...?

Hugely practical cars, great fun, pretty reasonable on fuel if you're not a permeant resident of vtec ya'll and as reliable as hell!

[rampageturke]

7K seems an awful lot for an ST150. That's getting really close to the mk7 ST which is a much much better car.

[Legacywr]

rampageturke said:

7K seems an awful lot for an ST150. That's getting really close to the mk7 ST which is a much much better car.

Agreed it’s too much money. But it’s interesting, and there won’t be many left like that.

[Legacywr]

What are the Fiat 500 Abarth’s like? Funky little things

[Canon_Fodder]

Legacywr said:

What are the Fiat 500 Abarth’s like? Funky little things

Dodgy driving position - not recommended for medium or long runs

[Jamescrs]

Legacywr said:

This caught my eye…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-st-150-/275...

I owned one for around 18 months, they are pretty well made inside, probably better so than the Clios of a similar age, relatively comfortable seats and handle brilliantly, the downside is they are relatively underpowered compared to similar Clio's.

The Fiesta is 150bhp where a similar Clio is going to be circa 180bhp. You can definitely get a decent Fiesta for around 4k.

[Zetec-S]

Legacywr said:

Mk7 Fiesta ST. This should be too of the list, but I can’t help thinking they look a little odd? The 5 door Fissta is a much better looking car?

How about a 5 door ST-Line Fiesta? I get what you say about the 3 door Fiesta, although I quite like them, I agree the 5 door is proportionally a little nicer. The 140bhp engine, although not hot-hatch, is still good fun.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202012...

[Pixelpeep 135]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11874338

Something like this?

Boots are massive, magic rear seats which fold up and down, great fun, reliable & quick ish?

[Roboticarm]

Legacywr said:

What are the Fiat 500 Abarth’s like? Funky little things

They are awesome ! I've had 2, both new. First was in 2014, factory order in complete base spec, second was in 2019 a pre reg turismo.

The difference between the 135 bhp and 165 bhp models is more than noticeable so I'd avoid the base spec

Sold my first 1 as needed a diesel for a long commute, sold my 2nd as it was lockdown and I was paying finance for a car I wasn't using. Would have another in a heart beat.

People mention the seating position but I've never had a problem and there are 3 totally different seats between the 3 spec levels so worth trying which is best for you.

Every drive is an event, great in all conditions and I've done 3 hour motorway runs 4 up without issue.

[Roboticarm]

P.s I know prices are crazy but those ST150s were £2k not that long ago, admittedly that ones low mileage and a nice colour but wow....

[rampageturke]

Legacywr said:

What are the Fiat 500 Abarth’s like? Funky little things

Probably a bit too new for your budget, but I had a 2016 S4 595 180 comp, and I loved it, I really regret getting rid of it and not using it much. The high seating position didn't give me an issue (i'm about 5ft 10) and the hard sabelts didn't either (i'm still young!)

Look for one in a lairy colour, they're not meant to be boring colours And the sound from the Monza exhaust

Remember it is still a 500 body, so they're small, but kind of tall. I think it's worth a look and a test drive at the least.

Here was mine with 10 miles on the clock, my sole motivation for getting one was because fiesta STs were too common.

Edited by rampageturke on Thursday 3rd February 11:42