3 Worst Hot Hatches of the 80 s
Discussion
Having had the thread of the your favourite hot hatches of the 80’s, I thought it might be interesting to do the 3 worst. This can be based on an unpleasant ownership experience, an experience driving them or just one you simply didn’t like.
1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox’s didn’t last long, head gasket’s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It’s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox’s didn’t last long, head gasket’s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It’s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
My Mother had an MG Maestro back in the mid 80s. I think Dad was answering a mid-life crisis call (he is 91 now).
We were reminiscing over Christmas the daft things we did over the years and I guess one of his was when he took Mum on a road trip in the aforementioned wagon through Europe to Budapest in 1987.
Possibly brave, maybe foolhardy but, they made it back without mis-hap!
As said - It was a proper pudding!
We were reminiscing over Christmas the daft things we did over the years and I guess one of his was when he took Mum on a road trip in the aforementioned wagon through Europe to Budapest in 1987.
Possibly brave, maybe foolhardy but, they made it back without mis-hap!
As said - It was a proper pudding!
My mum had the first of the XR3 - I probably never drove it but if I did I'm sure compared to my FS1E, Bond Bug, or 1600E it would have been fantastic, its not something I look for but I can't remember the last time I saw a Non injection for sale, must be rare now ?
Similar to above post my dad now 90 took my mum, her sister, and her fella to the south of France in the late 1950's in an old MG saloon, broke a rear leaf spring and had to spend most of the 2 week holiday money getting a blacksmith in France to make one !
I think twice about taking anything but the newer stuff nowadays without AA 5 star insurance :-)
Similar to above post my dad now 90 took my mum, her sister, and her fella to the south of France in the late 1950's in an old MG saloon, broke a rear leaf spring and had to spend most of the 2 week holiday money getting a blacksmith in France to make one !
I think twice about taking anything but the newer stuff nowadays without AA 5 star insurance :-)
Bought an MG Metro brand new in 1985 when I was 19.
Lovely for the first day, then bits started falling off it, the engine blew up on it (racing round the North Circular a lot) and had to have some costly repair at a garage in Kings Cross.
The finance was crippling and trying to sell the thing after three years at the secondhand places down Romford Road was difficult. Remember one dealer asking if I lived at the seaside as it was so rusty.
Awful car.
That and my old Rover P5B Coupe still give me nightmares.
Lovely for the first day, then bits started falling off it, the engine blew up on it (racing round the North Circular a lot) and had to have some costly repair at a garage in Kings Cross.
The finance was crippling and trying to sell the thing after three years at the secondhand places down Romford Road was difficult. Remember one dealer asking if I lived at the seaside as it was so rusty.
Awful car.
That and my old Rover P5B Coupe still give me nightmares.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Having had the thread of the your favourite hot hatches of the 80 s, I thought it might be interesting to do the 3 worst. This can be based on an unpleasant ownership experience, an experience driving them or just one you simply didn t like.
1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox s didn t last long, head gasket s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
The MG Metro was truly terrible. I know someone who bought one new without realising they were only 4 speed! By then pretty much every decent spec car had a 5 speed.1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox s didn t last long, head gasket s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
To add to the shame it was badged as a 4r2 as if it had similar credentials to a 6r4! I believe the 4r2 was a dealer special, ie not even an official model, just some stickers put on by the main dealer.
The Escort RS Turbo Mk 2 I had back in the late eighties was absolutely abysmal and next to the Rover 220 turbo coupe easily the worst car I ever owned .
Today I look at them for sale and unlike the early RS Fords of the seventies I feel absolutely nothing for them. I don’t have one pleasant memory .
Today I look at them for sale and unlike the early RS Fords of the seventies I feel absolutely nothing for them. I don’t have one pleasant memory .
A500leroy said:
Chevette hs anyone?
Chevette HS is quite rightly an icon. Loving the posts on the MG Metro and Maestro.
Whilst the original non injected XR3 might have had a few issues that were highly desirable and held their value well.
I’d have a yellow one with the striped seats any day.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Chevette HS is quite rightly an icon.
Loving the posts on the MG Metro and Maestro.
Whilst the original non injected XR3 might have had a few issues that were highly desirable and held their value well.
I d have a yellow one with the striped seats any day.
Highly desirable and held their value?Loving the posts on the MG Metro and Maestro.
Whilst the original non injected XR3 might have had a few issues that were highly desirable and held their value well.
I d have a yellow one with the striped seats any day.
Not from what I can remember.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Having had the thread of the your favourite hot hatches of the 80 s, I thought it might be interesting to do the 3 worst. This can be based on an unpleasant ownership experience, an experience driving them or just one you simply didn t like.
1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox s didn t last long, head gasket s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
Nothing wrong with a 360 - civilised RWD hatch with a big torquey engine and a transaxle. Even the base ones were nicely balanced and lots of fun as soon as there was any sign of rain.1. MG Metro
I travelled a few thousand miles in an 86 version of this and what a horrible thing they are. That A Series Engine sounds just awful and mated to a 4 speed gearbox, the thing just whines away.
The gearbox s didn t last long, head gasket s blew and the things just rusted away.
2. MG Maestro
A total pudding of a car. I drive a few and they were just awful. Why when you could buy an Astra GTE, XR3i, Strada 130 TC would anyone covet this ugly car.
3. Volvo 360 GLT
It s a 300 Series Volvo with just no sporting dynamics. Who would bypass the competition for one of these.
I'd have to agree that the MG Metro had no redeeming features, unless you had a hankering for white wheels, bumpers etc. and red seat belts!
If we are including cars that size I'd add the Fiesta Supersport to the list with the same drivetrain as a 1300S but a few trinkets like RS alloys bolted on.
The first XR3s were also dire, adding the "i" at least made them acceptable.
I quite liked the MG Maestro though. While it did roll a bit, that meant the ride was much better than an XR and it handled well enough.
Although the one I had was lightened, having been stripped and caged then fitted with Cobra bucket seats and harnesses!
I enjoyed a few track days, although driving there and back was a bit tiresome.
If we are including cars that size I'd add the Fiesta Supersport to the list with the same drivetrain as a 1300S but a few trinkets like RS alloys bolted on.
The first XR3s were also dire, adding the "i" at least made them acceptable.
I quite liked the MG Maestro though. While it did roll a bit, that meant the ride was much better than an XR and it handled well enough.
Although the one I had was lightened, having been stripped and caged then fitted with Cobra bucket seats and harnesses!
I enjoyed a few track days, although driving there and back was a bit tiresome.
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