Hot hatch under £5k

[raceboy]

Looking for a replacement for my aging EP3 shape Civic Type R, had it 3 years and it’s time for a change.
Budget of £5k but don’t mind spending less.
Current front runners include the FN2 shape Civic Type R, Mk5 Golf GTi, and Clio 192 but what else is out there, or any pitfalls with the current short list...

[raceboy]

Some good ideas, can’t say I’d ever though about a Megane, not exactly the prettiest thing in the car park though.
I do quite like the Clio though, but it must have the Recaros.
Would be tempted with a 130i, or any large petrol engine 1 Series but they are rarer than hens teeth.
TT isn’t big enough, I need the hatchback to get 2 push bikes in on a regular basis, although it’s not out the question if I borrow SWMBO’s car for bike duties, but then I can go completely ‘off piste’

[raceboy]

I do like the EP3 it puts a smile on my face on a Monday morning even after spending time in the weekend toy, but mine isn’t what you call ‘Concours’ and is nicknamed the Chavic in the household, wouldn’t mind a nice stock Premiere Edition, butI fancy a change too.

[raceboy]

To be honest the Megane is just too Fugly, and a bit too big, aesthetics are more important than out right speed and dynamics, I'd be more tempted with a Twingo Sport if the bikes would fit.

[raceboy]

I'd consider a Focus as too big, and equally as fugly, or to be honest just a bit 'meh', the Golf is pushing the size a bit, a Polo would be better if the bikes fit.

[raceboy]

Ahbefive said:

But then it seems the OP wants a luke warm supermini rather than a hot hatch.

My problem, as ever, is wanting something no one seems to make.
Had a look at the new Civic Type R yesterday...HOW BIG IS IT!
The current Jazz is as big as my EP3, how about a Jazz Type R Honda? Or a Polo 'R'
Happy at about 200bhp in a package no bigger than the EP3, at this rate I'm keeping the Civic.

[raceboy]

ZX10R NIN said:

Another good alternative to the 130i is the 3.2 Audi A3 (basically it's a R32 underneath) which is a very good & capable car.

The Audi, although quite nice has ruled itself out of the running by being £520 a year to tax, I don't mind, well I do mind, but tolerate paying that for the Aston but not for the daily.
I've found a local dealer that appears to have a few of these sort of class cars in stock so going to have a pop over at my earliest convenience and rule a few more out.

[raceboy]

After being busy for just about every weekend since starting this thread I finally got chance to go car shopping, and based on what I liked the look of for sale within a sensible distance, and the with a bit of luck should be picking this up tonight.



A bit tatty around the edges, but for a daily hack that's fine and well under the original budget.

[raceboy]

Renaultsport Clio 197 F1 R27

[raceboy]

zedx19 said:

Never has anyone on here uttered the words "meh" to a 5 cylinder 20v turbo before.

I've owned a Mk4 Golf GTi

Shiv_P said:

Did the gearbox issues not worry you?

At this price point everything has something to worry you about, there was a tiny 'grunch' between 2 of the gears on the test drive but that could just have been me, we'll see how it drives on the way home when it gets a bit more of a workout.
If it needs a new box in the not too distant future it'll sting a bit but pails into insignificance compared to the bills my other car can throw my way, so fingers crossed it lasts a while.

[raceboy]

True, I just saw 20v Turbo , but the other downside of the Focus is you end up with a car that looks like a Focus on the outside.