RE: PH Service History: Hot hatch heaven

RE: PH Service History: Hot hatch heaven

Saturday 9th June 2018

PH Service History: Hot hatch heaven

With 80s hot hatch prices soaring out of reach, Scrof reckons the smart money's on turn-of-the-millennium models...



I don't know about you, but 10 minutes spent reading Naughty Nic's write-up of his drive in Honda's Civic Type R got me very much in the mood to buy one. Not that I hadn't been already, mind you; the Civic and its early-2000s ilk are starting to look like very smart buys now that earlier hot hatches are booming in value.

This was a classic era for hot hatches. Okay, it might not have felt it at the time, but looking back through modern eyes so used to homogenised, everything-has-a-four-pot-turbo powertrains, what's immediately obvious is what variety there was back then, with different manufacturers following their own individual paths to big power.

What's more, lots of these models are now available as cheaply as they'll ever be. Take the Civic, for example. This one caught my eye at just £2,995; granted, it's done more miles than some will be happy with, but there's a full service history and, with careful maintenance, it should easily be capable of another 100,000, if not more. In terms of screaming VTEC fun on a budget, there are few better choices. Or this 88k example won't set you back much more. The potential for these to shoot up in value while you weren't looking is huge, so get in there while you still can.


But as Nic said in his piece, the EP3 isn't for everyone. So what else is out there if you don't fancy it? Well, as American car enthusiasts are fond of saying, there ain't no substitute for cubic inches. So switch screaming VTEC trickery for a thumping engine in the form of a Volkswagen Golf R32. These have a reputation for lumpen handling in common with other 'hot' Mk4s, but in fact they're the exception to the rule, shuffling power between the two axles in order to minimise understeer and deliver plenty of grip and traction - so much to exploit a six-pot engine that manages both an appetite for top-end revs and slugging low-down torque.

They can still be had for relatively reasonable sums too, the £10,000 being asked for this 45k, historied example looking very decent next to some higher-mile cars going for in excess of £5,000 more. And now that they look so much cleaner and more elegant than the fussy Mk5 R32s, I can see those values creeping up further still; after all, short of a Clio, which is far costlier, where else are you going to find a V6-powered hot hatch for the same sort of cash?


Ah. Erm, it seems the answer to that question is 'here': this 49,000 mile MG ZS 180, on for the princely sum of £1,800. Which rather makes the R32 seem overpriced, doesn't it? OK, so the MG is rather rough-and-ready in handling terms by contrast, and the interior is a paper napkin to the Golf's leather apron, but the MG's still sharper and much more involving than you'd think. This one's been cherished, the mileage is low, and it's one of the newer, facelifted cars (though whether that's a good thing or not, given the quality dropped off as Rover's existence grew increasingly precarious, is your call). And while I'd question whether it'll go up in value any time soon, it certainly ain't getting any cheaper.

Of course, big-banger six-pots weren't the only alternative to the Honda's screaming four. Strapping a turbo on was a route oft-favoured by manufacturers, too - most famously with the Mk1 Focus RS. Of course, the days when you could pick up a tatty modified example for six grand have gone, but prices have been holding pretty steady for the past couple of years and, as is the way with all performance Fords, are due for another hike before too long.

All the more reason to get in quick; something like this clean-looking 2003 example would be just the ticket. The mileage is reasonable, the history's there and, with the exception of some inoffensive tinted rear windows, it looks to be standard. So much the better to enjoy that tearaway chassis and rorty, whistling engine. I've long said that any good quick Ford should be a little lairy, and the Mk1 RS certainly is that.


But maybe you don't fancy paying the fast Ford tax. I wouldn't blame you. So how about this Renaultsport Megane 225 F1 Team? The similarities with the Focus are uncanny: 2.0-litre turbo engine, 220-ish horsepower, front-drive chassis, aggro looks, low mileage, full history. The difference, of course, is that the Megane will cost you a third of the price. And as this is the F1 Team version, there isn't even the downside of the slightly blunted driving dynamics of the stock 225; the Cup chassis and special rear dampers see to that, and make it more than a match for the Focus RS.

What's more, I reckon there's headroom in the Megane's prices; not a huge amount, but Renaultsports Clios are bound to become the Peugeot 205 GTis of their day, pulling Megane prices up in just the same way as 309 GTis' have risen too. Don't come looking for a quick return on your investment, but if you want to have a whole heap of fun while you're waiting, there are few better ways to do it.

Author
Discussion

livinginasia

Original Poster:

846 posts

109 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
The focus mk1 RS is an amazing machine and I think totally undervalued. When you look at prices of RS escorts these can only increase, and you have a stonking car to play with while it does. Buy one and enjoy it !

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
livinginasia said:
The focus mk1 RS is an amazing machine
Sure is, but the megane R26 is every bit as good to drive and half the price.

Leins

9,416 posts

147 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
I’d throw the 325ti into this mix too

livinginasia

Original Poster:

846 posts

109 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Ahbefive said:
Sure is, but the megane R26 is every bit as good to drive and half the price.
I have tried, but I still can’t love it’s “ghetto booty”

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
I was never a fan at release but it has grown on me in the last couple of years as have a few other cars. It's funny how tastes change.

DBRacingGod

609 posts

191 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
130i M Sport: RWD, NA with BMW’s N52 amazeballs 3.0-litre straight six.
I chuffing love mine.

Avus Blue

106 posts

132 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Alfa 147 GTA? Great to look at, great engine and like the focus slightly wild to drive. Bound to go up for a good one before too much longer

minismithy90

19 posts

152 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
I think the R26 in a desirable colour, Glacier White or Liquid Yellow will start to creep up and probably just a bit ‘better’ drive than the Mk1 FRS aswell, but both very similar hot Hatches and both have the same ethos.




DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
The original RS focus stands out from the crowd with its looks. The new one blends into the back ground.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Leins said:
I’d throw the 325ti into this mix too
thumbup

Nice 6-pot noise like the R32 and 130i too

tim-jxv5n

238 posts

95 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Mk1 Leon cupra r

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
livinginasia said:
Ahbefive said:
Sure is, but the megane R26 is every bit as good to drive and half the price.
I have tried, but I still can’t love it’s “ghetto booty”
it is very frahnsh in its insistence on visual distinction, even at the cost of symmetry

might look better in some colours than others, mind

one of those "might not be for me, but I'm glad they're around" designs

the black wheels don't help, IMO


DickP

1,117 posts

149 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
What I like is how you can have depreciation-less motoring in something that's a bit more interesting to use with only the maintenance to be concerned about (which to be honest will be more than a shopping trolley shed, but that's a small trade off).

I also like the Focus mk1 RS. Always have. Not sure I want to have a go in one now though, I might be a bit disappointed having been in much more capable cars!

Limpet

6,293 posts

160 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
The ZS180 is an absolute bargain if you can put image to one side. If ever there was a car that was more than the sum of its parts, this is it. Tiff Needell rated it as one of the best handling front wheel drive chassis he'd ever come across at the time.

I was offered a tidy 80,000 mile one last year for nothing that has been sitting outside for 5 years. It has a leaky radiator (with a good second hand replacement in the boot that just needs fitting), and the interior has been stripped to track down a water leak, and never refitted.It's all there, but in boxes.

A gallon of fresh Unleaded and a pair of jump leads, and it fired up instantly and sounded lovely. Gears engage, clutch worked etc. But it needed entirely recommissioning, All four tyres are badly perished, and misshapen as they've been allowed to go flat, brakes are seized, cambelt also overdue,and I'm sure the rubber in the suspension has probably gone the same way as the tyres. A set of decent tyres alone would have been pushing half the value of it all finished, so I passed. It's a shame though, as it really was too good to scrap.

Edited by Limpet on Saturday 9th June 16:43

big_rob_sydney

3,394 posts

193 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Whichever you look at, I'd say have a look also at the numbers produced. If they were built in their thousands, then its unlikely they'll shoot up in value like something which was a special edition made in the hundreds.

And by special edition, I don't mean simply a few pin stripes.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
The original RS focus stands out from the crowd with its looks. The new one blends into the back ground.
Absolutely!

The Mk1 FRS is a certified PH classic. Anyone who thinks otherwise is an unfortunate soul.

SlimJim16v

5,617 posts

142 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Limpet said:
The ZS180 is an absolute bargain if you can put image to one side. If ever there was a car that was more than the sum of its parts, this is it. Tiff Needell rated it as one of the best handling front wheel drive chassis he'd ever come across at the time.
Yes, I'd hardly call that "rough-and-ready in handling".

ortontom

581 posts

260 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Oh dear....the r32 just understeered, the Focus was ok (had one from new) drunk fuel like a fish, and on track with just a bit dull. The r26 is probably the better one to have, but being French it will start an argument about nothing - mine had a spring detach from the clutch pedal during a track day. So out of that lot Id still have a Boxster S, lol

coldel

7,732 posts

145 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
I really fancied going for a FRS a couple of years back, was going to throw £9k at a 60k miles one, have gone up a fair bit since then. But what put me off is climbing into it that it didnt feel special enough to be that fun car I love to get in at the weekend. I do love the looks of it though, will no doubt continue to rise in value (for no other reason than this countries bizarre fascination with the Dagenham brand!)

Teggers

111 posts

199 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
ortontom said:
Oh dear....the r32 just understeered, the Focus was ok (had one from new) drunk fuel like a fish, and on track with just a bit dull. The r26 is probably the better one to have, but being French it will start an argument about nothing - mine had a spring detach from the clutch pedal during a track day. So out of that lot Id still have a Boxster S, lol
I liked the Focus. Never had one myself but I did work for Ford when they were released and had the pleasure of a “training” day where we got to throw them around a track for an afternoon. That and the Mondeo st220. That was a fun day... I’ve had a good few hot hatches, mostly Peugeot GTi badged... 205 (several), 106, 306... and honestly, I loved them all.

I have a Renaultsport Megane as my daily trundle to work over the Lincolnshire wolds. It was the more family friendly version of the previous Clio 172 and in the last year I’ve done over 20000 miles in it, completely trouble free. I never bought it as an investment, I bought it because I thought it would be a nice fun daily. I was right.

As for the weekend car? I was pleased to see a version of it at the top of the page as a “hero’s” feature today! Although my Evo is a 1993 second generation version, it drives perfectly and is devastatingly quick. It will be going in for a spot of minor preventative maintenance so it will hopefully last another 25 years!