Spec me a 6k hot hatch

dale1uk

dale1uk

dale1uk

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Ok this years trip to the Nurburgring is booked up (:D) and as much fun as its been throwing the astra round I've decided to sell it and get something better.

Looking to spend around 6k max, less if possible, and idealy wanting something similar size to what I've got (3dr astra), so that rules out the 182, and also no older (2000 'W'). The car will only be used on weekends and the odd evening as I have a company work van, so ride comfort, mpg ect isnt as important as it would be if using it daily. Obviously looking for something quick, decent handling, and that will take the odd occasional abuse on b-roads and the 'Ring :D Insurance wise I'm ok with most things - 27, 8yrs nc, 0 points

Things I've been thinking about are the Civic Type R, S3, Megane 225, LCR. Suggestions for others welcome.

So what hot hatch do you reckon would be best for this budget?
 
Richdog said:
Clio 182 would be my choice for 6k I think. Quick, great NA engine (less to go wrong), great handling. Perfect.
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Just the size of it, dont want a small car, and the interior put me off. Also it's french, and my past experiance with french cars is enough to put me off for life! :p (the magane 225 interest is just a bit of a wild card)
 
I know people are probably going to say it's not a hot hatch, more a warm hatch, but something that may fit your requirement... size wise and handling wise (i.e. b-roads) could be the Fez ST? Also, if you spend a little bit of cash, you can get the power up to 170-180bhp. Just something to add into the mix. :)
 
If you already have a car for general use and this is just a weekend car, why not get something more exciting than a hot hatch?

Something along the lines of an MX5 then cash left over for turbo / supercharger? You'll get much more out of it as a weekend car.

What about a kit car? (I know nothing about them other than they look fun as hell)
 
I'd have the EK9, technically superior and looks much cooler too. I'm a self-confessed fanboy though so feel free to write off my advice as junk :p
 
excaliborg said:
If you already have a car for general use and this is just a weekend car, why not get something more exciting than a hot hatch?

Something along the lines of an MX5 then cash left over for turbo / supercharger? You'll get much more out of it as a weekend car.

What about a kit car? (I know nothing about them other than they look fun as hell)
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This has been thought about very hard and I've been looking at at turbo mx5s. The problem is that the astra hardly gets used through the week due to having my works van so I'd be left with my astra and an mx5 both sitting during the week and only getting used for the odd day here and there, so I couldnt justify paying for 2 lots of insurance, tax, servicing ect. My thinking is a farly decent hot hatch will do for the time being till I can justify my mx5 urge!
 
I know you've already mentioned the size issue but I really can't recommend a 182 enough. If you haven't done so already, I urge you to take one for a test drive around the B-roads. I've had two and never really found it to be too small. Had an Astra similar to yours as a courtesy car a while back and it didn't seem much different in size.

Also never had a single problem in terms of reliability with either of them.
 
Firegod said:
Ohhkayy. VTec y0 and all that. I see.
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Sorry to dissappoint but i've never owned a VTEC in my life, I was just thinking logically. The Fiesta ST is gutless... why would you buy a car as feeble as that and then pay MORE to make it only semi-decent... when you can just buy a far superior car that will blow it out of the water at stock? Doesn't make sense.
 
ill say it, because i have one...

Corolla T Sport... 1.8VVTLi 190bhp. (or celica 190)

okay so its a bit VTEC'y in its power delivery but its damn good fun! Who doesnt want to rev out to over 8200rpm in a hatchback? is probably a bit soft compared to say a Civic Type R, im getting lowering springs fitted to mine in the not so distant future!
 
I would recommend the Leon Cupra R myself, you should be able to find a nice one for 6K now. It's not a nasty little French biscuit tin like the Clio (sorry guys, but it really is, however fast it is) it's much more comfortable and refined than the CTR, indeed it also does not need absolutely thrashing to get the power out of it either.

What I would actually recommend for fun, at that price point though, is a BMW 325i or a 330i if you can find a good one at that price. Great engines, rear wheel drive and really nice cars to drive for normal stuff too.

Edit: Almost forgot, push me to choose one of the other mentioned, I would say the Civic Type R ...but if you've never driven a VTEC car before you really should before making any decisions, it;s a bit of a different experience, some love it, some don't.
 
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No they are not hot hatches, but they will do anything those hatches will do (except fitting awkward loads in the back), at least as well, many things better. So I do not think they are irrelevant, maybe the op isn't interested (fair enough), but maybe he hasn’t really considered them because they are not hatches, and to dismiss them so quickly, when you are after a car that is fun to drive, is a bit silly really.
 
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