If you had 25,000 to spend, would you...

neocon said:
If you wanted a fast hot hatch and had 25,000 to spend, what would you buy?

Here are some ideas

Used 2009 Mitsubishi Evo 10 FQ330 - 25,000

Used 2010 Ford Focus RS - 22,000
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I wouldn't spend 25 large on a hot hatch that's more prevalent with younger drivers.

I'd prefer something a bit more grown up. Unless you're <25 then you could have things like

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2221110.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2167130.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2156674.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2181231.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2276249.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2258679.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2244333.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2215345.htm

Granted none of these cars are of any use to you if you want a hot hatch. But i'm making a point that it buys SERIOUS metal. There's a 575bhp supercharged V8 in that list ! Can't think why you'd want to stick to front wheel drive hot hatches when this money buys this sort of machinery.
 
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neocon said:
Used 2008 Subaru WRX STIs are fairly cheap, 15,000-16000. The stats indicate a lot of bang for buck. Anyone own one?
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The Subarus are excellent value for money.

There are a few owners on here. I'd suggest going for either a 2005 Blob eye. Like so:

[http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2309207.htm

Which can be had for 10 - 12k.

Why the 2005 ? the 2005 Model had revised track & suspension, revised interior, and different multispoke alloys as standard. It also came with DCCD (driver controlled centre differential) that enables you to change the way the drive is split between the front / rear wheels on the fly (previously only available on jap imports) Those are the key differences, but the 2005 model is the one to have if you want a blobeye.

2003 / 2004 model

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2257794.htm

2005 revised model

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2309207.htm

Notice the different multispoke alloys and Bolt on Rear Arch extensions for the wider rear track.





If you're willing to go up to 16k and above, you can get a "Hawkeye" 2006 / 2007 model. However i would highly advise against a UK Hawkeye. There are threads all over the Subaru forums about problems with the 2.5L engine in the UK Hawkeye. The 2005 Blob eye uses a 2.0L engine that's different and doesn't suffer from these problems.

To avoid this, look for a JDM import with the 2.0L engine with the TwinScroll turbo. The most common ones imported are the Spec C models. But there are a few others. I did a massive post on the different japanese models Here

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18205088&highlight=hawkeye

This is a rarer Spec C Type RA

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2170254.htm

As with the normal Spec C, its highly tunable, will do 400 BHP easily with a bolt on exhaust + turbo and a remap. And with 4x4 transmission to cope with the extra power, something that arguably doesnt apply to most hot hatches.

However, both the Evo you mentioned above, and the Subarus are quite hard to insure for younger drivers. I dont know your age, but its worth bearing in mind when comparing with hot hatches that can be cheaper to insure.

See my post above about what sort of metal 25k gets you. If you arent that set on a hot hatch (which you appear not to be looking at Subarus and Evos) i'd highly advise looking around and doing some test drives to find what you like.
 
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iaind said:
"thinking mans m3" - I like it
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"thinking mans m3" - I cringed at it!

If I was after a hot hatch for that kind of money I would probably go for a Golf GTi with DSG.

As with most others though if I had that kind of money I wouldn't be buying a hot hatch.
 
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If I had £25k and it HAD to be a hot hatch, it'd be the Audi S3. You could easily get a very well-specced facelift for that.

Not the fastest or most exciting hot hatch, but I love them so.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2072102.htm.

2009audis3sportback.jpg


The Focus is more capable without a doubt, but whenever I see them driving around they just look like they've been through the Halfords design studio.
 
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Its a shame they cant sort out that cheap nasty 2 bob interior.
 
The car doesn't have to be a hot hatch, the only reason I wrote it was because I didn't know what cars such EVOs are classified as.
 
Robbie G said:
Why don't you edit your OP then? If people aren't going to answer the actual question then you might as well reflect that in your first post.
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Yes, sorry

@MrLOL

The modified Subarus look awesome, but i'm worried about buying something thats been modified, since I have no idea about it. I mean, aren't cars like that usually thrashed by the owners?
 
neocon said:
Yes, sorry

@MrLOL

The modified Subarus look awesome, but i'm worried about buying something thats been modified, since I have no idea about it. I mean, aren't cars like that usually thrashed by the owners?
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there are plenty more around if the big mods list worries you

If you want a nice standard one, how about this :

its under you 25k budget, and brand new almost

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2304508.htm

Being a jap import its PLG road tax of ~ £225 a year.


There are a reasonable ammount of Spec Cs for sale. If you want a Hawkeye Spec C, just wait for an unmodified one to come up thats a bit older.
 
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