5k - Warm Hatch/Coupe

[TW]Fox;22189672 said:
So what about a Focus ST stops it being 'special' in a way those cars were? Sure it isn't the Nostalgia speaking? Styling and interior wise they were closer to the regular cars back then than a Focus ST is to a Focus Zetec today..
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Not sure it was about the styling and interior for the original GTi's. It was about power and handling, surely? They were more like wolves in sheep's clothing, with the handling to boot, compared to the rest of the market. A Focus ST is quick, but is it surprisingly quick, like a Mk1 Golf GTi was back in the late 70's?
 
Dabbles said:
Not sure it was about the styling and interior for the original GTi's. It was about power and handling, surely? They were more like wolves in sheep's clothing, with the handling to boot, compared to the rest of the market. A Focus ST is quick, but is it surprisingly quick, like a Mk1 Golf GTi was back in the late 70's?
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They were not big power cars. The Focus ST has no shortage of power for the sort of car it is!
 
Bit biased here but £5k will get you into a decent ST220. It's available as a hatch, quick(ish), comfortable, reliable and comes with decent spec as standard.

It'll do 30mpg+ on a run (28mpg if you're in a rush). Urban driving is 20mpg though.
 
Harbourite said:
Just got myself a 3 series, 318 2.0litre coupe. 54plater & 55k mileage. Lovely car, drives fantastically, goes very well and sounds awesome. Had a focus previously. Not going back to Ford. Had a fiesta before the focus and family have had different Fords over the years so started with them but no end of troubles with both of them.

There is so many 3 series about now days simply because they are an awesome car. The coupe looks sexy too!
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Really not sure how you could claim a 4 pot BMW "goes very well and sounds awesome", but yes, there is a reason the E46 remains so popular.
 
The e46 is still a very good car yes, a 318 though is not. Is it nicer inside than a 2 litre focus, yep .. but look at the difference in age, Mileage and condition you pick up for the same money, not to mention its slow, less practical and early ones have serious rust issues . 325ti is a good shout, spending 5k on one is daft (imo) though -3k max

Hyundai coupes are alright but the v6 is a waste of time, hard to find in manual anyway. 2 litre is just about as quick and is a bit better to drive. They're very bland though and certainly not close to a "hot hatch"

Cooper S needs the works upgrades for me and they're pretty expensive, pretty tiny inside and pretty ugly for me. Worth considering if its up your street though
 
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I'm going to risk it and say Toyota Corolla T-Sport, I have one and really enjoy owning it, never owned a car for as long as I have the Corolla, its been crossing my mind more and more to change as I've had it two years now and there is a few cars I fancy but when I think about it its not given me any grief at all seeing as though I drive it hard practically every day, its got a decent enough interior, climate control, decent boot and fun to drive when you're in the mood, when you're not its just a shopping trolly like every other hatch
 
No, id actually recommend the Celica T Sport over the corolla if he wants a more coupe like car...

Better handling from the factory, same 190bhp same 6 speed box. lower centre of mavity, nicer cabin, lower seating position...

handles great, will not attract redic insurance premiums like a Civic or whatever...
 
I would agree on everything but the cabin, the Celica cabin is no where near as good as the Corollas. Maybe the seats but the door cards and plastics etc are no where near as good
 
DC2 and keep the money saved for fuel as you'll be enjoying it.

Most certainly older than the others (mine is 14), but also amazing fun and can net you 35mpg with mixed A-road, motorways and even some VTEC fun. Town driving will get you around 25mpg.

Cracking engine and one hell of a car that will always make you grin when you put the hammer down. Also a lot better looking and rarer than the generic ST/Civic Type-Rs that are all over the place and attract the knuckle dragger types.
 
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