4k hot hatch... where would your money go?

Hi guys, lots of reading! I'll try touch on a few responses :)

Clio 182, not really liking the driving position and the couple I've driven were very jittery around town, stiff suspension. I like the engine but the expensive belt changes put me off and I read a lot about gearboxes and driveshafts going, all in all though I don't think it's something which gets my attention enough to want one. I don't think they drive similar to a Type R myself. But the engines do feel stronger lower down and have a really nice induction roar, nicer sounding than Civic's I think.

Megane 225. That back end, just cannot get to grips with it, not sure I trust it for reliability but then again I know little about them...

No Mondeo's :D The Alfa's look pimp I do agree, are parts big money though?

Re: LCR's. Not a bad shout. I had a Golf 1.8 20vt, lowered, remapped, only a small turbo though so about 190BHP but it was a bit boring, lifeless and the body flexed a lot, was nice to drive briskly though but nothing like the fun I had in my Type R. Are the Leon's much the same to drive or are they a bit more fun? I don't think I'd have another MK4 Golf, R32's are really quite nice cars but not sure it's worth it over a 1.8t engine... despite the nice noise and kit :)

I guess before I made this thread the fore runners were Fiesta ST, EP3 Civic Type R and Vauxhall Astra GSi.

Someone mentioned motorways in an EP3, it was the best car I've owned for motorway jaunts to be fair (before I lowered it), was really stable at speed and coped really well. But I've always had lowered motors, none with a chassis as good as an EP3's.

Focus ST would be nice but I aint quite got enough cash for one and town fuel costs may be a pain from what I've read on here. Would have to consider a high milage one for 5kish.

I had a thought earlier about Mini Cooper S's, I know nothing about them though, it would be a supercharged one for 4k or so. Are these any good? Reliable? Easy to get to 200BHP?

Not really thought about Impreza's, used to hear the chocolate crank stories... wouldn't wanna pay a load of cash for something sort of pre 2000 though. Same as a DC2 Teg, I know they are awesome but seems poor value to me.

Cheers for all the suggestions folks, all along similar lines. Interested to find more out about Mini Cooper S's at the mo.

I have a MK4 Astra SRi 2.2 at the mo as a stop gap, lowered on eibach springs, it handles ok but it doesn't drive/feel like a nice EP3 does and thats enough to put me off it, even though I prefer finding the limits in it as it feels like I can push it more, maybe because it's softer and our roads are awful.
 
I can't quite believe that you are worried about a MK4 golf platform car being "lifeless" and "flexing", yet are willing to go Astra GSi? :confused:

The LCR is a lot stiffer than anything else on the MK4 platform (bar the S3), it has a bottom brace between the front wheels, but it certainly benefits from a rear brace and uprated engine mounts (especially the dogbone mount).

With a remap and pushing 265BHP~ they are pretty much untouchable in a straight line by anything else in this category, and from my time on track I'd say they aren't exactly a slouch in the corners! They are also fantastically braked, something which you'd never need to look to upgrade.

Go try one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
Stormster said:
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I had a thought earlier about Mini Cooper S's, I know nothing about them though, it would be a supercharged one for 4k or so. Are these any good? Reliable? Easy to get to 200BHP?

Cheers for all the suggestions folks, all along similar lines. Interested to find more out about Mini Cooper S's at the mo.
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R53 Gen1 starts at 163 bhp or 170 for a Gen 2 (July 2004 on) Supercharged. Later Turbos are gash and the block is weak
To get 200bhp is easy, its just a pulley, exhaust and airbox, but I would be looking also at getting the front brakes done as the standard ones are just about good enough and a bigger intercooler.

They are reliable but you will need to watch out for (on gen 1) the rad can spring holes, and the power steering unit go go west.

Other than that they are good to go, engines and gearbox are bullet proof.

Neg points are they like a drink (I get 27mpg average, less if drive it like I stole it) and cost £280 a year on car tax. Run flats are expensive, but most people replace them for normal tyres.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Problem is, it's hard to take owners / ex-owners reviews too seriously, particularly when the car gets poor reviews in the motoring press.

The above just compounds the view held by many that those praising the car are simply fanboys.

The CTR sold by the bucketload, the T-Sport didn't, says it all really.
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I am indeed a fanboy.

Type-R is a well established brand name, T-Sport is not, you only need to look at the likes of the iPhone to see how easily the Sheeple are lead

What I find most interesting is the fraction of people on here that have owned one will vouch for them yet the people that havent and have no first hand experiance what so ever will slate them, "says it all really"
 
paradigm said:
I can't quite believe that you are worried about a MK4 golf platform car being "lifeless" and "flexing", yet are willing to go Astra GSi? :confused:

The LCR is a lot stiffer than anything else on the MK4 platform (bar the S3), it has a bottom brace between the front wheels, but it certainly benefits from a rear brace and uprated engine mounts (especially the dogbone mount).

With a remap and pushing 265BHP~ they are pretty much untouchable in a straight line by anything else in this category, and from my time on track I'd say they aren't exactly a slouch in the corners! They are also fantastically braked, something which you'd never need to look to upgrade.

Go try one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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Until it blows up on track.
 
eatcustard said:
R53 Gen1 starts at 163 bhp or 170 for a Gen 2 (July 2004 on) Supercharged. Later Turbos are gash and the block is weak
To get 200bhp is easy, its just a pulley, exhaust and airbox, but I would be looking also at getting the front brakes done as the standard ones are just about good enough and a bigger intercooler.

They are reliable but you will need to watch out for (on gen 1) the rad can spring holes, and the power steering unit go go west.

Other than that they are good to go, engines and gearbox are bullet proof.

Neg points are they like a drink (I get 27mpg average, less if drive it like I stole it) and cost £280 a year on car tax. Run flats are expensive, but most people replace them for normal tyres.
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this is a good post - best thing I did when I got mine was ditch the run flats!
for the money you should be able to pickup a low(ish) mileage example, one thing I think makes a big difference is the sunroof, if you can find one with that it makes the car a nicer place to be - I made the mistake of driving one with a sunroof first and then looking for my own! cost me a bit extra....
(mine is on the market at the moment, feel free to send me a message for info ;) )
 
Relentless81 said:
I am indeed a fanboy.

Type-R is a well established brand name, T-Sport is not, you only need to look at the likes of the iPhone to see how easily the Sheeple are lead

What I find most interesting is the fraction of people on here that have owned one will vouch for them yet the people that havent and have no first hand experiance what so ever will slate them, "says it all really"
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So all the reviews by established motoring outlets are lies then? :confused:

NathWraith said:
Until it blows up on track.
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LCR, the only car to ever die of oil starvation on a trackday, ever!
 
My girlfriend has had a cooper S (supercharged with the chili pack) for about 4 years and it is a fantastic car. it has been really reliable and i like the quality. The run flats can make the ride quite harsh but it is very chuck-able. The power is nice but personally i would prefer a bit more.

I have spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel of an EP3 too and got to drive one around europe and the alps and i really rated the car.

i think if it was my money i would buy the type R. I preferred the interior, it felt a bit more sporty and i would say a bit more manly! having said that i have probably had a lot more fun behind the wheel of the mini.
 
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