Is there a more rounded, fun, quick type of car available today than a hot hatchback?
I have one, it could be argued not a very good one (Polo GTI) but each time I get out of it I have smile on my face having usually smashed the backside out of it. Now it is fair to say that really isn't the right approach on our roads today and of course you are right, but put that to one side for a moment as we can assume that now and again all of use feel the need to have a little fun when the conditions allow. My point is at that moment I am unsure any other type of car provides a better platform for such fun.
Let's look at the typical ingredients...
- Small and lightish
- Circa 200bhp or more through front wheels
- Good steering, good brakes and a good front end
- Adjustable with throttle and brakes (left foot)
- Great grip and surefooted nature
- Good power delivery and torque
The Polo does most of this OK, as I say it's not the best by any means and to be critical it lacks steering feel, has awful traction in the wet (wheels spins in first 3 gears), lacks a trick diff and doesn't really sound anything at all, but the core ingredients are all there to a lesser or greater extent. It has superb brakes, a solid front end that goes where you point it (when off heavy power) and good balance and overall grip.
I've had/have some epic cars and been lucky enough to drive several more over the years, but if I look at todays roads and conditions I struggle to find anything that provides the bang for buck experience of a good hot hatchback or provides anymore pleasure in the long term. Sure getting into my a V10 R8 is one hell of an event and in terms of pace leagues ahead of 99% of the other cars on the road and all hot hatchbacks. But if outright pace is a measure on the road you are being an idiot and I am too old and risk adverse these days and a hot hatchback provides 90% of the fun at much less pace in most cases.
The MX5 is also great but you know what, put aside a sublime chassis, brakes, steering, RWD handling and adjustability and you do come back to the fact it's engine lets it down badly and it does really need more horses and a better set up and it lacks the 4 seat, hatch back practicality that make an all round car. I chose the Polo GTI as first it was dirt cheap and was to be used as a station car, but also because I didn't want to be another 3/A4/C class bore plodding up a motorway to a meeting on the occasion I needed to do that. The Polo is totally anonymous and I frankly like that as a bright red V10 R8 is the opposite. But now having just taken a trip to Stoke Audi to order some bits for said R8 in the Polo, I have come back and said to the wife "that thing is bloody great fun" and that's what prompted this thread.
So, discuss, views, comments, objections, alternative opinions for my point?
I have one, it could be argued not a very good one (Polo GTI) but each time I get out of it I have smile on my face having usually smashed the backside out of it. Now it is fair to say that really isn't the right approach on our roads today and of course you are right, but put that to one side for a moment as we can assume that now and again all of use feel the need to have a little fun when the conditions allow. My point is at that moment I am unsure any other type of car provides a better platform for such fun.
Let's look at the typical ingredients...
- Small and lightish
- Circa 200bhp or more through front wheels
- Good steering, good brakes and a good front end
- Adjustable with throttle and brakes (left foot)
- Great grip and surefooted nature
- Good power delivery and torque
The Polo does most of this OK, as I say it's not the best by any means and to be critical it lacks steering feel, has awful traction in the wet (wheels spins in first 3 gears), lacks a trick diff and doesn't really sound anything at all, but the core ingredients are all there to a lesser or greater extent. It has superb brakes, a solid front end that goes where you point it (when off heavy power) and good balance and overall grip.
I've had/have some epic cars and been lucky enough to drive several more over the years, but if I look at todays roads and conditions I struggle to find anything that provides the bang for buck experience of a good hot hatchback or provides anymore pleasure in the long term. Sure getting into my a V10 R8 is one hell of an event and in terms of pace leagues ahead of 99% of the other cars on the road and all hot hatchbacks. But if outright pace is a measure on the road you are being an idiot and I am too old and risk adverse these days and a hot hatchback provides 90% of the fun at much less pace in most cases.
The MX5 is also great but you know what, put aside a sublime chassis, brakes, steering, RWD handling and adjustability and you do come back to the fact it's engine lets it down badly and it does really need more horses and a better set up and it lacks the 4 seat, hatch back practicality that make an all round car. I chose the Polo GTI as first it was dirt cheap and was to be used as a station car, but also because I didn't want to be another 3/A4/C class bore plodding up a motorway to a meeting on the occasion I needed to do that. The Polo is totally anonymous and I frankly like that as a bright red V10 R8 is the opposite. But now having just taken a trip to Stoke Audi to order some bits for said R8 in the Polo, I have come back and said to the wife "that thing is bloody great fun" and that's what prompted this thread.
So, discuss, views, comments, objections, alternative opinions for my point?
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