Please don't buy one; they are horrible. There is absolutely no exclusivity in owning one of these unless you're in the community of people who wear 3/4 length combat trousers and sports vests to show off your tribal tattoos, and shout at your family regularly in Home Bargains.
Someone on here used to own one (MrLOL - changed his name I think).
For that sort of money and performance I'd buy a WRX, Focus ST, Mazda 6 (or 3) MPS, or as mentioned earlier, if an R36 is in budget go for that.
I've spoken to loads of people at work today about this and they're all saying not to do it. Though just to help me make a decision a friend of a friend owns one so he said he'd arrange for him to let me have a look/drive at it tomorrow. I guess I want to see it to make a proper decision.
Spoke to a couple of owners via the facebook group and they sing nothing but praises. Though this chain stretch business is quite common it seems. Though it is hit/miss.
Focus ST, I read something regarding engine liner issues, but it was a quick glimpse so I haven't looked into it further. Mazda 6mps I've ruled out a long with the 3. Have had family who've owned both and didn't really like them. Didn't keep them long either.
R36 again is out of budget.
If you like the golf, but consider it too expensive have you considered an Octavia VRS? They meet all of your requirements other than 250BHP but that's easily solved.
You could spend £6k on something like this;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201712202182906
And then another £400 on this;
http://www.sharkperformance.co.uk/s...-octavia-ii-fl-2009-2013-200bhp-stage-1-remap
That gets you up to bang on 250BHP with tons of torque within your budget, whilst basically putting you into a slightly less pretty golf GTI with a bigger boot.
The Octavia does seem to fit the bill. It's a hatch, has plenty of space which is a bonus and it looks rather smart, but to me it still has something missing. A stage 2 would take it 280 which is tempting. I have a few friends who use the TDI variants in Taxi's and they seem to like them. Not sure what the petrol will feel like, so I'll arrange to go look at a few.
Like some others have said, that's a lot of car for the money, very rare too. The sad thing is, it's a Saloon. I just can't do with a saloon anymore as it's not practical enough for me. I wish I could see past the practicality aspect of my requirements but at the moment I can't. Otherwise I'd be all over that as it seems to be a cracking buy.
I could get lucky and find one in an estate all be it (Turbo X variant). There always used to be a couple for sales some years ago but they seem to be getting rare.
The reality of this thread is, that I am very picky in what I want now. I also appreciate everyone helping me and linking cars.
Going to see what else fits the bill, but there doesn't seem to be a lot unless I go small hatch (Golf/A3/Leon) and raise the budget, which I don't necessarily want to do as I'd like to have a spare pot if things do go wrong in the ownership.
