If You Had...

[Rybo89]

What? I wouldnt buy one myself but its hardly a snorefest, is it? Certainly not in ways that wouldnt equally apply to the Astra, which would be the worst place to put £12k in the entire universe.

Have you ever been in one?

Yes, a snorefest. A friend had his for 2 months and got rid because he said it was "Sh.....poo".

Granted, my friend goes through cars like i go through hot dinners. But he certainly knows his stuff. He sells performance cars for a living.

I only ever went in it once as a passenger for a spin when he first got it. Nothing special at all. I would pick my VXR 10x over it.

Yes it is a disastra and its a Vauxhall. It is too powerful for its chassis! Great road presence, silly fast hatchback, awesome upgrades. Certainly a handful when it comes to driving it properly, but that is what makes it fun for many. Once you see past the badge and get use to the feel of the car, they are silly fun! Awesome cars and that is why they have a massive scene.

Im in no way a Vauxhall fanboi btw

Honda man my self, but £12k for a newish hothatch, there is none from Honda. FN2 maybe? I wouldn't put my money there though.

 

[Kenai]

they have a massive scene.

Yes, you certainly couldn't level such an accusation at VWs...

 

[Rybo89]

Good point lol

 

[The Running Man]

I don't think he wants a 20 year old car? His shortlist doesnt suggest this.

His budget should cover it and he never put a limit on year or mileage.

All the other vehicles mentioned here are just next man generic mobiles driven by every chav under the sun. I'm surprised no one mentioned a Renault Clio.

 

[Scania]

Sod the hatchback, I'd opt for an e46 M3 if I had to buy something small (ish), but to my mind £14k is an e39 M5 with running fund.

Hardly in keeping with the spirit of the thread, I know.

 

[miniyazz]

Such as? Try me.

How about - good condition 2003 Mk4 4motion for 3-4k, + spend a similar amount tuning it with e.g. a charger. The stock internals will do around 280-290bhp reliably before anything else needs doing but 350 is easily attainable. Alternatively buy someone's that they've already done up, it'd work out cheaper that way.

It may not feel quite as special as the R32 but it's almost the same car and avoids the massive scene tax on the R32.

No but each has redeeming features, the R32 is meant to be pretty dull apart from the sound and has little scope for tuning, I haven't driven one though just the comments on the R32 from reviews.

Not sure I agree about little scope for tuning. A remap is largely pointless unless you go forced induction, but aside from that. Plus it can actually handle more power unlike all these fwd hatches you've mentioned.

 

[The Running Man]

Sod the hatchback, I'd opt for an e46 M3 if I had to buy something small (ish), but to my mind £14k is an e39 M5 with running fund.

Hardly in keeping with the spirit of the thread, I know.

Sod the hatch back and get a three fiddy z.

 

[Scania]

Sod the hatch back and get a three fiddy z.

Jap has never done it for me, alas.

 

[The Running Man]

I guess I am just part of the bygone 90s psx gran turismo era.

 

[SDK^]

Am I the only one really not seeing the issue with spending 12k-14k on a hot hatch?

Seems like there's a bit of bandwagon jumping in here - fox made an amusing comment about it so lets all agree to be cool.

I'm with you; I would much rather spend £12k on 4 year old Golf R32 than a 10 year old M3 with 100k miles.

 

[The Running Man]

Otlr a 4-5 year old 350z?

 

[cokecan]

Not sure I'd agree that the R32 is a snore-fest, but I do see where you are coming from. It never feels as quick as it actually is, everything you do just feels effortless and dare I say it....wafty? It's certainly a car that pretty much anyone could drive quick without immediate peril of ending up on fire in a hedge. That's probably why it suits me so much

lol is there such a thing as a wafty hot hatch?

 

[adam cool dude]

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/subaru/impreza-sti/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-type-uk--a-well-looked-after-example/972029

Hatchback, power and proper 4WD system.

 

[Westyfield2]

I'd spend about half of it on a RenaultSport Megane. http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/...-r26-only-24k-miles-11m-mot-and-4m-tax/915963

 

[iaind]

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/subaru/impreza-sti/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-type-uk--a-well-looked-after-example/972029

Hatchback, power and proper 4WD system.

Now that's a good solution for the OP

 

[Tute]

I'd spend about half of it on a RenaultSport Megane. http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/...-r26-only-24k-miles-11m-mot-and-4m-tax/915963

I'd rather have my extremeties shot at with a 50cal rifle than own a Mk2 Megane.

Now that's a good solution for the OP

Insurance is utterly biblical on these, for some reason. Twice the price of an E46 M3! Plus i'm an Evo man.

 

[2ZR-FE]

I'd finance a Clio.

Through carcraft!

 

[Scania]

I guess I am just part of the bygone 90s psx gran turismo era.

I loved the 1000+ bhp GTR's of Gran Turismo, and indeed my old PSX, but always found Jap cars in the flesh just don't do it for me.

In that Famous Getaway in Stockholm video, I prefer the Cozzie Escort etc

Mentally scarred by my late Grandfathers tales of what those "bloody nips" got upto in the war maybe??

 

[boxman2000]

Plus i'm an Evo man.

You sir have my respect

If I had £14k I'd buy another Evo 9 GT - not a hot hatch but couldn't recommend a care more!

If it had to be a hot hatch then I guess an R32 or a Clio 172 Cup (most fun to drive car I've driven for the money).

 

[ChrisD.]

FD2.