New Car - Hot Hatch - which?

Goliath · 1 Mar 2006 at 23:30

[TW]Fox said:
Have you thought about a Focus RS? Pretty expensive, especially for a car thats now approaching 2-3 years old, but the other day it was suggested that a Focus RS is a more hardcore and more enjoyable driving experience than the GTI or the new ST, but less refined, so as a toy, perhaps worth a look?

Doing my pimpage for me

The RS can be had for about £14k if you look around, and is well worth a test drive. If the looks of the VXR appeal then the RS should as well (a similar balance between standard and "ripspeed") and the RS is a much better drivers car. I had a blast in a mate's VXR and although it's very quick, it's not a well balanced chassis - the torque-steer is horrific and the handling does not inspire confidence (or didn't for me).
Not driven an ST yet but there are a few owners on here who will be happy to comment.
Out of interest, is the car for weekend fun or will it be used as a day-to-day commuting tool as well?

Goliath · 1 Mar 2006 at 23:33

Ev0 said:
RS is worth a look in imho if again you don't mind the age, early ones can be had for 14k now and even though it's more of an enthusiasts car prices I reckon will really take a hit thanks to the ST.

Doesn't seem to be the case so far thank god, the ST has been out for a few months and the RS prices seem to be holding up well. The more likely cause of a drop is the fact that most are coming to the end of their warranty period and a lot of people are trying to offload them.

Metalface Mark · 1 Mar 2006 at 23:37

Axeboy said:
The ST will also hold its value well imo.

Its also a fair bit cheaper...

You dont seem to be convinced of the ST's advantages.

I love the ST, the only thing putting me off is how long it would take to arrive, if it was four of five months i would probably just hold off for the new honda which is out around that time i believe.

Goliath · 1 Mar 2006 at 23:44

InwardSinging said:
I love the ST, the only thing putting me off is how long it would take to arrive, if it was four of five months i would probably just hold off for the new honda which is out around that time i believe.

Which will also probably have a 3-4 month lead time.

The_One · 1 Mar 2006 at 23:51

How about a Leon Cupra R or an Ibiza Cupra with a Revo remap :cool:

Metalface Mark · 2 Mar 2006 at 00:02

The_One said:
How about a Leon Cupra R or an Ibiza Cupra with a Revo remap

I dont want anything too small, so the ibiza is out. The leons a possibility, but i think its too like the skoda i had

Stringy · 2 Mar 2006 at 00:21

Renaultsport Megane 225? My dad has one and it is rather tasty. You could probably get the 'Cup' version for that money (better suspension, anthracite wheels) but I have no idea of pricing so it's a guess.

edit: You could just about squeeze in the limited edition Renault F1 Megane for that money

Jet · 2 Mar 2006 at 01:28

Old Golf R32 would be my choice. One of the best looking hot-hatches ever imo. Someone in my street has just bought a 53reg one in blue and it looks fantastic.

Comes in budget obviously second-hand and would be my choice without a doubt.

Spamalot · 2 Mar 2006 at 03:49

306 DT with screw mod!

Xellos · 2 Mar 2006 at 06:54

EP3 CTR

233 · 2 Mar 2006 at 07:36

focus st but i have to say that i work for ford

ps the waiting list isnt as bad as you think,

rG-tom · 2 Mar 2006 at 07:45

Jet said:
Old Golf R32 would be my choice. One of the best looking hot-hatches ever imo. Someone in my street has just bought a 53reg one in blue and it looks fantastic.

Comes in budget obviously second-hand and would be my choice without a doubt.

good call, not the best handling one due to it's weight, but the sound it makes and the 3.2l v6 just makes it

I daresay the one i saw at the ring sounded better than dangly's miltek'd st220

Tom.

FTM · 2 Mar 2006 at 09:04

waiting list for Octavia vRS as well...especially if you spec up a Race Blue one..dealers have very limited stock at the moment and if you want one that doesnt match...

Metalface Mark · 2 Mar 2006 at 14:06

sormicoft said:
focus st but i have to say that i work for ford

ps the waiting list isnt as bad as you think,

Can you get me a discount then, im local

Skiddley · 2 Mar 2006 at 14:34

InwardSinging said:
I dont want anything too small, so the ibiza is out. The leons a possibility, but i think its too like the skoda i had

Gutted...*sells LCR*

Demon · 2 Mar 2006 at 15:29

I'd go and test drive them.. there is a big difference between them all, I've driven *** Golf GTI/ Focus ST2 and VXR Astra.. all very different..

The VXR is a right laugh, it's just power, power, power, it gives you a right kick in the back.. and it does handle, very very well.. I was nailing it on a test drive and quick left-right roundabout combinations showed it had good turn in, and loads of lateral grip..

The ST had a broader/more linear power delivery, it's fast, but doesn't feel/isnt as fast as the VXR, it handle really well, the same roundabout combo's and it really hung in, it rolled a little more then I thought, but it didn't power understeer, you could be more 'digital' with the throttle, and it held a line, the Astra had the same grip, but if you provoke it too much with a heavy ON/OFF throttle action, it went into power understeer.

All in all, very different, I just grinned and grinned after hooning around in the VXR, the ST felt a little muted in comparison.. if I'd not been in the VXR the day before, I would probably have been raving about how hooliganish the ST was..

Opinions on here are just that.. go test drive them.. I thought the golf was too refinded for me, and I wanted to have a go in the tweaked Megane 225, but I've not found a dealer with one on demo around me..

Ev0 · 2 Mar 2006 at 16:08

Ooh how could I forget the Megane, had one for a few hours last year and it was really really good, totally different to what I was expecting

You used to be able to get a cup from broadspeed for 14k new, not sure if that's still the case due to the new model out.

Metalface Mark · 3 Mar 2006 at 17:41

So i was just down at the VW garage looking at the GTI, ive managed to haggle £1000 off which the BS salesman tells me "we just dont do, only because you are about to buy a vauxhall and id hate you to make that mistake".

It would be available end of may, which isnt too bad, would give me a couple of months to save up the extra £1500 quid its costing over the VXR.

What do you guys think of .... white

[TW]Fox · 3 Mar 2006 at 17:43

Driven the ST yet? Go do that THEN decide on a colour for your GTI. Dont spend 20 grand before you've explored every option

You can get a Focus ST3 for quite a bit less than the Golf. I can't say its better, becuase it appears they are so closely matched it's just down to personal opinion..

Metalface Mark · 3 Mar 2006 at 18:30

[TW]Fox said:
Driven the ST yet? Go do that THEN decide on a colour for your GTI. Dont spend 20 grand before you've explored every option

You can get a Focus ST3 for quite a bit less than the Golf. I can't say its better, becuase it appears they are so closely matched it's just down to personal opinion..

The local ford garages dont have any ST's in stock of any variety at the moment, (well they didnt have a few weeks ago). Im being swayed towards the golf because of the residuals in three years time.

Its a total brain melter buying a new car, but ill go and see if they have the focus in tomorrow before deciding on sunday which way im going to swing.