Which "Hot Hatch"?

[mdixson]

Hi Guys,

Been out in many cars and have got down to these three:

VW Scirocco 2.0 GT (210 bhp)

Honda Civic Type R GT (198 bhp) - current favourite due to trim and build

Seat Leon FR 2.0 (208 bhp)

Basically having a really hard time choosing between the cars - will be buying new and want to make the right choice.

Any user experience with these cars on a day to day basis? General opinions, etc?

 

[mdixson]

Why you buying new?

Only going to do it once, but want to own one car from new - everyone I know who has done it says there is something very special about having a car from new at least once...

 

[mdixson]

Get a nearly new BMW 135i.

I can understand your sentiment but for a Golf or Civic it's really not worth it imo.

Yeah I really don't like BMW's - have tried that car as it was on the short list and well just no

 

[mdixson]

As for the new thing its just gonna happen - i'm all excited about kitting it out just how I want with the colour of the seats to the upgraded speakers

 

[mdixson]

Out of these the CTR or the Leon - Not driven either of these though!!

Stay away from the Scirocco. Overpriced. Overated. (In my oppintion - I've driven the 2.0 GT - It was uncomfortable, gutless and felt like - Dare I say a Golf!!!)

Yeah that was my problem with the VW it did just feel like the golf, but it was cheaper and looks nicer than the Golf GTI so that got it a spot in the top three

 

[mdixson]

Guys he wants a new car so lets take that. Not tell him hes wrong. Yea he would probably get a ton more car for his budget buying nearly new car though but what ever...


What other cars you looked out? How about

Clio RS
Megane RS
Focus ST

Thanks for accepting that

Tried the Focus, imo, cheap nasty car - fast though

The Renaults just don't appeal to me for the same reasons as the Ford- felt cheap.

As for the Seat comment above it felt pretty good to me - they have recently updated the inside and I can tell you its the same stuff as in the Golf

 

[mdixson]

Have you considered a Mini Cooper S or is it too small?

It's absolutely brilliant and easily within your budget.

Driven but im coming from an Ibiza and tbh it felt smaller - great fun though and mighty cheap in every respect to own

 

[mdixson]

Scirocco.

But as Fox says, I'd seriously consider a used S3.

I could buy the Audi new - but its just dull imo...

 

[mdixson]

@Fox the Honda has had the best build so far - the Ford had cheap nasty plastics that wobbled when used... none of the others did this...

 

[mdixson]

Whereas the Seat is super exciting?

Edit: I notice you are 23. I wonder if you will look back fondly at your decision to buy a brand new hatchback. It's not the stuff dreams are made of is it? It's hardly like speccing your first Porsche. Spending £20-30k on a hatchback is madness. If you like hot hatches, great. There are some crackers for much less.

Well lets see how life goes at the moment I am in a position to buy a new car, can't say for the future...

 

[mdixson]

Sigh

I know, I know and don't get me wrong I can see the point about saving money - but really I have little else to spend it on so sorry guys call me stupid but all I want is some opinions on the three cars

 

[mdixson]

you could get a focus RS in this budget.. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1720857.htm . And if you would open yourself to something other than a hatchback you could have an E46 M3 or something , Far quicker than anything you are thinking about.

The other aspect with these cars is insurance and practicability - I do a lot of Mountain biking and need to get mine and a mates in the boot

 

[mdixson]

@Fox don't need an ISA - my dad is one - the car is literally 25% of my wage and currently saving for a mortgage living at home

@Ad I really am not budging on the new car thing sorry

 

[mdixson]

I don't neccessarily think a 5-6 year old BMW is where he should be either. He wants a hot hatch - thats great, get a hot hatch. Suggesting a completely different type of car is the sort of thing that will inevitably attract the 'get offended on behalf of everyone else squad' to the thread.

Yeah I really want a hatch.

So things I want also include good iPhone connection - I currently use an Alpine (IDA x100) unit for this and it works very well.

Other things needed are comfort and fun looks with good handling and speed!

 

[mdixson]

@Fox my dad is an independent ISA, stands for investment and stock adviser as well

And yes obviously a deposit for...

 

[mdixson]

Do you have a budget?

Yeah around £22k

Also I concede I will look at some ex-demo's etc. but really don't want any scratches or niggles - it will bug me knowing I have not done it and could have done nothing to prevent it...

 

[mdixson]

This.

But he thinks there a cheap nasty car , compared to a seat aswell!

Really not a fan of the Ford sorry guys also their finance sucks right now at least £100 a month than any other car I have looked at...

 

[mdixson]

Eh? Why would finance come in to it? Buy it outright..

Not interested would rather give a small amount each month than a lump sum - also gives me greater flexibility to change the car sooner imo...

 

[mdixson]

mdixson , what did you think of that clio I posted earlier?

It looked pretty good - though it is too small want to go up a size from my Ibiza

@everyone I am still considering a bank loan, currently though Civic is at 0%

 

[mdixson]

By doing that you just end up in an ever increasing cycle of dripped up cars.

If you are financing, buy a nearly new one, pay for it then build from there.

Okay this makes sense, the other great thing about buying the Civic new is that servicing is included for 3 years, again this helps with swallowing the APR on the dealers scheme.