hot hatch suggestions please???

[adh87]

Hi there, recently turned 21. I currently drive a 2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI 130bhp, which is a solid car but lacks in the thrills department. I fancy a hot hatch and have checked the specs out above cars and cant decide which to purchase?? I will also consider other suggestions. However the car cannot be over my £7,500 budget or group 16 insurance. I also could do with reasonable mpg and level of comfort as it will be my daily car. Any suggestions?? Thanks Andy

[Dift]

adh87 said:

Hi there, recently turned 21. I currently drive a 2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI 130bhp, which is a solid car but lacks in the thrills department. I fancy a hot hatch and have checked the specs out above cars and cant decide which to purchase?? I will also consider other suggestions. However the car cannot be over my £7,500 budget or group 16 insurance. I also could do with reasonable mpg and level of comfort as it will be my daily car. Any suggestions?? Thanks Andy

What do you class a resonable mpg?

If you need good mpg, cant go much wrong with a Ibiza Cupra TDI (there ducking just under 7k now).

Of the petrol variety... all I can suggest is test drive them all, and see which floats your boat. Peoples opinions and compromises vary concerning a car they have to use everyday.

[adh87]

Preferably 30+ mpg. I like the performance figures for the Clio but doubt French reliability, like the Cooper S but maybe looks a bit girly?? and lupo gti maybe a bit small?? so yeah probably best test driving them all, thanks

[997GT3]

Fiesta ST?

Leon Ibiza?

[Funk]

I'll second the Fiesta ST. Cracking car.

[okgo]

Funk said:

I'll second the Fiesta ST. Cracking car.

Bit tame I thought..

I could easily loose one in twisties in my 306 GTI.

Also why have you made two threads?

[Funk]

okgo said:

Funk said:

I'll second the Fiesta ST. Cracking car.

Bit tame I thought..

I could easily loose one in twisties in my 306 GTI.

Also why have you made two threads?

Mountune 185.

[jackwood]

I had a Clio 172 for 2 years, and apart from the usual Cat Converted/Centre Box baffle issue it was faultless.

The mpg always staggered me on that car. I like to drive my cars hard and it would still put in an average of well over 30mpg if you threw in a bit of motorway driving. I even drove it from Manchester to Austria, 2 up, loaded with snowboards and made Calais to Mayerhofen in just over 10 hours. And the ride up and down to the glacier every day is one of the greatest driving experiences of my life!!

After I sold mine, my mate, who went with me to Austria bought, a 182 Cup. Still a fantastic car, but I couldn't live with a car with no ABS and no aircon on a daily basis. That car was flawless too, and he too was always amazed by the efficiency.

It is one of the few cars that I actually yearn to own again some time soon.........

Take your time and find a clean, un-molested one, make sure the rubber and the brakes have plenty on them and that the centre box has been replaced recently (even if it is gone, it just rattles at 5000-5400rpm, and doesn't actually do any harm) and it should be a great car.

[martynrg]

I've got a 182 ff, and since I bought it last October, its been fantastic!

I've been on a couple of long runs to Scotland, (nothing to the extent of Austria!) and avergaged at about 36mpg. Also, I find it quite comfortable.

I get about 29mpg on 'spirited' country drives.

I've also never experienced any problems with the car, but it is quite young (54 reg)

I do like the Fiesta ST though. Great looking car, and a little cheaper to run then a RenaultSport Clio.

Martyn.

[997GT3]

martynrg said:

I do like the Fiesta ST though. Great looking car, and a little cheaper to run then a RenaultSport Clio.

Martyn.

We have one for sale at the moment at work:-
http://www.arnoldclark.com/detail.html?ac_reg=6601...
Let me know if your interested!