Help me decide on a hot hatch!
Discussion
Right PH bods, need your help.
Back to the office, two days a week, plus once a a week to golf and a bit of ferrying the young boy about. We have a main family car which has been solid for a year but I now need something of my own.
Previously had 440i/mk5 gti/Alfa 156, nothing mind blowing but all good in their own ways.
Budget up to 35k max, so am looking at ways to buy/mitigate pain/enjoy car. Going to keep this to a reasonably narrow band of hatches and the like because a) Cayman 981 was the ideal but I’m too tall and could never get comfy and b) dad life equals a bit of practicality needed.
Option 1: buy privately up to 20k… have the cash but don’t want to use it when it can be working harder in our savings and gives safety of rainy day. Also private prices are still wild and there’s additional risk.
Option 2: Used Cupra Leon/7.5gti/Focus ST type thing circa £18-22k approved used ideally… part cash part finance to limit cash removal and impact of absurd Apr. Could also finance entirely by bank loan at 5.9 instead
Option 3: order something new… S3 is out as the Audi new car Apr is 11.9! Golf Gti clubsport not being made anymore and standard mk8 gti just feels like a not-as-good 7.5 performance.
One standout is a Focus ST… can be had on 0%apr and with a reasonable discount… comes in around 33k, probably sub £400 per month for three years and balloon is around 19k at the end. Benefits of brand new car etc
Outside of this is the classic browsing of AT for a granturismo/m2/997 pork etc which is still an option on the side.
What would you do PH faithful? I want to limit financial damage in these uncertain times but also want something reasonably rapid and decent to sit in.
Cheers all
Back to the office, two days a week, plus once a a week to golf and a bit of ferrying the young boy about. We have a main family car which has been solid for a year but I now need something of my own.
Previously had 440i/mk5 gti/Alfa 156, nothing mind blowing but all good in their own ways.
Budget up to 35k max, so am looking at ways to buy/mitigate pain/enjoy car. Going to keep this to a reasonably narrow band of hatches and the like because a) Cayman 981 was the ideal but I’m too tall and could never get comfy and b) dad life equals a bit of practicality needed.
Option 1: buy privately up to 20k… have the cash but don’t want to use it when it can be working harder in our savings and gives safety of rainy day. Also private prices are still wild and there’s additional risk.
Option 2: Used Cupra Leon/7.5gti/Focus ST type thing circa £18-22k approved used ideally… part cash part finance to limit cash removal and impact of absurd Apr. Could also finance entirely by bank loan at 5.9 instead
Option 3: order something new… S3 is out as the Audi new car Apr is 11.9! Golf Gti clubsport not being made anymore and standard mk8 gti just feels like a not-as-good 7.5 performance.
One standout is a Focus ST… can be had on 0%apr and with a reasonable discount… comes in around 33k, probably sub £400 per month for three years and balloon is around 19k at the end. Benefits of brand new car etc
Outside of this is the classic browsing of AT for a granturismo/m2/997 pork etc which is still an option on the side.
What would you do PH faithful? I want to limit financial damage in these uncertain times but also want something reasonably rapid and decent to sit in.
Cheers all
Personally I'd go for option 2, unless you can get a really specular price and APR on option 3. The logic being that you own the asset, which hopefully won't depreciate as fast as you pay the loan, so at the end you've got some equity in it to start the cycle again.
As for the car, what are your criteria? 3/5 doors, LSD, aftermarket support etc? There are a lot of good hatches around.
As for the car, what are your criteria? 3/5 doors, LSD, aftermarket support etc? There are a lot of good hatches around.
Definitely want some sort of adaptive damping/DCC
Not overly fussed by manual vs auto, both have pros and cons. Ultimately it’s gonna be a bit of a do it all car so can’t sit too far on the edge of wild.
Looks like the GTi and Cupra stock is starting to come down in price a bit after the madness. Have long thought a 7.5 perform pack is the answer or a Cupra lux. Neither are balls-out but would satisfy the need certainly for 2-3 years.
Not driven a focus ST mk4… the finance deal did look good from an initial budget perspective but am I likely to buy it out at the three year mark… probably not?
Not overly fussed by manual vs auto, both have pros and cons. Ultimately it’s gonna be a bit of a do it all car so can’t sit too far on the edge of wild.
Looks like the GTi and Cupra stock is starting to come down in price a bit after the madness. Have long thought a 7.5 perform pack is the answer or a Cupra lux. Neither are balls-out but would satisfy the need certainly for 2-3 years.
Not driven a focus ST mk4… the finance deal did look good from an initial budget perspective but am I likely to buy it out at the three year mark… probably not?
GTIClubsport40.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023100326...
Approved used example.
It's a golf, a but more special than the usual Golf, without being the Clubsport S 2 seater Golf.
It's where my do it all daily money around that budget would be going.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023100326...
Approved used example.
It's a golf, a but more special than the usual Golf, without being the Clubsport S 2 seater Golf.
It's where my do it all daily money around that budget would be going.
EVOTECH3BELL said:
GTIClubsport40.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023100326...
Approved used example.
It's a golf, a but more special than the usual Golf, without being the Clubsport S 2 seater Golf.
It's where my do it all daily money around that budget would be going.
That’s lovely will have a good read thank you http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023100326...
Approved used example.
It's a golf, a but more special than the usual Golf, without being the Clubsport S 2 seater Golf.
It's where my do it all daily money around that budget would be going.
If looking at a hot hatch and not looking at the top end (RS3/A45S etc) then the only one that I would want is another i30N. A car that comes fully spec'd as standard, isn't too common on the roads and never fails to put a smile on your face. The DCT was brilliant to drive, especially with the addition of the N Grin Shift feature, though buying an earlier manual outright wouldn't be a bad option either.
It isn't the fastest hot hatch, it isn't the best handling but boy is it fun! The 5 year warranty (including track usage) also shows the confidence Hyundai have in the car, not to mention that it's nice to not have to spend ages shopping around to make sure you're not wasting your time looking for cars with the right spec i.e. Trying to find 3dr S3 that's got the digital cockpit or an M140i that's got the ProNav.
It isn't the fastest hot hatch, it isn't the best handling but boy is it fun! The 5 year warranty (including track usage) also shows the confidence Hyundai have in the car, not to mention that it's nice to not have to spend ages shopping around to make sure you're not wasting your time looking for cars with the right spec i.e. Trying to find 3dr S3 that's got the digital cockpit or an M140i that's got the ProNav.
I'd go option 2.
There are plenty of nice used hot hatches for around 20k. You could go 50/50 cash and bank loan so that you keep your rainy day fund and don't get hammered too hard on interest.
Focus ST 2.3
I30N
Golf/Leon
Type r fk2
Or step down a little to supermini class
Fiesta ST
I20N
JCW Mini
Those have enough space, are arguably more fun and you get a newer car for your money.
If you push the budget up to 30k you could get a GR circuit Yaris or an fk8 type r. More expensive to buy but may well lose less money in the ling run.
There are plenty of nice used hot hatches for around 20k. You could go 50/50 cash and bank loan so that you keep your rainy day fund and don't get hammered too hard on interest.
Focus ST 2.3
I30N
Golf/Leon
Type r fk2
Or step down a little to supermini class
Fiesta ST
I20N
JCW Mini
Those have enough space, are arguably more fun and you get a newer car for your money.
If you push the budget up to 30k you could get a GR circuit Yaris or an fk8 type r. More expensive to buy but may well lose less money in the ling run.
[quote=J1990]If looking at a hot hatch and not looking at the top end (RS3/A45S etc) then the only one that I would want is another i30N. A car that comes fully spec'd as standard, isn't too common on the roads and never fails to put a smile on your face. The DCT was brilliant to drive, especially with the addition of the N Grin Shift feature, though buying an earlier manual outright wouldn't be a bad option either.
It isn't the fastest hot hatch, it isn't the best handling but boy is it fun! The 5 year warranty (including track usage) also shows the confidence Hyundai have in the car, not to mention that it's nice to not have to spend ages shopping around to make sure you're not wasting your time looking for cars with the right spec i.e. Trying to find 3dr S3 that's got the digital cockpit or an M140i that's got the ProNav. [/quote
Great cars these performance Hyundai, don’t be put off with it being a Hyundai, both this and the i20N are excellent and have had a massive input from the ex head of bmw m division Albert Biermann .
It isn't the fastest hot hatch, it isn't the best handling but boy is it fun! The 5 year warranty (including track usage) also shows the confidence Hyundai have in the car, not to mention that it's nice to not have to spend ages shopping around to make sure you're not wasting your time looking for cars with the right spec i.e. Trying to find 3dr S3 that's got the digital cockpit or an M140i that's got the ProNav. [/quote
Great cars these performance Hyundai, don’t be put off with it being a Hyundai, both this and the i20N are excellent and have had a massive input from the ex head of bmw m division Albert Biermann .
carparkno1 said:
That’s lovely will have a good read thank you
There's also the Golf GTI TCR, the cheapest are still a bit over the £20K budget though.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309071...
I'd say option two.
I've owned a 19 Cupra 290 and a 18 Cupra 300. The 300 was the one I enjoyed the most, mainly because it had far better spec (pan roof, ACC, reverse cam, seat sound, heated seats) and I also done some subtle mods. It made 372bhp off of a remap and IMO that's more than enough power for the road. The LSD is unreal in them and with them being FWD, it makes them so much more fun than an S3/R.
I've owned a 19 Cupra 290 and a 18 Cupra 300. The 300 was the one I enjoyed the most, mainly because it had far better spec (pan roof, ACC, reverse cam, seat sound, heated seats) and I also done some subtle mods. It made 372bhp off of a remap and IMO that's more than enough power for the road. The LSD is unreal in them and with them being FWD, it makes them so much more fun than an S3/R.
I’d be seriously looking at an M2 here.
It’s really more than a hot hatch and more an Alpine and Cayman rival but with practicality.
The OG M2 is pretty reliable and trouble free. Change your pads and brake fluid and it will hammer round a track to your hearts content and drive home without skipping a beat.
Full of character, seriously quick, sounds great, can fit 4 adults, decent boot, reliable, nice place to be and looks good. Downside is 25mpg avg and insurance costs are high.
It’s really more than a hot hatch and more an Alpine and Cayman rival but with practicality.
The OG M2 is pretty reliable and trouble free. Change your pads and brake fluid and it will hammer round a track to your hearts content and drive home without skipping a beat.
Full of character, seriously quick, sounds great, can fit 4 adults, decent boot, reliable, nice place to be and looks good. Downside is 25mpg avg and insurance costs are high.
P4D said:
I'd say option two.
I've owned a 19 Cupra 290 and a 18 Cupra 300. The 300 was the one I enjoyed the most, mainly because it had far better spec (pan roof, ACC, reverse cam, seat sound, heated seats) and I also done some subtle mods. It made 372bhp off of a remap and IMO that's more than enough power for the road. The LSD is unreal in them and with them being FWD, it makes them so much more fun than an S3/R.
Agreed. The 300 is the one to also go for because of the lack of the GPF, so it's a fair bit louder. However, my 2020 Cupra 290 still made a nice noise. I removed the resonator but it didn't really make much difference. That EA888, while still a 4-pot, has a very distinctive sound and I really liked it. I also put a Ramair panel filter in it, coupled with the bonnet insulation removed, made a nice little turbo whoosh from the outside. Never mapped mine. Never found the standard power lacking but they do push good figures. Mine was running 300+ BHP definitely. I've owned a 19 Cupra 290 and a 18 Cupra 300. The 300 was the one I enjoyed the most, mainly because it had far better spec (pan roof, ACC, reverse cam, seat sound, heated seats) and I also done some subtle mods. It made 372bhp off of a remap and IMO that's more than enough power for the road. The LSD is unreal in them and with them being FWD, it makes them so much more fun than an S3/R.
Best car I've had so far, by a long margin. Would have another in a heartbeat. Perfect hot-hatch for me all-round.
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