Practical and Fun Hot Hatch 10-15K
Discussion
Hi as the title states i am on the hunt for a hot hatch with a budget of from 10 to 15k.
My criteria is that it,
- Needs to be able to fit my family, that's me, my wife and 2 daughters aged 4 and 7. Also be able to put my bike in the back(when the kids aren't there).
- Be fun to drive!!! Over 200 hp but have fun handling, something with an adjustable chassis rather than just grip then understeer.
- Resonable running costs. I don't do alot of miles but nothing too crazy to run.
- Mixture of driving Scottish on a/b roads and a fair bit of city driving. Not alot of motorway miles.
- i would prefer something sub 50k miles with 2 or less owners if possible as would like to keep the car for 3-5 years.
I have had bmws over last 10 years, i had a e46 m3 for 6 years that i recently sold. I loved the m3 but in the end the running cost was too much. We also run a mini cooper s r53 as a 'second car', although it gets used most.
The cars i am thinking about are,
- A m135i hatch 5 door, probably manual although would try an auto if a nice one was available. Always thought i would buy one after the m3. Excellent power with rwd. Not sure about running costs and worried the lack of lsd would be disappointing?
- Mini cooper s 5 door (f55) with a remap. Had a go in one today, it felt alot quicker than i expected, very lively! It was hard to really get a feel for the handling on a short test drive in the rain? A touch small but my wife and kids love mini's and its certainly bigger than the r53. This was the option i was least excited about but it did feel fast and fun on today's drive.
- Focus st 2.0 mk3. A practical size and shape. Good power. I have not driven one yet but have watched some YouTube reviews and am a bit confused as some say its a great fun car with good handling others say the handling is rubbish? The seats look great though. I briefly had an old mazda 3 based on the focus mk2, that wasn't the best car but was great fun with a lift-off the throttle. So if the st still had that character that would be good😉.
- Renaultsport Megane. Every review says its excellent. However they are thin on the ground, especially with recaro seats. It might be difficult to pick up as fresh an example as the other options.
What do you think? Anyone with experience of owning the cars? I am planning to test drive an example of each but as i mentioned above its often tricky to gauge the car (especially how it handles) on the test drive.
Thanks for reading.
My criteria is that it,
- Needs to be able to fit my family, that's me, my wife and 2 daughters aged 4 and 7. Also be able to put my bike in the back(when the kids aren't there).
- Be fun to drive!!! Over 200 hp but have fun handling, something with an adjustable chassis rather than just grip then understeer.
- Resonable running costs. I don't do alot of miles but nothing too crazy to run.
- Mixture of driving Scottish on a/b roads and a fair bit of city driving. Not alot of motorway miles.
- i would prefer something sub 50k miles with 2 or less owners if possible as would like to keep the car for 3-5 years.
I have had bmws over last 10 years, i had a e46 m3 for 6 years that i recently sold. I loved the m3 but in the end the running cost was too much. We also run a mini cooper s r53 as a 'second car', although it gets used most.
The cars i am thinking about are,
- A m135i hatch 5 door, probably manual although would try an auto if a nice one was available. Always thought i would buy one after the m3. Excellent power with rwd. Not sure about running costs and worried the lack of lsd would be disappointing?
- Mini cooper s 5 door (f55) with a remap. Had a go in one today, it felt alot quicker than i expected, very lively! It was hard to really get a feel for the handling on a short test drive in the rain? A touch small but my wife and kids love mini's and its certainly bigger than the r53. This was the option i was least excited about but it did feel fast and fun on today's drive.
- Focus st 2.0 mk3. A practical size and shape. Good power. I have not driven one yet but have watched some YouTube reviews and am a bit confused as some say its a great fun car with good handling others say the handling is rubbish? The seats look great though. I briefly had an old mazda 3 based on the focus mk2, that wasn't the best car but was great fun with a lift-off the throttle. So if the st still had that character that would be good😉.
- Renaultsport Megane. Every review says its excellent. However they are thin on the ground, especially with recaro seats. It might be difficult to pick up as fresh an example as the other options.
What do you think? Anyone with experience of owning the cars? I am planning to test drive an example of each but as i mentioned above its often tricky to gauge the car (especially how it handles) on the test drive.
Thanks for reading.
The Megane will be 3 door only, I take it that isn't a problem?
Some other options for you that will fall in the 10-15k bracket, some more practical than others.
Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR, can be had for under 15k for a 16 plate low mileage car, 3 door though.
Peugeot 308 GTI 270, decent ones can be had for around 14k for a pre facelift car, 5 door and lsd standard.
VW Golf GTI, just about falls into your bracket, coming in between 14-15k for a reasonable one.
A SEAT Leon Cupra 290 also falls into your price bracket (just, you may get one for 15k if you barter them down a little, most seem to be 16k), better vfm than the Golf as well. The 280 should be more accessible.
HTH
Some other options for you that will fall in the 10-15k bracket, some more practical than others.
Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR, can be had for under 15k for a 16 plate low mileage car, 3 door though.
Peugeot 308 GTI 270, decent ones can be had for around 14k for a pre facelift car, 5 door and lsd standard.
VW Golf GTI, just about falls into your bracket, coming in between 14-15k for a reasonable one.
A SEAT Leon Cupra 290 also falls into your price bracket (just, you may get one for 15k if you barter them down a little, most seem to be 16k), better vfm than the Golf as well. The 280 should be more accessible.
HTH
I drove a Peugeot 308GTI a few weeks back and really rate it. My favourite fwd car.
I have the Golf GTI it’s a solid performer. Does everything well and everyone’s likes them. Good on depreciation.
Cupra is better value than the golf with more performance. Interior just isn’t as nice (marginally) as the Golf if you are fussy.
BMW M135i mini muscle car that is proper rapid. Suspension let’s it down on B roads so isn’t a “fun” car. Looks great in the right spec.
The new Fiesta ST would just slip into the top of your budget. Suppose to be great fun.
I like the Focus ST especially the face lifted cars. Don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves at times.
Megan is suppose to be the hot hatch driving king if that is what you want.
I have the Golf GTI it’s a solid performer. Does everything well and everyone’s likes them. Good on depreciation.
Cupra is better value than the golf with more performance. Interior just isn’t as nice (marginally) as the Golf if you are fussy.
BMW M135i mini muscle car that is proper rapid. Suspension let’s it down on B roads so isn’t a “fun” car. Looks great in the right spec.
The new Fiesta ST would just slip into the top of your budget. Suppose to be great fun.
I like the Focus ST especially the face lifted cars. Don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves at times.
Megan is suppose to be the hot hatch driving king if that is what you want.
I’d be looking at the M135i on that list but I’m a BMW fan boy....
Lots to choose from in that price range but be careful because some will have had a very hard life and had JB4’s etc added for power. The suspension isn’t the best although the 135i is softer than the 140i so doesn’t pogo as much. Bilstein B8’s are a common and popular upgrade.
A Mk7 GTI should be available too and will be a better family car because it’s so much better packaged than the BMW.
Lots to choose from in that price range but be careful because some will have had a very hard life and had JB4’s etc added for power. The suspension isn’t the best although the 135i is softer than the 140i so doesn’t pogo as much. Bilstein B8’s are a common and popular upgrade.
A Mk7 GTI should be available too and will be a better family car because it’s so much better packaged than the BMW.
Thanks for the input so far.
My heart says the megane. 5 doors would obviously be better but currently in a mini r53 so i could get away with 3 for the right car, maybe😉.
I am definitely a bmw fanboy too so the m135i has alot of appeal but not sure if i want a change and if the engine would be too gassy round town? However if i found one with some suspension mods and possibly an lsd i would probably buy it.
I know a vw gti is the sensible choice but i am not keen on vag cars.
The 308 is interesting but none for sale north of the border. Don't mind travelling for the right car but would like to at least try an example locally.
Going to see a focus st today. It's probably the car that on paper is best but will see what i think?
One other consideration is that if the car is sensible enough for my wife to drive i will probably sell my mini and get another mx5 to do track day's in. If i get something less sensible(the megane), i will probably keep the mini too.
My heart says the megane. 5 doors would obviously be better but currently in a mini r53 so i could get away with 3 for the right car, maybe😉.
I am definitely a bmw fanboy too so the m135i has alot of appeal but not sure if i want a change and if the engine would be too gassy round town? However if i found one with some suspension mods and possibly an lsd i would probably buy it.
I know a vw gti is the sensible choice but i am not keen on vag cars.
The 308 is interesting but none for sale north of the border. Don't mind travelling for the right car but would like to at least try an example locally.
Going to see a focus st today. It's probably the car that on paper is best but will see what i think?
One other consideration is that if the car is sensible enough for my wife to drive i will probably sell my mini and get another mx5 to do track day's in. If i get something less sensible(the megane), i will probably keep the mini too.
Went to see an st.
Got taken out in it although guy didn't let me drive which was disappointing. I was a bit disappointed with noticing a little bit of corrosion around wheel arches, suspension arms etc, not bad by any means but i had expected a 40k mile car to be in better condition underneath, and i hate rust. Also it felt a big car but strangely did not have much more room inside than the 5 door mini.
So the experience kind of puts a st to the bottom of the list for now. Hopefully going to see a megane next week so will see how that goes.
Got taken out in it although guy didn't let me drive which was disappointing. I was a bit disappointed with noticing a little bit of corrosion around wheel arches, suspension arms etc, not bad by any means but i had expected a 40k mile car to be in better condition underneath, and i hate rust. Also it felt a big car but strangely did not have much more room inside than the 5 door mini.
So the experience kind of puts a st to the bottom of the list for now. Hopefully going to see a megane next week so will see how that goes.
The Megane is a peach, if you want something close & a bit more modern then the GTC VXR is a very good alternative, you'll get a 2016 for your budget:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
If you're prepared to stretch the budget & haggle then you can get a 67 plate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
If it's 5 doors then the 308 GTI 270 is the pick & if you don't mind traveling then you can get a 2018:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
RS 265 Cup Chassis Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
RedBull Edititon with the Recaros
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
If you're prepared to stretch the budget & haggle then you can get a 67 plate:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104241...
If it's 5 doors then the 308 GTI 270 is the pick & if you don't mind traveling then you can get a 2018:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102128...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105192...
RS 265 Cup Chassis Megane
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
RedBull Edititon with the Recaros
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104161...
Thanks for all the suggestions, the megane's in particular look very interesting.
I have had a bit of time to digest my thoughts after seeing the mini and st.
I think i have narrowed down my search to either a m135i or a megane.
Although i need to be able to get the kids in the back i think i also need something that will replace my m3 in terms of specialness (while hopefully being a bit cheaper to run). I think both those cars might fit that criteria in slightly different ways. I don't think the mini or focus st would do that.
Will hopefully get to see an example of each this coming week🤞.
I have had a bit of time to digest my thoughts after seeing the mini and st.
I think i have narrowed down my search to either a m135i or a megane.
Although i need to be able to get the kids in the back i think i also need something that will replace my m3 in terms of specialness (while hopefully being a bit cheaper to run). I think both those cars might fit that criteria in slightly different ways. I don't think the mini or focus st would do that.
Will hopefully get to see an example of each this coming week🤞.
So I went to see the renaultsport megane today.
It was fantastic!
Put a deposit down on it and super excited, also slightly in the bad books with my wife but never mind. It's kind of her fault for telling me to buy something i found exciting 😂.
It's got the cup pack with recaro seats. It's in great condition although its a 250 so slightly older than i would have preferred but the price was right so that's ok.
Felt like a properly special car!
Just about practical enough but it has a nav screen so the kids are happy, not sure what it will do but they think it will play paw patrol🙄.
Going to miss not having a rwd bmw around but couldn't resist the megane!
It was fantastic!
Put a deposit down on it and super excited, also slightly in the bad books with my wife but never mind. It's kind of her fault for telling me to buy something i found exciting 😂.
It's got the cup pack with recaro seats. It's in great condition although its a 250 so slightly older than i would have preferred but the price was right so that's ok.
Felt like a properly special car!
Just about practical enough but it has a nav screen so the kids are happy, not sure what it will do but they think it will play paw patrol🙄.
Going to miss not having a rwd bmw around but couldn't resist the megane!
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