nope a lot lot worse actually, it may have been good on the track but having to sit behind a saab convertible at 6000 rpm waiting to overtake is not funny.

 

Foglight surrounds, absoloute hideous.

 

Yeah, that happened every time I went for a drive in my Type-R. What a bitch. It was much better in my STI with zero driver involvement.

 

As an alternative to the Kevin and Perry cars why not try the Mazda 3 MPS? All from 13K with warranties.

Not many about, less chavvy and loaded with kit with a fair bit of grunt too!

The 6 MPS is a very good car, quite bulletproof and discrete.

Mazda Used Vehicle Locator

 

Of the choices, I'd pick the Mazda 3 MPS, Japanese build quality, most powerful, has LSD, fastest in straight line. Other hot hatch I would also consider is the Renault Megane R26, if it wasn't a hot hatch you're after I'd also consider a BMW e46 M3 which can be had for £13K these days.

 

I wouldn't choose the MPS, it has most of the ingredients of a good hot hatch but somehow seems to have something missing. You never really desire one do you..... I would be inclined to day VXR, i've had one and they are pretty good all round. By far the best looking of all the hot hatches too. I've always thought it was the Focus that was a bit funny looking.

An R26 is a good suggestion too, regarded as the best hot hatch available at the moment and 1 year old models are available for £13k. You can even buy brand new ones for around £15.5 - £16k if you know where to look.

 

The Mazda 3 MPS is basically a Ford Focus with a different body. I would personally choose a Golf GTi or the Renault Megane.

 

The Mazda 3 costs £430 or £455 a year to tax, I refuse to pay out such an amount in VED from 2010, hence why it was deleted from my list originally.

Mitchy260 - I slightly agree with you on the surrounds, hence why mine will be black soon rather than silver. The facelift doesn't have them though.

As to which car is better, have a see what the Stig and JC make of it - YouTube - Stig with Ford

Greasy track, but JC reckons quicker than VXR and Golf in the dry and I agree.

 

I also have a hard time listening to people saying the Megane is a nice looking car?

 

Nothing wrong with that Simon, certainly not in the same line as hairdressing (or IT )

I dont think you could say the the ST is a particularly 'nice' looking car either, although I'm not saying it has the same sort of 'interesting' boot arrangement that the Megane has.

Still think a Golf GTi with something like a AmD stage 1 remap would be a very good compromise for looks and performance and quality.

 

That was just a joke Jeff

I personally think the Focus is the best looking of the hatches, the lines are just right but thats all down to personal taste.

I really rate the Leon on looks as well, and the Civic but then I have a Civic as well

 

Ha ha, yeah I know mate, as was mine

The thing with the ST is I just cant get to like them although this morning strangely enough I was sat behind just a plain white on with no stripes and thats the best one I've seen so far. A mate has a white one with blue stripes and I'm just not keen at all, they should have left that little combo with the SI RST (which as a previous owner a good few years ago was/am a big fan off btw)

Speaking of the Leon, a white one came past me the other day absolutley flying looked really good in white and sounded pretty good at full chat, think the front end looks particularly agressive with the black scoops/inserts/or whatever they are for/called.

(Is it me or is theres a bit of white theme going on? Wasnt intentional!)

 

White looks great on both the Leon and the Focus, and the Astra Ring version as well actually.

The stripes on the ST were an option you know, people seem to think they are std fit, and I don't like them one bit - mine has no graphics at all, and I doubt it ever will.

 

I have no idea why people think stripes are standard fit? I've only seen a couple with them on, and I do think they look gash. But one man's gash is another's thing of beauty...

The ST is an excellent all rounder, but the other car's mentioned are also good.

It comes down to personal preference, or blind brand loyalty, or how about drive each one and decide. I know that's a bit radical...

 

Stripes are only stickers anyway, they come off, run over with some glue/tar remover and a quick polish, then nobody would be the wiser.

 

Sorry, I think I may have confused the issue, when I said stripes in reference to the SI RST, I meant the stripes down the side above the sills. IE on white Focus ST's with blue stripes (decals) downs the side like - the Series I RST.

(oh and I dont think they were a standard fit, just dont like them and seem to see a lot round our way)

 

Hmm hadnt thought of that one, I actually dont mind it but I suppose white is the new black! (minus the chequered stripes and fake carbon )... couple of grand more for a bit of exclusivity, leather recaros etc.. **** it.. why not!

But even then, I think my money would go the way of the Golf (R32 - goes better with the pin stripe suits rather than the GTi )

 

anyone had a read in evo mag the mps can hit 100 in 14.3.and do 14 sec dead standard on the drag strip thats bleedin quick.as posted on youtube.

3mps 14.3sec
focus st 16.3 sec
vxr 16.7sec

r32 15.2 sec
golf gti 17.9 sec

cooper s works 18 sec

 

I always knew you had sense

 

sounds like a news of the world story lol