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which hot hatch would you choose?

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Old 09 July 2008 | 11:34 AM
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Default which hot hatch would you choose?

focus st or vauxhall astra vxr or mazda 3 mps.i have narrowed it down to these 3 cars secondhand only.got to be a turbo also. anyone owned or care to comment.
Old 09 July 2008 | 11:40 AM
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Golf GTi
Old 09 July 2008 | 11:52 AM
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205 Gti. my 3rd car was a 1.6 and I loved it.
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:00 PM
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Excellent. 3 choices and the first two posts don't choose any of them!

For some reason (I nearly bought one too) the Focus is a bit chavvy. May or may not be a problem. Really like the Astra - quick, good handling, good looks, loads of dealers, just watch for the ride quality if you fancy 19s. Mazda, more of a GT than a GTI, but probably a great to own and you won't see many around.

In the end I'd probably go for the Focus simply because you can get £1000s off a pre-facelift car with zero miles. The saving is so huge that it really cancels out anything the other two cars have to offer. Just don't get an orange one!
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:03 PM
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Astra VXR from the original list, but would personally go for a Golf GTi
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:08 PM
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Astra VXR from the list, but would seriously look at Clio 197, (my eldest has one ), and Ibiza/Leon Cupras

Alcazar
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:08 PM
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golf GTI

although you can lease VXR's for £179 per month plus vat!
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:20 PM
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focus ST due to the huge cost savings that can be made. A lot of car for the money.

Mark

second choice would be a golf GTI.
Old 09 July 2008 | 12:44 PM
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I will big up the Focus ST as I have recently bought one and I am loving it more every day, brilliant to live with.

The engine sound alone sold it to me, magnificent and once remapped to 270/330 they are very very quick (cost me £340 for a s/h Dreamscience handset with 5 maps from Performance to Race+, 48bhp increase!!), 20mpg average though around town, though you can get 28-30 on a run.

Golf is slow, overpriced, and driven by city boys with spiky hair called Leighton Golf does look nice though, except the seats.

Astra nice, good spec, bland interior, and IMO a bit odd looking.

Mazda - I like these although a bit too understated, and they are in the highest tax band in 2010, £430-455 a year to tax (ST is £310).

You should test drive them all and try for yourself but you will get a nice 56 or 07 plate ST for £13k private, a bit more from Ford.
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:03 PM
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From the original list of three, I would prbably go for the Focus.... Mainly due to the cash savings you can make! But would have to be blue!

If I may, can I suggest an Alfa 147 GTA? Not a turbo but a stunning V6... by far a better looking car than the original suggestions. Stunning engine and stunning interior! Also, the only image the car has is that of a connoisseur.

Good luck in your search.
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by what would scooby do
golf GTI

although you can lease VXR's for £179 per month plus vat!
Where from?
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:10 PM
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I am currently saving for a VXR after being spanked by 3 in my wrx. Had a drive of the focus, vauxhall and an RX8. I just thought the vxr looked the nicest and pulled like a train in 3rd and 4th. It was also efforless in 6th to get from 70mph to 100mph, unlike the rx8 which needed to be dropped a cog just to overtake on the motorway.
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:13 PM
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To be honest mate I would take a type r civic over that lot any day.
I know its not a turbo, but it goes like one.
They are quick as ****!!
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:15 PM
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Surely you should include the Megane 225 on your list?
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by subevo
focus st or vauxhall astra vxr or mazda 3 mps.i have narrowed it down to these 3 cars secondhand only.got to be a turbo also. anyone owned or care to comment.
If it had to be one of them, then I'd say Focus ST.

Personaly though, with my money, I'd buy a Golf GTI

Why FWD Hatch? What's your budget?

I know a 2005 STI PPP for sale for less than £13k
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:55 PM
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Clio 182
Old 09 July 2008 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by mellinator
To be honest mate I would take a type r civic over that lot any day.
I know its not a turbo, but it goes like one.
They are quick as ****!!
as long as your thrashing the total ***** out of it. The advantage of any of the cars in the original post is that you have plenty of grunt from even 2000rpm.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by NotoriousREV
Where from?
VAUXHALL Astra lease vehicle finance & contract hire details, personal & business contracts
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Dream Weaver

Golf is slow, overpriced, and driven by city boys with spiky hair called Leighton Golf does look nice though, except the seats.
ST is cheap, tacky and driven by chavs called kevin

oops almost forgot the
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by markymark34
as long as your thrashing the total ***** out of it. The advantage of any of the cars in the original post is that you have plenty of grunt from even 2000rpm.

I agree, I had one and it was **** on the road, gutless, iffy steering and rock hard ride.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by markymark34
as long as your thrashing the total ***** out of it. The advantage of any of the cars in the original post is that you have plenty of grunt from even 2000rpm.
Alternatively you could learn how to use a clutch and gearbox properly, but given most people on this site seem to require 4wd to prevent repeatedly stalling at low speeds that is probably asking a bit much.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by what would scooby do
I agree, I had one and it was **** on the road, gutless, iffy steering and rock hard ride.
In other words, a millions times better than an Impreza then.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Tobisausage
ST is cheap, tacky and driven by chavs called kevin

oops almost forgot the
That keeps the running costs down though as "Kevin" always has a mate in the know, whereas "Leighton" is too busy doing his estate agent/hairdressing/recruitment work to be bothered having any mates with mechanical knowledge so he gets stung with higher running costs and servicing as dealers see him coming a mile off, plus an initially over inflated price.

Being serious, Golf is nice but out of those I would have the Focus anyday, and that's what I did.

As for the Civic Type R - nice car, but the OP's stipulation was turbo. Remapped Focus murders the Type R's though, and to get a 25-35% power increase from a Type R would cost thousands.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:45 PM
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I think the best 2 hatches on the market at the moment are the

Leon Cupra
Golf Gti 230ed

Both remap to over 300hp. (There's a 230ed gti on seatcupra.net that has just done a 13.2 @ 107 @ santapod. Only thing done was the revo remap)

Not really a fan of the focus ST tbh, the side grilles front and rear are hideous and totally spoil it.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:48 PM
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Side grills?
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Yes front and back, 1 at bottom left, 1 at bottom right

Without a picture in front of me, i believe they are the foglight surrounds front.

Totally ruin the car. In my opinion anyway

Last edited by Mitchy260; 09 July 2008 at 02:53 PM.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Dream Weaver
That keeps the running costs down though as "Kevin" always has a mate in the know, whereas "Leighton" is too busy doing his estate agent/hairdressing/recruitment work to be bothered having any mates with mechanical knowledge so he gets stung with higher running costs and servicing as dealers see him coming a mile off, plus an initially over inflated price.

Being serious, Golf is nice but out of those I would have the Focus anyday, and that's what I did.

As for the Civic Type R - nice car, but the OP's stipulation was turbo. Remapped Focus murders the Type R's though, and to get a 25-35% power increase from a Type R would cost thousands.
Agree with Golf and hairdressers etc. However, the Type-R doesn't need any extra power unless you're off to Santa Pod. Best 4 cylinder engine in the world, by miles.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:53 PM
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I've looked and looked on my ST and I can't find these side grilles that you speak of either

Sal AKA Kev The Chav apparently

Last edited by Scoobychick; 09 July 2008 at 02:59 PM.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Mitchy260
I think the best 2 hatches on the market at the moment are the

Leon Cupra
Golf Gti 230ed

Both remap to over 300hp. (There's a 230ed gti on seatcupra.net that has just done a 13.2 @ 107 @ santapod. Only thing done was the revo remap)

Not really a fan of the focus ST tbh, the side grilles front and rear are hideous and totally spoil it.
Only trouble with those stats is that if you try it on the public road and the plod catches you you are going to lose your licence. That is, of course, provided you can find a stretch of road that is long enough, straight enough and empty enough to do it in the first place.
Old 09 July 2008 | 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Mitchy260
Yes front and back, 1 at bottom left, 1 at bottom right

Without a picture in front of me, i believe they are the foglight surrounds front.

Totally ruin the car. In my opinion anyway
Ah those Mine are colour coded


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