Thinking about buying a brand new hot hatch. Value for money and reasonable running costs are more important than outright performance. Current contenders.

Fiesta ST
Fabia VRS
Ibiza Cupra

Any others I should be considering?

Max budget is 11K so I'm looking at importsd (or heavily discounted cars from UK dealers).

Cheers.

Martin.

 

I would personaly go for the Fabia VRS. Quick car and unbelievable economy and can be chipped very easily and cheaply up to silly bhp figures. Think you can map these to 175bhp for about £400.

 

New Colt CZT and soon the new Swift GTi both can be had for about £10k.

 

Dealers are have the VRs in a vice like grip. They know the popularity and are asking premium prices. Independents are worth a shout.

 

The Ibiza can be had with the same engine as the vRS can't it? FR. Or in 100 bhp and 160 bhp tunes.

The Ibiza's a much better looking car imo... a personal issue clearly, but the Fab interior alone puts me off.

Over budget though, unless you can get a decent discount. The 1.8T FR might be a better bet there.

 

Clio 182....might be closer to £12k though.

 

Colt CZT is very nice to drive although you do feel a little detached. Should be a chip to 170 BHP soon for them.

 

I like the look of the focus ST to be fair. I dont think it fairs too badly in the ratings and it feels like quite a nice sporty place to sit. There was a journo testing one at the ring last year when I was there and he was putting in 8.40 laps which is pretty good. Not sure what kind of discounts you can get on them?

As suggested though the 182 clio probably comes into your money bracket and that is a good car.

Chipping cars as has been suggested will invalidate your warranty, so it depends if that is precious to you.

Gary

 

Chipping cars doesnt necessarily invalidate the warranty. Skoda dealers are realistic and dont usually, in my experience mind a gentle remap. I used Revo as it has a switch to put it back to standard when you want to, but in fact my local dealer doesnt mind.

The vRS is a great car but it depends on what you are looking for. It's style of driving is very different to petrol cars and you have to decide if you like that style. I do and love my car. It's all about mid range although mid 7 secs to 60 have been recorded by some magazines in standard tune. The interior I love as it's so solid compared to any rival. The whole car is very solid. BUT the handling will not compare in standard guise to the smaller more focused cars. The Fiesta, Colt and Clio will all handle better but I wanted a car with a little better comfort. The Ibiza I hated as I found the ride harsh yet with no more grip than the Fabia. I dont like the looks either.