which hot hatch would you choose?
09 July 2008, 11:34 AM
#1
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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.
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!
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!
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09 July 2008, 12:44 PM
#9
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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.
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.
09 July 2008, 01:03 PM
#10
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.
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.
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.
09 July 2008, 01:53 PM
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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
09 July 2008, 01:58 PM
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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.
09 July 2008, 02:00 PM
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09 July 2008, 02:01 PM
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09 July 2008, 02:12 PM
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09 July 2008, 02:29 PM
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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.
09 July 2008, 02:30 PM
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09 July 2008, 02:44 PM
#23
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
09 July 2008, 02:51 PM
#27
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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.
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.
09 July 2008, 02:53 PM
#28
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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
Sal AKA Kev The Chav apparently
Last edited by Scoobychick; 09 July 2008 at 02:59 PM.
09 July 2008, 02:54 PM
#29
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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.
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.
