bob r

iTrader: (46)

I am on the lookout for a replacement car and I have considered loads of different types but I have decided it has to be a hothatch of some sort.
I have driven the Astra [and I was impressed] but I am not the sort to go and test drive cars' just to see how they drive.
Any opinions on the below cars all between 220-240 bhp? - 15k budget.

Astra VXR Burg
Megane 230 R26
Seat Leon Cupra [Possibly a K1]
Focus St
Golf GTI edition 30

daddyscooby

iTrader: (1)

astra vxr burg for me, very nice cars

Useless

iTrader: (2)

Golf all day long for me.

Ben

SRSport

ST or VXR,
Not that Ive driven any of them but from what Ive heard a Renault will probably fall apart, the Golf will (from experience, and my brother in laws, and my mates), dont know much about Seats but having lived in Spain I find it hard to buy anything with 'made in Spain' written on it.

Steve T

iTrader: (14)

I,d choose the Astra over the others, then the Focus St.

Matteeboy

Golf or Megane.

One is easy to live with and effortlessly quick, the other isn't but is a bit mad and a lot of fun.

ST is nuts on fuel for it's power, VXR has an Astra dash which is minging (from someone that had an Astra H for 4 years) and is a bit of a chaviot.

Rob Day

iTrader: (78)

Odd question; but why not a scoob?

jespin

Megane handles the best and is arguably the most fun, the ED30 is the best all round package and along with the Cupra has the most tuning potential without spending a fortune. ST and VXR are both worth a shout. Try and get a drive in them all and you are bound to like one more than the others.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Depends on criteria - Megane with cup suspension is arguably the best handling one out there - most driver enjoyment when pushing on. The Golf beats it in all other areas though so just drive them and make your choice. The other 3 wouldn't get a look in IMO

SRSport

You seem to have a different suggestions based on what your priorities are. Out and out fun? Renault, all rounder? Golf. I know the ST drinks but Id rather spend the money on fuel, a little bit more at a time, than the heavy repair bills you will most likely face as I think they would be out of warranty wouldnt they?

bob r

iTrader: (46)

I want fun, tuning potential, reasonable build quality[which I think they all have] aggressive looks, resale values ?, acceptable for the wife to drive and not too hard on the pocket when it comes to daily driving/servicing.
All the above tick the boxes for me really but I know the only way would be to drive them I guess.

newman90

my mate has had 2 leon cupra r's... they go very well but seemed fairly juicy... nice ride comfort but down side is they are very boaty, handling is some what aweful.. but you will get the reliabilty and cheap servicing as its a VW.

Matteeboy

Is a BMW 130i in budget? Lovely engine and very quick.

MICAWRX

This months Redline has a couple of Golf owners, one of the changed from a Seat because he found the Golf to be much better handling etc... even though essentially same car.

Vauxhalls have a badge issue for me, ST very thirsty, Megane is a Renault..

Haha, its the Golf then!

Audi S3??

stilover

Out of the list, I'd go for the Golf.

J@Scoobybits

Golf for or maybee risk the Megane IMHO

Oilburner

Best thing to do is drive each car and see which one suits you best.Personally I'd go for the Focus its the most fun

robby

I had a Focus ST with dreamscience remap (£200 secondhand handset), approx 285bhp, great fun but 23mpg
I was looking at a VXR but after having 2 mk5 astras i find the interior boring
Had 2 mk5 Golfs (2.0fsi), build quality isn't great
Looked at a Leon but hated the dash centre console (bit you see everytime you sit in it)
renault - french so i wouldn't even think about it after 2 clios - very poor build/ reliability

How about S2000 or Civic type R

Oilburner

I owned one of the first UK Civic Type Rs (EP3) and its the best car I've ever owned so you can imagine how excited I got when I heard about the new one and booked a test drive as soon as I could.All I can say is I've never been so disappointed in all my life a new car is supposed to be better than the one it replaces not worse its slower,heavier and doesn't handle nearly as well mainly due to the fact they replaced the old cars independent rear suspension with an old fashioned beam axle.The JDM spec Civic Type R is a totally different kettle of fish though and is well worth a look like this one... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

Oilburner

You could also consider an Integra Type R too http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

That's what I've just bought and I have to say it's truly stunning to drive. Coming from a 400bhp Blob, it obviously lacks midrange grunt and out and out straight line speed. However, it's still no slouch above 7000rpm and is absolutely divine to drive - incredible grip (in the dry), balance, turn-in, agility through the bends and purity/feedback of steering. It's also got a gearbox to die for - you just want to change gear for the sheer hell of it! In short, it's easily the most rewarding car I've ever driven and it's rarity makes it fairly discreet as people don't really know what it is - a welcome relief after the (unwanted) attention I used to get in the Impreza

Oilburner

The best thing for me is the VTEC howl when you get it above 6000RPM it sends a tingle down my spine just thinking about it!But they even got rid of that in the new shape UK car you just get a VTEC light on the dash

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

The JDM FD2 Civic is a totally different beast with much more agressive cams and a higher compression engine. Even with the standard airbox, the howl from the engine as it moves into VTEC at 5800rpm is very ermm - striking

Oilburner

I can highly recommend the Blitz Sonic induction kit it made a suprising difference as the standard airbox actually faces away from the airflow into the engine I put mine on the rollers and it came back at 211BHP with no other mods!

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

Well, funny you should say that as I'm currently looking into some carefully chosen mods to help the engine breathe a bit more easily Of course, not like turbo tuning where you can just turn up the boost!

Do you still own an EP3 by the way?

Oilburner

No unfortunately not mate I wrote it off on some black ice one morning otherwise I'd probably still have it.Thats the only problem with the Type Rs they're pretty highly tuned out the box so theres not much you can do apart from filters and exhausts I've seen a few with VTEC controllers doesn't give you any more power but moves the changeover point to wherever you fancy in the rev range!

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

Yep, I think that even with a race manifold and higher lift cams, 260bhp is about absolute tops and that's using a Hondata programmable ECU. However, the car is light (just over 1200kgs), which is respectable power to weight. And besides, there's always an option to supercharge

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Golf.... hmmmmm.... they have a good warranty but probably not as reliable as the renault (and thats saying something )
Top would be the Renault, dealers apart (as they suck), its arguably the best car for out and out fun and performance (and will run rings around the golf).
ST is more grown up but no slouch, SEAT is better value than the golf, better dealers and seem to be more reliable (which is funny considering most of the parts are the same )
Astra is a fun hatch nothing wrong with the dash but its a bit of a thug, compared to the others, has the potential to end up first in the chav pile but if you have the money, look for an 888 Astra 1.9 CDTI, 200bhp version as a good alternative

Tony

bob r

iTrader: (46)

Tony

This car is pretty special. I've not seen one before.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1875765.htm

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

ST for me but then I'm biased! I love mine.

For £15K you could get a nice 2008 ST-3!