Warm/Hot hatch for under £7k.

BenL

Citroen C4 VTS, I didn't realise until now that some of these have 180bhp. Must be the 206Gti 180 engine.

BenL

Alfa 147's "only" have 150bhp and probably won't last much longer on the 2nd hand market.

chorlton

I have a 180bhp Leon Cupra (not R) and love it.

Been totally reliable for the 3 years I've had it (well, except for the leaks which are a well documented VAG problem...) I love the kick in the pants turbo feeling - and the fact it pulls strongly right through the revs in every gear (turbo kicks in at about 2000rpm). It's well specced, feels well screwed together and has a nice interior. I get overall fuel consumption of low to mid 30's - can easily get 40+mpg on a motorway run but struggle to get 30mpg around town.

BUT - though it handles well enough, I wouldn't call it nimble, it's a heavy car. I know the Cupra R has bigger Turbo and brakes, not sure what suspension differences though.

gord115

wxmlad wrote: »

I don't usually hear the words 'Diesel' and 'sporty' used together............

If you want something 'sporty' don't get a diesel, people look ridicolous trying to race off from the lights in an oil burner.

Not if it is "chipped":T I had my Fabia vrs done 3 years ago ,my nephew owns it now,very fast and economical.

maniac886

chorlton wrote: »

I have a 180bhp Leon Cupra (not R) and love it.

Been totally reliable for the 3 years I've had it (well, except for the leaks which are a well documented VAG problem...) I love the kick in the pants turbo feeling - and the fact it pulls strongly right through the revs in every gear (turbo kicks in at about 2000rpm). It's well specced, feels well screwed together and has a nice interior. I get overall fuel consumption of low to mid 30's - can easily get 40+mpg on a motorway run but struggle to get 30mpg around town.

BUT - though it handles well enough, I wouldn't call it nimble, it's a heavy car. I know the Cupra R has bigger Turbo and brakes, not sure what suspension differences though.

I have not had a chance to test drive a Cupra R yet but I have been inside one. I felt that interior was not as good quality as you would get in an Audi/Golf

MMG

The interior of that era of Leon is actually a direct lift from the A3 of that era also...

sebdangerfield

Alfa 147 GTA, ridiculous car, great fun, great sound and far more reliable and cheaper to service than the 2.0 ts engine due to the cam belt.

It'd take some finding but you could get one in that price range.

Never understood the diesel hot hatch thing, it's just not the same. Too heavy engines and none of the sound of a petrol engine.

They have their place and they've improved no end but just not for me!

maniac886

sebdangerfield wrote: »

Alfa 147 GTA, ridiculous car, great fun, great sound and far more reliable and cheaper to service than the 2.0 ts engine due to the cam belt.

It'd take some finding but you could get one in that price range.

Never understood the diesel hot hatch thing, it's just not the same. Too heavy engines and none of the sound of a petrol engine.

They have their place and they've improved no end but just not for me!

The 147 GTA looks like an awesome car however they seem quite rare and getting one within my budget is gonna be pretty difficult!

harveybobbles

I have a 54 plate Fiesta ST for sale on the yard.

Are you going to colour code the door handles and door moldings on your next car...?

maniac886

harveybobbles wrote: »

I have a 54 plate Fiesta ST for sale on the yard.

Are you going to colour code the door handles and door moldings on your next car...?

Lol well remembered!

If I get the CTR or LCR I won't be modding them at all.