Anyone taken stock of the current Hot Hatch situation?

[Miyagi]

Can i just step back and say it's fkn awesome that there are so many hot hatches for us to debate about... 2 years ago there was practically nothing and now have a look!

My short list:

1. XR5 Turbo - Does all the right things for me personally and i can't argue against Ford Family Discount... 8) I can mod it, be faster and still be under budget of all other competitors.
2. HSV VXR - The more i read up about it the more i like, constantly impressing me... love that blue!
3. Golf GTI - DSG and the interior does it for me, all the other stuff just as much as the XR5 and VXR.
4. 3 MPS - Nice engine, Mazda would have to have tuned the chassis nicely and it's a good platform. Styling puts me to sleep.. if i was going a Mazda it'd be a MX-5 for Great Ocean Road fun. :)
5. Holden SRi-T - Great BFYB, has the complete list of options the XR5 should have had... still a bit sleepy style wise for my taste.

Cheers,
Miyagi

[blueraven]

sorry i can never get past your avatar :D

[CJB]

sorry i can never get past your avatar :D

me either, it's captivating.

You try to read, but in the corner of your eye, you can see it! :p

[oneightoo]

what was this thread about again??

[CJB]

what was this thread about again??
um... *scratches head* the hot boob situation! oops! I meant hatch :p

what does BFYB mean? :confused:

It certainly feels more Euro with 'hot hatches'.

[MatsHolden]

um... *scratches head* the hot boob situation! oops! I meant hatch :p

what does BFYB mean? :confused:

It certainly feels more Euro with 'hot hatches'.

BFYB = Bang For Your Buck

It's a bit like COTY; Car Of The Year :) lol

[CJB]

BFYB = Bang For Your Buck

It's a bit like COTY; Car Of The Year :) lol

geez, and I get called a Bogan :D hahaha

ok thanks.

[Miyagi]

Is anyone actually going to provide a constructive response or just continuously stare at my avatar?

(maybe i should change it to something more man lovin like Johnny Knoxbile) :D

[CJB]

(maybe i should change it to something more man lovin like Johnny Knoxbile) :D

I think that would be for the best - you would certainly gain my attention :p

[PaulyJ]

Dude, I agree with you. The Hot Hatch scene has really hotted up.
There are those that you have mentioned, and a few others like the Polo GTi, Pug 206 GTi 180, and Renault Clio Sport.
I'd love for Wheels or Motor Magazine to do a full Hot Hatch Comparo, and bring them all out, and put them thru their paces.

[CJB]

Will the new Fiat Punto be included in the hot hatches?

[MatsHolden]

Will the new Fiat Punto be included in the hot hatches?

Nope, would be good if they had a hot version though as they have very nice styling.

[oneightoo]

it cant, purely for the fact it's called a punto.. what a crap name..

but as pauly said, get em all together, test em all together..

[Wraith]

Can i just step back and say it's fkn awesome that there are so many hot hatches for us to debate about... 2 years ago there was practically nothing and now have a look!

My short list:

1. XR5 Turbo - Does all the right things for me personally and i can't argue against Ford Family Discount... 8) I can mod it, be faster and still be under budget of all other competitors.
2. HSV VXR - The more i read up about it the more i like, constantly impressing me... love that blue!
3. Golf GTI - DSG and the interior does it for me, all the other stuff just as much as the XR5 and VXR.
4. 3 MPS - Nice engine, Mazda would have to have tuned the chassis nicely and it's a good platform. Styling puts me to sleep.. if i was going a Mazda it'd be a MX-5 for Great Ocean Road fun. :)
5. Holden SRi-T - Great BFYB, has the complete list of options the XR5 should have had... still a bit sleepy style wise for my taste.

Cheers,
Miyagi

Yes Miyagi, I have being doing the same.........just wrote a post yesterday somewhere with my short list, which is narrowed down to just 3 choices now:

1. Astra VXR
2. Mazda 3 MPS - although I'm keen on a sedan with this car (if they 're gonna make one), not the awkward looking hatch
3. Astra Sri t

And maybe will also consider the new Civic type R, (it certainly looks hot, but don't know if I can go past turbo power), as I won't be doing anything until this time next year.

Others I've cut off: - ie: no longer interested in

1. Golf Gti - too pricey for top spec model, compared to others here and hate the "gimic" nose grille.
2. Xr 5 Focus, not a fan of this cars styling, top spec model is IMO infearior to VXR, for a little more money and not much better O/A than cheaper Sri t , both Astra models look sooooooo much better/sexier.

That's my take on this topic so far.........see what happens over the coming months.

[Pom]

We should also add the alfa 147gta and the bmw 130i - both a tad more expensive but they round out the stable.

Miyagi - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but i'd have to say Astra in both hot modes has got it over the others (particularly the mps and the xr5 - quality power without any styling finesse) in terms of sports style and sex appeal. Reminiscent of the old gtv6 when it first came out.

[Miyagi]

There we go some reasonable answers... Cheers. I agree beauty is definately in the eye of the beholder, wasn't looking to start a fight, just get other peoples thoughts on what is out there and see if anyone else thought that we are currently somewhat spoilt for choice, which is a good thing. 8)

The BMW, Honda, Alfa and Renault are certainly worth mentioning, even the Seat has some good points. :)

[Charlatan]

add RenaultSport Megane 225 Cup too (Phase II released on 4 August)

[pred8r]

But Holden are going to release a 'hot hatch' based on the 'new' barina too arnt they? An equivalent of the last SRi.

BAHAHAHAHA!!!

sorry.....had to

[Red AH SRI T]

But Holden are going to release a 'hot hatch' based on the 'new' barina too arnt they? An equivalent of the last SRi.

BAHAHAHAHA!!!

sorry.....had to


LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Miyagi]

i'm sure the new SRi barina will have loads of go faster bits tacked onto it... for zero performance gain... :p

Still can't believe they stopped importing the European models... :(

[bill142]

Couldn't the VXR be considered a Hypo hatch? Just like the R32 Golf.

[SSS_Hoon]

Couldn't the VXR be considered a Hypo hatch? Just like the R32 Golf.


its simple you cannot compare them too end of story.


SSS_Hoon

[EfiOz]

My current favourites are

Clio Sport - Love the handling but a wee bit overpriced.

206GTi - Not the 180 (a waste of money) but the 135HP GTi. Great handling and an engine that can easily be massaged to 200HP and stil have decent manners.


Golf R32 - Expensive but a very capable car.

Focus XR5 - I haven't driven one yet, but if it's an ST170 with more grunt then it can't be bad.

[Wraith]

Just wondering - what are the specs of the ST170 ?

[MatsHolden]

ST170 has a 2.0, 127kw and 196nm

[Wraith]

Ah, ok then, thanks Mat, would think if there's not much of a price difference, people wanting one of those should go for the xr5.

[Pom]

Wraith???????????

[lowey22]

there are definitely a heap to chose from. the bmw 130i sounds like fun, but a bit exy. i still like the vxr for looks and performance, although i havent driven it (or many of the others either).

miyagi - do not change your avatar :D

[typetnt]

I think I'd choose the BMW 130i just because there'd be less likely chance you'd bump into another owner with the same gear. The price is what keeps people away.

A whole new world opens up to you when you start spending $50K+.
I just wish I had the money!

[xplosv57]

Ive driven the BMW 130i a few times now, and has to be the quickest small car around! 195kW 6cyl in such a tiny package and Rear Wheel Drive, simply awesome!!! Plus a host of features which others only offer as options!

But it doesn't really fit here on price, our demo 130i is $69990, way more expensive than other hot hatches, but u get what u pay for!!

[Shaun]

doses anyone known if Seat will be coming back to Australia? I seen a Seat Hatch one of the Hot Hatches in Lurcerne in Switizland whiles in Europe and they look nice too.

[rjastra]

There is a review in todays SMH Drive section of the current hot hatches

Mazda MPS 3 LAST!! crap drive overwhelmed by the power and its patching power delivery.

Astra SRIT was mid field. No real negative comments. Not enough performance. Excellent value for money. Engine feels like a strong NA unit. Doesn't have the kick of the other turbo cars.

Megane 225 F1 was the runaway winner. Excellent power delivery, fabbo handling. Wants to be driven fast.

[Red AH SRI T]

Shaun, i highly doubt that SEAT will be coming back to Oz anytime soon

[astro boy]

Shaun, i highly doubt that SEAT will be coming back to Oz anytime soon
But the good news is, Paris Hiltons new song is here to stay. :(

[Red AH SRI T]

only good thing about thats scrag is her DVD ;)

[bill142]

only good thing about thats scrag is her DVD ;)

And even it was pathetic. But I suppose all homemade porn is.

[Nem]

what does BFYB mean? :confused:
Bang for your boobs

...errr I mean Buck! ;)

[windy]

Good thread!!!

Been considering updating my TS for a new Astra Turbo or Golf GTI.
Leaning more towards the GTI.... love Holden cars, but can't be assed with their after sales service (or lack thereof).

[JohnBu]

There is a review in todays SMH Drive section of the current hot hatches

Mazda MPS 3 LAST!! crap drive overwhelmed by the power and its patching power delivery.

Astra SRIT was mid field. No real negative comments. Not enough performance. Excellent value for money. Engine feels like a strong NA unit. Doesn't have the kick of the other turbo cars.

Megane 225 F1 was the runaway winner. Excellent power delivery, fabbo handling. Wants to be driven fast.

got a link to this.. i cant find it

[JohnBu]

Good thread!!!

Been considering updating my TS for a new Astra Turbo or Golf GTI.
Leaning more towards the GTI.... love Holden cars, but can't be assed with their after sales service (or lack thereof).

i wouldn't bother going AH turbo.. i'll wait for the VXR..

GTi is nice.. but anybody know of the golf's service cost?? if its like other VW cars, boy it aint cheap..

[EfiOz]

Ouch! If I was going to spend that, I'd probably buy an R32 Golf and pocket the 15K in change.

Or, my favourite, a Clio Sport and pocket the 30K in change (and put up with the Renault dealers!)

[Miyagi]

got a link to this.. i cant find it

BOOYA! (http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?articleID=18339) :D

[windy]

i wouldn't bother going AH turbo.. i'll wait for the VXR..

GTi is nice.. but anybody know of the golf's service cost?? if its like other VW cars, boy it aint cheap..

Yeah maybe... Also have to consider insurance cost etc. I can't imagine the VXR being cheap for a 26 y/o

Good call on the VW service. Must look in to that.

[SSS_Hoon]

our 15k service on our GTI not GTi...


was 220.

the one i am dreading is the DSG service.

but with any good quality car you have to expect to pay higher for the same service they do for 50 on cheaper cars...


SSS_Hoon

[windy]

our 15k service on our GTI not GTi...


was 220.

the one i am dreading is the DSG service.

but with any good quality car you have to expect to pay higher for the same service they do for 50 on cheaper cars...


SSS_Hoon

OT, but do you know at what Km the DSG service is carried out?

Cheers
Windy

[Wraith]

Wraith???????????

hahaha POM, LOL, was only referring to people interested in buying a Focus, ie: they should get an xr5 over an st170 if price is not much different.

I'm definitely set on the VXR as my first choice in this hot hatch field of cars.