Autocar - First for car news and reviews

I currently have around £4k to spend on a new motor, and am after something with decent real-world performance, and reliability, but my budget cannot stretch to a CTR or Leon Cupra R.

 I have managed to narrow down the options to a 2002 Focus ST170 and a 2002 Leon Cupra 1.8T.

 My question for the masses is:  Has anybody out there got any decent feedback on either of these cars?  Both get generally good reviews, but I would be very interested in some owners opinions.

 Also, if anyone feels that there should be other cars on my consideration list, that aren't currently, please let me know (I've looked at any number of Imprezas for this price, but I'm a little scared of the running costs!)

 Many thanks.

 What about something like an older Clio 172.  OK its French, OK its not the best built car in the world ever.  But on the upside, its quick, and you go get a lot of kit as standard.  Think, auto wipers, auto lights, leather, climate etc etc.

 I had one a while back and it did the trick.  

My favourite subject - how sad does that make me sound!!

I have had experience with both the SEAT and the Focus in these form and both are excellent cars, although some what different in character.

The Focus is my personal favourite, being quick, responsive (lack of turbo), as well as having excellent handling.  Certainly if you rate handling in your priorities over outright grunt, then this is the car to go for.

The SEAT is a little more refined and softer in its nature, but is a little gruntier.  Handling isn't at the same level as the Focus, but if you do motorway miles you may find it a little more comfortable.  Incredibly well built as well.

There are several other options on the market that may be worth considering.....

Vauxhall's Astra SRi Turbo -  Sort of half way between the Leon and the Focus in character, and quite rare.

Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 -  Full of character, but you must make sure the service history is kept up. 

Citroen C4 2.0 16v VTR  -  May struggle to find one at the budget, but they are around.  Not overtly sporting in the handling but it is a warm hatch, with half decent grunt.

Fiat Stilo Abarth 2.4  -  Again, very few around but full of character, if not the best handlers in the world.

MG ZR 160 - Raw and raucous.  Looks the part and is certainly quick.  Great value for money although they are starting to look a little dated on the interior.

Peugeot 307 XSi  - Not particularly quick and not the handler the old 306 used to be, but a warm hatch none the less.  Reasonably well built and good value for money, just not the most inspiring warm hatch on the market.

Renault 2.0 VVT Dynamic  -  Pretty much the same as the Peugeot.

Toyota Corolla.....  Nah, don't bother.  Very reliable, and even though it has the same lump as the Celica and Lotus Elise, don't.  It just isn't a great car!

VW Golf GTi (Mk4) - Buy the SEAT instead, its a better car.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the response, you've certainly given me more food for thought.

 Really though, I think my heart lies with the focus, it would be used as a (non-motorway)daily commute, and needs to be grin-inducing enough to keep me entertained, without being too harsh.

 Thanks again!

A couple more I have just thought of....

Citroen Xsara VTS  -  2004 - Same as a 306 GTi-6 without the six speed box.  Built later so a newer models available.  Handling its forte but its looks were not!  Could be almost classified as a Q car!!!

Proton Satria GTi  -  2004 - The Lotus one.  Handles well, but the rest of the car is a little... well.....  Just go and look at one and decide.

What I didn't say the first time is that I have looked for newer, rather than older vehicles, based on what you said in your original post.  If you were prepared to look back a bit further, then there is tonnes of fun stuff to be had!

 Does it have to be a hot hatch? 

W124:

Does it have to be a hot hatch?

 

Well, not really, but at the very least 'warm'.

 What I'm ultimately after is something reliable, with relatively low running costs, and enough go to keep me entertained.  I'm no badge-snob either, so am willing to atleast consider most things.

I currently run a '95 Honda Accord coupe 2.2i, which has a lovely torquey engine, but it's too heavy, old, and is starting to cost a fair bit to run.

 This is why I'm searching the hatch possibilities, as I'd like a car that has less of a thirst, is lighter on its feet, and has enough power to punt me along the country lanes to work every morning, with a grin on my face.

W124 - if you have any suggestions I'd be delighted to consider them.....

I ran a Leon 1.8T for a couple of years; enjoyed every bit of it. Loved the interior, the huge boot, the torque shove from the turbo engine and the fact that it still revs too. The Focus will be the crisper in terms of handling, and its gearshift is slicker, but I'd be sorely tempted by the Leon. I still miss mine, four or five years on...

Ah, you cite thirst as an issue which is a shame as I was going to mention the Peugeot 406 3.0 V6 - a genuinely fast Q-car.  Save yourself a grand and put it in a petrol account - they are very, very cheap and low tax for a 2000 facelift one.  Leather, climate, heated seats all thrown in as well - pretty reliable and they don't tend to get thrashed in the way hot hatches do.

 Or how about an Octavia VRS - fast, well built and quiet.

 
 

ncraigie:

I'd like a car that has less of a thirst, is lighter on its feet, and has enough power to punt me along the country lanes to work every morning, with a grin on my face.

Why have you overlooked the Puma? It's a better drive than the Focus, it has a wonderfully fluid chassis, just enough power, it's lightweight and economical too. A real forgotten hero..........................or

Peugeot 106/306 Rallye. 306 GTI6 (not the inferior S16 though) Clio172/182, MK1 MX5.

Forget the Seat, it lacks tactility.

FIAT COUPE 20V TURBO!! Faster than all of the above, faster than most current metal in fact, cheaper than all of the above, 5 cyclinder thrum that sounds better than all of the above, massively cooler than all of the above, genuine 30mpg, genuine 4 adult interior space, etc etc. Or get more MPG and get the still-rapid non-turbo version.

Actually, maybe not cheaper than the Stilo, ZR, 106/306/307, Xsara, Proton and 406 but still cheap! I like TegTypeR's suggestion of the C4. I think the 3dr coupe version looks fantastic. Alternatively, I also recently drove a Citroen C2 'Loeb', which I think is basically a C2 VTS with Loeb stickers on. Whatever it is, it was an absolute hoot to drive - goes like a rocket, handles like an MX5, looks great - rather like the Renaultsport Twingo in fact. I am almost certainly going to buy one in the very near future.