Looking for a hot hatch (?) next year

[Man of Steel]

During my car carreer I have driven trusty but not so exciting cars. So from time to time I was thinking what would be my next purchase.

Besides dreaming about unaffordable cars (which we all do), I had serious plans in buying a classic car. The restrictions in this type of car told me not to do so eventually.

What returns from time to time is the desire for a little more power. Again, serious plans took form when I checked for an Alfa Romeo GT - an utterly beautiful automobile IMO. But when you want to combine the gracefull lines with more then adequate power, the V6 is the only option (the 2.0 engine also seems to have some other nasty habits).

6-Cylinders (or more obviously) are no option for me at the moment as our money tree in the backyard died recently. So, combining the need for more power in a modern 4-cylinder package, the need for a (sort of) hot hatch eventually seems the logical option.

Just wanted to share my current candidates for next year in random order. Please note this may change by the minute! Maximum budget would be 15K in Euro's.

Small pic's just for the idea.

2007 Peugeot 207 1.6-16v T RC (175 hp)
2006 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 200 Renault Sport (197 hp)
2006 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20VT 132KW 3D Cupra (180 hp)
2005 Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo GTC Sport (170 hp) - no hot hatch I know

Candidates without pic:
2009 Abarth Grande Punto (155 hp) slightly above budget
2004 Peugeot 206 2.0-16V RC (177 hp)
2007 Alfa Romeo 47 2.0 Twin Spark 16V Distinctive (150 hp) - lacking thrill
2003 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i-VTEC (200 hp)

Strong preference for the Clio at the moment.

PS: I love the Abarth Punto and more upscale cars like new Megane RS, Focus 2.5 20V Turbo ST but the purchasing price is still too high. While not even talking about running costs for the latter two.

[Ferrer]

Clio, clearly. By far the most focused and possibly best of the list.

Alfa if you want something a bit different and more relaxing.

[RacingManiac]

Type R sounds cool....though TBH I have no idea how much all those cars cost used....since we get none of them....

Used MKV GTI goes for how much in EU? Or Focus ST170?

[Lagonda]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

Clio, clearly. By far the most focused and possibly best of the list.

Alfa if you want something a bit different and more relaxing.

Seconded.

Maaayybe the Abarth Grande Punto as well... But it's no Clio RS that's for sure. The rest is just "meh". Especially the Seat and Opel.

[Ferrer]

However, I was offered a brand new first generation pre-facelift Abarth Grande Punto at an Abarth dealer for 16.500 €, so I can't imagine it being too out of budget.

I would suggest a first gen supercharged Cooper S, if it's within budget. But bear in mind it's a no compromise sports car.

[pimento]

Out of your the Clio sounds good to me, but I'd agree with Fez that if you can find a Cooper S that could be good too.

[NSXType-R]

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Type R sounds cool....though TBH I have no idea how much all those cars cost used....since we get none of them....

Used MKV GTI goes for how much in EU? Or Focus ST170?

Type R would be awesome, but I'm not sure how popular they are with thieves.

Also, I hate the boy racer aura it exudes. It's a great little car, but I hate the whole Need For Speed and Fast and the Furious crowd with a passion.

[RacingManiac]

Your car is your car, you are the driver, not the rest of them....I want nothing to do with the low and slow, stanced VW crowd, but I love my car....


First gen Cooper S would be a really nice car, though I think its significantly less practical than most hatchbacks...

[Brix]

What about a Citroen DS3!? - A truly great and future classic!

If you are thinking Peugeot, wait for the 208 GTI as it might be cheaper than the 207 GTI.

Personally i would take the DS3.

[Cobrafan427]

I've always been partial to the little Fiats and am thrilled to death that we finally got them here but am still very jealous that we don't get any Abarth models (AFAIK of)

[pimento]

I believe you currently get or are confrimed to get the Abarth 500.

[Ferrer]

It is indeed confirmed.

Fiat 500 Abarth finally lands in the U.S. [w/video]

[pimento]

Also this one. I want one.



The car's pretty great too.

[NSXType-R]

Originally Posted by pimento

Also this one. I want one.



The car's pretty great too.

Oh yes, that would do very nicely indeed.

[Revo]

Here is what you should do.

Test drive your favorite candidates and report back here. With pictures of course.

Hop hop, off you go then!