Polo GTI? 208 GTI? Toyota 86? Clio RS? Fabia RS? etc etc?
Most Bang for the buck hot hatch < 40K?
fatboyslim on 10/02/2014 - 13:29
Comments
+1 Bang for buck you get a lot from a GTI. Lots of features for the $$$.
Have a look at Corsa OPC. I had one of those in europe before coming to oz and it was FUN!
They are hugely discounted now in Australia, so you can get one brand new for 20-21k which is bargain.
There are a couple of cons:
-Warranty (I've heard that holden will cover it)
-98 petrol recommended (used 95 and 98 on occasion with no issues)
-manual (hot hatch must be manual, right?:)
-only a few of them left in stock, not a big choice of inclusions and colorsOne big +:
-you can buy 2 for 40 grand.Faclon turbo will be faster than anything for your budget.
0-100km/h times does not maketh a fun hot hatch.
the only answer to this question is the RenaultSport Megane RS250 (can easily get a year-old one for under $40k).
Not related to OP, but why are there so many second hand 2000-2010 Meganes for sale? Is there a dodgy build to them prior to some point in time?
For quite some time I had an RS Megane 225 (2004 model), maintenance was expensive on it but nothing catastrophically went wrong with it or fell off it at all. It was a crazy fun car to drive.
That said, the timing belt replacement cost $2k, and new Brembo brakes (front and rear) set me back $1500 before they were even fitted…so they are not cheap cars to maintain. They also typically have common problems like the auto wiper/lights sensor dying, engine mounts that need replacing, and trim bits that randomly fall off which need to be dealt with over time.
The RS250/RS265 is a much, much better built car overall and I would not hesitate to buy a 2011/2012 model to save some dosh over a brand new 2014 model (also keep in mind that a facelift for the Megane is coming to Australia very soon, and boy is it ugly).
also consider the Focus ST
Agreed
^ Don't listen to any of these people. The Toyota 86 is the only car to consider, it wins by default as its the only RWD sports car for under 40K. While it isn't the fastest car for under 40K because of its lack of a turbo, it is still the most fun to drive, and the only car with true sports car feel, such as low to the ground seat position, fantastic steering feel and great manual transmission. Even the automatic transmission is good and has a fully manual mode.
More of a coupe than a Hot Hatch though
Even better then! :)
not a hatch but I reckon the Octavia VRS in sedan or wagen is a lot more suitable for most people who actually have to do something with their cars
New Skoda Octavia vRS is a real dark horse contender - as much boot space as a Commodore and nearly as much interior room, but the same mk7 Golf GTi underpinnings (just needs a bit more power in my opinion - though that can be fixed easily enough with a bluefin stage 1 flash).
If I had 40K to blow on a new car, here is exactly what I would do. You may scoff at the Fiat 500, but they're light, agile, quick and the Abarth badge is legend. It will also set you apart from everyone else.
Fiat 500 Pop: $14K Drive away
+
Multiair 1.4 conversion: (118kW/230Nm): 12K
+
"Tributo" exhaust/turbo upgrade for above (135kW/250Nm): 4K
+
Abarth brake/suspension: 6K
+
Sportier seats: 1K
+
17" wheels/tyres: 2K
+
Abarth badges (ebay): $30=$39030
or about the same money as an Abarth Esseesse, but even better.
This topicmight interest you.
But really, your link is showing 135hp (99kW) which is the engine below the Abarth. Their Abarth shows as 160hp (118kW) whose engine is the basis for my hypothetical build, before upgrading the turbo and exhaust.
The idea of which is to achieve the same performance as the Tributo Ferrari (a bonkers 70K) for the price of an Abarth Esseesse. Should be easy, as I've since discovered a few suitable 17" wheel/tyre packages, for example at around $1K. But if you want the same Pirelli tyres as them, it's closer to 2K.
Also depends on who sources the other parts and who fits them. DIY would save another wad you could use on body enhancements and interior. And that's the only compromise I see; you're left with the ghey Pop interior. Not sure if you can even specify basic black for that, as on the Fiat Au site it doesn't offer it.
mazda 3 sp25 would be the one i'd go for right now and spend the leftovers on coke and hookers*
- Coca Cola and LJ Hookers for real estate
as long as you can find one for $40k (new or old), how can you go past the Mazda MPS ? over 250 horses giddyup
Brand new, they're under $40k. 3MPS, 191kW @ Fly, ~168kW @ wheels.
Torque is monstrous!
Not an easy drive if you're not used to high-power FWD vehicle. Reliability of the Mazda/Ford 4Cyl engine block with go-fast bits on it. Service/maintenance costs are low compared to anything Euro (VW, I'm looking at you) and are happy to be used as a good daily driver (been driving one since new in 2006). Great for weekends, plenty of space (for those random times you need it).Always 98RON fuel, don't ever use 95. Always quality… BP or Shell only.
Tyres are pricey due to strange stock size (215/45/R18) but the 2nd Gen has slight different size (225/45/R18). Recent online-ordered Pirelli tyre cost $240 fitted, that's cheap.Great online community too.
The 2nd gen (2009 on) is reportedly easier to drive than the original.
1st Gen got re-tuned in a recall, flattened the torque curve, made it much more sedate…
Either way, both cars, so much fun!!!
Volvo v40 diesel . Very very ecnomical, very safe. Has crash avoidance even @ 50kmph. Looks hot. Vey comfy. But price may be a tad above 40k. Demo maybe ?
Used MKVI Golf GTI + Stage II Upgrade
0-100km/h in well under 5 seconds