Hi everyone.
I've been driving a run down 2003 Camry with 150,000kms on the clock for the past few years, recently I've decided I want to live a little so I am in the market for an entry level high performance car. My requirements are the following:
What would you guys buy? and why?
Let me know in the comments below.
Don't laugh but…
Hyundai's new i30N.
This is the first Korean hot hatch and the reviews so far are all positive.
The suspension was largely sorted right here in Aus, and the standard version has 184kW and the hi-po Golf GTI killer has 202kW.
I have not driven one — but Mrs B has a Veloster turbo, ripping car. Needs a bit more go and better brakes, and maybe P Zeroes, different I know but I can vouch for the build quality.
Is it fwd?
It is FWD, but it has a tricky diff.
No one is laughing.
I sat in a SR premium, getting closer and closer to the golf but still feels like a $20k plastic car with leather and sunroof.
Looks hot on the outside though.
no sensible man scoffs at a korean car anymore. the new i30 N looks like a competitive contender in the mid range hot hatch market
This is the pick! The Subaru WRX is such an old platform and they haven't made any strides to improve anything with it at all.
I had a chance to ride in the new Golf R and that was really nice but the boot space is not that great.
The i30N was something I thought looked exciting. A lot of BMW's M team ended up going to Hyundai's N team and I went up to coffs to watch WRC and the Hyundai's were tearing it up. It also made me want to own an AWD Yaris but Toyota aren't making those :(
i30n is a good choice but I think you have a few facts confused.
Suspension was sorted at the Nurburgring (Hence the "N" name, as well as the performance arm being from Namyang Korea), and has been unchanged for the Aus launch as they need to keep the handling consistent.
Aus is only getting one version, the performance pack 202kw one with the only extras being a 2k pack to add some parking sensors and other things and then a full panoramic sunroof at another 3k.
Still hasn't been released in Aus yet though. Only possible downsides are its a bit heavy for its size and the suspension has been reviewed as pretty firm. Otherwise, all the reviews call it an amazing car and an amazing effort for Hyundais first performance entry. They did hire Albert Biermann from BMW to set it up though who did BMW's M cars so it should be no surprise.
Apparently they changed Albert's mind: https://www.motormag.com.au/news/1803/hyundai-i30-n-suspensi…
Custom suspension for Aus, I stand corrected.
They've actually relented on the whole 'one suspension tune for the world' thing. Motor put an article up earlier this week
See directly above your post.
how long is the waiting list ?
Definitely doesn’t compare to the Veloster Turbo, though. I had a late 2015 model and was frustrated at the slippery rear and unpredictable dual clutch transmission. Hyundai cut corners on that car that they certainly wouldn’t now. Had a new loan i30 SR Premium when my Veloster was being serviced, and it was night and day.
In saying that, only sold it when I decided to move overseas - such a head turner for the money!
Anyone who laughs at this isn't truly a car guy.
Biermann did amazing things with Hyundai.
Wrx Sti
Evo X
Focus RS
V8 VF Commodore
Pick your flavour. Only you know what puts a smile on your dial. Allow extra for exhaust/upgraded tyres/mild tune to really get the most out of them.
Or wait for the new Supra 😉
Considering the engine issues that are about to happen and become a major issue for Ford, I would not touch the current batch of Focus RS cars. Until they release a “real” fix or redesign the engine to do away with the open deck design, these things are going to be a nightmare in the future and good chance it’s going to kill the re-sale value on the current RS range.
Just have to look through the focus RS forums and you'll be put off.
All RS from about July 2017 onwards are fine. The correct head gaskets were used.
Head gaskets won't fix this issue in the long term. The dumbest thing Ford could have done was release this car with a floating/open deck design.
The only way to fix this piss poor design is with a kit that braces the top of the cylinders. One company has already done this fix (and if I can remember their name, I'll post the details).
What Ford have done is put a "until the warranty runs out" bandaid over the real issue.
And I don't know how you got the "all RS head gaskets from July onwards are ok" info from considering that most of the people that have had the fault have been complaining about the issue in the last few months. Ford have only just come out recently and said they are researching the issue and are only just now saying that the new head gaskets "may" fix the issue. If it was already fixed, Ford would be saying that…
@pegaxs:
Holy crap, I just had a look at the water jackets on the RS, no wonder they are having problems.
New Supra/BMW will be about 100K
WAIT WHAT?! NEW SUPRA?!?!
haha yep
http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201803190006.html
They've been talking about it for more than five years, but only in the last few weeks confirmed that it will be released under the Supra name.
Indeed, we're entering a new golden age of sportscars.
Holy shit. I just had to change my pants.
I had a good feeling they were testing the waters with the 86!
@Munki: The only thing people are worried about is the transmission. Toyota so far haven't confirmed a manual version Supra … so there's a bit of fear around.
@freakatronic: I'm sure they can't possibly mess that up. Come on! You cannot offer up a Supra and not have a manual version!
@freakatronic: To be fair, it's not really going to affect me as I'll be too broke to get one anyway, and I don't drive manual. :D
@Munki: Well, to be fair there are a lot of people outraged these days about stuff that makes no difference to them personally :p
I'm also a long way from even affording a MK4 Supra, let alone the new one. I love manual though.
@freakatronic: hahaha Too true! Lots of people getting offended for the sake of being able to.
Man the old Supras still look good to this day! I'd love to be able to get one too - even if it means learning manual. :P
@Munki: Manual is a very satisfying way to drive. So much so that faster DGSs will never sway me. I would sacrifice my speed to enjoy the closer communication with my car.
@freakatronic: Yeah been meaning to learn manual, but never had the opportunity to. Also, don't have a manual car anyway.
Where Lambo?
But hey, only 150K on the Camry, is that even run in yet?
For the last few years I've been waiting for it to die, but it just won't. Even went 2 years one time without changing engine oil and it's still going strong.
Examples of these in the USA have done 500k miles. If you take care of it it will last forever, if you don't, still expect 300k plus
I regret having a 2013 camry, should have just gotten a 2003 one instead..
I inherited a Celica that went 2-3 years without servicing and it was still running. $2000 later though (engine clean and other servicing as required), and she was even better. Ran well over 200k and was going strong before I sold it. Edit Actually, I remember I needed to fix its CV joint.
Our family's 1991 Camry Ultima was doing 250k before its eventual demise.
I expect my 2010 Aurion to run over 200k before I'd need to replace it, but it's only done 90k.
That's what I was thinking too. I bet OP takes one bite of a pie and throws it out too.
2009 Camry
New V6 Camry SX. 224kw.
Oh god
OP, at 150,000kms a 2003 Camry is still unwinding from the factory. Give it another thirty thousand km or so and watch the kilowatts soar.
Why?
(its just a joke)
it means the camry should complete its break-in soon
Add a premium turbo kit + NOS , to the Camry .
Upgrade brakes, if stopping is important to you.
I have VF Commodore SS Wagon. Sure, it's not technically a sports car. Not technically a hot hatch. But goes very well and sounds great.
And is extremely spacious and drives wonderfully with a 6 speed automatic. Mine has an exhaust and tune done as well.
Worth considering, and much cheaper than $60k.
depends if you call ringwork with an RWD LS a sport
I have a Octavia RS230 and borrowed a mate SS wagon recently. Good car, not sure if I'd trade the Octavia for it though… but #savethewagons!
Lancer hatchback… then add spoils…
No one mention the AMG A200? It comes with all the “bells and whistles”…
Shhh. You're giving away a great deal.
Shhh. You're giving away a great
dealinvestment opportunity
FTFY… :D
I'm waiting on the salvage title from a uni student
You dropped a g (AMG gA200)
I came on here just for these comments and just posted this in hope someone came here for the comments on these comments.
If first impressions count, there isn't a better car.
A mate has one… seriously underpowered that thing. Any GTi will have it for lunch. It looks great with the AMG package and etc but unless you're going for the AMG45, it can't be considered even remotely sporty.
Whoosh?
Suppose so… StPatrick's is my excuse and I'm sticking with it
What sort of driving? Windy roads, straights occasional track?
Understated appearance or loud?
High tech or mechanical?
Are you handy with cars?
Are you handy with computers?
Do you intend to mod?
Ps. I'm a car and motorcycle entrhusiast and track driver. I used to race amateur 600cc class for motorcycles and I get invited to lots of track day test drives. I am mechanically and electronically knowledgeable. I wont state what car I drive to avoid bias.
I wont state what car I drive to avoid bias.
Is it a PT Cruiser?
I considered pimping up a black PT with flame stripes and afterburners. So maybe.
After consideration, it's definitely a Prius.
Do afterburners burn the car once you step out of it, because if so every PT cruiser should have come with those standard!
@linton:
They're unflattering, sure but I think there's a certain attraction to a PT that's there because of the uglies.
I wont state what car I drive to avoid bias.
What year/model Honda?
Honda vehicles ever owned
2011 CBR1000
2012 CB400
Old lawnmower.
How well does the old lawnmower run compared to the CB400?
@CMH:
No clue. I had it when I lived in a property with no grass. Found it in the garage after purchase of property.
@Speckled Jim:
They have a v4 sports tourer if memory serves right, but like me, you're probably looking for a proper track bike.
I had the chance to test out the RSV4 Factory when they did their pre release press track day (a decade ago?). It's an amazing bike and the seating position was, to me, the most comfortable of any litre bikes I have riden.
Having said that, I'm still partial to a Daytona 675R for a pure track bike, or a HP4 for a street legal litre.
Pontiac Aztek
I am the one who knocks.
Doesn't matter what you drive if you make the best meth.
BMW 140i
+1, 0-100 in 4.6 sec, RWD. demo is sub 60k
Yeah plus the convenience of a hatchback. A proper hot hatch
Good luck replicating those numbers in real life. Motoring.com.au could go faster than 5.7 in real life.
Based on my experience, it definitely in the high 4s range. Not sure why motoring had issues with them.
@Burnertoasty: Plenty have achieved those numbers with the zf8 speed unless motoring used manual and were terrible with the shifts.
@Shiv86: That's funny, because I looked, and couldn't find any. Unless you count MotorTrend bullshit 1 foot rollout times.
@Shiv86: Not even close, and most likely including a 1ft roll out if they are using a Vbox. Also, is that road even flat?
@Burnertoasty: It was a manual gearbox. Pdrive hold a lot of 0-100 for different cars and if you follow the channel most 0-100 is very realistic. Also, if you watch the motoring video, it is also a manual transmission and she is terrible at shifting.
Sited from Motoring 'The manual gear change was a highlight of the M140i’s drive experience and while a couple of judges found the shift itself to be longer than they would have liked, the gearing and predictive nature of the manual shift elicited some very favourable remarks'.
Motoring 'Despite its small stature, a strong power-to-weight ratio enabled the BMW M140i to acquit itself well on the drag strip although our 0- 100km/h sprint time was 5.781sec – over a second slower than BMW’s claimed 4.6. It was the fastest hatchback on our quarter mile strip – beating the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI – to record a time of 13.14s and a top speed of 175km/h.'
You must look pretty stupid now. The 4.6 is only for the 8 speed automatic transmission.
@Shiv86: No, I don't. It wasn't even close, and you still have no idea if they were using a 1ft roll out, which is a standard setting on a V-box, ie a made up time.
The 8 speed auto will no doubt be faster, but it's not going to be 1.2 seconds faster to 100kmh, which only involves 1 change.
@Burnertoasty: Or maybe some people are just really shit at shifting. The other problem is that manual doesnt have launch control. Seriously dude you need to check all the facts before mouthing off.
You missed a dealer listed car for $31k driveaway that sold last week. The prices are headed to my end of town.