hot hatches - opinions

[raised by monkeys]

For those that haven't seen my other threads, I'm having a baby and selling my F6 ute for a 5 seater. What I would like is a sporty awd. What id love is an 16/17 RS, but price, availability and their awd system chewing the space in the back has me considering other cars. I don't want to give up power for when i want some fun for myself. My partner has an 2011 SR5.

Looking for opinions/experiences with hatches. Considering the Audi S3 and AMG A45. I like the safety of the Audi and Benz (Benz has the Audi on safety) and i think maintenance and parts and probably going to be the same for both; but I definitely favour the price of the Audi and the fact its less prestige. I think the A45 is pretty new to hatches too, where as the focus and audi's have been around for a bit

I really like the MY12 LE styling and pricing, but finding one in manual seems hard. Although my partner doesn't like manuals i think she would feel less intimidated practicing in a hatch than my ute. Considered an ST but would feel anguish 3mths down the track for not going the RS. Don't want a WRX/STI or Evo; but i do like the GTI's. But if I'm going to spend a bit of money on a hatch taking safety, comfort (want leather for kids) and awd drivetrain into account i would feel stupid not choosing a premium hatch for the sake of a few extra $$.

Happy to spend 50k+ but going into the 60k area makes me uneasy. I will need finance on top of the ute which is another reason i like the Audi My12. The car would be used for travelling on the highway every now and again, carting kid/s prams/seats and golf clubs.

My top 3 pics in order is RS (but rear space may see this drop to 2nd), S3 and AMG.

[Big_Daz]

What about the Mark 7 Golf R?? Same platform/engine as the S3 and all the reviewers rave about them.. For low to mid $50's you would able to get into a Demo one easily or at $60k top end maybe even a new one??

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

For those that haven't seen my other threads, I'm having a baby

Geez, and all this time I thought you were a fella

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Geez, and all this time I thought you were a fella

http://application.denofgeek.com/pic...enegger/17.jpg

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

http://application.denofgeek.com/pic...enegger/17.jpg

Leather is super easy to clean when there is baby spew on it. Done that before. Cloth absorbs things. No further comment on that. You have a solid budget which makes your choice harder.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

You have a solid budget which makes your choice harder.

Sub 50k is preferred. But as i said, the way i view it is why buy a good hatch when you can spend an extra few k and get a great one. Not compromising pushes the budget higher

[In Focus]

Audi S1? A bit smaller, but goes hard and only available in manual.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by In Focus

Audi S1? A bit smaller, but goes hard and only available in manual.

S1's are nice but again I think I'd regret 3mths down the track not getting an S3. The S3's power and slightly bigger size would suit better I think.

[madmatty]

why dont you test drive a focus st.they are well below your budget brand new.they are quite quick and very practical and well featured.
A focus rs would be nice but availablity is a major hurdle.some of the euro cars you mentioned might be hard to get as well.subarus are great bang for buck and are more available also.
I would have a mustang and or a focus rs in my garage if i didnt have to wait so long after ordering one.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by madmatty

why dont you test drive a focus st.

Want AWD

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

S1's are nice but again I think I'd regret 3mths down the track not getting an S3. The S3's power and slightly bigger size would suit better I think.

+1 for an S3..........

[bernbo]

Have you looked at a skoda superb wagon 206tsi? Has the golf r engine, awd and 0-100 in 5.8secs all wrapped up in a wagon that's has more room than most suvs. Just over $50k, umbrellas in the doors, adaptive dampers, radar cruise hands free tailgate etc. Juat about every gadget there is!

http://www.caradvice.com.au/429301/2...-wagon-review/

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[Raptor]

Originally Posted by bernbo

Have you looked at a skoda superb wagon 206tsi? Has the golf r engine, awd ...

This (Superb are larger than Octavia - Internally they are huge), choose a Sportline model in Lift-back or Wagon - not so "torago-ish" ;)

[Mechan1k]

And if needing something a bit bigger there's the Octavia RS wagon as well.
http://www.skoda.com.au/models/octavia-rs-wagon

[bernbo]

I thought the superb is the big one?

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[raised by monkeys]

Those Skoda look great. I'll have to check he specs a bit later on, but styling look a little to torago-ish for me ha. I might be there in a couple of years

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by bernbo

I thought the superb is the big one?

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Never really compared them .... going on some of the pics it looked the Octavia is bigger. If it is smaller .... than it might be there better one as OP is looking more for the smaller vehicle.

[Mercury Bullet]

Don't go throwing all your money on a second hand performance Euro.

You're having a baby, that will swallow enough as it is.

Trust me, you will end up with a nightmare, might be great in the beginning but once you start having to get that serviced, not so great anymore. And your in Whyalla - be prepared to drive to Adelaide for every service.
You really need to know what you're getting into. Ask Audi what a new set of brake discs are worth for example - it's eye watering.
Simple coil packs can set you back $1500.

Get the RS and don't look back!
Get an RS3, enjoy it for a few months until it starts to go wrong and spend the next 3 years working out how to get out of the finance.

Or get an FPV sedan and have something designed and built for our country roads. Low km FG GT or FGX XR8. Room for two more kids. Cheap to run.

My 2c.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Don't go throwing all your money on a second hand performance Euro.

You're having a baby, that will swallow enough as it is.

Trust me, you will end up with a nightmare, might be great in the beginning but once you start having to get that serviced, not so great anymore. And your in Whyalla - be prepared to drive to Adelaide for every service.
You really need to know what you're getting into. Ask Audi what a new set of brake discs are worth for example - it's eye watering.
Simple coil packs can set you back $1500.

Get the RS and don't look back!
Get an RS3, enjoy it for a few months until it starts to go wrong and spend the next 3 years working out how to get out of the finance.

Or get an FPV sedan and have something designed and built for our country roads. Low km FG GT or FGX XR8. Room for two more kids. Cheap to run.

My 2c.

Valid points. But isn't the RS german anyways?

[DFB FGXR6]

I know you have stipulated AWD but have you considered the BMW 135i hatch?

Uniquely RWD and BMW inline 6 goodness

[black13]

I traded my ST focus for a ranger. Need a bigger vehicle now. The ST was an awesome car so i would consider the RS. Had a look at the skoda superb, loved it, but towing ability ain't great. Local adelaide dealer has an RS focus 59K drive away. If i had the coin i would buy it. the focus is a great car.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Don't go throwing all your money on a second hand performance Euro.

You're having a baby, that will swallow enough as it is.

Trust me, you will end up with a nightmare, might be great in the beginning but once you start having to get that serviced, not so great anymore. And your in Whyalla - be prepared to drive to Adelaide for every service.
You really need to know what you're getting into. Ask Audi what a new set of brake discs are worth for example - it's eye watering.
Simple coil packs can set you back $1500.

Get the RS and don't look back!
Get an RS3, enjoy it for a few months until it starts to go wrong and spend the next 3 years working out how to get out of the finance.

Or get an FPV sedan and have something designed and built for our country roads. Low km FG GT or FGX XR8. Room for two more kids. Cheap to run.

My 2c.

This, well said mate. We are about to have a baby and no way i would be selling a large sedan for a hatch

Put in a rear facing baby seat in a hatch and the passenger in the front will be having a horrible ride, literally bugger all room. Even in our Outlander with the rear seats pushed all the way back i dont sit comfortable in the front, so i just drive instead

[raised by monkeys]

As I say, the reasons for thinking about a hatch is cost saving in the context of fuel and rego, but I also just require enough space for a pram and baby seats. If we go away and need to take a heap of gear we have an SR5. I felt that getting a 5 seater 2nd hand F6 would just run up the costs too in terms of maintenance, for arguments sake, looking at $$ I spent on (required) maintenance on a 67000 km ute. But also the ANCAP ratings and equipment in a 3-5yr hatch.

Looking at the 2nd hand FPV market, I considered the value a high end hatch better value for money considering safety, comfort, power and equipment; but obviously open to interpretation and discussion hence posting here to see what other people thought.

[In Focus]

Octavia is closer to Focus size, the Superb is Falcon size.

[.:4:.]

I know they are horrendously main stream, but Subaru? Levorg possibly. More wagon orientated but turbo and awd.

[xr6-FTW]

Couple days ago saw a mate havent seen for a bit. Anyway his got a mk7 my13 golf gti. When he got it, revo stage 1 tune was put on it and recently he de resonated the exhaust. Anyway that night let me tell you I probably had the best passenger seat driving experience ive ever had in any car. How responsive the dsg is, the exhaust note, the acceleration and sound is just ****en amazing. His car has 50,000km and he's put 20,000 on it since he got it so its been alright without any real dramas. My Mate said the only thing he wishes he had on his car would be 4wd, I must say for a fwd car cornering and driving like we did, I was impressed that much, I honestly just want to buy one. So what my point is a golf r would be my choice for you to pick as the focus rs could be a little harder ride for your family and new bub on the way. I am a fan of the dsg due to how good it sounds while driving and the instant gear change, but the dsg can be a hit an miss with some buggering up on people. The focus and golf both look as good as each other and I'd consider a focus rs. Coming out of the ute, the car you choose be it something like what ive mentioned be it a golf or rs, you won't look back.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

I know they are horrendously main stream, but Subaru? Levorg possibly. More wagon orientated but turbo and awd.

Agreed. You can get a current low Kms STi for that money easy.

FPV's etc are great but I would get sick of talking about diff bushes and the other niggles they have.

Being a daily it would probably come down to fuel aswell?

[bernbo]

Are you going to be carrying the bub and pram in this car? I have a 3year old and a 4mth old and having a ford territory is a god send for loading up all the stuff we have to lug around. It can be done in a small car, but it is so much easier by having the space hence why I suggested the skoda superb. By the pram first, it might be the deciding factor!

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[mjrstar]

Before you consider the A45 do have a good fiddle with the seating position. My wife has a current shape A200 diesel and with the low roof line I found it difficult to get the seating position correct. The previous peugeot she had we could both drive comfortably with the same seat position.
It is quite nice to drive and the diesel is returning some superb fuel consumption figures whilst still having a decent hit of torque.

[PepeLePew]

I know we're not all the same but as a ex Falconista my only grudge with the Focus is I find it cramped across the cabin, left leg kinda rests against the console, more representative of what I'm used to than reality I think. And i'm not a big guy... If i was you I'd blow both ideas and grab a F6 sedan