Is it worth having a hot hatch anymore

betty_swollox

Richie
Feb 15, 2011
5,497
7
Washington
I work shifts and don't travel in rush hour, so I can drive however I want (within reason lol) to and from work. And I know a few decent roads around here that I can have a nice spirited drive along :)
 

cupra fan

Full Member
Nov 30, 2001
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norfolk
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I was reading peoples comments and thinking cars like the fr and probally a standard cupra are no longer hothatches,times have moved on and hyper cars are now hothatches,would people generally agree with this thinking?
 

WeeG

Active Member
Nov 5, 2008
3,407
4
Largs , Ayrshire
I was reading peoples comments and thinking cars like the fr and probally a standard cupra are no longer hothatches,times have moved on and hyper cars are now hothatches,would people generally agree with this thinking?

Yep, anything under 300bhp i would say is old news IMO
 
Feb 6, 2014
1,323
1
Lincoln
It does seem to have gone crazy, but so have the prices. 28k for the new cupra 280 and well over 30k for well specced M135i. I still feel as though that should be 3 Series/C-class/A4 price point.

But I still think a 200bhp+ hatch that can hit 60 in low 7's or under and reach 140mph+ is a hot hatch. So Golf GTI, Focus ST et all would be hot hatches to me. The Cupra 280/Golf R/S3/Focus RS/A45 AMG et all are hyper-hatches with price tags to match.
 

cupra fan

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Nov 30, 2001
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norfolk
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It does seem to have gone crazy, but so have the prices. 28k for the new cupra 280 and well over 30k for well specced M135i. I still feel as though that should be 3 Series/C-class/A4 price point.

But I still think a 200bhp+ hatch that can hit 60 in low 7's or under and reach 140mph+ is a hot hatch. So Golf GTI, Focus ST et all would be hot hatches to me. The Cupra 280/Golf R/S3/Focus RS/A45 AMG et all are hyper-hatches with price tags to match.

I thought like you,but is it old thinking? I'm also thinking if theres less hothatchs on the road,what are those people now driving? (fast diesels) perhaps!!!!!
 

Steven5533

Guest
keep the hot hatches alive i get to drive a bendy clear road every morning on way to work you can see from start to finish and me and my car love it :)... my car is only 105bhp but it does the job :)
 
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Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,326
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Scrapyard thread contender of the week......

PS - Pick up my new "hot hatch" next Saturday :)
 

andy550

Active Member
Jan 10, 2013
200
0
Loughborough
I disagree, surely the hot hatches are the ones that that are faster than the standard range? A standard focus/golf/leon will get about 150hp max, so a hot hatch to me anything much more than that with looks to match. You can't call the new Fiesta ST/Ibiza Cupra/Peugeot 208 not a hot hatch and they're only shipping out 200bhp or so. 300bhp in my opinion is the start of the stupid realms if you've got FWD (preparing to get shot by all 300+ Cupra/R owners...)

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tundrarocks

Active Member
Dec 21, 2011
323
2
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hot hatches don't need to be fast they just need to be able to handle well. Had more fun in my 1.9 gti, mk2 golf and even my saxo vtr than any current vag cars!


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Feb 6, 2014
1,323
1
Lincoln
I thought like you,but is it old thinking? I'm also thinking if theres less hothatchs on the road,what are those people now driving? (fast diesels) perhaps!!!!!

Maybe it is old thinking. Many people seem to be content with warm hatches or even 'fake hatches', prime example being the Fabia Monte Carlo series. Damn near looks like a Vrs, but is a 1.2tsi or 1.6tdi. Skoda will not be making a new Vrs because it realised thay nobody wanted them, but they lapped up the Monte Carlo because they looked sporty.

I supose Seat are doing the same with the FR. It started as a 200bhp model, but then added the 120bhp engine with all the looks but not the go. Even the new FR maxes out at 180bhp and is available with a 1.4tsi. Who needs to actually go fast when you have a car that looks like it will (Audi S-line anyone?)?

Most people do drive diesels now. Easy MPG, low tax and do not realise that the basic hatch they just bought for 20k will not take well to just pottering around town. I have a colleage with a 1.6hdi DS3, looks great with big alloys and sharp styling. Has 90bhp and cost the earth and will have dpf issues in a year or so.

Others just get a lease car, somebody else's problem then. Does anyone actually own a 2.0TDI Audi A4 from new anymore?

Just my thoughts.
 

tundrarocks

Active Member
Dec 21, 2011
323
2
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Had my 205 gti parked next to a new mini. Made me laugh at how much bigger the mini was. Hot hatches have totally changed from what they started out as.
I still say a hot hatch is defined by it's handling not how much power it puts out.



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gunnergibson

Active Member
Dec 27, 2010
143
0
North West
Sadly, modern safety laws , emission regulations, fuel costs , and insurance premiums are all factors causing prospective buyers to look elsewhere.

It seems the main focus of car companies is the environment and the MPG. Mpg / economy are probably the main questions asked at dealerships.

Ive had a fair share of hot hatches. Clio Williams / 1.8 16v .. They were raw druvi g experiences.. Even with a mere 150bhp the Clio Williams was a tremendous car.

The hyper hatches are making the grade.. And balancing it with reasonable economy, fun factor and exclusivity

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tundrarocks

Active Member
Dec 21, 2011
323
2
Newcastle Upon Tyne
I always wanted a Clio Williams but got warned off them by the garage I used to take the pug to. Said they were prone to head gasket failure and a right pain to work on. Oh fancied a Renault 5 turbo raider as well.....,


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