Sporty hatchbacks

meoklmrk91

I've had my polo for over 2 years now and it is time for a change. I have around 3k to spend, nothing too heavy on the tax and it has to be somewhat economical. Any suggestions are welcome, I really like the look of the Suzuki Ignis Sport but knowing me I'm guessing that's a bad choice.

166man

Depends on what you consider high to tax. I'm going to assume you won't want more than a 1.6 litre engine so in that case I'll suggest a Alfa 147 1.6TS. This one looks nice anyway.



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2888633

meoklmrk91

166man wrote: »

Depends on what you consider high to tax. I'm going to assume you won't want more than a 1.6 litre engine so in that case I'll suggest a Alfa 147 1.6TS. This one looks nice anyway.



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2888633

God thats pretty, tax is a little higher than I wanted to go but with prettiness like that! Reliability?

166man

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

God thats pretty, tax is a little higher than I wanted to go but with prettiness like that! Reliability?

Yep 'tis certainly a sporty hatchback alright. As for reliability well just find out when the timing belt was last done on it. Supposed to be every 3 years or 36k miles whichever is first. Front suspension also wasn't as strong point on the 156 I would imagine it's the same for the 147. Other than regular servicing should see it a reliable car. Reasonably good on fuel too. It's just alot of car for the money these days.

Also re the whole tax thing. If you go less than a 1.6 to say a 1.4, at your budget a 1.4 petrol hatchback is not going to be sporty, in any way..

bazz26

Sporty hatchback -> Suzuki Ignis :eek:

OP, a Ford Focus is alot more sporty than a Suzuki Ignis:


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201151206266622

Or perhaps a MG ZR:


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201146205683017

166man

Bazz in fairness the MG is a good suggestion but

1.4litre engine + Ford Focus ≠ Sporty... :pac:

Ardennes1944

Those 1.4s produce 105bhp dont they?

Plug

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

Those 1.4s produce -105bhp dont they?

FYP

alanmc

The MG ZR's are 105 bhp alright. Nearly bought one in my youth. Fast little motor by all accounts. Not exactly the most insurance-friendly of conveyances though.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy it. Back then I bought a Focus and rued the day ever since.

Plug

alanmc wrote: »

The MG ZR's are 105 bhp alright. Nearly bought one in my youth. Fast little motor by all accounts. Not exactly the most insurance-friendly of conveyances though.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy it. Back then I bought a Focus and rued the day ever since.

I thought he was on about the Focus for a sec:eek: In fairness though 105bhp from a 1.4 is not bad.

alanmc

The Focus 1.4 is a wheezy 75bhp ... and even at that it's very unwilling to rev. It's not an unpleasant drive, just frustrating.

Never drove a ZR myself, but judging from friend's testimonials, they get the thumbs up .... comparatively speaking anyway.

ottostreet

None of these suggestions are 'sporty' in fairness.

The Alfa 147 1.6 is a lovely lovely car, and tbh, tax to a 1.6 is reasonable. 450 euro or so, just suck up the extra 80 quid over the course of the year, because fuel economy is largely the same as something with a smaller engine.

Get a Peugeot 106GTI...1.6 engine as well, but a different beast altogether...You'll get one for well less than 3k. And it's a proper sporty hatchback. A Saxo VTR is basically the same car, another consideration. Or maybe look at a Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage Mivec...1.6 as well, but with a good few bhp. Insurance will be higher, but you wouldnt be spending 3k on the car in the first place!

bazz26

166man wrote: »

Bazz in fairness the MG is a good suggestion but

1.4litre engine + Ford Focus ≠ Sporty... :pac:

I'm aware the 1.4 Focus is only 80bhp but the Focus has sportish handling and I get the impression the OP doesn't want to go over 1.4 litre which is why I suggested the Focus. I get the feeling the OP's idea of sporty is alot different to what we would consider sporty.

Chris_Heilong

What about a nice civic
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2916687

1.4, Should be about 105bhp to 115bhp which is good power for that size car, only thing is finding a nice clean unmodified one, the amount of clowns putting type R body kits on their standard cars is not funny, lucky there are still a few untouched gems out there.

meoklmrk91

Right lads you have given me a lot to think about.

I don't mind paying the extra tax, this isn't going to be a long term thing, I just don't want to go from boring car to boring car. I want a nice fun car for 6 months and sell it off and get a Panda or something. I was trying to see if I could get something if I could have the best of both worlds but I suppose you can't really.

Ardennes1944

Plug wrote: »

FYP

Eh?

bazz26

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

What about a nice civic
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2916687

1.4, Should be about 105bhp to 115bhp which is good power for that size car, only thing is finding a nice clean unmodified one, the amount of clowns putting type R body kits on their standard cars is not funny, lucky there are still a few untouched gems out there.

A 1.4 Honda Civic of that vintage has around 90bhp.

166man

I can't understand the logic in choosing a gutless Focus over a 147 with 50% more power, better looks and probably similar fuel consumption. Alfa 147 all the way, and although a Peugeot 106GTI would be nice finding a nice one in Ireland might be a bit tricky.

Gumbo

bazz26 wrote: »

A 1.4 Honda Civic of that vintage has around 90bhp.

+1
Ek was 89bhp
Think the EP jumped to 90bhp, but could still be 89bhp.

OP, dont buy the EK, that 1bhp is the difference

Matthewjohn

Would definitely pick the alfa over the focus, would you consider this
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2918181

166man

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Would definitely pick the alfa over the focus, would you consider this
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2918181

Is this a joke? €3k for a 10 year old Golf with 160k miles and no NCT? Did I mention that it looks like crap too? :pac:

Matthewjohn

Ya but its more reliable, safer, it has more space and more power

166man

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Ya but its more reliable, safer, it has more space and more power

:pac:

Alfa is better looking, has NCT, most likely more relaible, faster, need me to carry on?

Matthewjohn

How is the Alfa more reliable?

166man

Matthewjohn wrote: »

How is the Alfa more reliable?

I never said it is, can't predict that of course, but we are comparing a 10 year old Golf TDI that looks skangered out of it to a 7 year old Alfa with a FSH. The 1.6ts is a good engine once maintained properly. Much like the Golf infact.

The only thing the Golf would possibly beat the Alfa on is fuel consumption, other than that I can't believe that car was a genuine suggestion.

Matthewjohn

Ya your probably right

Tigger

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2772587

I win

meoklmrk91

Tigger wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2772587

I win

Not a hope mate, I'm leaving the Polo far behind me, I don't care what spec or litre or bh it has I never want to drive one again!

Tigger

Why?

meoklmrk91

Okay guys I am slightly in love:o, I know it's garish and the bucket seats are ridiculous(standard btw) but the price and the mileage are really good. right.....?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2852094

Thatnastyboy

My opinions, welcome or not you're getting them :P

Focus 1.4, not even remotely sporty , maybe an RS or ST but they may be slightly out of your league...

Mg zr 105, sporty kinda, gutless yes. Maybe a 160 but not a 105.

Teedeeeye golf? maybe,with a bit of remap and a bit of powwwww, but not that one, and not 3 grand.

+1 on a 106 GTI, or saxo VTS , the vtr is the 8v 1.6, still nippy but not the real deal. Rapid little motors

+1 on a mivec colt, great car & japanese reliability and most parts are interchangeable with lancers, evo's and normal colts so easy to find parts and upgrades.

Although not a hatch, may i suggest a toyota levin/trueno,

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2877865

Great reliability, great looks, 1.6 engine for tax & insurance purposes and 165bhp combined with 1080kg = go like **** off a shovel.

meoklmrk91

Tigger wrote: »

Why?

I'm bored and I want a change, I've driven it for 2 and a half years, not a bad car, has served me very well, I just want a different experience. Plus I don't believe in owning the same car twice.

Matthewjohn

Are you sure? Most other cars are better!

Thatnastyboy

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Are you sure? Most other cars are better!

Most other cars are better in what sense? better at what?

Matthewjohn

I meant about the ignis sorry if i wasnt clear enough.

Thatnastyboy

@MJ cool beans

From wiki

The Ignis Sport can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 8.9 seconds

Hardly groundbreaking, and thats a figure for the 1.5 DOHC 115bhp model, not the 1.4...

The ignis is a cool little car, recaro's etc are a nice touch, but not much bang for your buck, or street cred for that matter... to most people it will look like a grannymobile with plastic arches stuck on...

meoklmrk91

Thatnastyboy wrote: »

@MJ cool beans

From wiki

The Ignis Sport can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 8.9 seconds

Hardly groundbreaking, and thats a figure for the 1.5 DOHC 115bhp model, not the 1.4...

The ignis is a cool little car, recaro's etc are a nice touch, but not much bang for your buck, or street cred for that matter... to most people it will look like a grannymobile with plastic arches stuck on...

I get ya, I will be keeping it in mind though. What about this, seems to have just as much going for it as the Ignis, except with a toyota badge, should keep the father happy anyway!

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2828719

JuniorB

What about a Hyundai Coupe? Good few around at reasonable prices. 1.6. no insurance loading. seems reliable enough...
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2917034

meoklmrk91

JuniorB wrote: »

What about a Hyundai Coupe? Good few around at reasonable prices. 1.6. no insurance loading. seems reliable enough...
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2917034

Thanks but I just can't ever see myself driving anything other than a hatch, I love them they are so versatile

Matthewjohn

This is nice........
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2903508

veetwin

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

Thanks but I just can't ever see myself driving anything other than a hatch, I love them they are so versatile

What versatility do you think you would lose in a Hyundai Coupe over a hatch?

FWIW I think the ignis is a glorified shopping trolley for grannies. The one you linked is imho particularly poxy but each to his own! The Hyundai however is a far nicer proposition. It's actually a properly nice car even if it's not actually sporty either. Either way best of luck OP...buying a new car is always nice;)

meoklmrk91

veetwin wrote: »

What versatility do you think you would lose in a Hyundai Coupe over a hatch?

FWIW I think the ignis is a glorified shopping trolley for grannies. The one you linked is imho particularly poxy but each to his own! The Hyundai however is a far nicer proposition. It's actually a properly nice car even if it's not actually sporty either. Either way best of luck OP...buying a new car is always nice;)

I just prefer the fact that you can throw down the seats and turn it into a van, you can fit anything into them, I have carried so much stuff in my polo for people who have saloons etc. Plus I think they are better looking.

colm_mcm

The coupe has folding seats and a hatch too

meoklmrk91

colm_mcm wrote: »

The coupe has folding seats and a hatch too

I know it has folding seats, but it's shape makes it less easy to carry say a fridge, a 50inch TV or a single bed like I have done in my Polo.

dar83

They're not really proper sporty hatchbacks though, the ones you are looking at. They're more super-mini's really.

No offence but that Ignis is a terrible looking yoke. The Yaris looks better (but is still a Yaris...), but it's less practical as a hatchback than your Polo would be.
Apart from your not the same car twice rule, that Polo GTi someone posted is the best of the lot for what you seem to be after. either that or have a look at a newer model Suzuki Swift???

meoklmrk91

dar83 wrote: »

They're not really proper sporty hatchbacks though, the ones you are looking at. They're more super-mini's really.

No offence but that Ignis is a terrible looking yoke. The Yaris looks better (but is still a Yaris...), but it's less practical as a hatchback than your Polo would be.
Apart from your not the same car twice rule, that Polo GTi someone posted is the best of the lot for what you seem to be after. either that or have a look at a newer model Suzuki Swift???

I would have a Swift in the morning if it was in my price range but alas they are not, they have been on my must have for years and they are supposed to be proper fun too.

colm_mcm

How about some sort of Ibiza, the same but different

Matthewjohn

Or if you like the looks of the Suzuki a Mini is similar
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2870531

colm_mcm

Matthewjohn wrote: »

Or if you like the looks of the Suzuki a Mini is similar
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2870531

Something up with that mini

Registration 02DL5846
Make FORD
Model TRANSIT
Description 280 SWB TD
Fuel Type DIESEL

Matthewjohn

That's weird i checked it on cartell and i got
Registration 02DL5848
Make MINI
Model ONE
Description Not Available
Fuel Type PETROL

colm_mcm

Badly placed number plate screw, looks like a 6