Hot hatch

gooch2k9

I'm in the market for a newer performance hatchback. Currently driving a 2011 Leon FR 170, but don't need a diesel anymore(never did truth be told!) and want a petrol again.

Looking at 2013 on Focus ST and Leon Cupra, anyone any experience with these? Or any others you'd recommend ahead of them. Except a Golf! I'm currently living up north so the could buy from England no problem.

Just for checking what VRT would be if I wanted to move back to the republic, is there a list of statistical codes in case the car isn't an option in the drop down menus?

pippip

Audi S3?

MuddyDog

pippip wrote: »

Audi S3?

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/audi/s3/used-2016-161-audi-s3-sportback-2-0tf-westmeath-fpa-679276771650325952?SOURCE_ID=SOURCE_ID_FPA_FROM_FEAT_LIST

dar83

If you're looking at a Focus ST then I'd realistically be looking to come up in the years and get the facelift, it's a lot nicer than the original Mk3. It may however be out of budget.

GavRedKing

The Focus ST would be a lot cheaper than a similar age S3, it would be the same in terms of VRT if you're moving South anytime soon.

S3 would have more toys and IMO, a nicer placer to sit, apart from that, its down to personal choice and budget.

gooch2k9

Yeah, the S3 is quite expensive. I had test drove one a month or two ago and it didn't impress

Test drove a '15 Leon Cupra 280 today. Breathtaking stuff! Handled every bit as well as the S3 Quattro. Serious acceleration as expected. Putting it in Cupra mode meant I couldn't stop smiling. I'm lucky it was only a three door or I might have taken it there and then. A lot more fun than the S3.

On the VRT front I saw sense, I couldn't insure any of them in the ROI so not an issue!

MuddyDog

gooch2k9 wrote: »

Yeah, the S3 is quite expensive. I had test drove one a month or two ago and it didn't impress

Test drove a '15 Leon Cupra 280 today. Breathtaking stuff! Handled every bit as well as the S3 Quattro. Serious acceleration as expected. Putting it in Cupra mode meant I couldn't stop smiling. I'm lucky it was only a three door or I might have taken it there and then. A lot more fun than the S3.

On the VRT front I saw sense, I couldn't insure any of them in the ROI so not an issue!

Did you drive the S3 saloon or hatch?

gooch2k9

MuddyDog wrote: »

Did you drive the S3 saloon or hatch?

It was a 2011 Hatch Black Edition. Think it has the older version DSG compared to the Leon.

bazz26

Leftfield suggestion but maybe have a look at the Renault Megane RenaultSport?

For example:
http://www.usedcarsni.com/2011-Renault-Megane-RENAULTSPORT-16V-163411709
http://www.usedcarsni.com/2013-Renault-Megane-2-0-T-16V-Renaultsport-265-Cup-3dr-Start-Stop-164432186

Or if you don't need alot of space maybe a MINI Cooper S:
http://www.usedcarsni.com/2014-MINI-Cooper-S-3-Door-Hatch-163772138

gooch2k9

Pretty much settled on the Leon Cupra, but deary me it's not easy to buy a car up here!

At two dealers I've visited in recent months, the staff have been driving the cars i wanted to test drive. The first (S3) I got to drive but the car was ridiculously messy, put me off. Today I went to drive a manual Cupra to see how it compared to the DSG, but the service manager had gone home in it a full two hours before closing. I almost get the impression the lads in the yard want to keep the fun cars in stock.