Replacing a hot hatch

CR 7

I'm driving a 08 Corsa OPC for the last 3 years, but it's about to hit 200k kms and the niggly, but expensive bills are starting to pile up so it's time to change. The obvious replacement is a Mk7 fiesta st, but I've test driven a few and it doesn't feel like an upgrade other than on the number plate. The OPC seats, steering wheel and exhaust just make the Corsa feel a little bit more 'special'.

The mk8 looks like it might be a better option, but I haven't been able to test drive one, and they're a bit expensive at the moment. Budget would probably be €15-20k, and I don't really want anything older than 2016 as I'd like to keep it a few years.

I'm doing about 450km a week, on a mixture of country roads and dual carriageway. I'd prefer to stick with petrol. Otherwise, I don't really have too much of an idea of what to look at. I've been looking at Leon Cupras, 308 GTIs, but not much of a choice available.

Anyone have any ideas of what to replace it with?

eljono

Have you tried a 208 GTi? Fun car to drive and similar footprint to the Corsa. I found the infotainment unit fiddly, but if that doesn't bother you, might be a good fit.

This looks like it's a 30th Edition by Peugeot Sport, which has a diff and upgraded brakes: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-peugeot-208-1-6-200-gti-edition/23685213

The ST200 might be more in line with what you're used to from the OPC over the standard ST? https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2017-ford-fiesta/23579558

bazz26

Polo GTi:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2343686&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D819%26f%3D1%26nn%3D10%26yn%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Or maybe an Up GTi:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2438475&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D2233%26f%3D1%26pp%3D50%26g%3D1

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

Polo GTi:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2343686&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D819%26f%3D1%26nn%3D10%26yn%3D2016%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Or maybe an Up GTi:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2438475&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D2233%26f%3D1%26pp%3D50%26g%3D1

The UP GTi has stunning 115 hp... it's light, but not that light...

punisher5112

Golf R, Golf GTi, Octavia vRS, Hyundai i30N, Megane GT, few others...


Maybe you don't want these size?

Logan Roy

grogi wrote: »

The UP GTi has stunning 115 hp... it's light, but not that light...

Thanks, I own that car since May, no idea why he's still advertising it :pac:

P.S It's now making 135bhp

Edit to say my last car was nearly double the horsepower. Guess which is more fun? Power isn't everything.

Bigus

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/23783454

ST 3 Fiesta 191

punisher5112

Bigus wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/23783454

ST 3 Fiesta 191

Haven't seen on the road yet, looks lovely.

tedpan

Bigus wrote:

ST 3 Fiesta 191

Nice, but 52,000kms in less than a year is quite high..

CR 7

Bigus wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/23783454

ST 3 Fiesta 191

I saw that earlier too, the mileage is putting me off tbh, but I might give them a ring tomorrow and see what their asking price is. Some quick maths makes it look like importing a UK mk8 doesn't look too bad now either..

bazz26

grogi wrote: »

The UP GTi has stunning 115 hp... it's light, but not that light...

A hot hatch is not all about bhp. I recommend test drive one and then report back.

Heres Johnny

115bhp in something the size of an up would be pretty quick and I'd say it feels quick too being in such a small car. Only hot hatch I ever drove was a 130bhp 206 gti years ago when I wrangled a test drive from a dealer and it felt very very quick and it's a bit bigger and heavier than an up.
In the end I bought a 60bhp 1.1 Peugeot 206 (my first ever car buying myself). Got 90mph on the motorway once out of it but took a looooong time to get there

BArra

am driving a 2016 seat ibiza cupra 1.8t (190bhp), came from a mk2 focus st, mini cooper s before the cupra and i really enjoy driving it

think its worth throwing into the mix, nice steering wheel, alcantara seats, android play, led headlights etc

definitely in the area of car you would be looking for

Logan Roy

CR 7 wrote: »

I saw that earlier too, the mileage is putting me off tbh, but I might give them a ring tomorrow and see what their asking price is. Some quick maths makes it look like importing a UK mk8 doesn't look too bad now either..

That car would be my pick, the spec is spot on. Mileage sounds like mostly motorway so wouldn’t put me off at all. You mentioned you would be putting about 20k a year onto it meaning it would average out around 30k a year over 3 years. That’s high side of normal and shouldn’t have much impact on resale value.

ShadowHearth

BArra wrote: »

am driving a 2016 seat ibiza cupra 1.8t (190bhp), came from a mk2 focus st, mini cooper s before the cupra and i really enjoy driving it

think its worth throwing into the mix, nice steering wheel, alcantara seats, android play, led headlights etc

definitely in the area of car you would be looking for

I have 2017 one myself that I bought brand new and still love it. Fantastic little hooligan.
The only major reason I want to change it next year, is because I want 4 doors. Daughter getting bigger and 2 doors just becoming more pain in the arse. I still hate the fact Seat decided not to make new Ibiza Cupra. It would be perfect for me. Unfortunately Polo GTI is just way too expensive for what it is.

davidglanza

BArra wrote: »

am driving a 2016 seat ibiza cupra 1.8t (190bhp), came from a mk2 focus st, mini cooper s before the cupra and i really enjoy driving it

think its worth throwing into the mix, nice steering wheel, alcantara seats, android play, led headlights etc

definitely in the area of car you would be looking for

What you prefer ibiza cupra or focus st

BArra

davidglanza wrote: »

What you prefer ibiza cupra or focus st

tough one, i had electrical issues with the ST that leaves a bad memory but the engine sound was great, id go for the ibiza cupra overall though (leon cupra would be nice also :pac: )

CR 7

Just to provide an update, I eventually ended up getting a 171 ST3 Fiesta. Spirit blue and 27k miles. Can't wait to give it a proper drive tomorrow!

eljono

CR 7 wrote: »

Just to provide an update, I eventually ended up getting a 171 ST3 Fiesta. Spirit blue and 27k miles. Can't wait to give it a proper drive tomorrow!

Great, best of luck with it!

CR 7

eljono wrote: »

Great, best of luck with it!

Thanks! And thanks to everyone for the suggestions above.

punisher5112

Hope it gives plenty of smiles....