Got a soft spot for hot hatches

[Swangin818]

For some strange reason iv been having the urge to turn in my 328 and get a gti or some sort of hatch. Been lookin at the old R32 golf. They seem so compact and chuckable. Yes it wouldnt be as precise as a bmw but i feel like itll be more fun.
What thoughts do you guys have about hot hatches? Which one would you consider getting? IF you got any POST EM!!!

[Artmasterx]

The upcoming 2012 Focus ST may be promising, as well as the upcoming Golf R. You also have the Mazdaspeed3 that usually is reviewed well and the 2011 WRX.

[Swangin818]

Focus St does look very promising. I accually like the styling as well. Ford has come a long way and the quality and fit and finish of their cars is starting to be accually acceptable lol. Plus the gold calipers just look plain cool! Has their been any official release date on st? btw i dont think the gold r is coming to the us. if it is im gunu jump on that definitly

[Alpine3]

[bmwcoupeftw]

Coolest Hatch on the market, The DS3 Racing<333

[CAPSGOD]

R32 has a great exhaust note! Not as sexy as this C30 though..

[mtla4]

My 1er got replaced by a GTI. Being honest I can't justify the 18K more that I paid for the 135 over the GTI. Sure 135-335 are fun but I drove the MS3 it was fun, the civic si is very fun etc etc. Bang for the buck I'd suggest anyone to pick up a brand new hot hatch DD and a toy like an E46 M3. Right now the best deal in town is the 2011 WRX you can pick one up for a song. My only (beef) with it is the lousy brakes. People will start complaining about the interior quality...but then again those cars is all about engine/drivetrain.

I'll be honest any of the cars that you are looking would be an upgrade on a 328 in terms of driving experience (I wouldn't buy one, rather drive an hot hatch or even an accord as a snooze mobile).

[PeteW84]

I don't have any pictures, but my brother has an 08 R32 and totaly loves it. It's definitely a fun car to drive. I drive it ocasionally, and like it as well. The DSG is OK, fast and smooth, and I totally love the paddles. The exhaust note is quite nice and loud, I love the throttle blips when it downshifts. Overall it's a nica and fun car to have, but I wouldn't trade my car for his.

[Greenkirby21]

The Golf R is indeed coming to the USA, although in limited quantities similar to the 1M. : )

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

The Golf R is indeed coming to the USA, although in limited quantities similar to the 1M. : )

+1, the Golf R is coming, but I am not sure about 3-door, 5-door, or both. I have read it will be coming in 2012, but nothing more specific, and with a price tag around $33,000.

I'm not sure whether the Focus ST will be late 2011 or 2012 release date. It's a 2012 model as far as I know, so it should be released by mid-2012.

As shown above, the Scirocco R and Citroen would be nice, but there's no chance of those making it the US.

I would either be leaning towards a Focus ST or a 2011 WRX at the moment.

It will be interesting to see the new 2012 WRX and whether they are able to improve the MPG. If the Sonata can get a 25/33 rating with 275 hp, surely the WRX can get something close to 30, despite being AWD... I would expect something similar to the Sonata for the Focus ST, but will probably be disappointed.

[Greenkirby21]

Hehe, I was planning on getting a Golf R, but not anymore.

My 128i is perfectly fine for me now, infact better IMO especially since I don't live anywhere near where I would need AWD.

The Golf R is being very de-contented. It has a detuned engine(due to fuel differences).

According to the vw forums, there will both a 3 and 5 door, only 6 speed manual, no LED tail lights, no blacked out headlights(i.e just standard GTI headlights), and a higher suspension then euro. There will only be two trim options, base, and everything. Base should be around 32/33k, the other one should come with keyless entry, dynaudio, sunroof, and nav for around 35/36k.

It will be a 2012 model, with the first batch coming in December !

Of course, this is from what I have read from other forums, so don't quote me teehee.

As for me, I will be awaiting the next 1/3 series hopefully : )!

[TheRox]

best sedan in the world.

[wisesoul]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

R32 has a great exhaust note! Not as sexy as this C30 though..

If only Polestar would mass produce that car

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Hehe, I was planning on getting a Golf R, but not anymore.

My 128i is perfectly fine for me now, infact better IMO especially since I don't live anywhere near where I would need AWD.

The Golf R is being very de-contented. It has a detuned engine(due to fuel differences).

According to the vw forums, there will both a 3 and 5 door, only 6 speed manual, no LED tail lights, no blacked out headlights(i.e just standard GTI headlights), and a higher suspension then euro. There will only be two trim options, base, and everything. Base should be around 32/33k, the other one should come with keyless entry, dynaudio, sunroof, and nav for around 35/36k.

It will be a 2012 model, with the first batch coming in December !

Of course, this is from what I have read from other forums, so don't quote me teehee.

As for me, I will be awaiting the next 1/3 series hopefully : )!

Thank god no DSG..look at the MK5 it never sold who wants a DSG? As for ride height the N/A MK5 GTI were higher then the euro version. As for LED and keyless etc I don't care about them neither does Golf R buyers. Bmw owners might care vw don't. I just need a basic no sunroof 5 door R and I'm set. The engine is probably not that detuned and worst comes to worst a little ecu reprogram will solve it...it won't void warranty as most vw dealers are very mod friendly. For about 3K(in canada) more then a fully loaded GTI this car is a steal for what you get in bonus.

[footie]

If you dislike the look of Japanese/Korean cars and their styling then you ain't going to like what Ford have done with their Focus this time round because this is exactly what springs to mind everytime I see one. Such a shame because it will probably be one of the best drivers out there.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

+1, the Golf R is coming, but I am not sure about 3-door, 5-door, or both. I have read it will be coming in 2012, but nothing more specific, and with a price tag around $33,000.

I'm not sure whether the Focus ST will be late 2011 or 2012 release date. It's a 2012 model as far as I know, so it should be released by mid-2012.

As shown above, the Scirocco R and Citroen would be nice, but there's no chance of those making it the US.

I would either be leaning towards a Focus ST or a 2011 WRX at the moment.

It will be interesting to see the new 2012 WRX and whether they are able to improve the MPG. If the Sonata can get a 25/33 rating with 275 hp, surely the WRX can get something close to 30, despite being AWD... I would expect something similar to the Sonata for the Focus ST, but will probably be disappointed.

Actually, I have just been reading on some of the WRX forum that the 2012 WRX may be the same as the 2011, and the the update may not be until later 2012 as a 2013 model. Anyway, just something to think about... the 2012 WRX may well be very similar to the 2011.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by TheRox

best sedan in the world.

And they have not even produced it yet.

I see the Volvo now and then and it is a clean looking shape.

[footie]

If you don't need five seats and 3 doors is just fine then I would forgo the Golf R and get the Scirocco R instead. Not only is it WAY more exciting to look at than the Golf but it's a smidgen quicker as well.

[Garduna]

scirroco r, ds3 and c30 will never be made or be brought over to north america........ sad T_T

[footie]

Originally Posted by Garduna

scirroco r, ds3 and c30 will never be made or be brought over to north america........ sad T_T

Not true if you are to believe VW America.

[Never-Enough]

STi or MS3. The rest are a waste.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by Garduna

scirroco r, ds3 and c30 will never be made or be brought over to north america........ sad T_T

The US has the C30, just not the Polestar version (which I guess no one has, and maybe you were implying that one). The US has the T5 version with 225 hp and 235 lb-ft torque, so it is reasonably hot... maybe just not as sporty as some of the others.

Originally Posted by Never-Enough

STi or MS3. The rest are a waste.

Come on, try to be useful.

Most people don't need an STi or necessarily want to pay the ~$8k premium over a base WRX. I'm not saying the diff and all the other tweaks aren't worth it, just not to many buyers.

The MS3 is great, but I bet the Focus ST gives it a good run for its money, and many, many people have said that a GTI is better balance for a DD.