Hot Hatches?

[SRP | Lucian]

Hi,

With a family on the way I have to sell my Mustang and am hoping to buy a hatch. I would like a hatch because they can hold more, most of them are good on gas, and insurance won't kill me.

Anyways, I'm looking for a hatch that has potential to be fast. It doesn't have to be fast right away but I'm hoping that it can be made fast without having to swap and engine. I have around $15,000 to spend and would like it if the car isn't more than 5 or so years old.

Thank you for all the time and I really appreciate it.

[Andydg]

WRX Wagon would work pretty well. So would the Mazda3 Wagon.

[SRP | Lucian]

Okay, thanks. I'll be sure to look at those but it seems like the Impreza doesn't get as good gas mileage as I was hoping. Anyways, if anyone wishes to see what I'm looking at currently, hear they are:

- Honda Civic Si EP3
- Mazda 3 Wagon
- Hyundai Accent (Not a true hatch, although the Mazda 3 isn't really either, but the look has really grown on me and their light as hell.)
- Ford Focus
- VW Golf

What do you guys think? Right now I'm leaning slightly towards the Hyundai Accent because the look has REALLY grown on me, it's super light, it has a pretty big group of supporters, is cheap, seems to be reliable and it seems like it has an okay aftermarket that is only growing...

[DinanM3_S2]

ehhhh.... Hyundai

If I were to buy a hot hatch for ~$15,000, I'd find a nice, lightly used VW GTI 1.8t. The 1.8t engine + ECU chip (not too expensive)= ~210HP. The VW community is huge, as is the aftermarket. The factory turbo is a dream to modify. For cheaper speed, this is the way to go.

[mason_RsX]

WRX's are have poorer has mileage compared to the counterparts because of their turbocharged engines, and no option awd

Mazda 3 wagon would be my choice of the ones you listed, though a GTi would also be good

What about a Pontiac Vibe/ Toyota Matrix? Great build quality, reliable, roomy...not too much aftermarket with the Celica engine, but decent stock performance and great fuel economy

[shnailpower]

I agree w/ Dinan, go 2 the volkswagen, easy to modify and to make fast.

[pik_d]

yea, for $15k, you could get a 2002 or 2003 VW gti 1.8t. that's a stock ~180hp/174tq, the upgraded cpu run it into the 205hp/230tq+ range.

[SuperHighOutput]

I like Mason's suggestion, the Matrix and Vibe are fun to drive, pretty peppy, four door, and can carry a lot of stuff.

[carbuzzard]

Originally Posted by SRP | Lucian

Hi,

With a family on the way I have to sell my Mustang and am hoping to buy a hatch. I would like a hatch because they can hold more, most of them are good on gas, and insurance won't kill me.

Anyways, I'm looking for a hatch that has potential to be fast. It doesn't have to be fast right away but I'm hoping that it can be made fast without having to swap and engine. I have around $15,000 to spend and would like it if the car isn't more than 5 or so years old.

Thank you for all the time and I really appreciate it.

Consider also the Suzuki Aerio. I'm not sure about the aftermarket right now, but Suzuki is motivated about developing speed parts with the aftermarket.

And believe it or not, Kia is trying to differentiate itself from parent Hyundai by becoming the 'sports' division. They have a way to go...

If it were me picking, I'd go for the lightly used GTI as well (although lightly used is always a good way to go). Have you considered a small wagon? There's more room for stuff and the handling is usually not different at all. Of course, you have to decide you can live with the looks of a wagon.

You can also visit carbuzzard for one-stop info on a great number of cars.

[drunken monkey]

in the golf stakes, i'd go and find a V5 instead of the 1.8T.
and if fuel consumption is a concern, then there is no reason to count out their very strong diesels.

[SRP | Lucian]

Okay, thank for all of the replies.

Would a non-1.8T have as much potential as a 1.8T or if I ever want to get half decent performance would I have to go with the 1.8T?

Carbuzzard - What would be some other wagons that you would recommend? I have also looked at the Suzuki Aerio SX and really like it, just no manual for AWD.

Anyways, thanks for all of the replies guys. I'll be sure to look into the Matrix and Vibe more, I just didn't think that they had much potential. Would it be possible to get one of those to run low 14's without nitrous? Anyways, I'm also adding the Matrix, Suzuki Aerio SX, and the Suzuki Swift to my list of cars.

[DinanM3_S2]

Well the only other VW engine with actual performance potential is called the VR6, a n/a 24v 2.8l V6. The VR6 starts out at about 200hp, but doesn't utilize the forced induction that the 1.8t does. The VR6 is more expensive, and only 20hp stronger. For less then half of the difference in price between the two engines, you could get one of the chips that puts the 1.8t above the VR6 in terms of performance.

The 1.8t vs VR6 debate has been a hot topic for VW guys for years now, and the general consensus is that unless you are willing to put the money in to turbo the VR6, the 1.8t is a better engine for less money.

The non-GTI golf engines are the 2.0L w/ 115hp and the 1.9L TDI w/ 100hp. Performance VW guys generally refer to the 2.0L as the 2-point-slow. There is a small aftermarket for it, but it is a pretty pathetic engine when compared to the 1.8t and the VR6. I think that they used to sell a 1.8t w/ the regular golf, but it was a weaker engine (160hp) then the GTI 1.8t.

[SRP | Lucian]

Okay, thanks. I will try to look for the 1.8T but if I can't find one, or we don't want one, for whatever reason, I guess I'll just stay away from the Golf.

Also, anybody's opinions on different wagons would be greatly appreciated.

[pik_d]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

in the golf stakes, i'd go and find a V5 instead of the 1.8T.
and if fuel consumption is a concern, then there is no reason to count out their very strong diesels.

a what?


but i'd have to agree with dinan on every point he made about the gti's. the 1.8t in the 2000-2001 is rated at 150hp/162tq, which is the same as the gti's of those years. the difference is the golf version has 4 doors, while the gti's were 2 door. i dont know mechanically what is different between the 2000/2001 and the 2002> engines, but i'm sure an upgraded cpu could get you to gti territory, maybe more... and overall it would cost even less. and, less on insurance. and you get 4 doors. but ofcourse a lower starting point (though higher then alot of the other cars you're looking at.)

[drunken monkey]

...and it just occured to me that they might not've sold the V5 in the US.