Hot Hatches?

[Zachp911]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree, the VW GTI 1.8T is the best way to go, or you could always buy a used '02-'04 Honda Civic Si Hatch which is equipped with a K20A motor, so they respond well to mods.

[pik_d]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

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

nah. i've not heard of it. we get the 1.8t (2.0t next year), and the VR6 in the gti's.

[9ball]

The 1.8t is ideal since you want to have your cake and eat it too. Performance and gas mileage don't typically mix well, but the chip mod for a 1.8t typically raises gas mileage by about 1mpg on the highway. I wanted to get a chip for my wife's Passat but she won't let me modify it.....Oh well.

[flatlander757]

What about a 9 second station wagon

78-83 Malibu + 383 =

[Zachp911]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

What about a 9 second station wagon

78-83 Malibu + 383 =

Read

Originally Posted by SRP | Lucian

I have around $15,000 to spend and would like it if the car isn't more than 5 or so years old.

[turtlecrxsi]

You mention Hyundai. I think you meant the Elantra GT (not the Accent). The Accent is an economy 2 door hatch whereas the Elantra GT is the sport version of the Elantra. It has a hatchback (though not a wagon), more powerful engine, leather interior, etc.

The Civic Si has a ton of aftermarket now. The K20 engine is not rated as aggressive as the one in the RSX-S but it still has the potential.

Kia now makes the Spectra5 which is a wagon with I'm guessing the same engine as in the Elantra GT. It sorta looks like a Mazda Protege5.

[VAD0R]

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

You mention Hyundai. I think you meant the Elantra GT (not the Accent). The Accent is an economy 2 door hatch whereas the Elantra GT is the sport version of the Elantra. It has a hatchback (though not a wagon), more powerful engine, leather interior, etc.

The Civic Si has a ton of aftermarket now. The K20 engine is not rated as aggressive as the one in the RSX-S but it still has the potential.

Kia now makes the Spectra5 which is a wagon with I'm guessing the same engine as in the Elantra GT. It sorta looks like a Mazda Protege5.

For one thing the Spectra5 is not a wagon it is a hatchback like the Mazda3 (which is another good sporty hatch to consider). The Elantra GT on the other hand you can is a subcompact sedan with a hatchback, like the older Saabs.

The Kia Spectra5 might not be the most powerful at 140hp but with its front and rear double wishbone it might even handle the best out of all of them. And if you are consider a sub $10k hatch you should think about the 2006 Rio.

You should also keep an eye on what Chrysler is doing with the Doge Caliper and Jeep variant. They are smaller than they look with the Jeep Compass Rallye being roughly the same size as the Pontiac Vibe but sits even lower.

[flatlander757]

Originally Posted by ludespeed501

Read

Crap, overlooked that

Well... my dream wagon is better than your dream wagon ::sticks out tongue and runs away crying::

jk

[SuperHighOutput]

Originally Posted by ludespeed501

I agree, the VW GTI 1.8T is the best way to go, or you could always buy a used '02-'04 Honda Civic Si Hatch which is equipped with a K20A motor, so they respond well to mods.

I like the Civic Si hatch idea. Reliable, moddable, and overall it's a nice package.