Hot hatch choices (Golf vs Hyundai?) for a new daily

[c4sman]

Hi all. A million miles away from Maserati / Italian cars but I (think) I’ve decided to chop in my lovely E93 M3 for something that’s still fun but more sensible in the long term on fuel and landed on a hot hatch (I’ve a long history with them and love the flexibility they provide). Intending to buy something to keep for a minimum of 5 years or maybe much longer trouble free motoring, a manual, 4 pot (fuel efficiency) and 5 doors. Can’t stomach a Civic type R due to the looks (widely regarded as the best driving of the bunch), budget up to £30k for something very new perhaps. I’m landing on a lightly used Golf GTI 7.5 Performance or a new / nearly new Hyundai i30N Performance.
Given all the experience on this forum wondering what folk think or would recommend as alternatives. Should I shoot myself for thinking of a Hyundai?! Should I buy something much older and cheaper? Should I keep the M3 and swallow the fuel/maintenance costs (it’s been painless to own over the last 4 years but at 11 years old I’m sure it gonna start costing)?

 

[damnawivdaplan]

no hot hatch is gonna sound as nice as v8 , personally I'd go with Hyundai i30n out of the hot hatch best sounding stock exhaust.
the value of them hold up well as I've been looking thinking when they come down I'll get one. lowest price one 5 year old is still 21k.

 

[Wattie]

Those i30N’s do sound good……do they only come in “baby blue” tho?

Should I keep the M3 and swallow the fuel/maintenance costs (it’s been painless to own over the last 4 years but at 11 years old I’m sure it gonna start costing)?

Never had the trouser tingle from a GTI. If only everything in life was ……blah, blah, blah, boring.

Old.

Talking of which - at that money I’d have one of these and would love every second of its probable ineptness.



But it’s sooo cool.



Anyway, buy what you fancy now, and enjoy…..there’s no gtee any of us will be around in another 7.

I’m off for a cold shower.

 

[c4sman]

Those i30N’s do sound good……do they only come in “baby blue” tho?


Never had the trouser tingle from a GTI. If only everything in life was ……blah, blah, blah, boring.

Old.

Talking of which - at that money I’d have one of these and would love every second of its probable ineptness.

View attachment 104480

But it’s sooo cool.

View attachment 104481

Anyway, buy what you fancy now, and enjoy…..there’s no gtee any of us will be around in another 7.

I’m off for a cold shower.

A Chesil (I think that’s how you spell it)? I’m a pork fan (have a 997 GTS) and have one of these reps on my to do list as they are stunning. Wouldn’t do my for my daily

 

[bigbob]

Hi all. A million miles away from Maserati / Italian cars but I (think) I’ve decided to chop in my lovely E93 M3 for something that’s still fun but more sensible in the long term on fuel and landed on a hot hatch (I’ve a long history with them and love the flexibility they provide). Intending to buy something to keep for a minimum of 5 years or maybe much longer trouble free motoring, a manual, 4 pot (fuel efficiency) and 5 doors. Can’t stomach a Civic type R due to the looks (widely regarded as the best driving of the bunch), budget up to £30k for something very new perhaps. I’m landing on a lightly used Golf GTI 7.5 Performance or a new / nearly new Hyundai i30N Performance.
Given all the experience on this forum wondering what folk think or would recommend as alternatives. Should I shoot myself for thinking of a Hyundai?! Should I buy something much older and cheaper? Should I keep the M3 and swallow the fuel/maintenance costs (it’s been painless to own over the last 4 years but at 11 years old I’m sure it gonna start costing)?

I've got a 7.5 Golf R and it is great. I'm sure you have considered that in coming up with your choice so enjoy the GTI Performance. I had an E92 M3 new in '07 and there is no comparison but times move on and my M3 might not be that impressive now if I could drive it again. The Golf will make a great daily. Never sat in a Hyundai so can't comment. They look good though.

 

[Oneball]

BiL has a new Golf Gti. I wasn’t impressed. You know when you used to get out of a Golf and into a Focus and thought the Ford seemed cheap inside, well that’s what the Golf seemed like to me and he’s had a few problems with the electrics including needing a whole steering column. I like the Hyundai looks.

 

[bigbob]

BiL has a new Golf Gti. I wasn’t impressed. You know when you used to get out of a Golf and into a Focus and thought the Ford seemed cheap inside, well that’s what the Golf seemed like to me and he’s had a few problems with the electrics including needing a whole steering column. I like the Hyundai looks.

The Golf 8 is getting a real kicking for the driver interface. That's partially why 7.5 values have stayed strong.

 

[Wattie]

A Chesil (I think that’s how you spell it)? I’m a pork fan (have a 997 GTS) and have one of these reps on my to do list as they are stunning. Wouldn’t do my for my daily

I was a Porsche guy for many years.
Lovely cars. Boxter S, 911, 911 c4 Convert ( both 996) then a Cayenne Turbo.

Let us know what u opt for and enjoy the decision.

 

[c4sman]

The Golf 8 is getting a real kicking for the driver interface. That's partially why 7.5 values have stayed strong.

Totally, I really hate how cars are losing physical buttons and that the reason the golf 8 isn’t on my shortlist!

 

[c4sman]

I've got a 7.5 Golf R and it is great. I'm sure you have considered that in coming up with your choice so enjoy the GTI Performance. I had an E92 M3 new in '07 and there is no comparison but times move on and my M3 might not be that impressive now if I could drive it again. The Golf will make a great daily. Never sat in a Hyundai so can't comment. They look good though.

Golf R isn’t ruled out but wanted a simpler lighter car if possible. Also manual R’s seem to be pretty rare as they removed that option toward the end of the lifecycle.

 

[bigbob]

Golf R isn’t ruled out but wanted a simpler lighter car if possible. Also manual R’s seem to be pretty rare as they removed that option toward the end of the lifecycle.

If you want a manual then you are making the right choice. Check whether any car has a GPF, I think it was autumn 2018 on. Ours is a tad before that and sounds great even if some of it might be artificial.

 

[Ewan]

Those i30N’s do sound good……do they only come in “baby blue” tho?


Never had the trouser tingle from a GTI. If only everything in life was ……blah, blah, blah, boring.

Old.

Talking of which - at that money I’d have one of these and would love every second of its probable ineptness.

View attachment 104480

But it’s sooo cool.

View attachment 104481

Anyway, buy what you fancy now, and enjoy…..there’s no gtee any of us will be around in another 7.

I’m off for a cold shower.

Unfortunately Westfield Sportscars (who own and make the Chesil Speedster, alongside their usual Lotus 7 style cars) went into administration a month or so back. Currently the business is in limbo, as no buyer for it has been found as yet.
Accounts show it had a turnover of approximately £2m, and 33 staff. So I can see how they went bust!

 

[Wattie]

Unfortunately Westfield Sportscars (who own and make the Chesil Speedster, alongside their usual Lotus 7 style cars) went into administration a month or so back. Currently the business is in limbo, as no buyer for it has been found as yet.
Accounts show it had a turnover of approximately £2m, and 33 staff. So I can see how they went bust!

I’d gathered that.
Sad.
Perhaps explains why the cars I’d looked at seem to have gone up dramatically in price?

 

[Ewan]

As for a daily car at a budget of up to £30k, surely between us we can suggest something slightly more interesting than a Golf? (As good as a Golf would be, admittedly.)

I'm currently using a 997 as my daily, and that cost me less than £30k. Okay, it'll cost more to run than a newer Golf, but the depreciation will be less, and it's more fun. It's not got 5 doors though, nor is it a 4 pot. So best I get my coat!

 

[Oneball]

As for a daily car at a budget of up to £30k, surely between us we can suggest something slightly more interesting than a Golf? (As good as a Golf would be, admittedly.)

I'm currently using a 997 as my daily, and that cost me less than £30k. Okay, it'll cost more to run than a newer Golf, but the depreciation will be less, and it's more fun. It's not got 5 doors though, nor is it a 4 pot. So best I get my coat!

I thought you bought that for the Mrs!?

 

[c4sman]

As for a daily car at a budget of up to £30k, surely between us we can suggest something slightly more interesting than a Golf? (As good as a Golf would be, admittedly.)

I'm currently using a 997 as my daily, and that cost me less than £30k. Okay, it'll cost more to run than a newer Golf, but the depreciation will be less, and it's more fun. It's not got 5 doors though, nor is it a 4 pot. So best I get my coat!

Love that!….. but already have a nice 997 but not exactly a leap in practicality to use it as a daily vs the M3. Very open to more suggestions though

 

[Ewan]

I thought you bought that for the Mrs!?

She's often still in bed when I go to work, meaning I get first choice of which vehicle to take!
Of all our cars, the E-Tron is her favorite and "go to" vehicle.

 

[dickygrace]

Cooper S Works if big enough, outstanding cars.

 

[ScottH]

Cooper S Works if big enough, outstanding cars.

Which generation? Or all of them?

 

[c4sman]

Cooper S Works if big enough, outstanding cars.

You know I’m on the “larger build” side of the spectrum Dickie, would I fit?