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

[Felonious Crud]

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.

My neighbour has a manual R and absolutely loves it. Superb car and very usable as a daily without losing that feeling of being a bit special.

 

[dickygrace]

Which generation? Or all of them?

Anything post 2011 is good.

 

[dickygrace]

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

I’ve not seen you for a good few years, go and have a look and try as they’re fantastic cars. Or possibly an M140i. @mjheathcote has one and knows his cars well.

 

[dickygrace]

My neighbour has a manual R and absolutely loves it. Superb car and very usable as a daily without losing that feeling of being a bit special.

They’re awesome things, the DSG much more sought after, but they’re a lot of dosh for a Golf.

 

[mjheathcote]

I’ve not seen you for a good few years, go and have a look and try as they’re fantastic cars. Or possibly an M140i. @mjheathcote has one and knows his cars well.

M140i are great cars, crazy big engine in the smallest lightest body shell, driving the rear wheels.
They stopped making the manual gearbox version with the introduction of gpf in 2018.
Mines manual and also the 3 door with frameless doors, a very rare combination, most are auto 5 doors.
Mines completely stock and high mileage compared to most, fast approaching 70k. Been no trouble at all.
The only down side is that many are modified with maps (over 400bhp with an easy flash) with noisy exhausts and add on body kits, and they are getting a bit of an asbo reputation.
I do keep on thinking of a change, but that super smooth 6 pot with massive low down turbo torque is too addictive!

 

[MAF260]

My son wanted a Golf 8 GTi. Had a test drive and came away disappointed, a lot to do with the driver interface and how unnatural the controls are for things like HVAC - he's 24! He's now on the lookout for a 7 GTi for c.£18k-£20k having done a lot of research about the sweet spot of value/depreciation and performance/driver enjoyment.

 

[c4sman]

Should add that my wife has a Leon cupra 300 which is basically a GTI with a golf R engine and it’s a great daily. Don’t want the same car exactly just for variety but think a similar car would work. The M140 could be too close to the M3 for comfort perhaps…..

 

[Wattie]

How about one if these?
Apparently they’re quite handy.

 

[NickP]

GR Yaris... apparently is the hot hatch to get

 

[c4sman]

How about one if these?
Apparently they’re quite handy.

View attachment 104510

Hadn’t thought of going there, it’s now on the list and looks tastey

 

[Wack61]

GR Yaris... apparently is the hot hatch to get

Could've had mine

Just sold it to a Toyota dealer at 10 months old for £600 more than they sold it to me new so residuals are very high.
If you can find a private seller and pay cash anything close to list has to be worth buying

10 year warranty as long as they service it every year

 

[c4sman]

GR doesn’t interest me to be honest. Too focussed and too small for my daily. I’m sure it’s a hoot to drive though

 

[mjheathcote]

It was on my list to change, 6 months before it hit the general populus YouTube brigade.
Issue for me as a possible daily at the time were small boot, small rear seat, and something silly like no rear wash wiper!

 

[Wack61]

It was on my list to change, 6 months before it hit the general populus YouTube brigade.
Issue for me as a possible daily at the time were small boot, small rear seat, and something silly like no rear wash wiper!

There are some compromises , no wash wipe wasn't really a problem , you can't see much out of the back , my 2 6ft kids got in the back but you wouldn't want to go far

I'm glad I got it but won't really miss it , I'm not a new car guy , bangernomics is where I'm at

 

[mjheathcote]

Should add that my wife has a Leon cupra 300 which is basically a GTI with a golf R engine and it’s a great daily. Don’t want the same car exactly just for variety but think a similar car would work. The M140 could be too close to the M3 for comfort perhaps…..

Many M140i and M240i move up to a true M car and then move back, especially as a daily. Running costs mostly.
The b58 engine is crazy efficient. I've averaged a true 35mpg over 65k miles.
Also to date with service packs ect it has cost me only £600 in total for two oil services, two brake fluid changes, and a big major service. Only other expense is a replacement set of Michelin super sport tyres. So a grand in total for over 65k miles.
I must add though, that I'm at a turning point.
I do need shortly a full set of discs and pads, another big major service, and set of tyres. So do I chop it in, or spend £2k, twice as much as the last nearly 5 years.

 

[Wack61]

Many M140i and M240i move up to a true M car and then move back, especially as a daily. Running costs mostly.
The b58 engine is crazy efficient. I've averaged a true 35mpg over 65k miles.
Also to date with service packs ect it has cost me only £600 in total for two oil services, two brake fluid changes, and a big major service. Only other expense is a replacement set of Michelin super sport tyres. So a grand in total for over 65k miles.
I must add though, that I'm at a turning point.
I do need shortly a full set of discs and pads, another big major service, and set of tyres. So do I chop it in, or spend £2k, twice as much as the last nearly 5 years.

This is what worries me about spending big money on used cars , how many do that, big bill looming so get rid , new owner is either unaware or it goes through an auction , the purchasing dealer changes the oil , stamps the book then attaches a worthless warranty to the sale for 'peace of mind' for the new owner.

 

[dickygrace]

This is what worries me about spending big money on used cars , how many do that, big bill looming so get rid , new owner is either unaware or it goes through an auction , the purchasing dealer changes the oil , stamps the book then attaches a worthless warranty to the sale for 'peace of mind' for the new owner.

This is very true, welcome to the joys of my world. Particularly true on biannually serviced cars. They then go 4 years with no TLC, and hey-presto, £6k bill.

It’s also what ppi’s are for.

 

[c4sman]

This is very true, welcome to the joys of my world. Particularly true on biannually serviced cars. They then go 4 years with no TLC, and hey-presto, £6k bill.

It’s also what ppi’s are for.

Both good points, but if your lucky you bag yourself something looked after by another enthusiast who’s spent more than they should on upkeep. PPI is the key unless your an expert yourself.

 

[mjheathcote]

This is what worries me about spending big money on used cars , how many do that, big bill looming so get rid , new owner is either unaware or it goes through an auction , the purchasing dealer changes the oil , stamps the book then attaches a worthless warranty to the sale for 'peace of mind' for the new owner.

That is the gamble I'm afraid, even if fully maintained to the book, like mine, why would you spend £2k to then trade in within a few months if that work doesn't effect the trade in value? If the work is needed now, I'll do it, but I would have to then hang onto it for at least another 6 months. Consequently for a daily I've either bought cheap, or in later years as new with very low mileage to avoid the initial depreciation, and any maintenence issues.

 

[Wack61]

That is the gamble I'm afraid, even if fully maintained to the book, like mine, why would you spend £2k to then trade in within a few months if that work doesn't effect the trade in value? If the work is needed now, I'll do it, but I would have to then hang onto it for at least another 6 months. Consequently for a daily I've either bought cheap, or in later years as new with very low mileage to avoid the initial depreciation, and any maintenence issues.

It's why I rarely buy from a dealer and never from someone It's not registered to

It's the first question I ask

Is it registered in your name
I've had replies like
Er no
OK you're a dealer then
No no , I just buy and sell a few cars
OK that would be a dealer then you donk
So you're not interested then