Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...
Their are alot of new hatches out that are performance oriented. Just thought I would start something to compare them all. What is the best new hot hatch? Focus SVT, GTI 1.8t, GTI VR6, Mini Cooper S, Civic Si?
I know celicas, integras and the new RSX are hatches but they are more akin to sports coupes IMO.
BMW has a new compact hatch coming out and it is supposed to be better than the last.
I think hatches are very cool but I wish we had more interesting ones like those found in Europe and the UK
I know celicas, integras and the new RSX are hatches but they are more akin to sports coupes IMO.
BMW has a new compact hatch coming out and it is supposed to be better than the last.
I think hatches are very cool but I wish we had more interesting ones like those found in Europe and the UK
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Yeah, with the mustang selling so good why would they stop now right? Their is a new mustang set to come out built on the lincoln LS platform , maybe if they made it big enough it they wouldn't compete as much. Ah who am i kidding, No one in the states would pay 25-27k for a focus anyway (well if it was good I might).
What is the deal with product liability lawers anyway? So the industry gets in trouble if it builds a really fast inexpensive car? The new WRX has about the same hp as the cosworth focus and they are both AWD what is the difference?
Thanks for your comments. ;-)
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons Message Boards
I'm sure Ponitiac will find a way to crapify it ! (Is that a word?) But it's interesting that Toyota is NOT using the same V6 in theirs. That leads me to believe that they are probably developing a BETTER engine for the Celica and Matrix. After all, pay MORE for the MATRIX unless it's BETTER than the Vibe.
just a thought....it's not very surprising to see this happen, since GM's Chevy Prizm is really a reworked Corolla....and Pontiac is just another useless GM company. (Yes, I do hate GM...sorry if I offend anyone). On the other hand I love Toyota, maybe they can actually teach GM to make good cars someday, instead of just giving them all of their designs !!!
later
What is the svt focus going to weigh in at, anybody know? also how much is it supposed to cost?
The new GTI GLS is supposed to get an hp increase to 170 hp. Its more expensive but I drove the current one with the 1.8t engine and it was pretty quick.
This could get interesting. All the numbers seem to be very close on these new models.
I like both, although I prefer the more carlike styling of the Matrix. the Vibe should do very well, and there is no way for Pontiac to mess it up -- they will be built at the plant they share with Toyota in California.
Toyota and GM have had a good working relationship for years, and will continue to for some time to come. They're sharing technology in other ways, including using the GM OnStar system at Lexus. They are also working together on alternate fuel technologies.
I was being a little sarcastic about GM crappifying it....I know the Corolla and Prizm come outof the same plant, HOWEVER..if you drive both of them within a short time..you can definetly feel a difference. The Corolla feels way more refined than the Prizm, and more quiet....no it's not in my head, many people have said this.
The Corolla probably has some extra 'sound deadening' and some other features that make it better. Also, if you compare the interiors of the two...they are a little different.
I expect the same with the Vibe and the Matrix...I'm sure the Matrix will 'feel' better.
I've had three Pontiacs, though, and loved them too -- a '68 Firebird 350, '69 Grand Prix SJ and '89 Firebird 350. Great road cars, and I adored the styling in all three.
njbongo... Where have you seen the japanese V6 celica?
I think the real competition here is between the SVT focus, the civic si and the new GTI 1.8t. The GTI has the comfort and interior design the civic has the build quality and the ford has the price. I want to know how much each of these are going to weigh?
We only think they are going to be "hot."
Personally, I think the pictures I have seen of the Matrix and the Vibe show that the Matrix is the one suffering from "Aztek" disease and not very "hot". Surprising considering that Matrix is the Toyota offering and Vibe is the GM offering.
Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Toyota did give us the Echo, after all. ; )
Vibe is a better looking car than matrix which looks like it has been 'pontiaced'. On the other hand, it appears they are going to play games with the engine/drivetrain choices. Don't get hopes up too high.
Well, I looked at the Lexus website, and it does say inline six....I was slo going by what the Toyota guy at the NY Auto show was saying, maybe he was confused. You Alteza (IS300) at the above site.
Either way, regardless of what engines the final versions of the Vibe and Matrix have...they are still the same car with slightly different 'faces'.
And zircon.....I'll have to disagree with you on a few things. First off, Ford may not be the best carmaker of all time, but out of the American companies...I'll tke my chances with them when compared to Chrysler or GM. Secondly, have you ever actually read anything about the Firestone tire recall? It doesn't affect CARS, unless of course you have mounted Wilderness AT Tires on your car. Have you? And also, that is more Firestone's fault than Ford's and Ford has also taken a loss to ensure that ALL of those tires are placed.
I'm curious though, while you trashing Ford, what are you driving?
I thought about taking the turbo off and putting it on the Matrix, but I'll probably just put a high-boost system on it when the time comes. I think it's the perfect car for my needs right now.
Edmunds.com's First Look of the 2002 Honda Civic Si is now available. Here's the full story: 2002 Honda Civic Si, Return of the Great Cheap Date, by By Warren Clarke. What do you think?
Also, for more discussion on the 2002 Honda Civic Si, feel free to join us in our ongoing Honda Civic Si discussion on the Hatchbacks Message Board. Happy Motoring!
Pocahontas
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
I want American big cars like the Mustang Cobra to eat my dust, with me in the P1.
http://www.motorsportonline.co.uk /bringlite/news/focus/rs001.htm
http://www.motorsportonline.co.uk /bringlite/news/ImprezaWRX/index.htm
http://www.vtec.net/news/items/773.html
Looks much better than RSX-S, will American Honda import it?
CX
Here's the full story from Edmund's Reviews section: 2001-2002 Sport Coupe Comparison Test. What do you think? ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
the '02 RSX Type-R!
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
But when you 're talkign non-Civics, nothing comes close to the Type-R's fun-to-drive factor..
BTW, why do they call g6 Civics EK? I thought the E stood for 5th gen.. (I 've been away from H-T & H/A for a while, can't you tell?)
'06 Civic LX coupe
'11 BMW 335i coupe xDrive
'13 Honda Accord sedan (wife's car)
EK (96-00)
Harry, when is the RSX-R supposed to come out anyway?
The Ford Focus SVT.
Car and Driver put the SVT first when comparing it to the GTI and the Civic Si, and put the car on its' Top Ten list. Again.
Automobile Magazine compared the same cars as above, and threw in the MP3 and the Sentra SE-R Spec V, and again the SVT came out on top. The Focus also has the distinction of having been on their All-Stars list for both the regular Focus AND the SVT model individually.
Perhaps this helps.
-SHOV6
Thanks for your comments. Happy Motoring.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Read the full story here: First Drive: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, John Pearley Huffman. And let us know what you think.
Also, for more discussion on the Hyundai Tiburon (both 2003 and previous generation models), join us in 2003 Hyundai Tiburon - What do you think? and Hyundai Tiburon, Owner Experiences & News. Thanks for your participation.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Now this is a "hot" hatch. Should be coming to the US as the Driver's Edition with only slight changes.
I am not sure how they would position it with the tiburon. I think they would have to sell a warm version right under the base tiburon and a mad hardcore spec model in the 23-25k range. This would be a full on AWD turbo charged beast. They would have to sell the mad version in really small numbers, so as not to eat away at tiburon sales, since they probably wouldn't make money on this model anyway. The warm version would be what most people got and it would need to be comparable in performance to the civic si and focus svt for less money. The mad version is just to up the brand name and for bragging rights. Hyundai needs to focus on young people now so they can have a bright future.
Top motor in both US & Japan is the 2ZZ-GE, with is a DOHC 1.8L with VVTL-i (L for lift control). The Japanese version gets more power from using higher octane gas (the ECU is recalibrated for the US)
Altezza/IS300
The 160 bhp motor in the Altezza (Japan and Europe IS200) is a 1G-FE 2.0L straight-6 with VVT-i (I believe it's VVT-i). The Altezza in Japan (at one time called the AS200) has a 210 (6-speed manual) or 200 (automatic) bhp 2.0L 3S-GE Dual VVT-i motor. With the introduction of the SportCross this year, the 2JZ-GE (IS300) motor has been added. The 2JZ-GE motor was an US exclusive, until 2002.
Vibe/Matrix
The Vibe GT at the autoshows had the 2ZZ-GE motor, not a V6. Ditto for the Matrix XRS
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
I read car and drivers hot hatch review as well as motor trends comparision. I also read a lot online and looked at each car.My thoughts .......
SVT Focus= very limited production, race car handling, nice looks, average 0-60,avg resale,dealer won't budge on price
Hyundai= great looks, V6 power only average HP, low price, great warranty,low resale value
Spec V= 7.22 0-60mph, big 4 banger with some harshness, limited production, dealer won't budge much,handles close to the focus svt
civic SI= silky motor, silky shifter, reliable, avg handling, a little slow 0-60 7.8,dealer won't budge much,high resale
celica GT-s= quick 6.9sec 0-60,nimble with great handling and the best brakes,high resale and reliability, notchy shifter and no torque so you must constantly row the 6 speed and run the motor over 6000rpm
subaru impreza= 7.8sec 0-60,handling below avg,a great value for a loaded 4wd sporty car,overall the lack of punch and the poor handling turned me away.
Then I bought the VW GTI 1.8T 180 HP= the muscle car hatch of the group 0-60 6.5, silky smooth 1.8 20v turbo motor voted on wards 10 best engines again,avg handling, high resale,interior quality rivals expensive cars,safe car with yes...6 airbags,4/50k warranty, dealer willing to haggle($1200 off msrp and 4.9% 5 year financing thru VW)
The VW is the best equiped it even has ABS,traction control and 6 air bags standard. Mileage is rated the highest 24/31 even though this is the hottest motor of them all. It is easy to bump HP to over 200 with a simple $400 chip that boost the turbo PSI. When you buy a VW you are getting an Audi sophisticated motor and Audi like interior on a $20,000 car. Each car has its highlights but the GTI has more in my opinion:
*fastest pocket rocket *safest *best engine *best interior *best mileage *most equipment *easy to hop up
I'm very fond of the new 1.8T, so I think you made a great pick, please post if you make any modifications to your suspension.
base model with sunroof, monsoon audio and cold weather package. Once I test drove one and felt the silky smooth power rush with the high quality interior, I was drooling. Even though the upcoming VR6 motor option will have 201 hp, I think the 1.8T is just as fast due to lower weight,plus its cheaper,has better mileage and is easy to hop up. Buy a $400 chip to get 200+HP and you have a potent fast and furious hatchback! The handling is average among the group but there are many hopups available. For 2002 VW dropped the price a little, added 16" wheels and CD, 2 more air bags, a better warranty and best of all 30 more horses! VW March 4.9% financing saves hundreds too. Consider this, a normal 7% rate would cost me $20 more per month which adds up to $1200 more for the car!(60months X 20 per month)
The Acura RSX-s is hard to haggle the price down, so I think you end up paying $23,650. On carsdirect.com the loaded celica is $2000 cheaper at $21,688.