You are here: Forums Hatchbacks Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...

Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...

894 messages,  Last post on Nov 12, 2008 at 6:09 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Acura RSX, Honda Civic, MINI Cooper, Volkswagen New Beetle, Ford Focus, Volkswagen GTI, Coupe, Hatchback

#792 of 894 it may look like a micro-minivan by chibianh Sep 04, 2003 (8:25 pm)
but I still love my Civic Si!
#793 of 894 by rivertown Sep 04, 2003 (9:17 pm)
I love mine, too.
#794 of 894 civic si by qbrozen Sep 05, 2003 (3:49 am)
I was at the Honda dealer recently helping my sis buy a CRV. We did alot of sitting around because the F&I office was severely backed up. Anyway, I tried a few cars on for size while I was waiting. Sat in the S2000 (for the dozenth time or so), the Si, and the Accord coupe (actually drove this one with the 6-speed). I was suprised to find that I fit better in the S2000 than the Si (although neither would be suitable for more than an hour at a time for me). I don't get it. I am able to stretch my legs out just a hair further in the s2000. Now, granted, I can actually tilt the seat back in the Si, but it either needs a little more seat travel or it needs a tilt feature on the seat bottom. Really silly IMO.   oh, but I did find the civic gave more headroom than the Accord coupe. Again, i just don't get it.
#795 of 894 Fun to drive with A/T by strange3 Sep 06, 2003 (6:56 am)
I'm just starting to look around for something to replace my '95 sedan. Since the wife has a great minivan ('03 MPV) that we love, we have the room for moving the kids (2 + 1 on the way). I'd like some advise on models to consider.   I'd like something fun to drive, that's good (doesn't have to be great) on gas, and has an auto tranny. My wife doesn't drive a stick, and teaching her could be the beginning of the end to a beautiful relationship. No need to rock the boat, so the auto tranny is a must-have. This car would be for my commute and for errands.   I'd prefer 5-dr over 3-dr, and more room in case I have to transport all 5 of us, but these are preferences. My price range is $18k - $24k. Drove both the Highlander & Forester and liked them, but they lacked something I can't pin down. My initial list includes:   Mini Coop (not "S", which doesn't come with A/T) VW Golf (had a '89 that I hated to sell, but it had a stick) Mazda Protoge5 (should I wait for the "3"?) Focus (SVT doesn't come w/ A/T) Rio 5-dr Elantra 5-dr Civic SI Vibe/Matrix '04 Prius Lexus IS300 (has more room, but could be used to meet price range)   Have I overlooked any? I'd appreciate help narrowing the field.
#796 of 894 strange3 by qbrozen Sep 06, 2003 (7:06 am)
did you try out the Forester XT? That would be quicker than pretty much anything else on your list. The handling isn't stellar out of the box, but for a little over $100 you can get a beefier rear anti-roll bar that makes a tremendous difference (did this on my wife's previous Forester).   I would suggest waiting for the Mazda3 before settle on a Prot5. IMHO the 3 is much better looking in the pics I've seen and you also don't want to get hit with the harsh depreciation the prot would most likely take once it is no longer available.
#797 of 894 strange3 by muffin_man Sep 06, 2003 (12:01 pm)
Civic Si only comes in manual.
#798 of 894 wagons by dudka Sep 08, 2003 (4:00 am)
what about wagons? Mazda Protege5, Mitsubishi Lancer Wagon, Suzuki Aerio wagon, Subaru Impreza (WRX or not) wagon, Ouback, and like mentioned before Forester XT. Mazda may be releasing Mazda6 wagon soon. Then there are front drive or AWD CR-V and Element, as well as RAV4
#799 of 894 dudka - wagons by revka Sep 08, 2003 (4:11 am)
Let's take this subject to one of our ongoing wagon discussions. To start here's Sports Wagons - The wave of the future?.   Also, some of you may find this new Hatchbacks discussion interesting: Microvans: Fad or wave of the future?.   And let's get back to the subject of the Best Hot Hatch. Thanks!   Revka Host Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
#800 of 894 2004 Echo Hatch (Vitz Yaris) by weelz Sep 11, 2003 (12:47 pm)
Owned it for about 3 weeks now.Very econo-box like but a cheap and a solid car well built Japanese car   .I turned down the Civic SI hatch for it and saved 10K in the process.Not half as fast but just as much if not more fun.   Gas mileage is better than I expected and a real saving at the pump helps pay for increased insurance costs.Like Red Rose tea though it is only available in Canada
#801 of 894 Yaris Echo Scion Ion Mini by dudka Sep 12, 2003 (3:19 am)
Yaris/Echo, Scion, Ion, and Mini have one thing in common: Centrally mounted dashboard. I understand that it may be benefitial to some, but not to me. It is weird to have a steering wheel come out of the dash with nothing around it. It is un-natural, to me, to look to the right for the speedo and tach.   I am not sure that Echo is more fun. It may provide bigger adrenaline rish due to low traction provided by those skinny tires

You are here: Forums Hatchbacks Best Hot Hatch - SVT, Civic Si, GTI, RSX, Mini, Beetle...