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Sorry fellas this is a cool hatchback thread, not the nazi mardi gras :no:

Thanks for the useful info

What would your suggestions be? After all its why I asked my question, never looked into this type of car as I never needed one before so I know literally nothing about them.

hyundai 130 car of the year 3 years running..

Mazda 3

focus

corolla

admittedlly the golf is a bit more classy than these ,but if your buying secondhand you wil pay through the ass for it if something goes wrong..

You can almost buy a brand new swift for 15k warranty and all...

I am in a car shooping quandry at the moment too. My Girlfriend has started free lance make up artistry so she would like a hatchback to fit all her stuff in it (Taking the GTR is proving troublesome) with the back seats folded down, we also travel into the country a bit so being able to get out and pass people at 100km/h is important too. Ideally we dont want to spend more than 15,000 but could spend a bit more for the right car.

The cars I have come up with that meet the breif of, Hatch back, not too old, a little bit fast, decent handling and not too dear are:

2002ish VW Golf GTI, 110kw 210nm, 0-100 in 8.5sec 8.0L/100 mixed driving

2002ish Audi A3, 110kw 210nm, 0-100 in 8.7sec 6.7L/100 mixed driving

2006ish Suzuki swift sport 95kw 148nm for some reason I cant find a 0-100 7.5L/100 mixed driving.

Any one got anything to add to my list to check out? Any comments on what is on the current list besides "girl car" because it IS for a girl who is really tired of my GTR lol

stag

The late model Alfa Romeo are really nice. I had the privilege of driving a 159 JTS Q4. (Direct injection 3.2L, 6 speed manual, brembo brakes, AWD) for 6 months.

Excellent build quality, looked the goods, performance was pretty good too. Only real issue was 1st to 2nd gear was clunky - apparently its a "normal" quirk with this particular model. Exhaust sound OMG the Exhaust sound - Brilliant.

In regards to the older model Alfa - I can't say - I don't know.

Definately Jap cars do stand the test of time better than european cars, even if you maintain them at the same level. Main issue with European cars is their electrical problems (be it minor glitches, to full ECU failures) which seem to crop up after 5 years or so. Euro cars in general also seem to have small design flaws to begin with, also trim items seem to fall apart too.

The European cars in Australia are way overpriced anyways - I've just returned from Europe - VW and other low end Euro stuff is nothing special (this includes low end MB, BMW, Audi) - They are "people's cars" ie. Falcon/Commodore. I think it's only in Australia and Asia where the "badge" means more than the actual car's merits.

In regards to the MPS, XR5, GTi, in gear performance 80km/h to 120km/h will always be great - due to them being high compression + turbo engines, best of both worlds n/a responsivness with the torque of a turbo. High compression allows the turbo to spool up faster too.

hyundai 130 car of the year 3 years running..

Mazda 3

focus

corolla

admittedlly the golf is a bit more classy than these ,but if your buying secondhand you wil pay through the ass for it if something goes wrong..

You can almost buy a brand new swift for 15k warranty and all...

The i30, especially the turbo diesel is one I have thought about. My Mum has a carolla and it sucks, it would end up parked at home and we would still be taking the GTR everywhere anyway. The Focus could be ok, but isnt it just another Euro with a different badge on the front?

stag

4 cyl perferred for rego costs, plus Anna hates them.

Anna hates the poor old cooper s, I am not brave enough for the Alpha, but that focus sounds pretty good. Thanks!

lunch done.

doesnt like mini coopers or beetles, too 'girly' apparently. even though she has owned 2 MX5s...*shrug

looks like its down to a semi auto Golf, Evo or late Skyline.

i do like the look of a swift (for a girls car) so might nudge that into the mix too..and diesel Golf? gotta agree with above..ugh.

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