Hunting For A Hatchback
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You are currently reading a thread in /o/ - Auto
The suspension on my DD 97 Civic is completely fucked so I'm thinking of retiring it after 11 years of ownership. My criteria is fwd or awd hatchback with a manual transmission. I do a bunch of driving in the mountains, so something with a turbo would be preferred. I went and test drove a few cars at the local dealers today. Am I missing any other contenders?
Here's what I drove with some comments:
VW Golf GTI S:
- Transmission is very notchy compared to my Civic
- Clutch was hard to judge. Stalled it a few times on the test drive.
- Engine is gutless until the turbo spools
- Firm but refined ride
- Nicely weighted steering, good handling
- Like the cloth seats (plaid)
- Plain but very nice interior overall, very quiet
- Rear seat pass-through is a plus for skiing
- Android auto was nice
- Best visibility
- Terrified by the supposed VAG reliability issues
Mazda 3 i Hatch:
- They only had the 2.0 in manual transmission so I drove that. I think I would go for the 2.5 if I went with a 3.
- Butter smooth transmission...almost Honda-tier
- Hood is gigantic. Seemed difficult to judge where the front of the car is.
- Interior parts overall look nice but feel kind of chintzy.
- Somewhat loud inside.
- Decent handling but salesman was a cunt and only let me go on traffic filled roads, so I didn't get to push the car
- Wasn't a huge fan of the screen sticking out of the dash.
Fiesta ST w/ Recaro's:
- Dealer just threw me the keys and said be back in an hour.
- Amazing handling
- Rev happy engine, very fun to push. Builds boost very quickly.
- Definitely put a smile on my face
- Decent transmission
- Very stiff ride on broken pavement.
- Interior was decent but you can definitely tell its an econo-box.
- SYNC is terrible
- Rear visibility is terrible, this car should have a backup camera
- Not a lot of space in the back
Focus ST
- Torque steer
- Was OK overall but I felt like the Fiesta was the better drivers car
Anything else I should check out /o/?
>>14905295
>Was OK overall but I felt like the Fiesta was the better drivers car
Maybe if your driving doesn't involve going fast?
>>14905295
>Anything else I should check out /o/?
>>14905470
I prefer handling over straight-line speed. I've spent the last 11 years driving a 100 HP Civic so all of these cars feel adequately fast to me (minus the Mazda 3 with the 2.0).
>>14905557
Check out the Volvo C30. Ford Focus MK2/Mazda 3 platform but with a turbocharged 225 HP 2.5L inline 5 cylinder.
Also, just test drive the Fiat 500 Abarth. Yes it's a Fiat, and yes it will probably be unreliable. but it is by far one of the most fun to drive cars, period, on the market. The Fiesta is a better car, but the Fiat is a better toy. No matter what you're doing in the Abarth, even something as mundane as sitting at a traffic light will bring a smile to your face.
>>14905557
If you prefer handling why are you looking at fwd shitboxes?
I assume you are looking at purchasing a new car, why are you limiting yourself to fancy looking appliance cars?
>>14905584
>If you prefer handling why are you looking at fwd shitboxes?
because he wants a fucking hatchback you fucking retard. The only RWD hatchback sold in America in the last 30 years was the BMW E36 318Ti
>>14905493
>>14905575
Found a 6 speed C30 w/ 63k miles on craigslist for $8600. I'll try and check it out.
>>14905584
I live in the mountains and we get snow regularly in the winter. I've survived with studded snow tires on my Civic. In my experience rwd doesn't work on steep mountain passes in the snow. I plan on buying a rwd summer toy later in life, but right now I'm buying a DD.
I'm not opposed to buying used.
>>14905631
Thats odd, in my opinion RWD is far better in the snow than FWD as you don't get stuck in parking lots with ice when there is a slight incline. It takes more skill to drive a RWD in the snow, but it is far more capable. I used to live by a huge hill and every winter FWD cars would have to turn around or drive up them backwards while RWD vehicles generally didn't have an issue. In the mountains I'd assume the weight transfer of a FWD to the non driven rear wheels would be even more pronounced. If it snows enough that you think FWD is necessary, you should probably be buying AWD.
>>14905631
But anyways if you are dead set on a hatchback a Fiesta ST or a Mazdaspeed 3 would be my best guess for you.
>>14905604
Would love to own one someday. So ugly, yet cool.
>>14905604
So fucking sexy
>>14905631
>Found a 6 speed C30 w/ 63k miles on craigslist for $8600. I'll try and check it out.
The coolest thing about the C30, besides the engine IMO, is the rear hatch made of glass.
>>14905295
a class.
>>14905770
>get into fender bender
>buy whole new hatch.
>>14905776
not sold in Amerifat. Closest thing is the CLA, which is a sedan.
>>14905776
Not available in burgerland unfortunately.
>>14905770
I think this is one of the better looking hatchbacks that has a disgusting rear end.
>>14905786
laminated glass like that is actually pretty hard to crack.
>>14905604
I think there was also this butt ugly Mercedes, but I think everyone would rather forget it.
>>14905631
Would you be opposed to a sort of halfway liftback arrangement, or would you much prefer to have something newer than 2002?
>>14905812
Oh god my eyes. I forgot about those things.
>>14905817
It depends on how usable the rear is. Space for dogs and camping gear is what has attracted me to a hatch.
>>14905855
question. What about a Scion tC. 2011+ are the ones to look at. Every problem was fixed by then, they're fun to drive and usable.
>>14905866
I've always associated Scion with high schoolers and ricing desu (pic related). I'll see if I can find an unmolested example.
>>14905855
Hmmmm...how about one of those wagon things? Or perhaps a short wheelbase wagon that kinda sorta looks like an elongated hatch?
>>14905990
Scions are definitely something to look into.
Scions to avoid at all costs:
2008+ Scion xB
2005-2010 Scion tC
The 2.4L engine in those is known to be trash. All the others are reliable and good cars.
