I am officially in love with hot hatches - Page 2

rydawg · 03-30-09, 08:50

The C30's are very cool looking, but remember the values will fall fast on them because they are a Volvo. So you might even find one a year old for a very good deal. The performance of them is so so, but still decent.

I really love the A3 with the 3.2, but like you said, they are very pricey.

If I was in the market for a hot hatch, I would really look at an 04 R32. I have driven a few of them and they are just amazing cars.

BigAl3 · 03-30-09, 08:55

i've always had a thing for hatchbacks (past & present), and one that i really like that has held it's own for many years are the old civic's...

UpNorth · 03-30-09, 09:26

People are getting amazing deals on the 08 C30s that are still on the lot. If I were more prudent, that is the route I would have gone, but instead I decided to build my own 09. Just decent performance is fine for me, I'm not exactly burning up the track. I just don't want to be bored and want something nice. Other more serious drivers have had a good time modifying their C30s to get more performance out of them. As for the back end, people love it or hate it. I like it, but agree Black is best for it. The hatch opening is relatively small, but I figure that is just a good excuse not to carry truly big and heavy things.

Rumors abound of Volvo coming out with a limited edition, 300hp, AWD version of the C-30. That would fill the gap left by the RS, but who knows what will happen. It would be spendy no doubt.

If you can find an R32, that may be your best bet.

One last hatch story, when my sister was interviewing for her first job out of school, the interviewer told her she should get a hatch becasue it would be convenient for the sales job. She didn't take the job, but did get a hatch: a used porche 944.

XRL · 03-30-09, 10:13

The C30 confuses me too, I don't understand its options and such, lol. I guess it's a nice system for getting exactly what you want, but if you are looking used (like me) it makes it difficult to find one with the options you want since they don't come together as packages for the most part.

Does the C30 have a limited slip differential up front?

Lumadar · 03-30-09, 10:51

PS, if you ask me, even the current US Focus can be made into a "hot hatch" but I am a bit biased

~

UpNorth · 03-30-09, 11:25

Yep. That is hot indeed. I can see why you're biased, Lumador.

XRL, C30 doesn't have limited slip differential as far as I know. I may be way off here, but I think they try to compensate with their traction control system. I'll stop now before I start making stuff up.

BAKER · 03-31-09, 02:28

A3 owner here and it a great car, good feel, solid and decent performance. Recently looked at a Subby sti, not bad either.

brianshaeffer · 03-31-09, 04:24

I like the Volvo and the Focus as well. One that I find really interesting, though, is that Volkswagen announced the Golf GTD this week for the US market. It's faster than the oritinal US GTI from 1983 and a fuel sipper with its diesel engine.

thesacrifice · 03-31-09, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAKER

Recently looked at a Subby sti.

Love mine, my first hatch

Setec Astronomy · 03-31-09, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianshaeffer

It's faster than the oritinal US GTI from 1983...

God, was it that late when that car came out? Wasn't it like the fastest 0-60 car you could buy that year?

Accumulator · 03-31-09, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

God, was it that late when that car came out? Wasn't it like the fastest 0-60 car you could buy that year?

Nah, not even close. It just seemed like it because the thing was so much fun. Perfect example of how a slow car can be more fun than something that's much faster.

rydawg · 03-31-09, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Nah, not even close. It just seemed like it because the thing was so much fun. Perfect example of how a slow car can be more fun than something that's much faster.

So True!

there are 2 types of fun...

1. Going very fast and burning the tires at every corner.

(under age 25)
it may not be a car that handles great, but who cares, all you need is the edge of the seat baby!!!!!!

2. Feeling very connected with the car along with the road while enjoying such comfort and refinement while carving the corners with such joy. It may not be the fastest, but the connectivity just makes you want to drive further and further.