What are your top 5 hot hatches of all time?

Mine are:-

1) Renault 5 GT Turbo - King of the hot hatches IMO. Only had 120 bhp, but because it weighed the same as a packet of crisps & was built like a crisp packet, it was scorchingly quick.

2) Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI - The greatest car ever to wear a GTI badge.

3) Golf GTI 16V Mk2 Version - The best ever Golf GTI & the last before the GTI became fat, underpowered, then went on to become a badge engineered fake & culiminating in the good, but slightly staid (IMO) all rounder that we have today.

4) Vauxhall Astra GTE 16V - Wasn't the best handler, but no other old school hatch could out drag it. The digital dash was great in the late 1980's & it's rounded shape was actually futuristic in 1988!

5) Ford Fiesta RS Turbo - You cannot have a hot hatch pole with an RS or an XR in it!

I've owned three of those - the Renault 5 GT Turbo, the Golf GTi and the Astra GTE 16V. So I definitely agree with those.

I guess the Peugeot 205 GTi is also a classic and one of the all-time great hot hatches.

I'm not sure about the Fiesta RS Turbo. It was a marketing disaster for Ford and nobody would touch it with a bargepole. It was very difficult to insure and the car was hopeless. It had an engine that was way too powerful for the chassis which was basically a Ford Fiesta. That's why it was withdrawn so quickly (and also after so many people killed/injured themselves trying to drive one quickly!).

quote:

Originally posted by Syntax Error:
What are your top 5 hot hatches of all time?

Mine are:-

1) Renault 5 GT Turbo - King of the hot hatches IMO. Only had 120 bhp, but because it weighed the same as a packet of crisps & was built like a crisp packet, it was scorchingly quick.

2) Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI - The greatest car ever to wear a GTI badge.

3) Golf GTI 16V Mk2 Version - The best ever Golf GTI & the last before the GTI became fat, underpowered, then went on to become a badge engineered fake & culiminating in the good, but slightly staid (IMO) all rounder that we have today.

4) Vauxhall Astra GTE 16V - Wasn't the best handler, but no other old school hatch could out drag it. The digital dash was great in the late 1980's & it's rounded shape was actually futuristic in 1988!

5) Ford Fiesta RS Turbo - You cannot have a hot hatch pole with an RS or an XR in it!

I meant to say without an RS or XR

Alfa Sud Ti, the original 'hot hatch'.

Pug 205 GTi, fantastic handling

FIAT Uno Turbo, mad little cars

Delta integrale, more WRC than any other car

MkII Golf GTi, brought hot hatches to the masses?

In no order...

MG Maestro Turbo
Citroen Visa GTi
Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 Whoosh!
Citroen XM V6
Renault 11 Turbo

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MattW:
Citroen XM V6
QUOTE]

Mwahahahahahaha....

-- in no particular order --
VW Golf mk2 GTI
Lancia Delta Intregrale [plain HF not that bad]
Nissan Sunny Gti R
Peugeot 205 gti [309 gti not bad either]
Alfa Sud / Sprint

also worth mention: fiat strada 105 tc ????

citroen xm a hot hatch?? avvin a larf

quote:

Originally posted by Alfisti:
Alfa Sud Ti, the original 'hot hatch'.

Pug 205 GTi, fantastic handling

FIAT Uno Turbo, mad little cars

Delta integrale, more WRC than any other car

MkII Golf GTi, brought hot hatches to the masses?

Good call about the Uno Turbo ie.

Everything I said about the R5 could apply to the Fiat!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
In no order...

MG Maestro Turbo
Citroen Visa GTi
Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 130 Whoosh!
Citroen XM V6
Renault 11 Turbo

Some very interesting choices there!!!

Interesting topic Syntax.

I'm with you on the first two.

Heres my list:-

1) Renault 5 GT Turbo
2) Peugeot 205 GTI (1.9)
3) VW Golf GTI Mk 1 (original & best)
4) Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (I know it has too much power, but 250 bhp & probably the best looking hot hatch ever).
5) Daihatsu Charade GTti (I know you're on the floor in stitches, but this car is manic).

quote:

Originally posted by Six Million Dollar Man:
5) Daihatsu Charade GTti (I know you're on the floor in stitches, but this car is manic).

Good choice! I also reckon the Suzuki Swift GTi is worthy of a mention too.

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
Good choice! I also reckon the Suzuki Swift GTi is worthy of a mention too.

what about that other suzuki, the one that starts with I ?????????

quote:

Originally posted by Syntax Error:
Good call about the Uno Turbo ie.

Everything I said about the R5 could apply to the Fiat!!!!

And the Gordini Turbo R5.......much prefered the looks of that to the later ones. I'll never forget flying back from a garage in an Uno Turbo chasing my mate in his Gordini. Both very quick little cars.

quote:

Originally posted by AndyCardiff:
Hot hatches are my favourite subject, I love them. Here goes:

1. Renault 5 GT Turbo
2. Renault Clio Williams
3. Peugeot 205 GTi
4. VW Golf GTi MkI
5. Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy

I've had 2 GTTs and a 172 Sport and I love hot hatches

That's a fantastic list.

I'm embarrassed to say that I completely forgot about the Clio Williams! Another gem from Renault.

Renault must be the hot hatch manufacturer of all time?????

gordini/gordini turbo..peugeot 104 zs 2 dr...chevette hsr....civic type r......talbot sunbeam lotus.....fiat uno...fiat 127gt.....golf gti 1600 mk1...16v mk 2 gti...toyota corrola gt rwd model....uno turbo...visa gt....alfasud...oh sh*t..ya said 5!!! i could go on, but couldnt possibly narrow it down to 5.....

..pug 205 gti 1.6/1.9..mk 1 astra gte...clio williams..renault 19 16v executive....5 gt turbo....astra mk2 16v just cos its barnstorming engine........oh stop...stop.....

In no order...

- Delta Integrale
- Golf Mk2 GTi
- Pug 306 GTi-6 - forgotten classic
- Honda CRX Mk1 - 1.6 litre DOHC four valve engine, capable of 130 horsepower at 6,500 rpm.
- Pug 106 GTi - More credibility then the similar Citroen Saxo, same delicate chassis.

...one regretably left bubbling under the top 5:

Seat Leon Cupra.

XR3i - bit too chavvy? I used to have an 'almost' XR3i 1.8LX with stainless steel exhaust. Boy racer a go-go.
Of course the Cozzie!!!
Saw a nice Delta HF in hotel car park today. Looked great - not been messed around with.

quote:

Originally posted by rja1980:
- Pug 306 GTi-6 - forgotten classic

Nice one!!!!! I had one these once I was deemed "responsible" by the insurers, great car deeply regretted selling it.

rja, you've made my day. In return, I think I can forgive your choice of personal automotive transport

So to consolidate my top 5:

1. Pug 306 GTi-6 [see above]

2. VW Lupo GTi
This is the REAL VW Gti of modern times. 60mph in 7.7secs, real pocket rocket. Now sadly missed.

3. Clio Williams. Almost bought one three years ago, but those that have survived are either a) basket cases, or b) top-dollar minters. Shame, an endearing car that I so desperately wanted to own as a young 18 yr old in 1993. Tried one in '01, completely met my expectations.

4. Pug 309 GTi
Dweeby styling hides 205 chassis with less of the hang-ups if you mess up, but same enjoyment. Underrated so dead cheap to buy & run both now & in its day (at least next to 205Gti)

5. Fiat Stilo Arbath
Silky smooth performance from cracking five cylinder clothed in sharp Italian suit. Criminally underrated, even if cornering ability is not a big priority.

Volvo T5.......estate!

quote:

Originally posted by AndyCardiff:
Fiat Strada 130TC. Does anyone remember these?

remember the 105, forgot there was a 130 -- not seen a strada since the '80s

the 130 strada was/is an all time great in hot hatchdom....tipo sedicivalvole is the business too...somewhat surprisingly for some....cinq sporting a total hoot....less can sometime be more!!....mk 1 crx had 1.5 100hp engine, later mk1 and mk2 had 1600 wi 128hp or 160 in vtec form...i'v owned both, great cars....had a honda civic gti 16-16i 90 model...total blast......even the old early eighties civic gt or s were fun....mk1 xr2 and pre facelift xr3 were pretty cars, but lukewarm rather than hot....oh and special mention too charade gtti, suzuki swift gti and original charade turbo.....banzai pocket rockets for pocket money!!