CarSPIN Forums

Here we go! Select your European Hot Hatch from the late 1980s!

This is a massive poll and some of the models can be seen as "redundant" (Renault 9/11 for example are the same cars essentially or the Ford Escort XR3i and RS Turbo are also similar cars but different enough to warrant their place in this poll).


MY CHOICE: There are many great hot hatches on this list. The Peugeot 205. GTI is legendary for example. But my vote went to the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC. I remember when I was growing up and the Fiat Ritmo was a "common sight". I always liked their styling and I feel that the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC looks fantastic. A shame that they've all rusted away...  :cry:



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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti (105-hp)

(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5928/unbenannt1rzs.jpg)


Citroen AX GTi (101-hp)

(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02142/AX_2142202i.jpg)


Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC

(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1700/unbenannt2zw.jpg)


Fiat Uno 1.3 Turbo (105-hp)

(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3959/unbenannt122.jpg)


Ford Fiesta XR2

(http://www.rsiauto.fr/images/FORD/Fiesta-XR2-Mk2/Fiesta-XR2-Mk2-1.jpg)


Ford Escort XR3i 1.6

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3715/unbenannt1232.jpg)


Ford Escort RS Turbo 1.6

(http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/97/unbenannt1232333.jpg)


Lancia Delta HF Turbo

(http://www.autopictu.com/images/lancia-delta-hf-turbo-08.jpg)


MG Metro Turbo

(http://encarsglobe.com/data_images/models/mg-metro/mg-metro-07.jpg)


MG Maestro 2.0 EF

(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6848/mgmaserstro.jpg)


Opel Corsa GSi

(http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/2218/unbenannt1ush.jpg)


Opel Kadett E GSi/GTE

(http://i2.kabeleins.de/polopoly_fs/auto-kadett-e-gsi-opel-04jpg-1322234136-1.49489!/httpImage/auto-kadett-e-gsi-Opel-04.jpg_gen/derivatives/FORMAT_820_461/auto-kadett-e-gsi-Opel-04.jpg)


Peugeot 205 GTI

(http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6145/unbenannt1plc.jpg)


Peugeot 309 GTI

(http://www.motorstown.com/images/peugeot-309-i-04.jpg)


Renault 5 GT Turbo

(http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9475/unbenannt2mc.jpg)


Renault 9 GT Turbo

(http://www.classic-autoglas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/renault_R9_turbo.jpg)


Renault 11 Turbo

(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/940/renaul11.jpg)


Seat Ibiza 1.7 SXI Sport Line

(http://www2.diariomotor.com/imagenes/2012/01/posts/Seat_Ibiza_SXI_0001.jpg)


Volkswagen Golf GTI

(http://www.autogush.com/images/volkswagen-golf-gti-1987-02.jpg)


Volkswagen Polo II GT G40

(http://img.favcars.com/volkswagen/polo/pictures_volkswagen_polo_1987_1_b.jpg)

This is actually a really hard one.  So many great cars on this list.

The Peugeot 205 GTi still appeals a lot now, just like it did when new............ but I think my vote goes to the Lancia Delta, or perhaps the Ritmo/Strada 130 TC, or then again the Alfasud Ti.

There were plenty of desirable cars at that time - honourable mentions from that list also to the MG Maestro which despite its boxy styling was actually pretty good to drive, the 309 GTi and of course many reckoned that the Golf GTi was Top Dog of the day.   

(http://gamespixels.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/segarally02.jpg)

Quote from: Raza  on January 25, 2013, 11:27:58 AM
This is actually a really hard one.  So many great cars on this list.

Take your time!  ;)

Golf.

I do really like the 309, but I have never seen or been in one IRL. Looks pretty good though.

There are quite a few good cars on that list. I voted Renault 5GT for nostalgia but the Pug, Lancia, Escort & VW GTI are all desirable even today.

Quote from: Northlands on January 25, 2013, 01:37:06 PM
Golf.

I do really like the 309, but I have never seen or been in one IRL. Looks pretty good though.

There's a red one around the corner from where I live. They are very rare these days because like most French/Italian cars from that era, they've rusted to bits.

A lot of cars I don't know much about on there...

So, Lancia.

As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

:wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:

(http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/modelpicture.php?id=6442)

No despair here.

205, hands down.

How does this Lancia compare with the Integrale? Integrale was a homoglation special, yes?

Quote from: Rupert on January 26, 2013, 01:40:13 AM
How does this Lancia compare with the Integrale? Integrale was a homoglation special, yes?

Yes......... but it sold in far larger numbers that anyone ever imagined. The first cars AWD cars were called HF 4WD and they replaced the HF Turbo, a fast hatch that looked little different from the regular 1300 and 1600 models. The HF 4WD were born from the need for something to replace the Group B rally cars that were outlawed in 1986 following too many deaths. It was an immediate hit. Over the next few years there was then a program of continued evolution with ever more powerful engines, wider tyres and styling changes. The Integrale really  captured the buyer's imagination such that rather selling the necessary 5000 they built over 44,000 cars and they are very well regarded (and priced accordingly now for one in good condition) now. The non-Integrale models are quite a rare sight though there are still some around.

Quote from: Madman on January 25, 2013, 11:05:14 PM
As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

I didn't expect any Maestro love here! That was surprising!  :lol:

The early 1.6 Maestro with the R Series engines were rather disappointing, improved somewhat with the short lived "S" Series engined cars, but when they dropped the "O" Series 2 litre into it, it became a very good car, but the reputational damage was kind of done.............. the Turbo version was extremely fast in its day, but a bit unruly. 

Wimmer, you keep missing the fucking point of this subforum.  None of these are jalopies.

Quote from: Madman on January 25, 2013, 11:05:14 PM
As a teenager, I had a major crush on the MG Maestro Turbo based solely on ads I'd seen in imported British magazines.  Damn, I wanted that car!  It even had a talking dashboard.  That's right, a FUCKING TALKING DASHBOARD !!!!!!!!  How's that for "totally rad" 1980s mega-coolness?

:wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:  :wub:

(http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/modelpicture.php?id=6442)

We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0Ofu0M53g#ws)

Where's the Sierra RS Cosworth? :huh:

Quote from: MX793 on January 26, 2013, 09:22:21 AM
We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0Ofu0M53g#ws)

As I understand it, the MG Maestro and the Renault R11 TXE Electronique, both launched in 1983 were the very first. There were indeed a few more (US) models that followed relatively soon afterwards.

The Chrysler system, called Electronic Voice Alert, was launched in 1983 model year Chrysler New Yorkers and LeBarons.

Quote from: MX793 on January 26, 2013, 09:22:21 AM
We had talking cars in the US in the 80s (several Chrysler models offered it).

Speak & Spell VS The 1986 Chrysler New Yorker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0Ofu0M53g#ws)

Yeah, but the Maestro's was multi-lingual.  And had a sexy sounding woman's voice that didn't sound like the robot from Lost In Space.

Well, at least in English, anyway.


MG1600 Left Hand Drive - Talking Digital Dash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUstFe-Jiwc#)

Chrysler's system was also multi-lingual (cars sold in Canada had English or French, cars in Mexico had Spanish, etc.).

We had an 85 Maxima with the chatty voice. English and Francais.

Quote from: Colin on January 26, 2013, 10:28:12 AM
As I understand it, the MG Maestro and the Renault R11 TXE Electronique, both launched in 1983 were the very first. There were indeed a few more (US) models that followed relatively soon afterwards.

The 280ZX had it before that.

Quote from: S204STi on January 26, 2013, 09:22:19 AM
Wimmer, you keep missing the fucking point of this subforum.  None of these are jalopies.

They make less than 150-hp, need an eternity to hit 100 km/h (like 7-10 seconds), they're FWD and they have no V8! That's Jalopies, baby!!!  :devil:

Quote from: FoMoJo on January 26, 2013, 09:22:22 AM
Where's the Sierra RS Cosworth? :huh:

The Sierra was never a "hot hatch" in Europe. It's bigger than all these cars and was considered a large Ford in Europe.

Quote from: Colin on January 26, 2013, 09:16:10 AM
The early 1.6 Maestro with the R Series engines were rather disappointing, improved somewhat with the short lived "S" Series engined cars, but when they dropped the "O" Series 2 litre into it, it became a very good car, but the reputational damage was kind of done.............. the Turbo version was extremely fast in its day, but a bit unruly. 

I think Top Gear had an episode on it once and they actually praised it overall.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a classic.  So is the Peugeot 205 GTi.  The Alfasud looks awesome.  The 309 GTi also makes a compelling argument.

I think I have to go 205 GTi here though.  After much internal deliberation.

Tough choice between the Golf, Renault 5, 205 and Lancia.

Quote from: cawimmer430 on January 28, 2013, 06:13:54 AM
The Sierra was never a "hot hatch" in Europe. It's bigger than all these cars and was considered a large Ford in Europe.

Oh...then it was a big "hot hatch".

Quote from: FoMoJo on January 28, 2013, 11:54:32 AM
Oh...then it was a big "hot hatch".

In America it would probably have been classified as a subcompact. I can see why you are confused.  :winkguy:  :lol:

Quote from: cawimmer430 on January 29, 2013, 09:14:59 AM
In America it would probably have been classified as a subcompact. I can see why you are confused.  :winkguy:  :lol:

I think we can agree that it was, at least, "HOT" :ohyeah:.

Quote from: FoMoJo on January 29, 2013, 09:23:28 AM
I think we can agree that it was, at least, "HOT" :ohyeah:.

Yep, they were good-looking cars in the day. The Sierra RS Coupe still looks good today.

But this is the Sierra to get!  :praise:

(http://www.motorstown.com/images/ford-sierra-wagon-08.jpg)

The Sierra was definitely a size above all the cars in this thread............ rivals would include things like the Cavalier/Ascona SRi and later GSi and GSi Turbo, Peugeot 405MI-16, Renault R21 Turbo, Nissan Primera ZX Turbo, Citroen BX 19 GTi 16V......... the Cosworth was a homologation special that was more or less handbuilt and far more costly than any of these, and really in a class of its own.

Ordinary Sierras were pretty dreadful, especially the lower powered ones and the diesels - the early FWD Cavalier was a much better car in almost all regards - and they have very little love shown for them now, apart from the Cosworths. Even the XR4i is more or less forgotten. 

There is a tiny following devoted to "Merkur" XR4Tis here.

Quote from: Laconian on January 29, 2013, 10:49:08 PM
There is a tiny following devoted to "Merkur" XR4Tis here.

Yep.  Sadly, it didn't develop until after I got rid of mine.  The dealer was beyond useless, a lot of independent shops wouldn't touch it because it was "one of them funny furrin cars" and the import shops didn't want to know because it was "just a Ford".  Also, I got really tired of having to explain to everyone what it was.  In those pre-internet days, owning an unusual car could be a real ordeal.

Quote from: Madman on January 30, 2013, 07:55:12 AM

Yep.  Sadly, it didn't develop until after I got rid of mine.  The dealer was beyond useless, a lot of independent shops wouldn't touch it because it was "one of them funny furrin cars" and the import shops didn't want to know because it was "just a Ford".  Also, I got really tired of having to explain to everyone what it was.  In those pre-internet days, owning an unusual car could be a real ordeal.

:lol:

I went with the Renault 11, since I used to own one, just the plain vin ordinaire version: 1.4 litres of pure glory.

(Actually the most disastrous used car purchase of my life. What was I thinking?)

Quote from: Morris Minor on February 07, 2013, 10:02:22 AM
I went with the Renault 11, since I used to own one, just the plain vin ordinaire version: 1.4 litres of pure glory.

(Actually the most disastrous used car purchase of my life. What was I thinking?)

:lol: