The $35,000 Hot Hatch question

[Payman]

http://jalopnik.com/by-the-numbers-2017-honda-civic-type-r-vs-focus-rs-wr-1796140398

[Payman]

For me, the Golf R is the only option. I think the Civic is the ugliest car on sale today, it's FWD only, and it's a full second slower to 100 kph than the Golf R DSG and Focus RS.

[MexicoCityM3]

Don't you get the ///M140i up there? Here it's about 40K.

[SJ_GTI]

Tough call, can't really say for sure.

[MX793]

Don't you get the ///M140i up there? Here it's about 40K.

No.  2-series is the only baby Bimmer we get up here.

[SJ_GTI]

Don't you get the ///M140i up there? Here it's about 40K.

We get an M240i (and 230i).

Base price on the 2-series is under 40k, but with comparable options that these hot hatches tend to come with you are looking at 45k-55k. An M240i isn't much cheaper than an M2 last time I looked.

[ifcar]

I found the Focus RS more fun to drive than the Golf R, and not as brutally punishing in routine conditions as some reviewers suggested. (Probably they had more track-focused setups.) The Golf's flavor is to be relaxed if you drive it gently, but I preferred the Focus's always-fun approach. The Golf does of course still have the posher interior.

I see the Civic's niche being the handling crispness of the Focus with a dash more civility; a roomier, higher-quality interior; and arguably better looks. The big question mark will be the former point -- if it can't compete for handling *or* power, it's basically only for people who are devoted to Honda.

[MrH]

I'd actually probably go Civic here.

STI engine is too old at this point.  Update the powertrain and that's the clear favorite for me.  Golf R is nice, but too boring.  The Focus RS does absolutely nothing for me.

[MrH]

Tough call, can't really say for sure.

Thought for sure you were going to write in the Chevy SS

[MX793]

We get an M240i (and 230i).

Base price on the 2-series is under 40k, but with comparable options that these hot hatches tend to come with you are looking at 45k-55k. An M240i isn't much cheaper than an M2 last time I looked.

M240i starts at 45K.  It's in an entirely other league, pricing wise, than the others.

[CaminoRacer]

Focus RS.

I think. I'd have to look at SCCA classing.

[FoMoJo]

Power, speed, fun factor, Focus RS.  Don't care about the touchy feely.

[2o6]

I feel like these cars are all emotional vehicles, and very few will actually cross shop them in real life, aside from a few Jalopnik commentors.\


Whoever wants a CTR, Focus RS, or Golf R likely wouldn't ever cross over to either brand.

[FoMoJo]

I feel like these cars are all emotional vehicles, and very few will actually cross shop them in real life, aside from a few Jalopnik commentors.\


Whoever wants a CTR, Focus RS, or Golf R likely wouldn't ever cross over to either brand.

Golf R would be choice number 2.  The Civic Type R looks like a juke box on wheels; saw one on the road last night.  Never been a Subaru fan.

[MX793]

Focus RS.

I think. I'd have to look at SCCA classing.

CTR will probably end up in a slower class than the FoRS because it's not AWD.  I'm guessing it'll likely end up in D, whereas the AWD competitors are all in B.  I personally feel the FoRS is a bit under-classed there on paper (the similarly powerful, similarly weighted Audi TT RS is in SS), but based on the ones I've seen run locally, the results seem in line with the class.

That said, I like the FoRS a lot.  It's one of the few turbo hot hatches that actually sounds good and characterful.  The reportedly overly harsh suspension would be my only concern given the road conditions here.  When guys from Cali are complaining that the FoRS is harsh on their smooth roads, I fear how jarring it would be on the frost heaved and cratered roads around here.

[Raza]

It's obvious which one I'd choose, right?

[68_427]

STi Type RA

Or just regular 2018 STi.  Although the 2018 FoRS comes in red and has a mechanical front LSD now along with supposedly better tuned suspension for the street.

[Xer0]

If I must, CTR cause I'm a Honda fanboy.  But for 35K, I'd buy something else.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Since I won't be caught dead in a Ford and the Honda is hideous! That leaves the Sube and the Golf R! I'm a big Subaru fan but at 43 I can't own a car with a wing that size..... Golf R it is!

[MX793]

Since I won't be caught dead in a Ford...

Pity GM pretty much abandoned the affordable performance segment...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Pity GM pretty much abandoned the affordable performance segment...

I agree 10000%! Me and my boys were talking about this the other day........

[BimmerM3]

Lol at "they do 0-62 for some reason." They do it because 0-100 kph.

[MX793]

Civic Type R vs Focus RS direct comparison (mostly driving impressions, sorry bench racers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra2J8q8ahPg

Interesting that they complain about the FoRS's turning circle when, according to the article in the OP, the CTR is actually slightly worse.

[MexicoCityM3]

The Golf R is probably the most boring to drive. But it wins by default because I can't see myself in any of the other 3.

[Cookie Monster]

Golf R. 

STI is too old and not a hatch,  Civic is too ugly and fwd, and the RS is too boy racer and has a douche vibe about it.

[68_427]

Since I won't be caught dead in a Ford and the Honda is hideous! That leaves the Sube and the Golf R! I'm a big Subaru fan but at 43 I can't own a car with a wing that size..... Golf R it is!

You can get it like this too.

[MX793]

You can get it like this too.

Then it just looks like a Corolla with front fender vents and quad pipes.

[68_427]

Then it just looks like a Corolla with front fender vents and quad pipes.

Sounds perfect for someone who's 43 and owns a Corolla.

[BimmerM3]

Just got a chance to read the full article. What a pointless piece of journalism. A car "magazine" doing magazine racing.

At this point in my life, I care a whole lot more about how a car feels when I drive it than any numbers associated with it or even how it looks. Even if I did decide to start competing, it'd be casual events where I'm just looking to have fun, not actually win anything.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Sounds perfect for someone who's 43 and owns a Corolla.