Clarkson's Car Years: The New Romantics

[WhipLash]

What a brill episode! :) Boy did that drive look good in the Cosie. :cool:

So of all the cars he showed, from the Golf GTi, the Sunny, MG, Pug 205 through to the Cosie, did you ever own one of these Hot Hatch's, or maybe you even drive one of them now? What was your favorite Hot Hatch, which one was best, and in your opinion which hatch is the current King?

[Justin]

I had a 205 GTi. A mesmerising drive, it made me grin from ear to ear all the time, except, that is, when it broke down, which was just often enough to blow my overdraft just after I had paid it off since the last breakdown. A car tjhat convinced me of the merits of the AA. Some of the major items I can remember: snapped timing belt (ouch, cylinders had to be reground, £800, broken brake servo's £250, new petrol tank £150 etc. and miscellaneous break in damage, £1000 or so (not the Pug's fault, I suppose).

My next car was just as good to drive, but had better roadholding and was faultlessly reliable and had lots of toys - a Honda CRX 1.6i (130 bhp). A little rocket. Sadly broken into lots also.

Which was better? If the 205 had been reliable at all, it was just slightly better, but only slightly. The 205 was (ahem) offroaded once at a time when I didn't appreciate the principle of lift off oversteer with light bodied powerful fwd cars. I was a bit more careful going round bends after that.

The current king? They all seem more fat and comfy and mature these days. The Peugeot 306 GTi 6 is about the best.

[Justin]

Hang on a minute, this should be in the Fast Lane. Stop ripping off my forum, Whip :D

[WhipLash]

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[Tony]

What about the Renault 5 Turbo, I didn't see that one getting a mention at all. A great little car in its own right, and I just loved the styling, it certainly stood out on its own!