Lets Talk Hot Hatchs

To clarify what I am talking about.

4 cylinders of less.

2 doors + a hatch back

Seats 4

Some of the things that don't count. (I consider them sports car)

RX7, 944, (sports cars)

Things that I consider as a Hot hatch VW rabbit, Dodge Omni, Honda Civic,Ford escort, Yugo, Saab ????

I have had a jones for an older "hatch back" something a little less sporty than the 924s and RX's I have had. Something a little more utilitarian that does not quite attract the attention that "sports cars" do but can be made to scoot. As sone one said driving a slow car fast is more fun than a fast car slow and this is kind of where I think I would like to go

For a while I was looking at the older Civic's (late 80's) but they are getting hard to find up here as they rust. But adding a turbo or some other motor swap, Keeping the stance relitivly stock but add some improved yet understated tires and rims. Upgrades shocks / struts.

I don't want to end up with a "riced" out car. I want one that is improved but for the most part (to the untrained eye) does not attract attention.

I kind of like this look but even these wheels are a little bit to flashy.

So what would you start with if you were wanting to go down this path.

The huge boost potential of a GLH based Omni? The tried and true Honda recipes with a civic. The road less traveled in an old 3 door saab? Ford?

What does the GRM collective say?

323 turbo.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about building a replica of the original heron head 1.6 GTI

I even know where the motor is sitting here in town.

BMW 318ti fits the bill also

I've got a low mileage 1991 VW GTI 2-liter. It's the 3rd one I've had over the years. I love them. By current standards it's got a lot of "adequate" features. It's less powerful than my MINI and doesn't handle as well, it's heavier than a Miata,no power accessories, but the sum total is a very nice car to DD or flog.

2002 Touring

Though there is nothing wrong with a little saab 900 SPG action

Festiva!

Jaxmadine wrote: 323 turbo.

Fragile and a lot of the parts are unobtanium.

In reply to mndsm:

But still fun! More reliable than a mitsu:-P

Colt/Summit/Mirage

Jaxmadine wrote: In reply to mndsm: But still fun! More reliable than a mitsu:-P

Not by a long shot! There are more 10 second DSM's than 323 GTX's on the road still.

Starlet!
Loved mine, even with the motor on it's last legs and stock (blown) suspension.
37mpg running rough was bonus points.

Find an FX16.... get the GTS and you get all the trick body parts...

In reply to crankwalk:

That's becaue when the 10 second dsm breaks every week, you can get the parts to fix it! Lol. Fx16 is nice, hard to find tho. Sentra hatch? I've seen one, and it caught on fire.

mk2 GTI still a favorite of mine

mad_machine wrote: BMW 318ti fits the bill also

Living with mine - I'd call it a warm hatch that's an S50/M50 away from being a hot hatch

I always wanted a mk2 GTI. I think it's one of those designs that's really stood the test of time, aesthetically speaking.

That said, I'd be really tempted to get back into an EG Civic Si (92-95). I loved mine dearly and still think about picking another up. Of course, the problem is finding one that hasn't been violated in unspeakable ways.

Because I can't resist saying it anyhow- [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mndsm/media/IMAG0209-1.jpg.html][/URL]

Yes, it's mine. Yes it has 4 doors. Yes is it extensively modified. The only visual cues to that are the "slightly" lowered stance (Yeah, it hadn't settled there, it's a solid 2+ lower than it was) and the fact that those wheels and tires are 2"/30mm wider than stock respectively, and an inch shorter. Oh and the rally armors. You'd never know it by looking at it what it's got under the hood though.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mndsm/media/IMAG0215-1.jpg.html][/URL] This gives you a better idea of how it sits. Right menacing, if you ask me.

Modern amenities, high crash rating and air bags, bullet proof, solid chassis, large storage area, cheap, easy K series and 6 speed swaps, unmolested ones still available, can be made to handle very well but then won't fit competitively in a class.

[URL=http://s202.photobucket.com/user/Hasbro_photos/media/004-7.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s202.photobucket.com/user/Hasbro_photos/media/013-1.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://s202.photobucket.com/user/Hasbro_photos/media/AutoXJune2013016.jpg.html][/URL]

Note that the typical backseat in an 80s subcompact is more or less children under 12 or people you dont like.

Edit: 2 door XJ? Could be had with 4 banger and stick, I want to say the K car turbo engine is a pretty straight forward swap for some reason.

Well, that's pretty easy. Three of them are mine

Ive got a ton of experience with turbo dodges and i dont want an omni. IMO they (L-bodies) are significantly crappier than the same drivetrain in the bigger cars. You can get a 2-dr hatchback shadow but you probably wouldnt consider it the kind of hatch you are thinking. It still looks like a trunk.

I wouldnt mind trying one of those corolla hatches, if i could find one.

There a nice red mk2 GTI at autocross two times ago. Might not have been the fastest but looked like one of the most fun cars out there too