Revy, Fun to Drive, Reliable 5 Door Hatchback?

pilotg2 on 02/02/2023 - 12:56
Last edited 02/02/2023 - 17:47

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a fun to drive auto that likes to rev, is reliable, comfortable, has 5 doors and ideally a hatchback.

This will be a 2nd run about car. Budget is pretty wide from around 12k to 30k.

Speed is not important, I'd rather a little revvy engine, than thrown into my seat watching the speedo every second.

Edit: Some great comments here, thank you. In the line up so far
Suzuki Swift Sport
Hyundai i30 SR
Kia Picanto GT
Kia Cerato GT

I know Golf should be up there but I've never been a VW person…

Automotive Car Hatchback

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 02/02/2023 - 13:01
    +2

    Fiesta ST

    5 Door version will be at the top of your budget.

    The motor has heaps of torque down low and isn't super revvy but a shit load of fun.

    Exhibit A

    Con: they are all manual

  • coffeeinmyveins on 02/02/2023 - 13:03
    +4

    Speed is not important, I'd rather a little revy engine

    Buy a 5sp manual and leave it in 2nd everywhere you go?

    fun to drive auto that likes to rev

    lol. Auto cars do not "like to rev" in fact most cars do not "like to rev". If you constantly redline or put the engine under high RPM stress then you'll be rebuilding it in no time at all.

    Unsure what you're expecting here. An automatic transmission will, by definition, keep the revs low by upshifting unless you use a semi-manual and even then like I said, high revs produce a lot of stress on the engine and use a lot of fuel.

    Get a motorbike.

    • pilotg2 on 02/02/2023 - 13:13

      Got a bike and have had over 10 in the past ranging from super motard to supersport so I know what you saying…

      But I'm not looking or expecting the equivalent of 14000rpm buzz just a little perky auto that'll hold revs and is fun to drive.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 02/02/2023 - 21:37

        Curious why it has to be auto? Since you already know (and from the sounds of it, love) manual transmission, you'd get more fun out of that. Even my old 2013 Mazda 3 SP25 in manual was a perky beast. The auto version not so much.

        • pilotg2 on 03/02/2023 - 16:29

          Fair question - boring reason is I smashed my left foot so avoiding unnecessary pressure on the ball of my foot (clutch at lights mainly) - means i can walk or ride pain free for longer. Bloody nuisance breaking your foot in half!

  • spackbace on 02/02/2023 - 13:04
    +8

    Suzuki Swift Sport

    Better in manual trim though

    • antojamo on 02/02/2023 - 13:05

      Good in the city, but not geared for hwy driving.

      • freshj1ve on 03/02/2023 - 09:37

        Being a 6 speed it's good enough for hwy driving.

        • antojamo on 03/02/2023 - 10:16
          +1

          New ones are, but older ones were not. Driving in one years ago, I was in sitting on 110kmph at 4000rpm.

    • pilotg2 on 02/02/2023 - 13:26

      Thanks, will look into them. Any good outside of the Sport trim?

      • spackbace on 02/02/2023 - 13:26

        Nup, stick to the sport trim for better engines/power

    • freshj1ve on 03/02/2023 - 09:47

      +1

      Underated car. Fun, reliable, cheap to run, a lot of parts available for mods too.

      But yeah as spackbace said manual is the winner, not so much the auto.

      • Euphemistic on 03/02/2023 - 16:01

        Im gonna guess that pretty much any of the little hatchbacks are not going to be ‘fun’ in automatic. Not much power - you need to be able to select exactly when and where the gear changes are.

        • freshj1ve on 04/02/2023 - 00:29

          Not as fun, but yes you are correct.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2023 - 13:06
    +3

    Budget is pretty wide from around 12k to 30k

    Jokes on you!

    • Jono05 on 03/02/2023 - 23:04

      So you won’t buy a card for $10k then? Why not just say up to $30k. It’s like a house price guide for example $500k to $550k which actually means more than $550.

  • ESEMCE on 02/02/2023 - 13:23
    +4

    Something Honda seems the obvious choice.

    VTEC ticks the "like to rev" box.

    Pick your flavour as to whether you want street racer (type R) or more of a comfortable runabout with a bit of pep high in the rev range.

    • JimB on 02/02/2023 - 13:27
      +1

      VTEC ticks the "like to rev" box.

      All the fun Honda's are manual.

    • pilotg2 on 02/02/2023 - 13:30
      +2

      Thanks, always wanted one, in fact paid a deposit for one only for dealer to call back a few minutes later to say another salesman sold it minutes earlier. That was in 2012, still bitter about it 😀

  • nubzy on 02/02/2023 - 13:43
    +1

    Renault Megane GT/RS or Pug 308 GT/GTi. From first hand experience, they are reliable these days, don't listen to the naysayers.

    • Boioioioi on 02/02/2023 - 14:07
      +2

      From first hand experience, I had a renault sport clio and it was awful. Entire transmission controller failed just out of warranty at 80,000km.

      Nobody but renault wants to work on it either. Renault do not have availability to work on it for months… Horrible experience.

      Two friends of mine both have Megane RS which also often require repairs

      Great cars in terms of specs, fast, super fun, nice looks. But gosh the reliability is horrible

      • nubzy on 02/02/2023 - 14:36

        I know people who have had awful experiences with Japanese cars too. You can get a lemon with any brand.

        And when I say these days, I am talking about the models released in the past ~10 years. Never had any engine or tranmission issue with my Peugeot. Just needed to replace a fan controller, that's it. Great reliable Aisin auto, and as long as you use the correct oil the engine runs like a dream.

        You need to find a good specialist mechanic, thankfully plenty to choose from around here.

        • Boioioioi on 02/02/2023 - 14:50
          +2

          You're right on point one, but from myself and people I know, the french cars have had way more go wrong.

          I feel like a big part of the issue is because they are not common in Australia, people to work on them are rare, and used parts availability is next to nothing when something breaks. You end up having to wait ages and ages.

          Also I am talking about cars from the past 10 years. 2012, 2014, 2016 models respectively

        • freshj1ve on 03/02/2023 - 09:39

          Yes, you can get a lemon with any brand but Japanese cars are known for their overall realiablity. French cars not so much.

      • GordonD on 02/02/2023 - 14:47
        +1

        Great cars in terms of specs, fast, super fun, nice looks. But gosh the reliability is horrible

        As a Renault owner I'll second that.

      • JimB on 02/02/2023 - 15:51

        Which renault sport clio did you get? Transmission issue, I'm going to guess it's the 200.

        I was going to get a Clio Sport 172 back in the day, I purchased another hot hatch instead but I still pine for a 182 Cup each time I see one (which is not very often these days).

    • pilotg2 on 02/02/2023 - 17:40

      Mate of mine is obsessed with them. So I've been in Megan RS Trophy and he's been through 3 Clio Sport 182 Cups. This was in the UK so they were cheap fun back in the day. Fun cars.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 02/02/2023 - 21:38

      From first hand experience, they are reliable these days, don't listen to the naysayers.

      Ah yes a sample size of…..one

  • Bid Sniper on 02/02/2023 - 13:43

    High RPM engine, thats Honda but type Rs are a two door.
    Reliable, scratch off old French buzz boxes.
    Manual, ok we're getting narrow.

    Cant beat spackbace Suzuki Swift Sport.

  • Drakesy on 02/02/2023 - 14:25

    I reckon jump to a sedan, get a WRX and happy days, maybe not the CVT though

    • Brick Tamland on 02/02/2023 - 16:05

      CVT is very revvy through!

      • Drakesy on 02/02/2023 - 17:14
        +1

        Fair
        just as long as you like your revs always at 3000rpm :)

  • pegaxs on 02/02/2023 - 14:26
    +3

    Anything with a 1lt turbo 3 cylinder engine.

    Kio Picanto GT… 5 doors, hatchback, revvy. Even comes in manual for all the manual circle jerkers.

    • Bid Sniper on 02/02/2023 - 14:45
      +2

      manual circle jerkers.

      As a member of this group, I find it rewarding playing with stick

      Kia Picanto GT

      Yes that would be a laugh in circle jerk transmission.

    • jackary on 02/02/2023 - 16:51

      Kia Picanto GT

      Came here to make the same suggestion. Ticks all the boxes and uses 6L/100km however you drive it. When I looked into purchasing there was a wait time though

      7 year warranty, characterful 3 cylinder engine, and because it’s only a little 1L, you can drive it like you stole it. Everywhere.

    • Ghost47 on 02/02/2023 - 17:44

      This seems like a very good and fun suggestion. Google says it comes in at ~$18k, not bad.

  • brendanm on 02/02/2023 - 14:51
    +1

    GTI golf.

  • JimmyF on 02/02/2023 - 15:50

    Speed is not important, I'd rather a little revy engine, than thrown into my seat watching the speedo every second.

    Then find the smallest engine car you can, you'll speed all the time revving the guys out of it going nowhere.

  • Nalar on 02/02/2023 - 16:24

    i30 SR/N Line

    • Ghost47 on 02/02/2023 - 17:42
      +1

      I don’t think the i30 N would be in OPs budget.

      • Nalar on 02/02/2023 - 19:08
        +1

        N line is the replacement for SR spec, sporty version but not the beast one which is just N

        • Ghost47 on 02/02/2023 - 19:09

          Oh woops, completely misread your comment.

  • sumyungguy on 02/02/2023 - 18:39
    +1

    Get this app: Revheadz, then you'll be able to change your critera to: Fun to Drive, Reliable 5 Door Hatchback with Awesome Sound System

    • BrettSh on 03/02/2023 - 08:23

      What a great idea for an app!

      Sigh… If only my bicycle had an OBD2 socket :-)

      • sumyungguy on 05/02/2023 - 19:32
        +1

        Well at least for cars, this is actually a thing, according to Mercedes Benz AMG: Experience a powerful electric driving experience with AMG’s “Authentic” SOUND EXPERIENCE – whether during RACE START, dynamic cornering or off-road adventures. The perfectly tuned combination of additional exterior speakers, a powerful bass actuator and a sound generator has been specially developed to provide that genuine AMG feeling, even in all-electric mode. The freely selectable “Balanced”, “Sport” and “Powerful” programmes, which are geared to the driving situation and programme, puts you in control of how intense your ride becomes. AMG’s optional “Performance” SOUND EXPERIENCE creates an even more emotional soundscape

        • BrettSh on 06/02/2023 - 08:20

          Exterior speakers?

          My neighbours have an ICE AMG. I guess the exterior speakers are to ensure the whole street knows when you are on the move :-)

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