Best Hot Hatch Under $10k? (in U.S.)

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars) 05/31/2015 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

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For the past couple weeks, I’ve been looking for a Mazdaspeed 3 to own as a daily driver for my impending move to Kansas City. While hot hatches are really becoming popular now with the FiST/FoST and the Sonic RS, the used market seems rather dry on hot hatchbacks.

So, I figured I’d get Oppo’s input. I know the Mini Cooper S (R56) and the MkV GTi are other options, but so far I’m leaning in the Mazdaspeed3 direction.

I’m all ears to suggestions though. Something fun, practical, fuel-efficient and autocrossable. Any reliable. No Tavarish suggestions. Reliable.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:30

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The Speed 3 is the best, most tuneable turbo FWD hatchback out there. Also look at 08+ WRXs.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:30

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IMO the R53 Cooper S is better - less reliability scares and glorious supercharger whine.

Dunnik > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:31

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“No Tavarish suggestions.”

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LongbowMkII > Dunnik 05/31/2015 at 13:34

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those are some expensive potatoes.

LongbowMkII > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:39

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Matrix XRS. no turbo, but the 2ZZ revs to the moon and back.

greasemonkey235097 > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:40

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Be aware that there has been issues with the first gen mazda 3s engine failure, look it up on google. Happened to me N/A 2.3 with 76xxxmiles

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 05/31/2015 at 13:45

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Less reliability scares with an R53 Cooper S than a Speed 3? Can I have some of what you’re on?

SonorousSpeedJoe > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:51

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Aside from the Matrix XRS that Longbow suggested, could you find an HHR SS under $10k? I think you could definitely find a PT Cruiser GT in that price range.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:54

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I say mk5 GTI. Why? because even though it’s not the fastest, most brutal; it’s the best hot hatch.

It's usable. It's quick. It's efficient. It's moddable

blacktruck18 > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 13:56

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I test drove an R56 Cooper S before I bought blacktruck and I loved it. Which is saying a ton because I don’t like FWD at all. The only thing that scared me was the reliability issues, if you can get over the reliability fears or get one from Carmax with the warranty (probably pushing the budget there), I would highly recommend it. They are an absolute blast to drive.

SlickMcRick > SonorousSpeedJoe 05/31/2015 at 14:08

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I was also thinking HHR SS. Get the 2009+ model. Those had the optional performance pack that came with limited-slip and Brembo brakes. If there’s no Brembo then there’s no limited-slip. I’m really considering hopping on one by years end.

Jay Lauer > greasemonkey235097 05/31/2015 at 14:14

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Huh, I used to have a 2005 with the 2.3. Ran like a charm. I’ll definitely look into it. The speed3 that interests me has an optionaly 2 year 3rd party warranty.

Jay Lauer > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 05/31/2015 at 14:16

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He may mean less reliability scares than the R56. I’ve driven an R53, it was a hell of a lot of fun. Still as shit, but expected with that kind of car. I probably wouldn’t mind one, but I fear it may be too small for an only car.

Jay Lauer > SlickMcRick 05/31/2015 at 14:17

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Man, then I have to say I own an HHR. I’ve talked a lot about interior materials not mattering, I mean I had a Corvette. But damn, the HHR interior is bad. Real bad.

I’ve looked into it though. They’re a bit tricky to find with manuals. The auto isn’t that good in my opinion.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 05/31/2015 at 14:33

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Compared to an R56 I meant.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 14:59

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Fair enough. R53s are fun, but I’d have nightmares if I had to work on one.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 05/31/2015 at 14:59

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That’s true.

boxrocket > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 16:04

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Mazdaspeed is probably one of your best options. Lots of support, a lot of carryovers from lesser 3s and other vehicles - including the CX-7 and Mazdaspeed6 - enthusiastic owners, and they still hold their own versus newer cars.

Those RX-8 wheels on the pictured one look sweet. The factory ones are sort of bland and a PITA to clean brake dust off of.

Alternately, SVT Focus ZX5, older Civic Si (the hatchback one, naturally), WRX STI, Caliber SRT-4 (iffy reliability, and pretty porky, but meets your qualifications). While a Suzuki SX4 and Aerio SX aren’t high performance vehicles, they can be gotten for cheap, leaving more room in the budget for post-purchase modification; the SX4 also has a good AWD system, to the point that I saw a tuned one outclass an Evo VII and 2nd-gen WRX STI at an autocross event. With tuning in mind, there's a lot of effort behind Scions and Kia Souls, so there's that.

Outside the box, a Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV can both be under $10K, and since they have electric motors they can have instant torque. Some creativity and friendship with an electrical engineer can overcome their performance shortcomings. I guess a Prius could work there, too. The Focus EV would be an option but I can’t remember one being under $18K when I was looking at them out of curiosity.

jmalek > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 18:06

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Have you tried looking at the Caliber SRT-4? They are not bad little cars, the engine is the same at the Neon SRT-4, and I personally like the interior better than the HHR. Also, if you’re feeling extra special, check out the PT Cruiser GT. Same story as the Caliber, even has the same struts as the Neon SRT, and are total sleepers.

Jay Lauer > boxrocket 05/31/2015 at 21:24

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So far Mazdaspeed3 has been my best bet. I might buy one that needs some love for about $7k.

The MS3 seems much nicer on the inside than the SVT Focus and the older Si Civic. STI’s can only be had under $10k with blown motors like mine was. I’d be curious about the SRT4 but man, then I’d have to own a Dodge Caliber. That’s the same problem with the Cobalt/HHR SS; saying I own a Cobalt/HHR

boxrocket > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 23:16

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Precisely. Just get the Mazda, it's the best overall.

FlimFlamMan > Jay Lauer 05/31/2015 at 23:47

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It’s going to be hard to find a hot-hatch under 10k as good as or better than an MS3. You might be able to find an ‘07 WRX wagon, but that might push you a little over budget. Forget about the ‘08 WRX hatch... such a turd in looks and performance (stock form that is). No way you’ll find an ‘09 WRX hatch under 10k (that runs at least). Everything else is putrid (I.e. Caliber, HHR, PT). As you are well aware of, the Mini’s (R53, 56) can turn into nightmares reliability wise. MS3 fo’ sho’.

Jay Lauer > FlimFlamMan 06/01/2015 at 00:07

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This guy knows what’s up.

Normally I’d try to find a WRX wagon or Legacy wagon, but I’ve got an 06 sti now that has been such an unbelievable pain that I’m swearing off Subaru’s. I’ve had two others that were pretty ok, but I’d rather have an inline 4 than deal with all these flat 4 turbo nonsense problems.

Mine’s been completely rebuilt now. We got the whole thing back together and now there’s a wiring gremilin. I sent my computer off to be reprogrammed. Hopefully I’ll get it back here soon, drive it home and sell it immediately. Not that you asked about any of this, of course, but I figured I’d justify my current disdain of Subarus.

All I’ve heard on MS3’s are watch out for oil consumption and turbo seals. That I can live with. So MS3 fo sho.

FlimFlamMan > Jay Lauer 06/01/2015 at 01:00

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I feel your pain with regards to the ej-25 turbos. I’ve had an ‘07 WRX sedan since new, and have dumped a shit-load of money into it (some for good, most for bad - I.e. cracked ringland). I could go into detail, but my post would turn into a novel. Bottom line? I LOVE driving and wrenching on that car, but it’s time to give the wallet and heavy duty weekend-warrior-wrenching a rest. Not sure what I’m going to get, but it definitely will not be a flat 4 turbocharged Subaru.