Only thing with the civic is its not easy to get big power without spending silly money -unlike all the turbo cars, a remap and its easily faster than the civic as my mate found out the embarasing way..
He had one brand new and ended up throwing A LOT of money at it and had a turbo conversion done, it was fast but still lost loads of money on it
Id get a new S3 or focus RS if i was to get a new car, as much as i like civics, they are not quite wild enough for me to go new skool
Think you missed the point, lol. If we are talking new Focus RS or S3 money then of course i wouldnt have a Type R, the new one is rubbish.
Here we are talking the reasonable priced hot hatchs, eg around the 8k mark.
I didnt know anyone mentioned prices, but for 8k
Older S3 or golf GTI mk5 are better all round IMO and much better image, for 8k you could get a high spec GTI, or a very late S3, or a cheaper S3 and some choice mods, either way thats where my money would go. I like the civic alot, but just not enough to want one. Plus they are gonna end up been worth less than older S3's soon lol.
If i was to go jap, with 8k, id be looking at Evo's but thats just me.
Point i made which you obviously missed RE the new S3 / Focus RS. thats just what id like if i went new skool. that said, the MK5 GTI is a great all roiunder and tempting at the prices they can be had for.