Need a new car, and after something with a bit more power than the average euro box. However the Mrs has rulled out clio 172 and Civic type R, because of the boy racer image and 3 door.
Requirements are: Understated, >150BHP, 5 doors, <£5000, petrol
Current shortlist is Focus ST170 and Golf GTI Mk4 1.8T.
Anyone got any experience of these two or any other suggestions?
focus is a much better handling car our of thouse two, gold has a nice engine but is softer than a soft thing
alfa 147 gta must be down near that money now
what about an impreza turbo wagon?
or a 330i touring
Already have an estate car, had thought about an impreza, but worried about it being thrashed. gta will be a bit too mental I think, do they do a 5 door?
Mk5 golf gt tdi. My next car will be the 170bhp version.
I've had one of those before, should also add, this is going to be a petrol. I have an Octy with a 2.0tdi remaped too at the moment
Mazda 3 MPS?
Or, less powerful is the Sport (150bhp).
Seat Leon Cupra
Octavia VRS?
another vote for the Seat Leon/Ibiza Cupra -
Ladies and Genderbenders, the MG Maestro Turbo:
Focus is a good choice.
OK, the older Leon Cupra 1.8T has now bumped the golf from the shortlist, so its focus / leon at the moment...
make sure if you go to look at a leon you can get comfortable in the drivers seat, I never found the right position in ours, the wheel on out tdi had no reach adjustment though, not sure if 1.8t has
Only a bloody fool would consider an Alfa 147 GTA.
I'd love one though.
My dad had an Alfa 147, was good fun, but got to know the dealer far too well, at least they gave him an extra oil can at each service to make it to the next one.
Now has a Mazda 3 Sport as he was too impatient to wait for an MPS. Still no slouch, lot in common with the Focus and feels really solidly built. Only had to see the dealer because he lost the radio code.
They are all still shopping cars. Get something with character.
like...?
Go classic / old to avoid a generic hatch
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Mk2 Golf GTi 8V / Rallye
Alfasud (should have enough rust to give space for 2 more doors)
Lotus Cortina
Porsche 944 (not quite 5 doors, but a Porsche)
Seat Ibiza FR - it's the 1.8T VAG engine putting out 150bhp.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
One day I'll drive one again.
Used to have the ST170, cracking car. went well, cheap to run and fix, handled well and more so lots of fun! I had a 3 door version which was big enough for my bike to go in the boot! Only downside to the focus is that it was mega stiff, you felt EVERY bump! But plus side, handled fantastic! Get one! I do miss that car....My Astra VXR is not as much fun! 
xr3i? if you could find a good one it must be a classic now seeing as most were wrecked by early chav sorts
saxo vtr
I'd say the Golf GTiTD. 150bhp and lovely to drive.
We have an Audi A3 with the same engine and that goes like stink, but probably a bit expensive to maintain. I love driving it though. Like a little, very econmical go-kart.
But you want petrol. Ho hum, never understand it myself. Get a Leon then, and a big hair dryer for when it rains.
Mk V Golf GTi 30 Editon. 230BHP, buy mine 
Gen 7 Celica 190/T-Sport, understated, great handling and 190bhp to play with... Well worth a look i loved mine was great fun and was generaly a great place to be sat
I think the 1.8T Golf fits your criteria perfectly. Understated- remappable, debadged and you would never know. Plus there are LOADS to enable that you get a one-owner full VW example for 5k. Cambelt AND pump are essential changes at 60k/every 4yrs.
ST170 - sorry I think its still boy-racer looking and there are alot out there bought by second/third owners who have skimped on the essential manufacturers recommended schedule of service items.
Go for it
Old style Civic Type-S or Corolla T-Sport. T-Sport especially goes like **** off a shovel but drinks fuel to match.
I'm not driving a toyota!
Whatever you get it's still just a shopping trolley that's going to depreciate like mad.
Buy a secondhand big car like a Jag - if you factor in the depreciation into the TOC, then the heavier fuel consumption of a big car won't seem so bad.
Or save the money and get yourself a new bike.
Buy an old jag and look like a cockney pub landlord who thinks he has made it (private plate a must)
+1 Skoda Octavia VRS
I was looking at either a Golf 1.8t or an ST170. I've decided to go for a Golf - admittedly the aren't the most interesting car in the world but the handling can be sharpened up for very little money, easily tuneable for a bit of extra poke and the overall built quality will be better than the Focus. If you're tall you might find the driving position in the Focus cramped, most Fords have stupidly high seats and I think they average 5mpg less than the Golf if that matters to you.
No matter how good they might be now, sporty Skodas just have an air of naffness to them imo.
Old cars are great but if it's your everyday driver then creature comforts and reliability are more important to me than character....would love an old 635csi though 
Creature comforts and, more importantly, things like crumple zones and air bags.
Not sure of price, but an Alfa 159 2.4 diesel - 200 bhp
The Focus is only lukewarm and why you want a petrol I'll never know. Unless going above 200 bhp you'd be mad not to go for a diesel.
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