What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

[Hail22]

Better off getting the Fiesta ST...28k on the road, 19k trade in and throw an extra 9k on top...


I'll be waiting til after the detroit motor show before buying the Focus ST as there may be a facelift coming out soon...

Or better yet, buy a demo Fiesta and see if they're willing to throw in an extended warranty for peace of mind.

[Lemonskin]

How fken cool is this, I wish they'd release this PRONTO!

Nissan IDx concept

[iigx]

looks a bit like a baby SLR

[pologti18t]

Just had a test drive of a RS200 EDC. Was in two minds about it before I drove it (Basic sport with the non-cup suspension).... but came about impressed.

Performance seemed to match the claims... gearbox has the same urge (as DSG) to change into the highest gear possible when in normal mode. That same sense of laboring around 50-60km.h when trying to accelerate gently. Much less of this when in Sport mode... doesn't seem quite as hyperactive as a Polo GTI in sport mode. I didn't think it was fast fast... but then again I have APR 1.8T in my Polo... 330Nm vs 240Nm.

Ride: A standout on the roads around Sydney (Alexandria). Soaks up lumps, bumps, ridges easily on the standard Sports suspension and 17 inch rims. Can't see the real point of the Cup suspension around town. Dealer said they learnt their lesson with only offering the Cup suspension here on the outgoing RS... a lot of people thought it far to harsh. It's much much nicer than the current Polo GTI's ride.

Interior: The model I drove was the Trophy... upgraded sat nav, leather, climate etc, sensors.... waste of money (it aint cheap). The basic spec is plenty good enough. I think the Polo has a better quality interior as does the 208GTI. But it's not hideous and it doesnt rattle and it's quiet on the freeway. The lack of curtain airbags is an issue. The body maybe super strong etc but curtain airbags are standard everywhere else in the market and it might be a negative not having them when you want to sell.

Negatives: The strange red anodized interior trim, colour range is just as boring as the Polo (red, white, black, silver and yellow). Manual A/C in the Sport. It's optional at $750!!! Even my old 2006 Polo GTI has rudimentary climate control (set temp anyway). The RS only gets 3 yrs warranty (on gearbox as well) unlike the normal CLios with EDC (5yrs). This suggests that renault may not have faith in this gearbox with the power/use in the RS200. Servicing is reduced to 10000km or per year. Not sure there will be much upgradeability for the RS200 with regards power.

[Hail22]

The Renault was a good car, but let me down when the chips were laid down.

I'll be waiting til mid 2014 as the Ford Focus looks to be getting a facelift before buying the Facelifted Focus ST...too much fun and kit for 38k on the road with 184kw.

[6316]

I wouldn't mind moving onward to it's bigger brother, the Golf GTI... or the Golf R for that matter...

[Hail22]

Rumored Ford Focus facelift rendered.

If its like this with an LED cluster rear light(s) setup I'm definitely sold on the new 2014 Facelift...come on detroit motor show...just 1.5 weeks remaining!

[nomadx38]

Is it just me or does it look like a angry woman-car, especially with the lines that look like eyelashes coming from the projector headlights...

[kkierann]

looks like a mazdas (6) cousin

[Lemonskin]

looks like a mazdas (6) cousin

Thats no bad thing IMO, the Mazda 6 wagon would definitely be n my shopping list if there were a more sporting version of it. The wagon is the best looking wagon this side of a merc shooting brake imo!