So, what *was* the best 80s hot hatch?

[StevesTruck]

Nope, it hides in plain sight. Three of us couldn't find the one on the typ-81, we ended up ringing the previous owner. He laughed and said "I knew you were going to ask that, it catches everyone out"

[TeflonTom]

Ha ok, there definitely is one type that has it in the middle of the front slam panel though, I think it's because the boot it not an official storage area, it's just for access to the rear differential. Can't remember which model it was though.

[Coops]

 

Nova gsi.

 

I had a part time job whilst in college and a lad there had a Nova GSi - allegedly skidded on some ice one day, slid across to the kerb and put it on it's roof! So what Top Gear said must be true!

 

 

Remember my mum having a MG Metro Turbo, think Dad had a MG Montego Turbo too!

[P6bJOHN]

Daihatsu Charade GTI Turbo. I litre of tiny fun. A friend had one for a short while.....

[Brianpilman]

Maestro Turbo supposedly very good. I always wanted a 309 GTi (although I'd have preferred the France only S16) and/or a series 2 Escort RST.

Do the XR4i and the XR4x4 count in the hatch category?

There was until recently a uk 309gti16v in the village I used to live in. Miami blue in colour problem was the owner couldn't afford the insurance so removed the 16v engine. What a tosspot

[MartynVRS]

Carolla ae86...not sure if its a hatch though

It is. Makes it easier to get boxes of tofu in

[O.C.D.]

One not on the list is the original Ford escort RS Turbo.                                                                                                                        

[curleybar]

I owned a Nissan Cherry ZX turbo......stop laughing,..it was a bit scary. Silver with a black bottom and "Turbo" in orange.

 

The spoiler fell off. It terrified my workmates and was swopped so that my dear wife could have a Mini.

 

Would I nominate it as an 80's hot hatch icon...probably not...but this thread has made me remember it....."fondly". 

[nickguzzi]

The 309 gti was a fine car, probably the one I would choose drive, if someone else would do any work on it.  I did have a couple of Simca 1100 Specials with the twin choke weber.  The shell and suspension went on to be developed into the Horizon (!!!) the 205 and finally stretched into the 309.  I'll ignore the Alpine.

 

The original Golf was light years ahead when introduced.  It was the make or break vehicle for VW, after years of faffing with the silly and well out of date beetle and its ugly derivatives, then the K70. 

When the first golf came into our workshops, we were all just blown away with the simple elegance of the mechanicals, which of course extended to the cabin too.  Not to mention the paint.  Most here may not remember how rubbish everyone else's paint was until VW and BMW showed us how.

[O.C.D.]

Here's another one that was a hoot back in the 80s...    The fiesta RS Turbo.      

 

                                                                                                          

Edited 4 February, 2014 by O.C.D.

[sparks03]

Here's another one that was a hoot back in the 80s...    The fiesta RS Turbo.      

 

                                                                                                          

 

 

 I didn't think that arrived until the 90s? 

[O.C.D.]

Introduced april 90 so about 3 mounths out.!!!!

[Mk1pete]

I learned to drive in 94 and our dream cars were the Nova GSi and the Nova TD.

A few of my mates picked up the 1.3 which was pretty nippy for the day with 75 throbbing horses.

I think the TD was the second fastest of the range?

Yeah i had a td nova, isuzu 1.5 td. Was good fun! Eco fun.....much like the fabia!

[Wayne Kerr]

This is one not many people would think about, but they were a fun wee car back in the days....1981 Lotus talbot sunbeam.                  

I had a Silver on Black Mk1 for 25 years. Proper Car, 186 bhp at the rear wheels and went round corners as if on rails.

[Dr Zoidberg]

There we go, now with added poll.
I've not bothered with different versions of the same car like the 8 and 16V Golf or the 1.6 and 1.9 205 GTI, so just assume it's the one you like best if there's a choice.

 

I didn't include anything exotic like the Delta Integrale or Metro 6R4 as they weren't really mainstream cars like the ones on the list.

[sparks03]

Why are there two mk1 golfs? 

[Dr Zoidberg]

Why are there two mk1 golfs? 

 

A red one and a white one.

[sparks03]

I'd have voted for blue :( 

[Gaz]

Why are there two mk1 golfs? 

 

 1 + 1 = Mk2 perhaps?  :think:

[Lady Elanore]

Black with silver coach stripes surely?

[Dr Zoidberg]

Honestly, you go to all this trouble and make one little typo and out come all the sarcastic comments....

[Gaz]

Black with silver coach stripes surely?

 

The sheeple will say Oak Green, but my fave is definitely Monza Blue 

[Dr Zoidberg]

And now there's a 90s version.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/304040-and-for-our-younger-readers-what-was-the-best-90s-hot-hatch/

[Brianpilman]

You do know the nova Sri didn't go on sale until late 1990

[Dr Zoidberg]

Ok, *two* minor typos. I'll change that to SR.