Monday, May 04, 2015

Guest post: Top 5 Pre-Loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks under RM60,000


Today is a public holiday in Malaysia. It is therefore a day to chill and relax.  So we now have an article written by my friend and fellow petrolhead Firdaus Asri. You may remember him as the chap who wrote that eye watering article about his latest purchase (and spending), the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6. Now he gives us a list on his favourite fairly new and affordable used Hot (and warm) Hatchbacks that you can get in Malaysia. 

My Top 5 Pre-loved Hot (and Warm) Hatchbacks

I have always had a soft spot on hot hatches because I grew up in the one that kick-started the whole hot hatch genre thing, it was a 1976 VW Mk1 Golf. A short trip back to memory lane, I vividly remember that my parents bought it from my almost abnormal uncle and for years it was pretty much the only car that we had that sort of worked and worked well.


So unsurprisingly ever since I started working back in 2001 until now, I’ve bought 3 cars and all of them are hatchbacks. Some warm and some, the very hot type of hatch. And let me explain why. In my almost narrow minded view (Ed- I do think he is narrow minded in this point), I see hot hatch as a car that gives all things to all men. When I looked at something worthy of a hot hatch, the most important thing it has to be something really small, offers decent practicality, and it needs to have a big engine under the hood with ample horsepower that gives you hope that you can keep up with almost anything you see in front of the windscreen. The kind of car that lets you be a good dad by sending your kids to school every weekday morning and nurtured you as a boy racer on every Sunday morning. It is a formula that worked and still working well to many men who think they’re still young at heart. I believe that age is just a number that keeps on climbing.

But because we’re living in a world where hot hatches that used to cost us a few pennies but now have its price bloated by taxes and duties into something that unless you’re born with a silver spoon , you may need to consider auctioning one of your kidneys to afford one brand new. Do not give up because there is still hope and below I’m sharing my top 5 pre-loved hot (and warm) hatchbacks you can take home below RM60K.

1. Proton Satria GTi 1.8 (M) – 1998 - 2005
Potentially a modern relic priced between RM18K-RM20K


It was introduced in late 1998 as a showcase of hope of what Lotus can do to Proton. Lotus' Julian Thomson and his team did their magic and managed to turnaround a bland looking Satria into an absolutely eye catching boy racer styled hatchback wrapped in Ducati Silver that is worthy of the GTI badge. The kit and interior parts like the Recaro seats made the Satria GTi look fabulous compared with the ordinary Saria… really! The Mitsubishi 4G93 1.8 litre naturally aspirated engine with 5-speed F5M22 box surely won’t set your pants on fire in today’s standard but there are plenty of go-faster bits that could easily push the power up to 160 whp. Been there done that. 

It is without a doubt a tasty nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaf and used newspaper at a price that everyone can now afford to buy one, cash. Good examples are currently advertised between RM18K to 20K. For the extra money left in your pocket, I would recommend you to put that into good use by restoring this piece of potentially collectible modern classic so that you can enjoy driving it on the weekends and special occasions. It may just be a Proton but there is something about it that when people spotted you driving one, people will say that this guy knows what he’s doing.


2. Proton Satria Neo CPS R3 1.6 (M) Limited 2011 -2012
Potentially the most reliable entry level track day carving tool between RM49K-RM55K



Based on the mad low number Satria Neo R3 Lotus edition but they’ve gone a bit smarter by coming out with almost similar car at almost half the price. In many ways, I do think it is the closest worthy spiritual successor to the Satria GTi. It is a kin to comparing Ferrari F40 and Ferrari F50 where the 1.6 litre CPS engine even after equipped go-faster bits lacked low end torque compared to the 4G93 in the GTi (although somewhat cleverly masked by Exora’s final drive). Yet if you drive it in anger you will know it is much more of a razor sharp point-and-shoot car than the GTi. Local drift and track gurus Tengku Djan and Faidzil Alang had spent time optimizing the geometry of the suspension into something that you can take it to track days on monthly basis and enjoy sub 3 minutes lap time at Sepang consistently. And it is a cheap car to run I’m sure.

Depending on your luck, 2011 and 2012 examples can be had between RM48k to RM55k. Considering it is much newer car than the GTi, you may not need to spend much in getting the car as good as new. And unless you know the car history from A-Z, I would recommend getting exactly stock condition for peace of mind.


3. VW Polo GTI 9N3 1.8T - 4th Gen Polo Facelift version sold in Malaysia - 2006-2008
Potentially the definitive pocket rocket priced between RM50-RM55K for 2008 examples



As they say looks can be very deceiving. This Volkswagen Polo GTI looks a lot like a nicer version of a bodykitted Kia Picanto. Out of the box, there is nothing much to like about this car. But as an ex-owner the potential is enormous. Unlike the current 6R Polo GTI, it has a 1.8T engine paired with a 5-speed box that is almost nuclear proof . There is also an abundance of aftermarket parts for the engine. You only need a stage 1+ remap, front-mounted intercooler, full on exhaust, uprated clutch kit, uprated bushings, good tyres and well sorted suspension, and without trying too hard, a sure thing of a responsive 216 whp and 300 wNm on sub 1,200 kg pocket rocket at your disposal. (Ed- Oi! That's a heck of a lot of parts lah!!!! Cheap you say?)

It may not have the driving dynamics of the Type R Civics or even a Satria Neo R3 or especially Mk6 Golf GTI, they will have hard time shaking you off on winding roads (after you do this mods). And I still remember sitting behind an E60 M5 on the NSE and it will only pull off into the distance at 200 kmh onwards. Even with all those mods in, it can be a very reliable workhorse and would not be a problem commuting to the office in it daily. And unlike the bigger brother Golf GTI, it is actually much more sensible and cheaper to maintain too. Aftermarket parts prices in many cases won’t hurt your wallet as bad as you would imagine (Ed – with Ebay being your best friend). I said it before and I’m going to say it again, it may not be the best hot hatch in the world but given the right mods it is the definitive pocket rocket to my eyes.

Getting hold onto one can be a bit tough as there are only fifty units of the 9N3 Polo GTIs in Malaysia and most of the owners are pretty reluctant to sell theirs. But because of pressure from wives to stop behaving like kids, I do know some of the good ones can be up for grabs. Depending on conditions and modifications, realistically 2008 examples would be priced between RM45K-RM55K. As ever, a complete vehicle history does come in handy.


4. Mini Cooper S R53 – 2001 - 2006
Potentially timeless designed super mini


The Mini Cooper S R53 for sure cultivates in-crowd vibes not only to men but with ladies as well. Buy one and you’ll feel like you are joining an elite club, where the only requirement of entry is good taste. It is a brand thing and I’m unable to articulate anything further.

It might not have the outright grunt as modded Polo GTIs but with wider chassis and tracks, you can mesh almost all the juice coming from 1.6 supercharged engine into the corner and you can be rest assured it will stick to it. Going really hardcore, you could trail brake as you turn into a corner, instigates the tail to swivel, four wheel slides and the front bonnet should be able to pointing out of the corner very early in its radius. Once getting the hang of it, you can string corners together with dabs here, lifts there at huge amount of speed.

As good as it is, like many continental cars, it too doesn’t get spared from being hit by age, reliability issues and heavy depreciation. You may find 2003 examples can be had from as low as RM48K while the last batch ones are nearing RM60K. While it is generally a reliable machine , there are plenty of online buyers guides that you can look for potential and known faults. A word of caution though locally Mini parts prices can be on the high side like BMW .(Ed – 'reliable' here is taken with extreme caution...really really extreme caution as they are temperamental)


5. Suzuki Swift Sport – 2005 - 2012
Shopping trolley doesn’t get any better than this


I have to add this in because the founder of this blog won’t be happy if I didn’t...... hahaha (Ed – yes...this is very very true). Truth be told I can see why. Swift Sport may not have the looks of a Mini Cooper S but it sure does behaving similar to Cooper S in a more efficient and imageless sort of way. I think it is a case of uncomplicated drivetrain and 1,045 kgs of weight that makes a solid foundation for smooth, compliant ride and playful chassis giving you heaps of no frills interactive fun .

Because it is Japanese it therefore has honest to goodness engineering, it should work like clockwork and kinder to your wallet like the Protons when it comes to maintenance. While the car’s resale value remains strong, you can have 2007 and 2008 ones asking price between RM45K to RM50K. And as long as the car is accident free, expect it to be running even after you handover the keys to your kids.


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