I've also been looking for an alternative, but I had an advantage as I have owned an SVT Focus since 2002. It's like a 147 - hot hatchback! So, when I decided to look for something in 2012, I discovered that there are several hot hatchbacks either here or coming soon. I've driven the Abarth, and I LOVE it, but the seat bolsters cut into my thighs - guess my 68 year old thighs have spread a bit. So, I initially narrowed the search to three in the low to mid $20s, only one of which is actually here:
Mazdaspeed 3 - 4 door, turbo hatch with 220+ hp, 6spd manual, and, it is claimed, torque steer that's under control - we'll see on that one. It's the only one of the three that's here now. It's the largest of the three Hyundai Veloster Turbo (Velociraptor?) - 3 door (2 on the passenger side), turbo hatch with 201hp, 6spd manual. Pretty cool idea to have two doors on the passenger side. It's the smallest of the three and due in dealers any time. Ford Focus ST - 4 door, turbo hatch with 250+hp, 6spd manual. I saw this car at the SVT facility in Detroit last weekend, and I think I've found my next car. It is really, really nice and should be quite fast. Easy entry and exit for an old guy with the ST-1 level seats (not the Recaros in the other two levels). These are due in the dealerships in the next few weeks. I've pretty much decided to buy the Focus ST, since the Alfas that are coming in the next few years aren't likely to be in my price range, although they're probably going to make me drool. Hope that helps. Mike Hemsley > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: alfa-digest V10 #2614 > Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2012 21:39:14 +0000 > > Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:53:47 -0400 > From: Paul Witek <[email protected]> > Subject: [alfa] Alfa alternative for daily driver... > > >of course then the question becomes: what on earth approaches th e > experience of driving my Alfa? > > The only thing I can think of might be a Fiat 500 Abarth... > > ------------------------------ -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
