Mk1 LCR short-listed on the poll for Autocar's best hot hatch ever!!

[JamJay]

LCRs get alot of attention I think. Before I owned one, if I saw one on the road (rare occassion), my eyes used to get drawn to it. There's an air of mystery behind them I think, not the chosen car of boy racers just yet and they normally all hide until the weekend, no-one seems to know what they're capable of but everyone appreciates the styling. I have watched over my car on a few occassions, in a pub garden in the Summer, and people always check it out, peak through the windows and generally take an interest. I am looking forward to the Bromley Pageant Of Motoring this summer to see how much interest a few of out well cared for LCRs get.

For the above reasons, I think it is worthy of the title (OK, maybe 2nd or 3rd place). Sure there have been many 'fun' cars over the years, the 205 GTi keeps coming up but meh, it's just a 205 and no-one pays any attention, same as any Ford Focus (bar the new RS maybe). The Lancia Delta of course trumps alot of them but that's due to it's Rallying routes and shere rarity.

 

[mrwookie]

Voted for LCR but think Mk1 Golf Gti or Pug 205 GTi will win.
Oh and noticed they showed a Sunny Gti not a GTIR....fools...

 

[psycho6285]

Have to agree with you JamJay, alot of friends cars are faster and more expensive than my LCR. But mine always seems to get more headturns when it drives past. There are not to many around where i live so i guess people don't really see them to often (one of the reasons i got one).

 

[markgb]

I've just voted for the LCR, fast and practical and a looker all in one car!
I bet one of the Renaults get it though.
Also, a good ploy by Autocar, how many are going to get subscription info in their inbox now?

 

[Deleted member 43482]

For the above reasons, I think it is worthy of the title (OK, maybe 2nd or 3rd place). Sure there have been many 'fun' cars over the years, the 205 GTi keeps coming up but meh, it's just a 205 and no-one pays any attention.

I used to own a pretty mint 'standard' looking 205 Gti-6 as my previous car, and it was one extreme to the other, either people look at it and say "why have you got that old square car?" and other absolutely love it. Then when I took them out in it they realised what the fuss was about...

 

[turbin]

well.. this list is premature... take a look at the new Golf R.........................

 

[markgb]

not me. I used your email address...

lol

 

[DOLBY]

Its funny how when this car first came out, all the good words the press could find to define it were 'blistering' or 'fiery spaniard'. I think everyone is jumping on the SEAT bandwagon nowadays due to the massive power obtainable from the mk2 leons.

I love my car, i love the compliments it still gets. Especially when its clean. 'that the 225'? or 'nice car mate' are heard on a regular occurance.

I dont think its the best hot hatch, but i do think it has massive iconic status. You just got to look at the value of this car back in 2003. £18000 for the first FWD car with more than 200bhp?. Its a real looker too, still very aggressive looking. In 2003 how many cars had Brembos, lots of traction and stability tech, all black interior, and that famous R32 steering wheel with the red stripe? Some cars dont even have that red stripe nowadays (renault/ porche excluded).

The car wasnt a big handler, but it was never destined too as it would of outsold the S3/GTI etc.

It is the underdog car, a real sleeper that shouldnt be put in the wrong hands (chavs) because SEAT got this car completely right from the factory

 

[stewbie55]

I often notice passers by popping a look at my car as they pass down the street, not just young lads either, on several occasions workmen etc will compliment me on the car, same when you go to tyre fitters etc.

I think the main thing is that there never was enough of them on the road for the average Joe to know about them.

It's funny as I'm thinking of moving to a new Scirocco later this year and despite the fact they've been out for 18 months or so, most people I've chatted to who are "car" type people didn't even know there was one out, but everyone knows the old ones from the 80's.

 

[lbr66cov]

lcr by far

 

[markgb]

I often notice passers by popping a look at my car as they pass down the street, not just young lads either, on several occasions workmen etc will compliment me on the car, same when you go to tyre fitters etc.

I think the main thing is that there never was enough of them on the road for the average Joe to know about them.

It's funny as I'm thinking of moving to a new Scirocco later this year and despite the fact they've been out for 18 months or so, most people I've chatted to who are "car" type people didn't even know there was one out, but everyone knows the old ones from the 80's.

Noooo Don't get a Scirocco! Already a common sight, (although the front is very nice) the back end looks like a Proton Satria GTI.

 

[BenSBB]

has to be the 106 gti for sheer upside down in a ditch-ability

 

[J@mes W]

. Then when I took them out in it they realised what the fuss was about...

i can vouch for that, that thing was stupidly quick. Awesome car!

 

[J@mes W]

Cant believe the DC2 integra isn't listed! it's without a doubt the best handling hot hatch of all time, a proper type r not like the watered down version we have today, they were focused, light weight, equipped with a LSD and a screamer of an engine. A proper drivers car.

 

[t0m]

LCR all the way!

Speed, build quality, tuneability, price, practicality and re-sale strength all taken into consideration!

 

[flappy]

Cant believe the DC2 integra isn't listed! it's without a doubt the best handling hot hatch of all time, a proper type r not like the watered down version we have today, they were focused, light weight, equipped with a LSD and a screamer of an engine. A proper drivers car.

Totally agree, fantastic car and sooo much fun to drive.I love the small details like the thinner glass in the windows!

 

[cawsey18]

Mk2 golf gti 16v it has to be !! or the 8v .

How can they put the saxo on there ?? .

 

[TubbyTwo]

Mk2 golf gti 16v it has to be !! or the 8v .

How can they put the saxo on there ?? .

aside from is chav image the saxos are actually pretty good little hatches to whiz around in, jsut like the 106 GTi.

sadly there arent any standard ones of either left.

stripped out ones are pretty handy on track as well.

 

[warren_cox]

Lancia Delta got my vote.

I love the LCR, but the Delta Integrale Evo's of the day were just mental lunacy. Saw one at a show last year and fell in love again.

 

[revere]

Lancia Delta Integrale all the way !