what is/was the best overlooked subcompact or hatchback?

mmosbey wrote: I might be stretching the definition, but I loved my test drive in this. I was driving a 1997 Miata at the time, and the new 2002 C230 felt almost as tiny and responsive. <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/2001-2004_Mercedes-Benz_C_200_Kompressor_(CL203)_coupe_01.jpg/800px-2001-2004_Mercedes-Benz_C_200_Kompressor_(CL203)_coupe_01.jp

When I drove one for the first time.......I couldn't believe 3k lbs could handle like it did. I like them, but I wouldn't recommend one to someone used......

mad_machine wrote: going to throw my favourite (and a GRM fav) out there.. the 318ti.

This, an engine swap away from being a deathtrap, same E36/E30 f/r setup the Z3 had, massive parts availability, etc. If you don't like nice things, you can get them down to a ton.....

The always, never picked to play, and sad eyes crying, pitiful, Ford Escort GT?

In reply to Gasoline:

Thats why it was never picked to play......

ProDarwin wrote: I could've sworn Mike won SSC more than once, but oh well.

Just to clarify: I'm not saying YOU were spreading disinformation.

But really? 1400lb CRX? Geo Storms as being good at anything other than corroding?

Knurled wrote: Geo Storms as being good at anything other than corroding?

You nominated a Chevette...

DaewooOfDeath wrote: E70 Corrolla /thread.

I was a little surprised to see some mentioned the Prism... although uglier... the 5 door version fits this thread as well....

Gasoline wrote: The always, never picked to play, and sad eyes crying, pitiful, Ford Escort GT?

That is, by far, the best looking EGT I have ever seen.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:

Gasoline wrote: The always, never picked to play, and sad eyes crying, pitiful, Ford Escort GT?

That is, by far, the best looking EGT I have ever seen.

Too bad about the 18s.

The head on shot of that car isn't quite as nice, but it looks awesome from the side.

Either way, needs more Iris Edition.

I've always been partial to this one, too:

What we really need is someone to use today's CAD/FEA capabilities and modern high strength steels to build new 1971 Datsun 510s. 150 HP + 1900 lb or less = fun.

Knurled wrote: Geo Storms as being good at anything other than corroding?

I liked my GSi, but they do corrode. Being a fairly front heavy FWD they aren't horrible for drag use, and they can make power pretty easily.

Just drove my 1995 Saturn SC2 for a week and was pretty disappointed by it. The headliner decided to start falling down this year which is annoying. It is not like my 325i is in much better shape, but it is nicer to drive everyday.

I was in love with the 318ti until I found out that they can't fit much tire in back. The best hatch is probably an EF or EG Civic Si. Maybe a Mazda MX3 GS?

Matthew Huizing wrote: I was in love with the 318ti until I found out that they can't fit much tire in back.

If you need more than 235/40r17's back there, you need box flares.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

Oh man, the front killed to for me, though that white one is very tasteful.

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: Oh man, the front killed to for me, though that white one is very tasteful.

White with Slips is very, very nice.

Isuzu I-Mark RS?

ST_ZX2 wrote:

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: Oh man, the front killed to for me, though that white one is very tasteful.

White with Slips is very, very nice.

Car was parted out probably.... 3 years ago? Wasn't a GT, though, so.... nothing of value was lost.

Does the AMC Gremlin count?

I got one of these in Forza 4 the other day and they let me use it in one of the hatchback races, so it must count.

Isuzu JR turbo with Lotus tuned suspension.

RWD and a hatchback

DaewooOfDeath wrote: The original, 2,000 lb~ish Hyundai Accent.

as long as it had the twin cam 1.5L in it!

The Tiburon's 2.0 DOHC swap is pretty popular in my neck of the woods. That makes a pretty scary car ...

The Dacia Sandero.

There was a fairly successful Gremlin that ran in one of the IT classes in the SW Division back in the late 80's/early 90's. Can't remember if it was ITS or ITA. Big 6 sounded like a Massey-Ferguson tractor.

Hey, I just thought of this:

The 4-speed auto really killed it, and the V6 was kinda archaic (if bulletproof) but it had decent HP for it's size and perhaps some Cobalt SS parts could wake it up a bit.

I'd love to see somebody rock an Impulse.

driver109x wrote: Corolla FX16 GTS...

D'oh, beaten, came here to say this.

BTW the FX-16 GTS is a hatch (all hatches have FX in their model name), just the GTS is a coupe (looks like mine <--)

The coupes and hatches share a lot of parts, I think everything from the dash forward is the same, including even a lot of the body/interior parts.

Alfa GTV-6.......just buy one. I want to