I'm going to wait for the reviews before buying one. Ford aren't invincible any more so if it's not the best hot hatch I'll think about one of the following:

1) BMW 130
2) Golf GTI
3) BMW M1
4) Porsche Boxster

1)Yuck - overpriced for what it is
2)Dissapointed having seen a Golf on the road, looked dull.
3)Don't know much about it. Sure to be nice but I suspect will be a bit too refined and therefore not as exciting as you'd hope.
4)I do like these and they really hold their value, I just can't quite get over the ponce factor though. A friend has a new one and it is lovely but it still looks a bit too feminine. I hasten to add that is a massive swing for me and it's all beacuse of my friends one, if it wasn't for him I'd still be thinking it is a total yuppy mobile.

In your position Dave I'd sooner stick with the RS with the possible exception of the Boxster. I think the RS beats all of them really.

I was going to change my Mondeo for a Lotus but have now decided on a Subaru. It's cheaper to insure and quicker.

The Imprezas are nice cars but I've always found the insurance to be totally rediculous? Add to that heavy running costs and they're just out of my league. Same story with the Evos.

I test drove a new Focus today and I can't say I was bowled over. I think I'll wait for the reviews on the ST before making a decision.

I was hopeful that the Boxster Coupe would be in my price bracket but recent press suggests that they are going to price it between the Boxster and the 911 which is a shame.

I fear that the 130 will be too tame and the M1 will be priced too high, but again I'll see what kind of press they get.

An outsider is the Astra VXR. Vauxhall's track record is poor but you never know.

I may well stick with the RS until a successor appears.

I've also considered getting a cheap runabout (test drove a SportKa which I was impressed with) to keep the miles of the RS. Can't really make my mind up tho...

The Scooby is cheapest for me compared to:
Lotus Elise, Porsche Boxster, Audi RS6 & Evo VIII

It weighs in at only £150 more than the Mondeo! I guess that's the benefit of being an old fart.

Drove a new 330i yesteday and was very impressed. The engine is probably the best I have ever driven. This is all swaying me towards the 130i. Styling asside, it should be a great piece of kit... RWD, one of the best engines around, 260bhp and 1350kg.

*ahem* pull urself together Dave... those famous words of... i will never buy anything other than Ford i cant help but remember.

Fair play if you do get it tho, aslong as u give me a ride

Why would anyone limit themselves to a single marque? There is a world of fun motoring to be had out there and Ford in no way have the monopoly on it. They don't even produce a RWD car for a start.