Golf GTI vs Escort XR3i vs MG Maestro - 80s Hot Hatch Shootout!

[@a.tanner8524]

I really really miss the 80’s! The cars, the music, the vibe of general optimism. Everything!

[@limpet7r63]

Yep, technology was evolving at a pace previously unknown, and the future was something to be excited and optimistic about. The future today seems to be overwhelmingly doom and gloom.

[@acepilot3920]

Sorry I thought it said xr3 originally

[@horse5407]

I’d agree with all that except the cars. Most of them were shite.

[@Mr031068]

Being young ?

[@a.tanner8524]

@@Mr031068 yes that too obviously.

[@che630]

I had the MG maestro 2.00 efi A great car, underated.

[@bunter6]

Has an R series Mg1600 and it was lovely sounding but was unusable as a daily due to horrific vapour lock in the carbs. The difference when I got an EFi was massive, you'd need an RS Turbo or 16v Golf to outrun it.

[@Riothamus]

I had an Efi one for years too. Eventually had Moto-Build stick a 16v Rover 800 O series in it. Got far less police attention than either of the other cars here (or the Astra GTE).

[@che630]

I went to an MG show (at knebworth, I think) in it. I got approached by the organisers if I could put it in the display with other MGs as they didn't have an EFi to display ! Made my day, got free entry too !

[@mat12128]

Me too, a red 89 F, was miles better than my girlfriends 90 xr2i, even she said it.

[@Mandinka711]

Me too, loved my Efi. All my friends made fun of it but at the time it was much cheaper than the Gti and 3i's were ten a penny. I eventually sold it and bought a Lancia Delta HF turbo.....now that was a fun car.

[@GadgetMart]

MG maestro turbo was outrageously fast. For the day

[@matty6848]

Fast even by today’s standards. Rover when they put their mind to it could build powerful fast cars, but they were let down by shit build quality and rust.

[@matty6848]

@Nik Evans yes that’s true!

[@mat12128]

I had a Montego turbo for my 1st car at 21 while my old school collegues were driving round in their 3i's and nova gte's thinking they were fast....terrible image but i knew none of em could get near my performance and that is all that mattered

[@matty6848]

@@mat12128 you were lucky to own a Montego turbo at 21. Surprised you even got insured on the thing!

[@mat12128]

@@matty6848 Had my 33 yr old brother with a decent NCB as the policy holder and i was on it as a named driver, back when you could get away with that!

[@davidmccann9811]

When I was a teen in 1980s London, the XR3i was the car we all wanted. My mate had a white convertible, so we spent that summer driving to Cornwall with the roof down and music blasting. Hair freshly cut, Ray Ban sunglasses on, drinking snake bites and picking up girls. It was a blast.

[@BlearyBoy1]

That would be my dream. Boys of Summer.

[@stepheng8779]

Nice to see a Maestro again, shame there wasn't an Astra GTE

[@col1311]

Loved the digital dash. Manta gte, or Cavalier Calibre Sri cool too.

[@adrianbowtle7322]

Had mk1 and mk2 astra gte's loved them both

[@imac-hunt]

@@col1311 Mk 2 cavalier sri 130 saloon Two tone glacier white. Missed since day i sold it

[@FelixIsMyName]

As a kid in the 80's, I always loved the Escort RS Turbo and then at the end of the 90's I managed to get myself a 205 GTi 1.6 by the time I was 19.

[@jamesbaum4523]

Having owned a 5 turbo,205 GTI and a Golf GTI I now own a MG Meastro turbo and it's my fav of the lot!

[@johnalmason]

A great video with lots of interesting information. I particularly liked the summary of the MG Maestro's engine development. Well done. What's fascinating about this video is the attitude we have about our own car industry. We tend to view British cars as either stunningly brilliant or as complete disasters. For most people there is nothing in between. Both the Maestro and the Montego were good cars when you consider the tiny budgets they were created with. Austin Rover never got the credit they deserved for that. As a family we owned a Montego 2.0 HL which I drove everywhere, and I honestly couldn't fault the car. It was as quick, safe and reliable as anything else on the road for that price at that time.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for your kind words! We’ve got a bit of a soft spot for British underdogs, particularly when so many of them came SO close to being fantastic cars!

[@bad-bunnyblogger8171]

What killed the British car industry? 🗣️📢 THE MOTORING PRESS...!!

[@RobertPerry-e4r]

I owned a Montego 1.6 HL in 1987 and I loved it

[@paulmills8856]

The MG Maestro was always my favourite especially in 2.0 i form. A much underrated car which should have ben a much bigger success.

[@matty6848]

Agreed Paul and the Turbo is fast even by today’s standards. They just let down by typical shit build quality. I’d imagine the M.G Maestro is the quickest out of the 3.

[@mat12128]

@@matty6848 I had an 89 f 2.0i and it was a decent car, lovely torquey engine and nice roar

[@matty6848]

@@mat12128 nice😁👍

[@philnewstead5388]

The 2.0 EFI was an excellent car the MG 1600 was an 11th hour car to compete with the XR3 which was announced just as the Maestro launched. The problem was unusually for BL they fitted Weber carbs and the fuel would vaporise and they would often not restart after a hot soak, they did however go quite well and the induction noise on full throttle was as good as any fast Ford.

[@matty6848]

@@philnewstead5388 yes I remember the 2.0 EFi went well, but as you say the 1600 M.G was obviously a afterthought.

[@r33gtsman]

I had all 3 of the MG Maestro's back in the day & I loved every single one of them! My 1st one was a MG 1600 with the R series engine spoke about here, yes the hot start was terrible but when it was tuned with a pipercross air filter and the carbs set properly it was a lot better and sounded great on wide open throttle. My 2nd one was a black 1989 2.0i which I kept in showroom condition, great car but not as quick as you'd expect. My 3rd one though was a white Turbo (No 198 out of the 505 made) and that thing when modified went like a rocket ship and the torque steer was unreal lol !! All of my mates back in the day had XR2's XR2i's RS Turbo's R5 GT Turbo's and even a couple of Cosworth's and the tuned MG Turbo surprised every one of them on many occasions !! I regret selling my old Turbo for sure !

[@geoffg46]

I had a white Turbo ( no.272) and can confirm even in standard tune went like the proverbial sh#t off a shovel, quicker than R5 turbo, 325s. I knew a bloke with a 911 and he told me a Maestro Turbo was the only car that he ever had trouble against. LOVED THAT CAR

[@davemellor4697]

I had a white Turbo reg F400SLL I had upgraded springs pagid pads upgraded boost and a k and n air fliter in the airbox which was drilled with extra holes,upgraded plugs,plus a rolling road tune....Honest to god any hot hatch could not get near me on handling etc etc it would give a cosworth in standard trim a very hard time...this was the car that got me into motor racing from Maestros through to mgzr,s and i still race today!!

[@Mister_H]

Agreed, the sound of a correctly tuned R series MG Maestro on song was great. You think the S series is rare, the R series must be ultra rare. I always wanted to own one, but insurance at the time got in the way 😕

[@col1311]

Friend had a montego turbo and nothing would touch it. Had to have big kahuna's to drive it on the limit!!

[@Mister_H]

@@col1311 Yes, my Brother had one and the torque steer was pretty wild!

[@stevenanderson7471]

Got to remember the mk1golf was a 70s car and it still kicked ass a decade later

[@ryanswam82]

Xr3i all the way for me!! I had a 1990 with efi and it never missed a beat. Not a rocket ship but light and loads of fun.

[@tracyjones639]

He’s not wrong about the MG Meastro turbo,you’d have to part with 15k to buy a fully sorted one these days!

[@escos0410]

They where imo one of the, if not quickest on the market My dad had a turbo montego mg and that was 😮

[@billgiles3261]

I had a 2L Turbo MG that was a seriously speedy car with amazing acceleration.

[@1066wastrel]

My cousin, a bona fide rally driver & Ford trained mechanic said the 2l Maestro was the fastest, off the sales floor, hot hatch he`d ever driven, said it killed him cos it was his dad`s car & he spent a fortune trying to get his MK1 Mexico as quick as his dads car!

[@billgiles3261]

@@1066wastrel sadly mine was involved in a minor shunt and the insurers wrote it off. I took the money and bought something a bit more sedate. About 6 weeks after parting with it I saw it when it passed me going like fury. But it did not last more than a few further months before it was properly written off. I should have bought it from the insurance company when I had it, got it repaired and stashed it away. It would now be worth a bomb.

[@philipjones4466]

I have an 89 mk2 gti. I’ve owned it for 18 years now paid £500 for it. An amazing car. The most reliable car I have ever owned. And it is used daily.

[@stephennorris2524]

I had a MG Maestro 2.0 in BRG, quick and comfortable car, also had the Montego version, my favourite car of the era was my Astra GTE 16V.

[@johnkrautschneider5750]

Went to the 1980 Motor Show at Birmingham NEC to see the original non injected XR3. Fell in love with it as a late teenager, couldn't afford one, wanted one for years through out the 80's and still want one today. So for me it has to be the good old Ford :)

[@dapyrke3367]

As a german guy i only had contact with the GTIs & XR3i, but i really like the unique and modern appeareance of the maestro. Something really special about the car...the voice computer..Great!

[@johnj3577]

I had one in the same colour. Lovely car. The voice used to make up stories though, like when happily driving along in the outside lane of the motorway at 80mph and it would suddenly say... "Warning, low engine oil pressure, "Warning low coolant" one after another. I fitted gauges in the end to calm my nerves. Fun car though!

[@mikeb6385]

I'd have them all, xr3i for looks, Vw for reliability and build quality and the MG Maestro for it's rarity. Love 80s cars and music!

[@mrgundersen3117]

You missed the 140 hp fiat ritmo abarth.. That thing was a beast! It did rust away in a few years, and od pieces were falling of as you drove it. It was so Stiff and so badly put together, that i lost one backlight my antenna on the outside, the rear wiew mirror and the doorwinder on the inside..in one short trip of fun! . But man it was a hoot!

[@Jay-Kay-Em]

Stumbled across this channel and subscribed. I was a young lad 6-7 years old and our neighbour in our cul-de-sac exchanged his Marina for a 1600 MG Maestro with a talking dash. I thought it was the coolest car on planet earth 😂. I think there are more underdog cars than the Maestro, like Piazza Turbo or Volvo 480 Turbo. Really good motoring times to grow up in.

[@terminal-velocity111]

Oh man! Takes me back. I had the MG Maestro 1600. When it wasn’t suffering from heat soak, it went like a monster!

[@neilmcguinness4422]

Owned a 1984 XR3i in Sunburst red with a Janspeed 4.2.1 manifold and exhaust system and a K+N air filter resulting in all the pops and bangs and a verified 120bhp... With that lovely genuine 5 speed close ratio box and not much weight it would FLY that little car!!.. Very stiff car that is true and nowhere near as refined as the golf.. But boy did it give me street cred in my wasted youth!..🤣🤣.. Great video guys. Great memories. 👍👍

[@robertebob3596]

I was a Ford guy back in the 80s but looking back now i think the Astra GTE would be top of my list

[@6ettinold]

The fastest car I ever sat in was an Astra GTE, thanks to a faulty digital dash. My mate regularly managed 888mph on the local bypass.

[@markwood9987]

Had a few GTE s and loved them ,I bought a white MK1 when it was 2 years old and I felt great in that motor but the MK2 16v also in white I had was a beast for the day.

[@matty6848]

Yes massively underrated car. By far the quickest out of the lot.

[@robertebob3596]

I had Ford Capris and an XR3i but never got to own a GTE but a work mate had a white mk2 16v which was awsome , good memories.

[@gmain1977]

Mk2 GTE was sexy , loved the curves

[@beijingbond]

I've owned a Y plate XR3i (also in Sunburst Red) and I can say for sure that had you put a 205 GTi in (i've owned 3 1.9's) the 205 would have won. Big respect to the Golf. It's still a great car.

[@jm77_josemanuel]

The MG is a extremely beautiful car. And the Golf, is there, too.

[@amnril]

Beauty as they say is in the eye of the beholder. To me, the MG is seriously horrible looking.

[@morrisbrooks705]

Had xr3i,A reg then bought G reg,but both we're good cars, best hot hatch 205 gti 1.9

[@desbufton369]

Best handling hot hatch 309 gti .... fact 😉 such an underrated car... even today 🤷‍♂️

[@stevenhearnden66]

@@desbufton369 don't agree. 306 Rallye was slightly more fun. I owned both. 309 superb though.

[@col1311]

309 gti loved that car and back then they was rare. 309 and 205 goodwood was a dream car of mine back then.

[@desbufton369]

@@stevenhearnden66 I also owned a 306 Dturbo.... that used to wallow & understear like a biatch when you pushed it.... I currently own a phase 1 clio sport & the 309 beats it for handling...... obviously I’m only talking about the retro hatches... your new focus’ etc out handle being x4 drive etc.... So in my experience I stand by my previous statement... even the 205 enthusiasts used to put 309 beam axles on their 205’s as they had a wider track.... wider track Lower centre gravity better handling 😉

[@stevenhearnden66]

@@desbufton369 a 306 diesel turbo is not a Rallye. Two different beasts. I'm sorry, I don't agree.

[@hjhogg6381]

Hi, I've had my 5 speed XR3 from new, over 38 years now & still used every week. So you know I would always choose the XR3. It's been a wonderful trouble-free car.

[@shahzadayub7191]

@H J Hogg - Amazing! Let me know when its up for sale!

[@hjhogg6381]

@@shahzadayub7191 Hi, Will do, but don't hold your breath.

[@shahzadayub7191]

@@hjhogg6381 Ah thank you, lol I won't. The fact you've held on to a XR3 (the one with the carburettor right?) since new must be a record!

[@hjhogg6381]

@@shahzadayub7191 Hi Shahzad, Yes 5 speed carb & only produced for 10 months so must be rarer.

[@chrisbutler2636]

I owned a 1600 mg maestro then a efi and finally a turbo. What great underrated cars, wish I'd have kept all three 😪😪 Keep looking for a turbo but they are crazy money !

[@footwashersarefilth]

2 litre Meastro was a decent underrated car, turbo version was a bit wayward though, too much torque steer and too thirsty

[@chrisbutler2636]

@@footwashersarefilth my turbo was re mapped by Motobuild back in the day and ran about 200bhp I think it did about 22 mpg 😂😂

[@jasonlycett2038]

Mg turbo was a rocket ship back in the day

[@col1311]

Crazy raw cars then. Scary 😨

[@rexeverything100]

Yeah it was a friend had the 2litre non turbo it was a quick car topped out at 130mph

[@michaelbamber4887]

It is still a rocket ship today. Not many cars as fast 0-60 even today, it was the maddest car MG ever made. It made the xr3i or that golf look like a push bike! 6.5 to 60, the xr3i took 9.6!

[@dopiaza2006]

Dad had a 1987 Montego 2.0 EFi vanden plas. I drove it just after passing my test. That was one torquey beast!

[@ajb9163]

Really enjoyed that video! I totally agree with your summary. In the late 80s I had an XR2 then a 205 1.6GTI, but although I never admitted it at the time neither of these were as good as my mates VW Golf GTI MK1.

[@nealadsett8484]

The Fiat Strada (Ritmo) Abarth was a very nice hot hatch!

[@gerrygoodfellow5321]

Strada abarth blew away RS 2000s and im a Ford guy. It also blew away everything else 😆. XR2,XR3i XR4i RS16i RS TURBO, SUNBEAM Ti, LOTUS.ASTRA GTE MK1 ALL MGs MAESTRO,MONTEGO,S, VAUXHALL MANTAS ONLY 2 CARS IN THE RACE WERE FIAT MINIFIORE 121, OPAL KADETTE GTE. GREAT DAYS YEEEEEEE HAAAA,! THE 40S WERE INTRODUCED WITH A 5 SPEEDER N BIG VALVE HEADS.

[@eoinoconnell185]

The fastest thing to come out of FIAT in the 80's was the speed of it's rust.

[@nealadsett8484]

Yep you used see year old Italian cars that already had rust problems. Some Brit cars were nearly as rusty though.

[@rossturnbull8632]

I remember my bro racing a mirafiori in his 2.8i Capri..those fiats could shift...good times..

[@eoinoconnell185]

@@rossturnbull8632 My dad had a green 1.6L mirafiori. One of his better fiats, but that's like saying it wasn't the worst dose of cancer.

[@timnetherton727]

Fantastic video! My dad had a Y reg early MG Maestro from new - I was 17 and had just passed my test and he let me drive it! It felt the starship enterprise compared to my Triumph Dolomite 🤣👍

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for watching Tim, we can imagine it felt light years ahead of a Dolly!

[@richardmaskery9009]

We had an MG Maestro 1600 in metallic green what a car loved the computer telling you what was going on with the car

[@paulmcgee1867]

Had the same colour great car everyone loved it . A friend had a golf which fell apart

[@mistsmogguru8378]

I had the 1600 twin mg and I loved it. Even though it broke more times than I can count. It's best break down was when the fuel lines caught fire. 2.0 turbo was the nut job to have but I ended up with an uprated xr3i which to this day blame for my bad back lol

[@neilcaddy677]

I too had a B reg MG Maestro 1600. Hot starting problems, the gearbox would crunch like an earthquake changing from 1st to 2nd when cold, very bad fuel economy, the engine would die going uphill if you were following a slow vehicle coz the carbs were chucking-in way too much fuel...but I’d have it back in a heartbeat. On the subject of those twin Weber’s - I recall removing the air filter box and fashioning my own sports-type filter and the sound it made was magic!

[@johnj3577]

I got flames shooting out of the inlets when trying to tune mine up with the filter off. It was hilarious. They were flawed but great fun and interesting cars. I still miss that car. Alas I traded it for a Montego Turbo which was a bit more grown up but bonkers fast. Still remember my mate in the passenger seat at a set of lights - "Go-on John, you can beat him...." (green light) "Fuck..me!". Happy days.

[@stevieboyNI]

Great video guys, really enjoyed it. Keep up these vids. I don't know why but i'd have to take the Maestro..

[@jasmudhar3835]

Escort XR3i for me!...& the RS Turbo was even cooler! I think the Escort has aged the best and still looks so slick & modern even today. Yes the GTI Golf is the best drivers car but I dont connect with it like I do the Fords. Being a 70's child I remember total domination by Ford in the 70's & 80's - 'The Professionals', 'Dempsey & Makepiece' & 'Cats Eyes' all had high performance Fords that are all etched in our memories after all the TV action scenes they were involved in & all are now Classics that I have an instant connection to!

[@matty6848]

A guy down the road from me has a mint Escort mk3 R.S Turbo. I kid you not it looks like it’s just come out the factory!

[@dungareesareforfools]

An RS would have been interesting here - I don’t think those have been accused of wooden handling!

[@matty6848]

@@dungareesareforfools absolutely not. The R.S Turbo was a completely different car from the XR3i!

[@whatsup8464]

Audi dominated👍

[@lee2217]

I’m a ford man and it doesn’t get much better that a sunburst red XR3i

[@matty6848]

Yes the Golf GTI was iconic but for me it was always the XR3i. The Escort was the people’s car, they were more affordable for the working class and they were built in the U.K. for 80s hot hatches you could never beat the XR3i.

[@dungareesareforfools]

I might be wrong, but I think all XR3is were German. But agreed - they’re the most iconic and cool cars out of these. Definitely the best looking.

[@lee2217]

@@dungareesareforfools the xr3 was German I believe the 3i was modified in U.K. But some were built in U.K. and Germany The plate under bonnet tells you

[@professionalpoem]

Rs turbo for me 👌

[@Saxondog]

Yeah..I had 2. 1 got half inched after 3wks and the second one got reversed into caving the driver's door, whilst it was parked up at Dartford Railway station. The RS turbo was my dream car which I never acquired. The Mk3 was so better looking than the 4.

[@PureLeeful]

The best two from the 80's aren't in this video. 205gti 1.9 and R5 GT Turbo. 🙂

[@6ettinold]

Surely they would be a staple of a late 80's shootout. Maestro Turbo would then be the underdog.

[@PureLeeful]

@@6ettinold Think the R5 gt turbo was released in 1985 and 1.9 gti in 1986.

[@MrGwaldo]

@@PureLeeful 5 GT Turbo was released in ‘85. April ‘84 for the 1.6GTi (still have my ‘91 1.9). I’d rather have either of them than the cars here but would rather have any of them than most modern cars.

[@stevenanderson7471]

The 205 was the only thing back then that could match the golf in handling. But the 16v scirrocco wich used the same chassis was in fact faster than the 205 1.9 gti.

[@PureLeeful]

@@stevenanderson7471 in a straight line maybe? Don't think a Golf or Scirocco would touch a 205gti on a b-road, that's just my opinion though.

[@simonsutton5499]

Great video guys, - maybe (or not) a shame the S Series EFi set up for the 216Vitesse never made it into the MG Maestro, the 2.0i O series with all that torque & FAR better PG1 gearbox was a different beast. Would love a go in any of them now !

[@topcat807]

I have a 1983 mitsubishi colt 1400 turbo that I have just started restoring. It's been off the road since 1995 and is a complete basket case. But there's virtually none left at all so is worth saving and will be special once restored. It has red and black interior with turbo embossed on the seats, full body kit, bonnet scoop and a super shift 4x2 gearbox.

[@SA-zoom1]

I had a mars red X reg Mk1 GTi, 1.6 but fitted with a blueprinted bored out mk2 Gti lump (1950cc) uprated cam, forged pistons etc, would rev to 7500rpm and shoot flames when hitting the rev limiter. Used to go like a rocket, left a VR6 for dead in traffic light grand prix. Damn this video has made me nostalgic.

[@whatsup8464]

A good 16v KR engine nothin lik it👍

[@juppzmuda9725]

Everytime I look at a Golf I get tired 😴There are so much more interesting cars out there! Maestro, Escort, Astra, 205 & 309, and many hidden gems from Japan as well!

[@finnmanproductions9240]

Nice to see a review again from today’s perspective. It often comes down to personal preference but the the Golf was always ahead of the competition in every way IMO.

[@richardamner7432]

Apart from looks, inside and out, and hard to connect with as it had no character....it was all build quality and no nickers!!!

[@finnmanproductions9240]

The Ford looked good but the Golf had understated class.

[@richardamner7432]

@@finnmanproductions9240 Yes maybe if that was your thing, girls didn't like the Golf and class didn't matter to a 22yr old that was short of money and wanted his car to have some style, I worked for Ford but owned a MG Metro, we didn't care how your door sounded when you closed it.

[@vMaxHeadroom]

I loved my B Reg XR3i back in the day. Put a fast road cam on it, the RS alloys and driving (okay yes was abit of a boy racer!!!) to Cornwall with my friends in the height of summer in the 80's, with amazing 80's music was just great...Fantastic memories..

[@gazzasearle123456]

I love all the hot hatches but for me would have to be a fiat uno turbo!!!pure nutty little motor and so much fun👍👍

[@dayalanvelan3070]

Awesome video. Just discovered your channel. Keep up the great work. Greetings from South Africa

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@jonathanlegge1666]

My dad had 2 Maestros when I was growing up, not the MG version though sadly. Looking at the 3 cars, the Maestro with its colour coded bumpers and what seems a bigger stance, just somehow looks the better out of them.

[@matty6848]

Yes definitely the most aggressive looking out of the 3.

[@forresg500]

Loved the mg maestro turbo

[@GadgetMart]

I still think the escort looks well. Best even. But I utterly adore the mk1 golf, it was a perfect design and has aged really well.

[@dungareesareforfools]

The reason the Golf has aged well is really because it was a conservative design that has changed little over the years, a bit like a Porsche 911. The cars that age the best are not necessarily the most forward thinking designs, but those that don’t change.

[@Wargwarn]

@@dungareesareforfools yeah really looks like a mk8 golf.. Mk1 doesn't even look like a mk3.

[@dungareesareforfools]

I don't agree - the basic Golf shape hasn't changed, just look at the side profiles of one generation to the next. What you're talking about are the details - lights, grilles, etc. Check out the heading picture here and tell me they don't look almost the same! www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2019/10/the-glorious-seven.html For comparison, look at e.g. a mk2 Escort next to a mk3, or a mk6 next to a Focus.

[@GadgetMart]

@@dungareesareforfools I’ve owned a MK1 golf and I got constant nice VW polo comments. The Golf has changed a lot

[@dungareesareforfools]

I'll await the opinion of someone who doesn't own a Golf... If you take any other car from 1974 and then take its modern equivalent from the same manufacturer, it's almost certain that it will have changed more than the Golf. I'm not putting the Golf down, just stating a fact. Yes, it's a good car - but the reason it's perceived as not having dated is simply because it hasn't changed as much as other cars in that time! Ask someone how dated they think the original Renault 5 looks, for example - arguably a more modern looking car than the 70s Golf, but one that has radically changed (i.e. the Clio that it became).

[@manscave]

My company cars changed every 18 months back then and my sales numbers determined whether I got more money and better car or the sack. It was that simple. I was 19yrs and started with a brand new XR2, then XR3i, then GTi 8v and up to a BMW 325i. I loved them all and drove them hard. Personally I wouldn't have been seen dead in a Maestro.

[@johnbrereton5229]

I went to view an MG Maestro exactly the same as the one tested and was really impressed by its performance so, I bought it. The computer had been disconnected so I fixed that and it was certainly a conversation piece. I had it years and it proved to be a reliable economic car and even compared to its rivals in this test, it still looks modern and hasn't dated. Yet with their unimaginative square box like construction the Ford and the VW both look dated. I would certainly buy another one if they were still made and it wouldnt look out of place even on the road today along side the latest cars.

[@pillred5974]

It wasn't B677 AOL by any chance I used to own it in 1985 one of the best cars I ever had, when people got in it and the computer would give a warning such as low fuel their faces were a picture, very ahead of it's time as you say it hasn't really dated at all.

[@johnbrereton5229]

@@pillred5974 I don't remember the licence plate number unfortunately but they were quite popular in their day. However, I do remember parking it up for months until I needed it again, and remarkably it started first go. I went on to use it regularly for years more after that. Thats until I sold it to a guy in Mitcham and don't know what happened to it after that. I wish I had kept it, it went like a rocket, and was a great looking reliable car that still looks good today.

[@freddieparrydrums]

Very nice the only thing I own from a Maestro Turbo is a NOS grille lol

[@mattylamb9194]

Nah - for me the Ford and VW are both much better looking cars than the Maestro. They look cleaner. But then I like straight lines, as opposed to bulbous egg-shaped cars

[@johnbrereton5229]

@@mattylamb9194 Well it's all a matter of taste at the end of the day, and I'm grateful you give all the ugly girls a chance . 👈🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kevinparr4823]

Cool video 👍 I had a couple of XR3i but I drove a Nissan sunny ZX 1.8 twin cam .. totally the best car of the 80s underated car.

[@johnwright3075]

For me this is the golden era of the motor car

[@lucybarringham2491]

I had a Golf GTI. Bought it as soon as I was 21. Happy days. XAU 668Y, thanks for some great memories!

[@davidhoy8363]

Maestro 2 Ltr EFI was a delight to drive, the torque was amazing . Would hold its own with many modern cars. Cars then were not strangled by catalytic converters.

[@gbc7344]

I’ve driven all 3 as well as the 309 gti back in the day but for me the golf was head and shoulders better than the rest in every way..so much so that I’ve owned 3 mk1’s & 2 mk2’s...more recently I had a mk5 and have just bought a mk7.5..they get in your blood the golfs..great cars.( oh and had a vr6 too!)..great Vid guys 👍

[@Roverjoe]

The Maestro for me any day, Would love a Maestro even more so an MG Maestro

[@arthurherrera8912]

I own a 1983 rabbit Turbo Diesel GL. I'm glad the Gti cousin gets so much praise!

[@dungareesareforfools]

The Escort is by far the best looking of the 3; the Maestro is the most interesting. Always thought it was a shame Ford didn’t get the ride better on the Escort mk3, its rear suspension was technically better than its contemporaries, and wasn’t matched until the Focus came along and started to influence the segment.

[@turbosmename]

I love 80s hot hatches, I have a 1983 mitsubishi colt 1400 turbo that I'm restoring. I can't wait to get it back on the road, it is one of the rarest cars in the country.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

What a fantastic project! Good luck!

[@stevenfernando1842]

The template for modern fwd car wasn’t set by the Golf as mentioned in the video but by the Fiat 128.

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Had 2 EFIs as company/lease - cheap since I worked for a firm too close to Rover. And they were great. Comfy, nippy, reliability not an issue. Just a shade agricultural in detail.

[@AFExploration]

I've got 3 Mk2 Golfs GTIs but daily a 1987 Austin Montego 1.6HL, its a great car

[@davidrendell6009]

I've got a BRG MG Maestro Turbo project!!! I had 3x turbos bitd and luckily I bought the current one just before the prices went mental!

[@andyclark1337]

My dad had 2 xr3s. XR3 then the XR3i. Then he got a escort RS, then another escort RS turbo with an upgraded turbo. Then an escort RS 2000.

[@jjperera3389]

And If only he bought a maestro

[@stevenhearnden66]

..... Ford man maybe? 😂

[@scoobydoo6767]

Are you related to Arnold?

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Christ how old is your dad now. Did he part own fords

[@Pickchore]

My mum had a metallic blue S1 mk3 escort with those 4 hole wheels. Wasn’t an XR but still cool. My pops has a mk1 Golf got cabriolet, needs restoration though. I had a ride in and MG Maestro turbo which was a hoot. And now I have a mk2 Golf with mk3 Golf running gear and a 2.0 16v. Classic cars are definitely in my blood and now my 7yo son too, he described my Golf as “perfect” despite it being far from it.

[@makalu69]

I had both 1600 and 1800 Mk1 Golf Gti's back in the 80's - then a MkII. My mates had Escort XR3's and RS Turbo's. None of them could keep up until the Peugeot 205Gti showed up. The Golf could embarrass cars way above its weight. Then the 16v Astra came along - in a straight line that one beat them all.

[@chmartin444]

I drove the maestro turbo years ago it was terrifying when the turbo kicked in the front came up and it became so light you couldn't steer it but still lots of fun.

[@DeGlennen]

As a kid I really liked both the Golf mk1 and the Escort mk3. In the end I would choose the XR3i over the rest. (I currently own an XR3, and since I bought it I actually appreciate it more and more) I like the Golf, but I rather like the bog standard Golf over the GTI version. The mk2 golf I actually like even a bit more than the mk1

[@johnm6587]

100% right! Can I vote for you as world leader???

[@Jameshoward999]

If there was another hot hatch, it would be the Peugeot 205 gti

[@Jameshoward999]

Or the Volkswagen corrado vr6

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

We'll get one on one day!

[@Jameshoward999]

@Maverick 41 to be fair it’s reliable as an alcoholic

[@alanthomson7770]

Renault 5 GT Turbo

[@insert_name_here]

Fiat uno turbo

[@AndySmallbone]

Shame you couldn’t get an Astra gte as well that would have made this perfect 👌

[@krismartin7215]

Should of been that instead of the maestro

[@TheBlaert]

@@krismartin7215 Why? Mk1 Astras weren't exactly great cars either

[@insert_name_here]

205 GTi?

[@brianpender7872]

@@insert_name_here 205 gtis came In later mate! The wee 205 1.9 gtis were brilliant wee cars

[@Rascularvideos]

@@TheBlaert Astra Mk1s were pants. Truly terrible.

[@matthewbell1968]

Excellent, professional video thanks guys. Subscribed!

[@briangriffiths114]

In the late 80s, our household had both a 205 GTi 1.6 and 205 XS. There was nothing between them in terms of mid-range up to street legal speed limits as the latter had lower gearing and was a shade lighter lighter. But having seen a pristine XR3i in a local motor museum last year, I would opt for that now because of its subjectively more attractive design.

[@sparks5063]

Had a black XR3 with those black seats with the red stripes, then had a white XR3i, absolutely loved both of them, drove a friends Mrk1 GTI and thought it was over rated as hell! Had my own Mrk5 GTI and the thing was unreliable as hell, got rid of it after 2 years!

[@mattw8332]

My late parents bought a 5 year old silver MG Maestro 1600 with the R series engine (ERW 333Y). It was alright but it needed a bit of looking after in the 5 years they owned it. Had the held onto it for an extra year or two it would have been a great learner car for me!

[@allanprits3484]

Nice video. A hot hatchback rarer than these three would be the Fiat Strada 105TC or Arbarth 130TC

[@paulqueripel3493]

A workmate had an abarth 130, had to keep cleaning the plugs after going out in London traffic. It didn't like idling.

[@allanprits3484]

@@paulqueripel3493 Yes they need an Italian tune up every day lol

[@matthewbell1968]

Good shout, the 130 was a seriously quick piece of machinery

[@allanprits3484]

@@matthewbell1968 friend's dad had the 105 and that sounded pretty meaty. 130 bhp doesn't sound much today but I guess it was light. Find one today? Little chance!

[@df9834]

The xr3i wasn’t rapid but played a massive part of the 80s hot hatch world

[@dungareesareforfools]

It wasn't shabby for its time to be fair, it more or less matched the previous generation RS2000.

[@iiRodeoclownii]

@@dungareesareforfools no it didnt! my rs2000 pissed all over xr3i's and rs turbos!

[@dungareesareforfools]

@@iiRodeoclownii RS Turbos? Then I'm guessing it wasn't standard!

[@gnosticbrian3980]

I did 140,000 miles in 6 years with my 1984 MG Maestro - other than routine service, it never had a spanner on it. My only gripe was that "warning, low fuel" was followed by running out within a few hundred yards. Replaced it with a 405 Mi16.

[@darrensmith6999]

Austin Rover guy i worked for them for 10 years and i was at the launch of the Maestro in 1983 i think it is the most modern and practical of the lot. PS latter S Series twin webbers had carburettor coolers.

[@davidmullineaux6157]

Mk1 Gti. Such cool car.

[@Droningonuk]

It's the Maestro for me hands down.

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

Thank you for this great video. I had an f reg 2.0 maestro efi. Absolutely loved it. Was a bit of a boy racer back in the day and I thrashed it mercilessly but it pulled like a train, handled well, and was pretty tough. Happy days. Worst point was rust. Was made of paper mache. Great car nonetheless...

[@user-ss7sy5jg1c]

Love seeing these sort of hot hatches ,

[@jasongentle6446]

Had black XR3I back in 1989 I was 19 all my mates were all envy of me loved it driving BMW now good times in 1980s 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@agt155]

The Maestro looks much more modern than the other two.

[@kells77]

Get to spec savers

[@Ex-Pear-Rocker]

Yes the Maestro has definitely stood the test of time, I never even realised until I saw all three together in this video how much more modern it looks..

[@matty6848]

By far Austin’s always had great interiors.

[@smoothmicra]

Christ, these videos have a way of making me feel ancient. Wasn't it last week people were driving around in these motors? 36 years old now, you might be a grandad and these cars were still before your time! The heart says Escort, they look great, but the head says Golf. Quick and well screwed together, a classic easily useable as an everyday drive.

[@Bates.N1]

I'd take the Escort or Maestro The Meestro looks like the most fun to me Although vw golfs have a good reputation they've never appealed to me or excited me

[@m6feu]

Thanks for making this video.. brought back some great memories of my youth! my choice would be the Mk1 Golf Gti, i had the chance to own one back in the day but it needed a new gearbox and i naively walked away from the deal, regretted it ever since. I am loyal to VW's but also owned a few of the Ford hot hatches including the XR3i and a few of the Mk1 XR2's and later on the Fiesta RS Turbo.. all of which fetching crazy money these days! If only my lottery numbers would come up!!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

We’d have all three in our garage given the chance! Thanks for watching :D

[@daveandmerlin]

The Mk1 Golf looks amazing. The best Hot Hatch of all time has to be the Pug 205 1.9GTI.

[@bigmedge]

@ 4:25 is an awesome remix of Europe’s Final Countdown . Can anyone plz provide a link to this particular remix (since there’s a ton of different remixes of this song) ? Also , does anyone know the name of the song that starts @ 8:13 ?

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Love the Maestro, had a 2.0EFI back in the 90's, lowered on Moto-Build springs, wider MG Montego alloys, the early 1600 version with twin carbs was ok but if you had a 2.0EFI it would have left that Escort and Golf standing.

[@Saltybuher]

XR3i is just unbeatable. To me it’s a dream car.

[@jeffmpower1]

Had a XR3i and a MK1 golf and by far the golf is faster more reliable and a better drive

[@peterbalac1915]

I had a mk5 2.3 ghia cortina was a nice car pretty quick smooth and comfortable. Traded it for a mk1 golf GTI after a day I thought what the fuck have I done,,,,, after a week I wouldn't have swapped back for my old car and a grand. Loved the golf GTI had three of em , suffered from brake fade when really pushed but Fantastic car.

[@StorminBriski]

My first xr3i was sunburst red like in this video. I still remember the first day I brought it back from the garage, planting my foot to the floor and......... Being sooooo disappointed with the power!!!! Loved the look of it though. Mine had the grey seats but had different head rests to this one. Still miss it (like most xr3’s it was stolen)

[@tonidmc]

XR3i For me 👌

[@jontymo]

What a great period, my dream car is still the Ford Fiesta Supersport!, I had the Mk2 XR2 and Vauxhall Cavalier Sri both great cars

[@grantlivingstone147]

I had a 1981 sunburst red Fiesta supersport great car wish I still had it .

[@mattp4806]

Enjoyed this. Nostalgic fun. Thanks boys.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed it!

[@shepardman993]

Awesome brings back soo many memories thank you