MG F VVC, 1997, 25k, £5,995
Weren’t expecting this first up, right? More familiar options are coming. But as so many sports cars and hot hatches seem to appreciate on pretty tenuous foundations, so the affordability of MG’s mid-engined roadster raises an eyebrow. Let's not forget, it only weighs a tonne or so, it’s rear-wheel drive, and it’s powered by a 16-valve twin cam that sounds great on its way to 7,000rpm or so. Everything is known about them now, probably the first was the best looking of all the Fs - and, y'know, probably not everyone wants an MX-5 anyway. This one has done just 25,000 miles, remarkably, and despite one or two dubious mods - the ambient lighting, the unnamed orange switch on the transmission tunnel - it looks in fine fettle. The perfect thing now we’re all interested in MG sports cars again.
Peugeot 208 GTI, 2014, 57k, £5,995
This was the car that marked Peugeot’s return to form. The years after the 106 GTI and before this car nobody really wants to talk about - certainly not Peugeot - thanks to cars like the 207 and 308 GT. But the 2013 208 GTI was peppy and entertaining where previous efforts had for so long been turgid. The brief few years that followed, with RCZ R and 308 GTI too, were a high point for Peugeot. It was a shame for the 208 that it was introduced at exactly the same time as the most controversial Renault Sport hatch ever, and what turned out to be a Ford ST masterclass. If this car had been launched in later Peugeot Sport spec, with the LSD and rejigged suspension, it would likely have made more of an impact against the Clio and Fiesta. As it is, the 208 remains a funky, competent alternative. Especially with low mileage, a full history, and just two owners.
Honda Civic Type R, 2009, 93k, £5,995
We all know why the early Civic Type Rs were so desirable - rev-addicted engines, glorious manuals, alluringly low RRPs - and all of those attributes are now helping the cars as modern classics. Without an equivalent now on sale (the current Type R is a very good, if very different, beast), who wouldn’t be attracted to the idea of a dependable 8,000rpm? Already the first UK cars, the EP3 generation from 2001, are appreciating, with plenty of cheap ones sacrificed for track builds. Or, um, accidentally sacrificed into trees. Which makes the 2006-on FN2 a good bet; it’s better to drive than you’ve heard, the driving position is nicer than the breadvan, and its more modern interior will be beneficial in regular use. This one has less than 100k and some very smart, recently refurbed wheels. VTEC fun, right now, doesn’t come much cheaper.
SEAT Leon Cupra, 2010, 88k, £5,995
Cars like the Leon Cupra would have provided stern opposition to the Civic 15 years ago. While the Type R thrilled with revs and immediacy, the Cupra could counter with five-door practicality, loads of turbo torque and a really solid interior. All the stuff that we like to think doesn’t matter in a hot hatch, right up to the point where we actually come to buy one. And while this era of Leon perhaps wasn’t the most handsome ever made, it offered up exactly the kind of package that had always made hot SEATs appealing (and still does): lots of good bits from the contemporary Golf GTI, a smidge more power, one or two extra rough edges, and less money. And lots of yellow, of course. Shame that one has fallen by the wayside. This example benefits from an uprated intake for a little more joy out of the 2.0-litre turbo, and sneaks in a fiver under budget.
Renault Sport Clio 200, 2010, 103k, £5,995
One of the best hot hatches of the past 20 years is still available for £5,995. You’ll have to take a Clio 200 without the Recaro seats or the Cup chassis (but with a six-figure mileage and a few scratches inside), though these remain one of those cars you have to own at some point. In bringing together the things that made the old pocket rockets great - rev-happy 2.0-litre motor, good manual, not much else - with just enough modernity and some welcome tweaks to the 197 predecessor, Renault created a hero for the ages. Agile, rapid and hugely entertaining, the 200 really was Renault Sport at its best, which is why more than £15k can now be asked. This one has had a lot of owners, but a cambelt a couple of years back is handy. Don’t be surprised if its fizzy nature makes it a keeper in a sterile new car world.
Audi S3, 2007, 137k, £6,250
It was a good era for Audi, the mid-to-late '00s. There was the best RS4 ever, the unforgettable R8, and crazy engineering projects that we never thought would see the light of day: think twin-turbo V10 RS6 and V12 diesel Q7. Hard not to admire the audacity and engineering might. It was also the time of a decent S3, adding to the Mk5 Golf GTI’s appeal with extra power, traction, and Audi-ness. Because it’s of this time, moreover, it’ll still be fast enough (and definitely still looks smart enough) today. 265hp, six speeds, and less than 1,500kg will be more than sufficient. There’s lots of main dealer history (including a very useful cambelt change last year), an MOT until July, and a nice spec - including RS4 Sprint Blue paint - that’ll look even better with a wheel refurb and a weekend of elbow grease. The days of subtle fast Audis might be gone, but they aren’t forgotten yet.
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