The Top 10 Hot Hatches From The Past For Just 拢2,000
If you want to buy a brand new hot hatch today, expect to fork out more than 拢40,000 if you want a Mercedes-AMG A45. They're not all that expensive of course. The latest Honda Civic Type R, for example, is the hot hatch hero car of the moment. However, it's still not cheap at 拢30,995, and the one most drivers want - the GT - costs an extra 拢2,000 on top. This got This is Money thinking. Instead of buying a new Honda Civic Type R GT, what could you buy for just the price of the upgrade alone? A hot-hatch for the price of an upgrade: The Honda Civic Type R (pictured) is currently our favourite hot hatchback of the moment. However, it costs 拢31,000 as standard, and choosing the higher-spec GT version is an extra 拢2,000. Is it still possible to find a fun, entertaining hot hatch for the price of a few in-car gadgets on a brand new hot hatch star? Should this be banned from the driving test? More punishment for diesel drivers?
Should bicycles have number plates and MOT tests? If you're really on a tight budget but hanker after a hot hatch, try an MG ZR (pictured top). It's dated these days, but the MG makeover of lowered suspension, rev-happy 160bhp engine from the MGF sports car and a standout bodykit give off the right sort of hot hatch vibes. The sleeper hot hatch among cars caked in spoilers and side skirts. The Mk4 Golf GTI was too soft and unfocused to warrant the badge, but one alternative that does deserve inclusion here is the V6-engined 4Motion model. Its 2.8-litre motor's 240bhp gave it decent grunt and the four-wheel drive chassis handles it in all weathers. You also have a classy cabin and the power of the VW badge to win hot hatch Brownie points too. Peugeot 205 GTIs are selling for staggering amounts on the collectible car market today. It's not a classic like the original 205 GTI was, but the tuned-up 180bhp 206 GTI was still interesting - an extra 42bhp over the regular car was combined with a firmed-up chassis and nicer gearchange.
It's a decent car to drive - there are also lots of low-mileage, well-loved examples out there, proving its enthusiast appeal. The Cupra was the car that made Seat famous in the early 2000s, and the Leon Cupra R was the hottest of the lot. 210bhp was sent through just the front wheels, which made for a lively drive at times, but it also had great acceleration when you could get the power down, plus a tight chassis and quick steering. Look out for cars with the optional Recaro seats. The cheap-to-insure Ford Fiesta ST has a beefy 2.0-litre engine, a sports exhaust and a slick set of 17-inch alloys. It's a tidy car to drive, with just the right level of involvement, while Ford running costs mean even those on a tight budget will be able to get their hot hatch driving thrills. Yes, the Compact was a hatchback, so it does qualify to be in this list. It's not often you get a silky-smooth straight-six engine in a hot hatch, and rarer still is rear-wheel drive - this is why the BMW 325ti Compact is today such as standout.
It's a purist's dream, and it's pretty practical within the three-door cabin as well, while BMW build quality is some of the best in the business. We love the original Mini Cooper S hot hatch - its charismatic supercharged 1.6-litre engine gives loads of grunt from low revs and a distinctive engine whine throughout the rev range. What really sets it apart is the handling - it's genuinely pin-sharp and if the ride suffers as a result, you'll be having too much fun to care. The Audi S3 managed to handle 225bhp by sending it to all four wheels. You can even get a premium-badge hot hatch for 拢2,000. The original Audi S3 is the oldest car here, but its 225bhp four-wheel drive quattro drivetrain still stacks up for speed. It's not the most involving of cars, but it's still an exemplar for interior quality and the S3 badge carries plenty of kudos.
