Steal or no steal | Cheap thrills
£5k doesn't buy much these days - but it does get you any one of these brilliant driver's cars
Honda Civic Type R, 2003, 88k, £4,990
For the past, oh, century, the go-to manufacturer for cost-effective driving thrill has been Renault. The Clio 172 arguably laid the foundation for this following, because, when new, it was said you couldn't go faster for less. But the EP3 Civic Type R was far behind Renault Sport's trendsetter - and while its handling wasn't as chuckle-worthy, it did have a grin-machine on the bonnet.
It's possible to don the rose-tinted spectacles when remembering these things, but it still seems fair to say that the K20A was an engine worth getting excited about. Sure, it wasn't the first or last VTEC unit, or by any means the most extreme - yet it still revved to 8,400rpm, and that seemed compelling even at the time. Today it seems almost scandalous.
Of course, the EP3's appeal at this price is slightly undone by the idea that it would've been even cheaper had you bought it a few years ago. But that's the way of the things at the moment. The far better way to look at it is you're buying a car that absolutely could not and would not be built today. What could be more exhilarating than that?
Toyota MR2, 2006, 62k, £4,999
Obviously hot hatches get all the attention when discussing cheap, fast cars because they were designed to be both fast and cheap. But there were others which cast a very long shadow over the genre - not least the Mazda MX-5. It's easy to see why, the friendly handling of the front-engined Mazda made it a very sensible everyday sports car option, and it sold like sliced bread. A decade and a half later, however, it’s just as simple to understand the appeal of mid-engined Toyota MR2 as a cut-price way into that most exotic of layouts.
Here’s a car that weighs less than a tonne, revs to 7,000rpm and sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The MR2 is manna from sports car heaven, with the added bonus of Toyota reliability on top. It can’t carry much or do forgiving skids like a front-engined, rear-drive car, but nobody ever complains about that with an Elise, so let’s not do it here either.
This MR2 is from the end of the production run (here that means 2006), with 62,000 miles, 12 service stamps (including one a thousand miles ago) and what looks to be gleaming red paint. Honestly, who wants a Mazda anyway?
Suzuki Swift Sport, 2012, 79k, £4,998
There’s not a better small hot hatch out there than the second generation Suzuki Swift Sport. It’s more refined than the first car (thanks to the introduction of a sixth gear), cheaper than an Abarth 500, as good to drive as a Twingo and with a better interior than a Fiesta Zetec S. It really was a stellar achievement: light, fun, cheap, safe and stylish.
As such, there are plenty out there to buy. The turbo car that replaced this Swift Sport didn’t offer quite the same experience, because it was more complicated and expensive, making this 2012-2017 ZC32 model a real sweet spot - see the comments in the PH Buying Guide for proof of that.
This red three-door is a very early (2012) Swift Sport, which is how it just sneaks into our budget - there are still newer versions out there for twice as much. Red is rare but suits the Swift, and while 80k might put some off the condition looks decent - weird seat stains notwithstanding. If the other two here aren’t practical or modern enough, the Swift looks a fine alternative.
Personally, I am glad to see that the MR2 Roadster is finally getting some PH recognition.
It is a good car though, just find it incredible they are this expensive. You can add a few grand and get a 10 year newer fiesta ST or at that budget even a Clio 200.
It's a shame GT86s never seemed to drop below 10k and I'm not sure they ever will, but they would be perfect for cheap, fun and somewhat practical transport for younger people/those on a budget.
‘Wasn’t far behind’ and maybe ‘under the bonnet?’ Your welcome ph
‘Wasn’t far behind’ and maybe ‘under the bonnet?’ Your welcome ph
ks Personally, I am glad to see that the MR2 Roadster is finally getting some PH recognition.
It is a good car though, just find it incredible they are this expensive. You can add a few grand and get a 10 year newer fiesta ST or at that budget even a Clio 200.
My 1 owner FSH history MX5 NC owes me less than half these asking prices
I think most would acknowledge that the MR2 roadster is a more 'trilling' (sic) drive than an MX5 NC.
The price quoted is for a fsh late-model version of a car that is, at last, starting to appreciate in value. MX5 NC values are still on the slide and due for their turn as sheds.
As for the Civic Type R; any good one of this generation's got to be a modern classic by now.
Any article like this that doesn't include an MX5 always gets lots of miffed comments from MX5 owners. They need to get over it; MX5s are great cars but they've always been the obvious, safe option. If you're happy and confident with your choice, why not accept there might be better(!) alternatives...
I think most would acknowledge that the MR2 roadster is a more 'trilling' (sic) drive than an MX5 NC.
The price quoted is for a fsh late-model version of a car that is, at last, starting to appreciate in value. MX5 NC values are still on the slide and due for their turn as sheds.
As for the Civic Type R; any good one of this generation's got to be a modern classic by now.
Any article like this that doesn't include an MX5 always gets lots of miffed comments from MX5 owners. They need to get over it; MX5s are great cars but they've always been the obvious, safe option. If you're happy and confident with your choice, why not accept there might be better(!) alternatives...
At first I could work out how exactly it had crashed since the bit of road wasn't a bother in the MX5 even at considerable speed, but the wipers in that position and fitment of 8 year old pirellis on the rear did the picture start to look clearer
Genuinely not trying to make this about x car is "better" than Y, I dont have any real axe to grind other than wanting to achieve maximum bang for buck, and sorry but I don't consider £5k for a bog standard MR2 as value.
I know later MK3 MR2s have always held a price premium because the early ones like to ingest their pre cats and drink oil, but honestly?... Meh.
If I am breifly to draw comparisons to the NC MX5, year for year a MR2 is around twice the price... For a older, slower, more impractical car. That's a hard sell for someone like me that just wants a fun bang for your buck car.
Come back with a 2zz converted car for 5k and I'll be more "thrilled" promise
Personally, I am glad to see that the MR2 Roadster is finally getting some PH recognition.
It is a good car though, just find it incredible they are this expensive. You can add a few grand and get a 10 year newer fiesta ST or at that budget even a Clio 200.
Also Clio 200s are available for £5K, 197s even less. I'd go for one of them or maybe a 130i if I was strictly limited to 5k.
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