Peugeot 308 GTI, 2020, 15k, £18,734
The 308 GTI always felt like a car that deserved more recognition than it ever received. Here was a properly light (c. 1,300kg), front-wheel drive hot hatch, offered exclusively with an aggressively turbocharged 1.6 turbo and six-speed manual gearbox. There was a tonne of serious hardware to support 270hp in the flagship version (250hp otherwise), including a Torsen diff, Alcon brakes and properly sorted passive suspension. There was five-door practicality, smart yet subtle styling, and being light ensured both agility and efficiency. But the 308 never really succeeded over here, selling in small numbers. That does at least make for an absolute bargain secondhand: this 2020 ‘260’ model (the two-model line-up was dropped in 2017, then the 270 became a 260 because of emissions in 2018) must be one of the last made. After just 15,000 miles, it’s little more than £18k. The bargain of the group, and with far more than just good value in its favour.
Ford Focus ST, 2019, 33k, £19,995
Even when the Ford Focus ST could call on more rivals, it was a hugely impressive hot hatch. Not one that was immediately approachable thanks to hyperactive steering and mismatched drive modes (seemingly too aggressive, or not aggressive enough), but shot through with that modern fast Ford quality that’s produced so many greats. The chassis was brilliant, willing to play fast and neat or a little looser as required; the burly, big hearted 2.3 Ecoboost was the perfect partner, a glut of extra torque over rivals (310lb ft) ensuring it always felt properly punchy. Yet, crucially, not to the extent that it threatened to overwhelm the car. The ST was (and remains, for a little while at least) a characterful hot hatch in the best way, where that personality hasn’t come at the expense of ability. Get an Edition or Track Pack if possible, because they’re even better, but expect many happy miles motoring behind the wheel of a standard car like this, too.
BMW M140i, 2017, 39k, £19,886
The hot rod hatch that’s becoming cooler by the month, the BMW M135i (and the later M140i, as this is), was always a very easy car to rub along with. Oh sure, things could go a bit awry with an open diff and not-quite-perfect suspension - plus it was far from the most practical hatch around - but a great big turbo six in a small BMW for not very much money ensured the M Performance models a lot of fans during seven years on sale. The later 40is, powered by the B58 engine that’s still in use elsewhere (and is very tuneable), are abundant: choose from five-door, three-door, manual, auto and all the colours. Popularity new means used buyers can be very particular, and our budget means getting one of the best: this Estoril Blue five-door auto has accrued fewer than 40,000 miles, the Harmon/Kardon upgrade and looks fresh inside and out. Big boots are overrated, anyway - big engines aren’t.
SEAT Leon Cupra, 2020, 33k, £19,999
The wild child Cupra only looks more interesting now its maker has decided to focus on EVs. Its chassis wasn’t as sorted as a Type R’s, and the overall package not quite as polished as the Golf GTI with which it shared a lot, but the fast Leons were flippin' fast - they’re sometimes used as unmarked police cars, in fact - smartly styled and good fun in a vaguely old school way. Wheels would spin, axles would tramp and revs would flare as the front tyres inevitably lost their battle with anything up to 300hp. But with more measured inputs the Cupra made a decent fist of things - so long as you remembered to put good tyres on it. This is one of the last (note the copper badges that showed where the brand was heading) and super subtle in black. All the better for catching everyone else unawares.
Hyundai i30 N, 2019, 49k, £20,495
If you've ever wondered how well-regarded Hyundai is right now, just look at the strength of i30 N residuals. Here’s a car that launched in 2017 at significantly less than £30k that’s still very hard to find at less than £20,000. Some of that is down to the bizarre vicissitudes of the used car market over the past few years, but even in a group comprised of its close rivals the Hyundai has performed well. Shouldn’t be a surprise, really; from a standing start, N created a hot hatch hero, the i30 brimming with attitude, enthusiasm and purpose. It never felt better than being driven hard, just like all the great hot hatches. The fuel economy was nothing to write home about and the N mode was crazy stiff, but no hot hatch is perfect. Expect a whole lot of fun for many more years yet. Be nice if this depreciation curve continued, too…
Renaultsport Megane Trophy, 2014, 48k, PH Auction
Hopes are high for the future of the French hot hatch, given what Alpine has divulged so far about the A290. But if it’s only the back catalogue that’s of interest, then the old Renaults don't come much greater than the Megane 275 Trophy, the car that took lots of the Trophy-R’s ‘ring record hardware and combined it with a few everyday luxuries. Like seats. The limited edition was an instant hit over in the UK, and has remained highly prized ever since. Vibrant in Liquid Yellow, this PH Auctions car has fewer than 50,000 miles and benefits from an Akrpaovic exhaust, uprated Brembo brakes and more than 300hp. Owned and loved by the current owner since 2021, it’s expected to fetch between £18,000 and £20,000. Which doesn’t sound crazy for one of the all-time hot hatch legends.
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