Here’s our guide to our five favourite second-hand hot hatches available at knockdown prices. Don’t go shopping without it.

1. Honda Civic Type R (2001-2005)

The hot Honda has got everything you could ask for in a performance hatch: a sexy, lightweight body, superb chassis and 197bhp 2.0-litre VTEC engine that just doesn’t let up. A 6.6sec 0-60mph sprint time, 146mph top speed, superb cornering ability and responsive six-speed gearbox add to the Civic Type R fun, while racy red Recaros only enhance the driving experience. As an ownership prospect, great production quality, excellent reliability, an easy parts supply and plenty of modification options all boost the model’s appeal. You’ll pay from £2,000, but look for signs of abuse and hold out for one in good condition.

2. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (2002-2005)

Charming, desirable, comparatively rare and capable of 153mph, this Italian stallion will pull at your heart strings, even if it won’t necessarily appeal to your common sense. Alfa’s 247bhp 3.2-litre V6-powered 147 GTA uses a slick six-speed gearbox and front-wheel drive to sprint from 0-60mph in six seconds flat. Spot-on steering and a sorted chassis ensure miles of smiles through the twisties, and a sophisticated cabin provides an appropriately sporty driving environment. Again, you might regret skimping on a supposed bargain, so choose carefully and perhaps save up a few more grand to get a decent example.

3. Fiat Stilo Abarth (2001-2007)

Not every used example of this sporty Stilo derivative will be the limited-edition ‘Schumacher’ special, complete with a funky bodykit and enhanced suspension, but the ‘normal’ Abarth version of the otherwise rather dull Fiat will still give you plenty to grin about. It boasts a 170bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine, 0-60mph in 8.2sec and up to 134mph. Handling and grip impress on all examples, although you might prefer the later, post-2004 five-speed manual transmission over the earlier, clunky Selespeed auto. Around £2000 will buy a decent example, although you should be able to find an older, higher-mileage example for as little as £1200.

4. Citroën C4 Coupé VTS (2004-2010)

Sacré bleu! The chic C4 Coupé goes as well as it looks, with an 8.0sec 0-62mph sprint time and 140mph top end. That’s thanks to its 180bhp 2.0-litre engine, impressive cornering ability and decent ride. Inside, the Citroën is classically quirky, with a decent kit list that incorporates smart sports seats, a digital dash and groovy multifunction, fixed-hub steering wheel. Want something even more racy? White alloys, red and black hide trim plus drilled pedals are the highlights of the ‘By Loeb’ models – but only 400 were made. Decent examples of the normal C4 Coupé start at £2000.

5. Peugeot 306 GTi-6 (1996-2001)

Your best route to a well looked-after example of this agile hatchback is via one of the owners’ forums, but the effort you may need to put into finding one will be well worth it to get behind the wheel of this well paced, well poised fun-mobile. It’s as exciting to drive as its iconic 205 GTi baby brother, with a 167bhp 2.0-litre engine and a slick six-speed manual transmission – from which the GTi-6 gets its name. Thanks to its sweet chassis its handling and grip are sublime, making its 7.8sec 0-60mph time and 135mph top speed even more enjoyable. Another £2000 bargain; pay more for the stripped-out Rallye, of which 500 were built.

by Sarah Bradley