Pocket money fun | Six of the Best

12/16/2023

Probably less than 1,000kg and definitely a lot less than £10,000 for six fantastic flyweights

By Matt Bird / Saturday, 16 December 2023 / Loading comments

Mazda MX-5 Conran Black, 2001, 37k, £4,950

There’s nowhere else to begin, really. All the benefits waffled on about when it comes to light and simple sports cars – cheap to run, fun to drive, easy to fix – couldn’t be better demonstrated than by an MX-5. It’s why they remain so loved (and part of the reason why the latest ND model, lighter than an MX-5 has been in yonks, is such a great roadster). You’ll never go very fast without significant modification and rust will remain an ever-present concern, but there really is little to match them for front-engined, rear-drive entertainment. Now 25 years since launch, the Mk2 NB cars are beginning to establish a desirable little niche for themselves as originals become too precious. A Conran benefitted from more than just Connolly leather and a Nardi wheel, too, as the 1.8-litre limited edition also came with a limited-slip diff. With just 37,000 miles, this one is £5k.

Renaultsport Clio 182, 2005, 68k, £5,490

Another dead cert for inclusion, and with equally good reason: if the MX-5 nails the traditional sports car brief, nothing does old-school hot hatch hijinks like a Clio. The small car with a big engine and not much else was not a new idea come the 21st century, but Renaultsport really mastered its craft with the 172s and 182s. That they looked so pitch perfect and didn’t cost very much only furthered the Clio’s cause; if you wanted a hot hatch like they used to be, there wasn’t anything better. That still holds true today, which is why values are slowly starting to climb; that being said, £5k for this one – still with fewer than 70,000 miles – doesn’t look like mad money. It isn’t perfect, and you’ll want to be sure of cambelt changes, but as one of the final examples of a hot hatch hero, it’s always going to be appreciated.

Toyota MR2, 2003, 56k, £7,490

And so for a couple of alternative choices if the criteria are not much money, not much weight, and a whole heap of fun. The MR2 has long lived in the Mazda’s shadow, but as Toyota has become cool again (and that FT-Se concept hints at the model’s electric reinvention), so the Midship Runabout is being recognised as the ace little sports car it is. For everyday use in the early 2000s, having the engine where the boot would be always hindered its chances; but as a 7,000rpm, sub-1,000kg mini exotic for the weekend 20 years later, there’s plenty in the Toyota’s favour. This 2003 example looks ideal: as a facelifted car, it’ll have the six-speed manual and sturdier engine. It also benefits from one very diligent lady owner from new (always serviced and MOT’d at Toyota), new Pirellis and just 56,000 miles. All for £7.5k – they’ll be £10k before you know it…

Ford Puma 1.7 Millennium, 2000, 55k, £3,995

What times they were for Ford back at the turn of the century. The Ka was the best-driving city car around, the Fiesta the best-driving city car, the Focus the best-driving fam… well, you get it. The Blue Oval offered a range of cars that made every rival both look and feel stodgy. Nothing epitomised that approach like the Puma, revered to this day for its perfectly judged ride and handling as well as smart design. This Millennium is one of the survivors, it seems (though closer inspection is always wise), boasting fewer than 60,000 miles, a long-term previous owner and a new MOT that didn’t mention corrosion. The colour may not be to all tastes (it’s amazing to think there was a whole range of these), though the 1.7 is the easily most desirable engine and Pumas really are as wonderful to drive as you’ve heard. For £3,995 the colour seems almost inconsequential…

Abarth 500 Turismo, 2016, 48k, £8,995

It’s now nearly 15 years since the reborn Fiat 500 became the Abarth 500, and with it came something of a hot hatch icon. Never the best pocket rocket to drive, the Abarth wormed its way into the affections of many with a heady cocktail of punchy performance, pert good looks (including endless personalisation possibilities) and a rude, rowdy soundtrack. That they lent themselves so well to modifying on top means these little 500s have an enormous following. And why Abarth has found replacing it such a difficult task. Handily for those not yet sold on the 500e, there are hundreds of the original around for almost any budget or taste. Manuals, autos, hatches, cabrios, 595s, 695s, Turismos, Competiziones, Bipostos – take your pick. We couldn’t ignore the excellent colour scheme of this 2016 example, which also benefits from leather and a sunroof – it’s for sale at £8,995.

Citroen Saxo VTR, 2002, 74k, £5,400

No country on earth did flyweight, flighty hot hatches quite like the French. Peugeot, Citroen and Renault were all masters of stripping away the fripperies and nailing the basics, making small, fast, fun cars better than anybody else. Back in the 1990s, the Saxo picked up where the AX left off, being light, agile and quick. Even the entry-level cars were a hoot, but it was with 1.6-litres (either as a 16-valve VTS or eight-valve VTR) that things got seriously entertaining. Even compared to something like the Clio, these are raw and basic – i.e. perfect. This VTR has been owned by the same family and maintained at the same garage for more than 20 years, which bodes extremely well. A Saxo won’t be big and it won’t be clever, but it will put a smile on your face, and that’s more important. A bit of haggling should see it in your possession for £5k.