Pocket rocket hot hatchbacks from less than £3000 - used car buying guide

3 - Fiat Abarth 500 1.4 T-Jet (2008-2015)

The Fiat Abarth 500 is so typical of 
the breed that it should feature in the Oxford Illustrated Dictionary under the term ‘pocket rocket’.

Abarth transformed the regular 500 from style-led city runabout into raucous little devil and gave it the looks to match. It isn’t perfect, though.

It’s no surprise that it’s cramped in the back, but the front seats want for support and the suspension is very firm. But with 133bhp from its 1.4-litre engine, a great handling set-up and nicely weighted steering, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Prices have held firm, so a five-year-old car with 49,000 miles will be just under £7000. It’ll come with 16in alloys, a tasty rear spoiler and big bumpers.

4 - Vauxhall Corsa VXR 1.6i Turbo (2007-2014)

If ever there was a bull in a china shop, the VXR is it. The Alpha male of the pocket rocket line-up comes with a striking bodykit, big alloys and rear spoiler and an inverted triangular central exhaust.

It’s quick, too, with 60mph arriving in just 6.8sec. The power delivery from the 1.6-litre turbo engine is progressive and smooth, however, and it has masses of grip and great variable-ratio steering. Ever the Jekyll and Hyde, it’s actually pretty civilised when pottering about.

The cabin is treated to Recaro seats, a sporty steering wheel and VXR badges.

Find a 2007 model with less than 60,000 miles on the clock and this 
little monster can be growling on your drive for less than £5000.

5 - Renault Clio RS 200 (2006-2012)

The Renaultsport Clio is one of our favourite small hot hatches of the past 10 years, with its mighty 2.0-litre engine pumping out 197bhp and sending this ballistic mini-missile to 60mph in 6.9sec.

The rapid Clio’s set-up is simple and brilliant: there’s enough room for you and three mates and enough grip and performance to scare the wits out of them. While the steering doesn’t offer too much feedback, it’s precise enough.