Motoring pros at Carbuyer have made a number of recommendations, picking some feisty but surprisingly cheap autos.
Audi TT Mk1
The Audi TT is available for as low as £1,000 with an upper limit of around £3,000.
A well-known motor, it was presented in concept form in 1995, but when it reached production in 1998 the styling had barely changed
The well-valued car still looks the part thanks to Audi’s evolutionary approach to design.
And the car’s popularity back in the late ‘90s and early 2000s means the market is now awash with inexpensive used examples.
Most are powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder although a small number have a 3.2-litre V6, examples of which tend to fall just outside our budget.
Renaultsport Clio 172/182
The Renault Clio Renaultsport gives you everything you want from a punchy yet affordable car.
It has a 2.0-litre petrol engine with as much as 180bhp under the bonnet and a sportier chassis than its Clio counterpart.
A 0-62mph time of around seven seconds and plenty of low-down power make swift progress very easy.
Newer, less-used models start at around £3,000 and should have straight bodywork, fewer than 150,000 miles on the clock and a full service history.
Prices continue to creep up, though, so while it could also prove a good investment, don’t leave it too long.
Toyota MR2 Mk3
The flashy third-generation Toyota MR2 is a mid-engined two-seater sports car with sprightly performance, sharp handling and reasonable running costs.
You can nab the amazing motor for less than £3,000 making it incredible value for money.
Made between 1999 and 2007, the last MR2 lost the earlier models’ pop-up headlights, but gained a folding soft-top and a focus on driver thrills.
A well cared-for example with less than 100,000 miles on the clock can be had for just under £3k.
Watch out for rust, check for signs of dampness in the interior and pay attention to service history
Ford Mondeo ST220
Practical and comfortable, the Ford Mondeo ST200 boasts a 3.0 litre V6 engine at an affordable price.
You can choose between hatchback, saloon or estate variants – the latter is particularly spacious in the back.
With 223bhp, 0-62mph takes around seven seconds and overtaking is effortless – although you’ll pay for the privilege at the pumps.
Porsche Boxster 986
Although it seems impossible, you can nab a ‘proper’ Porsche sports car for under £5,000.
The Porsche Boxster is an affordable option but can be relatively expensive to run.
The motor handles beautifully too, and while the early 2.5-litre cars aren’t rapid by modern standards, they still perform well.
Suzuki Swift Sport
The first-generation Suzuki Swift Sport is now a complete performance bargain.
Sold between 2005 and 2011, it has a 1.6-litre petrol engine and lively handling.
Prices for rough-and-ready, early high-mileage examples start at around £1,500.
But £3,500 will get you a newer example with around 50,000 miles on the clock.
Complete with subtle sporty styling touches, it is also a generally reliable motor.
Mazda MX-5 Mk3
The third-generation Mazda MX-5 is a great shout for a reliable, cheap and fun car.
It boasts rear-wheel drive, a choice of a 129bhp 1.8 or 158bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines and a relatively low weight.
However, you should watch out for signs of crash repairs and peeling lacquer on alloy wheels, and keep an eye out for corrosion.
Honda Civic Type R (EP3)
The Honda Civic Type R is a hot hatch in a class of its own.
Prices have started to rise lately, so you will have to settle with a well-loved vehicle with around 100,000 miles
It boasts a uniquely high-revving engine, sharp handling and a sublime manual gearbox complete with its lever mounted on the centre console.
There’s plenty of performance, with 0-62mph completed in just 6.6 seconds.
And it’s grip and handling is similarly impressive, although some may find the steering a little numb.
For those savvy drivers looking to insure their cars for cheap, Abigayle Aundre from She Talk Cars shared her top five list of cheap and cheerful rides.
The motoring expert recommended cars produced after 2017 as they tend to have comparatively small costs across the board.