25 years of bargains

SAM PHILLIPS shows you how to get our quarter-century cars on your drive for less, plus a wildcard option if you fancy something different

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Mini hatch

BMW's reincarnation of the storied Mini hatchback is the ideal choice for any savvy shopper on the hunt for a fun, warmed-up supermini. Fine handling, precise steering and a torquey 1.6-litre engine can cost from as little as £500, although buying a Cooper or Cooper S for anything less than a grand will tie you to high-mileage examples with plenty of battle scars.

Rusty sills are common, and clutches can wear prematurely. Watch out for oil leaks from the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket. The R53 Cooper S is a real hoot on a rural back road - its Eaton supercharger boosts power to 163bhp, which is a full 48bhp more than the standard Cooper. Even today a good example feels incisive, agile and quick, and it was something of an underdog in the early-noughties hot hatch class.

You can snap up a tidy Cooper S for around £2500, but be wary of high mileages and find one with a strong MOT and service history. Make sure the supercharger has been serviced with new drive belts, and watch out for overheating.

The more hardcore John Cooper Works GPs have rightfully gained modern classic status, and as a result prices for those start from around £12,000. Worth every penny, though.

ONE WE FOUND Mini 1.6 Cooper S, 2004, 46,000 miles, £3490

WILDCARD ALTERNATIVE Renault Clio 182 Can't match the Mini for retro charm, but thanks to its stronger performance and deft handling it will outshine the Cooper on a rural Broad.

Ford Fiesta