What Car? Used Car of the Year 2006 - Best Sporty Car 2006

Mini
Model: Cooper S
Year: '04/04
Cost: £12,495

The Mini is a fine hot-hatch. Those retro looks are beefed up by a butch bonnet air scoop and a twin centre-exit exhaust, while the addition of a supercharger provides the adrenaline missing from lesser One and Cooper models.

You won't buy a Mini for its practicality: rear-seat space is cramped and the boot is tiny. Instead, pick a Cooper S for the way it drives – it's great at whizzing around town or country, with feelsome steering and a darty, agile chassis.

The 170bhp 1.6 engine isn't as powerful as some rivals', but it's strong enough, accompanied by the whirring of the supercharger.

Mini residual values have stayed strong, and a used Cooper S isn't cheap at £12,500. Just remember that it cost £15k two years ago – and most Minis come with an average £2k of extras. Being a slow depreciator, it will also protect your investment.

Minis have proven reliable in general and the engine in particular is unburstable.

It proves that Mini adventures can start at a (fairly) mini price.

Runner-up
Mazda RX-8
Model: RX-8 (228bhp)
Year: '04/04
Cost: £15,845

Others to consider...
Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8 T Sport, '03/03, £18,995
BMW M3 coupe, '03/53, £27,445
Mazda MX-5 1.8 Sport, '01/Y, £7595
VW Golf GT TDI (130) 3dr, '02/02, £8845

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