What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards - Best sporty cars

Up to £9000
Mazda MX-5 1.8i 2dr Convertible, ’01/51, 42k miles, £8995

The words ‘affordability’ and ‘dependability’ are not usually associated with sports cars, but for the past 15 years, the Mazda MX-5 has provided both. This is on top of all the other ingredients that make it a superb roadster in its own right.

The face may have changed since the car’s launch in 1990, but the oily bits have remained largely untouched. With a car this talented, there was simply no need for much change.

This is why our judges expressed the opinion that the MX-5 deserves a lifetime achievement award for its 15 years of excellent service. It’s easy to see why they hold the Mazda in such high regard.

A well balanced, rear-wheel-drive chassis gives the car wonderful poise through bends, while precise, communicative steering makes the MX-5 easy to control. Our favoured 1.8-litre engine gives 146bhp, which makes the most of the car’s chassis while remaining manageable at low speeds.

It isn’t the most practical car in the world, but you get more luggage space than in a Toyota MR2 or MG TF.

One of the best things about the MX-5, though, is that it is virtually unbreakable. Mazda hasn’t been out of the top five in any of our reliability surveys in recent years, and the MX-5 has played a major part in that.

There are lots of used examples out there, and most of them will only need routine servicing to stay in tip-top condition. When shopping for one, however, check that the car hasn’t seen too much use on track days, because these hurt the brakes, suspension and gearbox.

Also consider
Citroen Saxo VTR 3dr, ’02/02, 38k miles, £4745
In recent years, the Saxo has become an iconic budget hot hatch for many young buyers, due largely to strong performance, brilliant handling and rock-bottom prices.

The 100bhp VTR version is easier to find on the used market than the more powerful VTS, and still delivers a cracking drive. Both are pricey to insure for youngsters, however.

Spending £5000 should secure you a clean example that hasn’t been thrashed, crashed or trashed. Be warned, though: safety equipment in the Saxo is spartan at best.

On a different budget?
£9000-£15,000
£13,795 Subaru Impreza WRX 4dr, ’03/53, 20k miles

Also consider
£14,545 Mercedes SLK 230K, ’99/V, 58k miles

Over £15,000
£16,195 Audi TT 1.8T Quattro 225 3dr Coupé, ’01/51, 42k miles

Also consider
£24,445 Porsche Boxster 2.7 Cabriolet, ’02/52, 32k miles