30 ’80s and ’90s hot hatches for sale now

Too hot to handle?

With modern hot hatchbacks bigger and more powerful than the supercars of old, we feel some of the magic has gone.

The kind of magic that blends a nimble chassis with a firecracker engine, but also everyday practicality.

The big thing, however, is that no matter how small a hot hatchback may be, the smile on your face will always be enormous.

To that end we’ve assembled a 30-strong list of tempting 1980s and ’90s hot hatches that were all on sale in the UK at the time of writing.

Some of these tiny tearaways are bone fide classics already, some are underrated, forgotten gems, and some are hot-hatch heroes that were never officially sold in the UK, but have been imported later.

Which one would you choose – and why?

Images are representative and not of the cars for sale

1. Ford Fiesta XR2

Ford was relatively late to get into the hot-hatch market, with the Blue Oval playing catch-up to Renault and Volkswagen.

After the slightly under-baked but good-looking SuperSport, the XR2 offered boomy fun from its 1.6-litre Kent crossflow engine.

It produced 83bhp, good enough for a 0-60mph sprint in less than 10 secs and a 105mph top speed.

It was produced for just two years before the range was facelifted and that – alongside its willingness to rust, be stolen or parked in a hedge – means that very few are left. We found a black example in Reading on 54,000 miles for £15,000. 

2. Fiat Uno Turbo

This tiny box of tricks was the antithesis of the Peugeot 205 GTI.

Where that used a naturally aspirated engine and a carefully honed chassis set-up to provide crisp, neat handling, the little Uno Turbo was all about shock and awe.

It weighs just 845kg, which means its turbocharged four-pot delivers a driving experience that feels far more vivid and much quicker than its raw statistics might suggest.

Two engines were offered during its lifetime, though finding any Uno Turbo in the UK is a challenge these days – survival rates are down to low double digits.

However, we did spot a light metallic blue one on 129k miles in Bedford that’s been fully restored. The desirable Mk1 version, you’ll need to stump up £18,500 to own one of just a handful remaining.

3. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2

A legend in its own wheeltracks?

While many hot hatchbacks were fairly stripped-out, uncompromising machines, the Golf GTI Mk2 took a different tack, bringing a real sense of everyday usability to the mix; still fun, but with more of a comfortable, discreet feeling.

In original 8v form it was criticised for lacking some of the magic of the Mk1, but that soon changed with the 137bhp 16v version, which fired it straight back to the top of the class.

Refined but never boring, it was truly an everyman hot hatch that fitted in at a posh hotel or a late-night blast around a suburban bypass. We found a red 16v version for sale in Darlington on just under 45,000 miles for £25,000.

4. Peugeot 205 GTI

For some this is the ultimate hot hatch, not just of the ’80s and ’90s, but of all time.

It’s easy to see why, with Pininfarina-inspired design (contrary to popular belief, it was actually sketched in-house), a rev-happy 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-pot and beautifully honed suspension.

The later 1.9 added more power but crucially more torque, lower down in the rev range – some say it spoiled the purity of the original package, others say it’s the more exciting, engaging and exhilarating experience.

The debate as to which is better will rage long after the world has been swallowed by the sun… We found a black 1.9 in Wigan that’s covered 52,000 miles priced at £16,995.

5. Ford Escort XR3i Mk1

This was a masterpiece of making the best of scant resources.

The XR3 was dreamed up and crafted by two engineers, one of whom was the late, great Richard Parry-Jones, in just a few weeks.

Much of the sporty elements were designed to be easily integrated on the normal production line, and the results were tremendous – what was originally a niche product eventually accounted for 25 per cent of all Mk3 Escort sales.

The XR3i built on this by adding fuel injection and resolving some of the original car’s wayward chassis habits. We found a white Mk1 XR3i in Hyde, on 84,000 miles, for £11,990.

6. Fiat Strada Abarth

The angular Strada (or Ritmo, as it was known in the rest of the world) had several performance variants before it reached its zenith, the Abarth, or 130TC as it’s also known.

The last road car project from the original Abarth team before it was tasked with managing Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo’s motorsport efforts, it went out on a high.

Its 2.0-litre, 128bhp engine delivered a 0-60mph time of 7.8 secs and a top speed of 121mph. It comfortably outperformed all its contemporary rivals despite the lack of fuel injection, and memorably trumped the VW Golf GTI 8v for outright thrills, according to one magazine cover…

Sadly, rust and neglect mean very few are left, but we found a red one in Bristol on 88,000 miles. You’ll need £16,999 to make it yours.

7. Renault 5 GT Turbo

Renault was among the first to latch onto the hot-hatch trend in the 1970s, but the 5 GT Turbo of the 1980s and ’90s is more readily known nowadays.

With a new body by Lamborghini Countach designer Marcello Gandini clothed in a tough, no nonsense bodykit, the only thing more brutal was the epic turbo lag.

Though the origins of its 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine dated back to the ’60s, strapping a Garrett T2 turbo to it meant zippy, up-to-the-minute performance – 113bhp in just 850kg means this will hit 60mph in a still swift 7.5 secs.

We found a white example on just under 27,000 miles in Hertfordshire for £38,900.

8. MG Metro

Some might raise an eyebrow at this car’s inclusion – after all, its 1.3-litre engine produced just 72bhp.

However, its light weight meant it used each and every horsepower to haul itself to 60mph in just over 10 secs and a 103mph top speed. Add in the Hydragas suspension, and it proved to be a nimble junior hot hatch that was highly popular.

A Turbo version knocked a second off the 60mph sprint and top speed went up to 112mph, but a propensity for lunching its gearbox and engine-harvesting for Mini projects means only a handful remain.

We found a silver example for sale in Peterborough – it had 24,000 miles on its odometer and was priced at £8995.

9. Suzuki Swift GTI

While we know this as the Swift, it was actually called the Cultus in other parts of the world.

However, thanks to its hollow camshafts, stronger engine block, freer-flowing intake manifold and ECU-controlled ignition timing, the 100bhp GTI model developed a cult all of its own.

Yet it wasn’t the most potent Swift – the Japanese market received a 113bhp version with four-wheel drive, and several of these have made the trip to the UK.

We found a white example on 100,000 miles for sale in Northumberland for £4500.

10. Vauxhall Nova GTE/GSI

The angular Nova was one of the UK’s most popular cars, and in SR form was one of the most desirable junior hot hatches.

However, the GTE and GSI models were the top of the tree. Powered by a fuel-injected 1.6-litre four-cylinder that produced around 100bhp following tuning by Irmscher, resulted in a 116mph top speed.

Its light weight and easy tune-ability made it a prime favourite among modifiers in the 1990s, and now very few remain.

We found an imported white Nova GSI for sale, with 83,000 miles on the clock. It was in High Wycombe and stickered at £7500.

11. Alfasud 1.5 Gold Cloverleaf

With its perfectly balanced chassis and raspy engine, the Sud is beloved by those who experienced its revelatory front-wheel-drive handling back in the day.

Hatchback versions first appeared in the late ’70s, and in later Ti form certainly look the part with a menacing look.

The 1.5-litre put out 105bhp in its highest tune and, if you can find a rare survivor, the driving experience still holds up.

As for the rust problem? Well if it’s survived this long, then it’s definitely been in good hands and will likely be better protected than most new cars.

We found a Gold Cloverleaf in Buckinghamshire on 112,000 miles for £19,950.

12. Daihatsu Charade GTI De Tomaso

The Daihatsu Charade’s hot-hatch endeavours are most associated with the third-generation’s GT-Ti, a 100bhp turbocharged three-cylinder firecracker that weighs as much as a gnat and is as spritely as a grasshopper.

The fourth-generation Charade was larger, but then so was the engine – a sohc 16v 1.6-litre four-cylinder that produced around 105bhp.

Japanese markets not only received a 124bhp version, but it was also named after Maserati/De Tomaso owner and former racing driver Alejandro de Tomaso, who’d worked with Daihatsu during the Innocenti era.

You also got a De Tomaso-developed bodykit, Recaro seats and a somewhat out-of-place Nardi steering wheel. We found a red De Tomaso car on 65,000 miles in Litchfield, for £8950.

13. Ford Escort RS Turbo S2

The original Escort RS Turbo was a fairly limited-production machine – nearly all of them were finished in Diamond White, and though around 5000 were built, they were always seen as somewhat rare.

The Series 2 RS Turbo was much more of a regular production model, though it was still suitably swift. Its 1.6-litre CVH engine produced 132bhp, and its Mahle pistons were bespoke to this and the related Fiesta RS Turbo.

Though it looked a little too similar to the XR3i of the same era, the RS Turbo will still draw admiring glances these days… We found a white Ford Escort RS Turbo S2 for sale, with 80,000 miles on the clock, with a £22,995 asking price.

14. Volkswagen Golf G60 Rallye

Although the Lancia Delta Integrale has become known as arguably Group A rallying’s most iconic car thanks to its dominating years of success, the first Group A rally champion was actually a VW Golf, in 1986.

Volkswagen sought to capitalise on that by introducing the Rallye in 1989. It certainly looked the part, with swollen box arches and square headlamps, while the engine was a supercharged version of the G60 1.8-litre 8v motor. It also had four-wheel drive, but this wasn’t quite enough to topple the Delta.

Nevertheless, the Rallye has become highly collectible, and with its distinctive look, it’s easy to see why. We found a red example on 70,000 miles in Huntingdon for £37,990.

15. Peugeot 306 Rallye

The 306 GTI-6 was a real game changer when it arrived in the mid-to-late ’90s – not only was its 167bhp comfortably more than the 150bhp norm in the corresponding hot-hatch class, but it also had a six-speed manual gearbox, something usually only the preserve of supercars several times the 306’s price.

The chassis was truly sweet in the fine Peugeot tradition, but there was more to come.

The Rallye edition put the car on a minor diet and added cool graphics, resulting in a desirable upgrade to the standard model.

And because that’s one of the finest hot hatches ever made, we went looking for one and found a red example in Yorkshire that had done 73,000 miles – it’s yours for £7950.

16. Fiat Punto GT

The Fiat group was on a bit of a roll in the 1990s, and the Punto GT was a serious contender in the early part of that decade.

While most new hot hatches were a little toned down in the wake of increasing insurance premiums, the Punto GT packed an almighty wallop compared to its contemporaries in the same price bracket.

Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine developed around 130bhp when its closest rivals were often 10-20bhp behind that; it could accelerate from 0-60mph in a smidge under 8 secs and carry on going all the way to 120mph.

We spotted a black Fiat Punto GT that’s done 46,000 miles for sale in Lancashire, wearing a £5250 price-tag.

17. Proton Satria GTI

Proton might not be the first name you’d think of when it comes to hot hatches, but this obscure machine has several things in its favour.

Firstly, its handling was honed by then Proton subsidiary Lotus, and then there are the bolt-on wheelarches, which look somewhat like a Porsche 993 GT2.

While not quite as rapid as Stuttgart’s homologation special, the Satria was still quick – its engine is the naturally aspirated 138bhp, 1.8-litre version of the Mitsubishi Lancer GSR’s four-cylinder unit – with 60mph a memory after 8.5 secs.

We found a silver Proton Satria GTI for sale in Essex that’s covered 98,000 miles, which will set you back £4250.

18. Ford Escort RS2000 

Internet legend will have you believe that all Mk5 Ford Escorts are terrible, other than the Cosworth.

Firstly, the Escort Cosworth was really a Sierra underneath, and the RS2000 really was something special.

Shocked by the poor reception to the Mk5 Escort, Ford upped the ante with the RS2000, blending a superbly honed chassis with its new 2.0-litre 16v Zetec petrol engine, which developed 150bhp.

While it did much to reinvigorate belief in fast Fords thanks to its direct steering and class victories in rallying, very few remain.

Even rarer are the rear-biased four-wheel-drive versions – we found a grey one of those for sale that’s done 120,000 miles, listed at £19,750.

19. Rover Metro GTa/GTI

Though the Metro had been left behind by the opposition, living far longer than originally envisioned, the car was still popular, especially sporting versions.

Early sporty Rover Metros used a 1.4-litre K-series 16v SPi engine that produced 95bhp, while later models used an MPi version that took power up to 103bhp.

The Hydragas suspension was tweaked to accept front-to-rear connection as its designer, Dr Alex Moulton, intended, so it handled well, too.

The K-series motor has become popular for tuning – it formed the basis of the MGF and Lotus Elise engines – which means there are several 130bhp Metros out there… quite something in a package weighing less than 900kg. We found a restored white example in Bicester on 51,000 miles, for £6500.

20. Citroën AX GT/GTi

Angular and all-aggro, the Citroën AX GT and GTi were featherweights even compared to their Peugeot Rallye brethren.

The AX weighed only 722kg in carb-fed GT form and the fuel-injected GTI just 795kg, which means that even with 84bhp, the GT still feels quick.

The GTi’s 100bhp takes that even further, providing not so much a drive as an experience, as the rev-happy engine is eager to please and the sharp steering a delight to use.

We found a black, 85,000-mile Citroën AX GTi for sale in Kent, stickered at £5000.

21. BMW 3 Series Compact

There aren’t many rear-wheel-drive hot hatches, and the 3 Series Compact perhaps hasn’t got the same following its saloons have.

That said, there’s much to enjoy here – the 318ti’s M42B18 four-cylinder engine pushes out 138bhp, which is good for a sub-10-sec 0-60mph time and a 120mph top whack.

However, if you wanted something special, the 323ti had a 168bhp 2.5-litre straight-six that was good for 60mph in a smidge under 7 secs and a thumping 143mph. If only they’d turned the single M3-powered prototype into a production reality…

We found a silver 318ti for sale in Kingston upon Thames, on 98,000 miles, for £1290.

22. Nissan Sunny/Pulsar GTI-R

Nissan’s take on a Group A rallying contender wasn’t as successful as the manufacturer hoped, but the road car was certainly memorable for its enormous bonnet appendage.

That was needed to help cool its turbocharged 2.0-litre SR20DET engine, which was good for 227bhp and 210lb ft of torque.

It transmitted this power to the road via a four-wheel-drive system similar to that seen in the contemporary Skyline GT-R, which meant it could accelerate to 60mph in around 5.5 secs and crack on to a 144mph top whack.

We found an imported, 56,000-mile Pulsar model for sale for £13,995 – it is finished in black and it is in the West Midlands.

23. Peugeot 106 GTI

The 106 GTI had some tiny but mighty shoes to fill – how do you follow the much-lauded and much-loved 205 GTI?

Well, the Peugeot 106 GTI didn’t quite reach the same levels of devotion as its illustrious forebear, but it is still an engaging package. Its 16v, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine punches out 116bhp, which is enough to whisk this 925kg package to 60mph in around 8.5 secs and on to a breezy 127mph. This engine would also be seen in Series 2 versions of the lightweight 106 Rallye.

We found a black Peugeot 106 GTI that’s done 45k miles for sale in Leytonstone, east London, wearing a £9950 price-tag.

24. Audi S3

Alongside the VW Golf VR6 (more on that later), the first-generation S3 could be seen as a pioneer in more luxury, more grown-up hot hatches.

It shared its 20v 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the Golf MkIV GTI, but the power was turned up to 207bhp.

At the time this was pushing the limits of what a front-wheel-drive chassis could handle, so Audi fitted a Haldex four-wheel-drive system.

It was a strong performer – 0-60mph takes just 6.8 secs and all out you’ll be doing 148mph. We found a silver example on 88,000 miles in Yorkshire for £7995.

25. Honda Civic Type R EK9

We didn’t receive this generation of Honda Civic Type R in the UK, but such is this miniature masterpiece’s legend that several have made it to British shores as private imports.

Its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine revs to 8000rpm, delivers around 180bhp, and transmits it all to the front wheels via a helical limited-slip differential.

With a seam-welded bodyshell and a track-honed suspension set-up, this is an uncompromising hot hatch that pipes pure adrenalin into your system whenever the VTEC variable valve timing system kicks in at a heady 6000rpm

We found a white Honda Civic Type R EK9 for sale in Bedfordshire, with 62,000 miles on the clock, listed at £22,000.

26. Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf

This quirky hot hatch was styled by Chris Bangle and wasn’t supposed to be an Alfa at all – it was originally meant to be a Lancia.

Early sporty versions used Alfa’s famed Boxer engine that originally appeared in the Sud. Though that engine was entertainingly raspy, this hatch only really became hot when the range was facelifted and it received a 150bhp 2.0-litre Twin Spark motor.

Its styling isn’t for everyone, but its high-revving powerplant and quick steering make this an immersive, engaging experience.

Very few UK cars are left, so some people are importing mint examples from Japan, such as the blue, 40,000-mile one we found in Lancashire, priced at £7995.

27. Volkswagen Golf VR6

Could this be the first of the hyper hatches? Most hot hatches had followed a familiar path – front-wheel drive, four cylinders, fairly spartan and designed for B-road blasts.

The VR6 was very much aimed at an older audience, but one that still wanted maximum schnell in their hatchback.

The narrow-angle six-cylinder engine produces between 174 and 187bhp, depending on the year, which is good for a 0-60mph sprint of between 7.5 and 6.7 secs, and a top speed between 149 and 155mph.

We found a black Golf VR6 174bhp example in Derbyshire for £3990, with 120,000 miles on the clock.

28. Renault Clio Williams

Despite the Williams name, this has very little to do with the Formula One team other than some contemporary branding and merchandising.

However, there was a major motorsport link. Renault needed to homologate its rally car, and this RenaultSport-built machine was just the thing.

Its swollen arches, blue paint and golden Speedline alloy wheels do the job aesthetically, but the engine is a firecracker. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor pushes out 145bhp, which is a lot in a car so light and small.

Add in sublime chassis balance, and you can see why this originally limited-run model spawned two further production runs. We found a 79,000-mile example in Surrey, with a £23,495 price-tag.

29. Rover 200 BRM

Linking a contemporary, youth-oriented hot hatch with a largely long-forgotten F1 team was an odd choice, and the red nose is an acquired taste, but the 200 BRM deserves to be taken seriously for its mechanical package.

Its 1.8-litre VVC K-series engine produces around 145bhp, which is kept in check with a limited-slip front differential and a close-ratio gearbox.

Lower and stiffer suspension tightened up the handling, while quilted leather in the cabin added a hefty dose of luxury. We found one for sale in Lancashire on 69,000 miles, for £5995.

30. Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth

Is this perhaps the ultimate hatchback?

The Ford Sierra Cosworth was built to dominate Touring Cars, and the RS500 was built to homologate the ultimate racing versions.

Many of the changes weren’t seen on the road cars, which derived 224bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot, but for racing it meant the likes of Andy Rouse and Steve Soper had around 550bhp to play with.

Just 500 RS500s were built, and they’re among the hottest-property hot hatchbacks on the planet. We found a black one for sale in Nottinghamshire that’s done just under 36,000 miles. Its price? £99,996.