Spring is well and truly upon us. The clocks have gone forward, the days are longer and – for the most part – there’s a little more sunshine to enjoy. And now that the worst of the weather is behind us, it’s time to make the most of the open road again.
But what to do it in? Well, we’ve put together some of the best cars to exploit it in — all for under £5,000. Take your pick…
Audi A4 Convertible
The Audi A4 Convertible may not be the most exciting of cars, but it ticks all of the boxes for a springtime special. There’s plenty of space for four people to enjoy the journey, and it won’t be expensive to run, either. Plus, because it’s a convertible, you’re free to enjoy the very best of the weather. And, if it turns particularly British, the folding roof does a good job of insulating the cabin from the outside.
Renaultsport Clio
As the roads get clearer, conditions dry out and the sun begins to shine there’s one thing on the minds of most motoring enthusiasts — finding some good roads and going for a proper drive. What better car to do that in than possibly the definitive hot hatch of the last decade? Renaultsport is adored for its incredibly engaging cars, and the Clio is no exception in any form — and better yet, there are loads and they’re cheap.
Mazda MX-5
One of the most famous roadsters of all time, there’s good reason why the Mazda MX-5 is so popular with enthusiasts; it’s a lot of fun, plus cheap to repair and cheap to run too. What’s more, you’ll get a tidy example for our £5,000 budget.
Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 follows in a similar vein to the MX-5; it’s lightweight, cheap to run and inexpensive to buy. It doesn’t offer the same practicality levels as the little Mazda, but it’ll still put a huge grin on whoever is behind the wheel. Plus, well-known Toyota build quality means you shouldn’t have too many reliability issues with an MR2 either.
Mini Cooper S
If you’re looking for fun in the springtime sun, then it’s hard to ignore the Mini Cooper S. We’re talking about the R53 Mini here; it was the first ‘new’ performance car from the brand, and proved an immediate hit thanks to sharp handling and near never-ending grip levels. Plus, it’s relatively practical too — and is still quick by new car standards.
Fiat Panda 100HP
As far as giant-killers go, the Fiat Panda 100HP is right up there. Don’t let its dinky dimensions fool you, the 100HP is an engaging, feisty and hard-cornering little sports hatch, and will provide more fun than cars costing three times the price. They also offer excellent value on the used market, and won’t cost the earth to run, either.
VW Golf R32
Back before the arrival of the now-famous Golf R, if you wanted a little more performance from your Volkswagen hatchback — over the standard GTI, that is — there was the R32. The first-generation, based on the MK4 Golf, may not have been the most accurate of cars but it was fast – and ideal for blasting away the winter cobwebs.
Jeep Wrangler
Whereas some cars on this list offer speed, and others driver involvement, the Jeep Wrangler is just about fun — plain and simple. With the roof off and the doors detached, this is one car to fully make use of the drier weather in, and it’ll handle any terrain you can throw at it.