10 CHEAP Hot Hatchbacks with INSANE PERFORMANCE! (Under £5,000)

Win a car plus £50,000 cash here. Enter before midnight this Sunday! 👉 bit.ly/Win-with-BOTB
Massive thanks again to BOTB for sponsoring this video!
If you fancy winning one of the cars mentioned in this video, see links below!
Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution II - bit.ly/Win-A-Lancia-Delta
Ford Escort Cosworth - bit.ly/Win-A-Ford-Cosworth
Audi R8 V10 - bit.ly/win-Audi-R8-V10
Cheap hot hatchbacks for under £5k? 0-60 in some pretty insane times? Second cars that even some lucky young drivers could get driving in? All 10 cars have solid performance and look the part - hopefully this video will inspire you to check out some for yourself.
I hope you enjoy the video!
Bruddas (Patrons):
- Will D.
- Davidos
- Will A.
- Ethan W.
- TheGeordieTiger
- Callum W.
- Gabriele S.
- Johannes I.
- Jag H.
- Dhruv A.
Chapters
Introduction: 00:00
BOTB: 00:56
Ford Focus ST: 02:06
Honda Civic Type R: 03:33
Audi S3: 04:45
Renault Megane RS: 05:59
Subaru Impreza WRX: 07:05
SEAT Leon Cupra: 08:26
Vauxhall Astra VXR: 09:39
VW Golf R32: 10:56
Mazda3 MPS: 12:07
BMW 130i: 13:12
Close: 14:37
Links:
Instagram - / carswithjb
Patreon - / carswithjb
Twitter - / carswithjb
Discord - / discord
Music:
Background: My (musically gifted) sister
Outro: Ship Wrek & Zookeepers - Ark [NCS Release]
Attributions/Creative Commons Content:
Ford Focus ST
• Ford Focus ST225
• 2010/60 Ford Focus ST-...
• 2008 Ford Focus ST-3 o...
• FORD FOCUS ST-3 FOR SALE
• 2010 Ford Focus ST-3 o...
Honda Civic Type-R
• 2010 Honda Civic Type-...
Audi S3
• Audi S3 8L Nogaro Blue
• Audi S3 For Sale
• THE S3 PROJECT "IT'S S...
• AUDI S3 WASH N LAUNCH
Renault Megane RS
• Review - Renault Megan...
• 2006 Renault Megane Sp...
• 2005 (54 PLATE) RENAUL...
• 2008 Renault Megane Re...
Subaru Impreza WRX
• Video
• Video
• 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WR...
• 2013 Subaru WRX Hatchb...
SEAT Leon Cupra
• 2011 Seat Leon Cupra 2...
• SEAT LEON CUPRA K1 - S...
• SEAT LEON CUPRA MK2 & ...
• Seat Leon CUPRA APR
Vauxhall Astra VXR
• *BRUTAL* ASTRA VXR!! -...
• 2008/08 Vauxhall Astra...
• 2009/09 Vauxhall Astra...
• 2008 Vauxhall Astra VX...
VW Golf R32
• 2007 Volkswagen Golf R...
• 2007 VW Golf R32 Wrapp...
• 2008 Volkswagen R32 FO...
• LOST WITH THIS MK5 R32...
Mazda3 MPS
• Mazda Axela aka Mazdas... • 2008 Mazda Mazda3 Mazd... • 2008 Mazda Mazda3 Mazd... • 2006 Mazda 3 BK1032 MP...
BMW 130i
• BMW 1 Series 2.0ltr M-...
• Closer Look - BMW 130I...
• 2008 BMW 130i Auto for...
• BMW 130I (2009) - EDIT

[@CarsWithJB]

Win a car plus £50,000 cash. Enter before midnight Sunday, and BOTB could be knocking on your door next week! 👉 bit.ly/Win-with-BOTB

[@jhondiick4202]

lmfao. sure u can win that .. lol

[@meetleon9793]

You’re probably the only person that points out the problems rather than just the good points, thanks man much appreciated!!

[@tangeni_mos]

True and that's what makes JB so dope

[@nuggetmannen6774]

Yes

[@zyonikk0000]

yeh mate lemme just get insured on my 3.2 litre r32

[@meetleon9793]

@@zyonikk0000 nice! I’ve got one, fully stock they hold value

[@aleksamalisic5047]

The most underrated Hatchback and one of the Prettiest FIAT PUNTO ABARTH SUPERSPORT 180 HP 1.4L TURBO (insane Performance and great sounding 4 Cyl)

[@jonesy1589]

Good luck getting these cars under 5k, decent one's anyway

[@Subricaro]

Yeah decent Cupra 6-7K at least

[@drzoidbergmd3200]

Got an fn2 as I needed room to carry my drum kit around, the boot is huge and the seats fold flat into the floor, so it's like a van. Although on first impressions it has a hard ride and feels a bit docile. Once you are on it and giving it some beans it is very rewarding to drive, incredible grip, accurate steering and vtech is so addictive, the induction sound is so good even in standard form. I love it.

[@wowerman]

Nice list. I would say add another £500-£800 to insuer any of those and possibly high cost of repairs as most of those hot hatchbacks after 10 years of use need a lot of parts to be replaced.Another 3-5k to add up depending on mileage. They are cheap to buy only.

[@neilyates3255]

Just picked up a remapped E90 330d for £3.5k. Probably quicker than most of these cars and I know it's not a hot hatch... But fast cheap cars are definitely available.

[@CaptJofaz]

Diesel though lol. 0-60 is 6.5 seconds so only 1 car in the list is slower as well. Solid long distance motorway cruiser but not a fun exciting car by any stretch of the imagination. Not shitting on it, just pointing out if fills a different niche from the cars in this video

[@briantyson3452]

Not a hot hatch is it

[@edward1591]

Well-made video, thanks. Agree about the Megane - I've noticed prices rising now for the RS. If I had room I'd buy one!

[@risforracing]

Nobody: JB: The big bottomed rs 😂😆

[@ChrisFR550]

It's all about the 1er & Meg RS 👌

[@chucks_garage987]

Love this era of hot hatches!

[@stainuponmypreme2001]

congrats on the sponsor bro, good to see the channel getting some more recognition!

[@macattackk]

Just bought myself a Seat Leon FR (one performance step down from the Cupra, with 208bhp) from 2011 with just 48k miles on it for £5K. Super happy with it, it’s a great car and I think I got a great deal on it

[@robertolago61]

I have one of them Focus ST Mk2 and they sick, thats a very big engine for a Hot hatch and it even has a turbo, they dope bro

[@adamutddd]

I love the 130i. Such a beast

[@CarsWithJB]

Same man, such a nice car

[@DennisDekker2288]

Didn't realize Tiger Woods made car videos

[@hussainfazleali4122]

Good luck getting almost any of these under 5k

[@wittmanist]

I had the st focus. Hours of fun to drive, but plagued with finishing issues. The engine was fine, but within a year all the door seals were hanging off, and the covering had come off the steering wheel and gearstick. Also the roof liner came off. Its still a common sight to see the last model st cruising round with the rubber seals sticking out of the bottom of the doors. I've spoken to a Ford guy recently and apparently they acknowledge the last iteration of the focus all had these issues and they've now fixed them. Great fun car, but be prepared for these irritating faults. Not an expensive fix but annoying anyway

[@skifter0013]

Yessssss man you are one of my favorite KZbinrs

[@CarsWithJB]

Cheers broski 🤙🏽

[@bobo-pajiggle4165]

I own a 06 Astra h VXR with 160,000 miles on the clock and still going strong with 275bhp (soon to be going up to 450bhp). If anyone is interested in a VXR but worried about reliability issues, there is plenty of support form companies like Courtenay Sport. After 5 years of ownership, it still puts a smile on my face.

[@CarsWithJB]

That’s great to hear - glad you’ve had such a positive experience with yours!

[@joseff510]

I hope to see the dacia sandero in this video 😍

[@CarsWithJB]

Haha sub-2K maybe 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ethan.thomas20]

You're class JB. Big up! Another sick vid. Can't wait to see sub 2k ;) hope you and your family are good

[@CarsWithJB]

Cheers as always Ethan! Mate honestly, £2K will be a challenge

[@keironj199]

the guy washing the s3 with the brush 😭😭

[@MrRawUK]

Second video I've watched from you today and yet again it's a 1 series :)

[@theghost1920]

I love these videos! Me and my Coworker talk about your videos and what cars are best on your list 😂

[@dios.9586]

I can’t believe the Volkswagen Scirocco didn’t make this video. It should be top 3 easily.

[@Focusonbehind]

Thats a golf, flattened

[@dios.9586]

@@Focusonbehind Lmao, kinda true

[@kabuterrimondw5919]

The Subaru Impreza tho 😍 hasn’t aged to me, such a big fan of the hatch

[@pieterschut7438]

You either love it, or you hate it. Some people might call it the worst looking Impreza, but to me it’s one of the best looking.

[@selovayzh3853]

sick video bro! Exactly what I needed :)

[@103noddy]

Thanks for the video. Always enjoy watching them. Any chance of doing a performance diesel for under 5K. I've got a E87 123d and absolutely love it . Cheers

[@mikey_bb]

I always liked my 123d coupe to be fair - good looking car & mine was around the 290/300bhp mark

[@103noddy]

@@mikey_bb mine was 5drbm sport hatchback. The twin scroll turbo was great it just pulled and pulled up to the red line

[@epicster64]

Great video, would have added 1 car myself, the Alfa Gulietta Cloverleaf, just dipped under the 5K mark for high mileage ones but 235 bhp from a 1.75l engine, 0-60 is 6.3 I think, own one myself, and can say it does not disappoint. Also because of the smaller engine and that they are not that common especially with boy racers, I am 20 and have had my renewal quote at just 1K, which is really cheap for insurance

[@thijs5931]

Giulietta QV is an absolute gem

[@xDAAAZEx]

Brilliant video mate, just what I needed, having to sell my M140 for a deposit on a house and have been looking through your video for ideas, very useful to me

[@CarsWithJB]

Sad to see it go but well worth it for a house!

[@swansmeister]

very well made vid explain,ing also the good and the bad and I totaly agree with your list. The 130i and megane would be the best option imo but the 130i is not that cheap to run and not cheap in taxes also, at least in my country.

[@glazewall]

Subscribed, great content and knowledge……keep it up 👍

[@HufflepuffDaddy]

Would the Volvo C30 Polestar or R-design considered a "hot hatch"? Always liked the looks of it

[@davidr3555]

Yes. Actually it was made on the same wheelbase than te Focus ST (which also had the same 5 cylinder engine from Volvo) and the Mazda MP3. Jeremy Clarkson said that the Volvo C30 was probably the best- looking hatchback ever made.

[@chucks_garage987]

Yes definitely. I've owned both the PFL T5 and FL T5 Polestar in R Design trim. Beautiful cars and very underrated. It's sort of like a grown up and more comfortable Focus ST.

[@alexanderbaragwanath3067]

The MK2 Octavia VRS would be a good shout for the under £2k cars. I've had mine since 2017 and it's amazing.

[@risforracing]

Amazing video, as always! I am very curious what you will manage to find under 2k! Maybe a mk1 suzuki swift sport or the twingo rs.

[@onelyone6976]

A quick search of Tvingo RS’s found me one example under 2k, rest are 4+k

[@davey6259]

@@onelyone6976 Twingo GT TCE maybe? :P

[@risforracing]

@@onelyone6976 What other hot hatches would be for 2k or even a bit more?

[@risforracing]

@@davey6259 Yes, that's a good one

[@onelyone6976]

@@risforracing not entirely sure about UK-pricing and I know a little better the french hot-hatches, so of them maybe a Citroën Saxo VTS/VTR or whatever they’re called, same with the C2 VTS and VTR (although the latter has only 75hp) probably also some high mileage beat up Clio RS 172’s. And if one would go quite far back there’s stuff like the Citroën BX GTi, although not sure if they are that cheap anymore. And as for german probably some mk3 or mk4 Golf GTi’s or some beat up Audi a3 1.8t

[@andysidorczuk4907]

Great content, all the important details thanks

[@CarsWithJB]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bozzy765]

JB should get sponsored by autotrader

[@CarsWithJB]

If only!

[@jcue]

I like your videos mate. keep up he great work!

[@sxmori]

Anyone else think the S3 MK1 looks so simple yet pretty

[@runner1984]

As a journalist working overseas, I was one of the few lucky ones to board the maglev between Tokyo and Nagoya. It's quiet and stable, and when I closed my eyes, I really could forget that I was moving at 500km per hour.

[@kabuterrimondw5919]

Where I live EVERY Astra vxr will have a cannon fart exhaust at the back

[@todorterziev9872]

As an owner of a mazda 3 MPS i can say that this car is insanely fast and its quite rare in my country . It is very reliable car and very fun to drive .

[@jc_gmcr]

i was hoping t see the Audi S3 on ere coz av got a A3 Quattro 1.8T runnin around 260bhp. beast of a wip

[@rahatchowdhury9618]

Sick videos man luv these 👍🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@davidashley4386]

JB you’re like a human auto trader, great video

[@dnaiz9129]

Havent seen the video yet, but the Smart forfour Brabus is a BEAST!!

[@maxparsons4513]

Good video idea would be to do the north coast 500 with some mates!

[@edsmalo8391]

Preach

[@CarsWithJB]

It was the lack of grouse shooting that ended it for me

[@ssc5828]

Congrats on the 100k u G

[@gipsyboy49]

i had them all in your list. and the r32 is the fastest car in this list and definitely the best sound!

[@kennethadams1398]

130i are awesome, 3 door especially. Will be very collectable in the future I think. Great to drive. Thanks for the video 👍🏼

[@CaptJofaz]

Indeed. Name another 3 litre RWD NA hatchback, I can't think of one

[@kian1767]

Sadly I’m 18 and can’t get insured on one 🥲

[@bokkejal]

Thanks bro! I'm from south africa, busy looking for a new car. Stuck between the 2016 golf gti, Ford focus st and bmw M130i.... Any advice? All of them are 2016 and newer.

[@lewisgoddard9585]

Ill just say.. on the leon cupra front.. it’s basically a gti ed 30, k04 turbo as opposed to k03 on the normal gti, the 2.0 tfsi FR version is the exact same as the normal golf gti, both manual and dsg, this only in manual

[@siper6492]

does the 130i have always sporty bucket seats or not im looking for a hatch with sporty seats but the pictures dont tell it really well?

[@ripbyme1]

I have a 120d from 2009 And it's pretty cool for a diesel car..

[@computerbob06]

No Mk5 GTi? But great to see a KZbinr making a video for us buyers at the bottom! Nice one!

[@Bel-ml8ym]

Really struggling with a. Car to buy, 5k budget I want something sporty and most likely bmw 1 series but not sure which is the safest and most affordable one? Also thinking about saving another 5k for the a class ?? Any thoughts thanks..

[@andreid492]

I want a scirocco, but what year and what moto should i search

[@need4swede_motorsza]

Volvo C30 T5 R 2.5 litre 5 cylinder Turbocharged I've gotten a 5.8 seconds to 100km/h with really fast shifting

[@Redzz]

Can you do this same video but with cars under insurance group 30?

[@CarsWithJB]

I’ll probably do this video again with cars that are cheap to insure at least!

[@Redzz]

@@CarsWithJB yeah that will be great thankyou!

[@brianiswrong]

That shape civic is my favourite If they had done a 5 door type R is the metallic orange,I would have sold my soul for one.

[@andreiburaga931]

video idea: Top modified cars with cheap insurance ( mods like air intake, exhaust, etc..)

[@willwootton3378]

Great video, I’m looking at replacing my C63 W204 as have been offered a great price for it and have just moved out and want to do some upgrades on the place do you have any suggestions something that could compete speed/enjoyment

[@willwootton3378]

The budget would be between 10-15k with some flexibility

[@believe1002]

More videos on a everyday cars bro I really enjoyed this 👍 u got a sub🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@zenzombie72]

I reckon you can still get a (shabby) G reg Integrale 8v for under 5k. If you don't carry any cares about doing any major repairs it'd be the best afternoon's drive of your life.

[@mikekelly321]

Did you consider the Peugeot 306 gti6? That probably belongs on this list.

[@sipafia1588]

Keep up the good work

[@Riki-io4yd]

How about ten performance cars older folks can get in & out of? Geezer performance - because we like to have fun, too!

[@nickcowen4565]

Wb that Mercedes c class coupe c350 kinda fast and came with a hatch also same with the 3 series compact

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Love your your work it’s different to what others do keep them coming bro 👊🏽👍🏾👏🏾

[@CarsWithJB]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@TheKingdomofArt1]

1K like target smashed in 18h , as someone in the market for a sub £2K car I am very much looking forward to that video :)

[@p1nky02]

Golf MK2 with engine swap is also a good option. You are getting classic hot hotch with insane performance

[@TheAngrychipmunk96]

13:20 , what kind of Reg plate is on the black 130i? I saw one yesterday in my town in Ireland and hadn't seen a UK plate like it before!

[@shreksmemelab]

its an australian lincence plate i think

[@richardedwards7780]

Hi JB, great videos. Are you in Bath? I saw a driving video in the city in one of your videos.

[@CarsWithJB]

Appreciate it! I went to the Uni of Bath & started my channel there, but I’m now back to NW London. I do miss Bath - I come back to visit once or twice a year

[@richardedwards7780]

@@CarsWithJB It's a great city. It was the last place we lived before coming here to Italy 19 years ago. My mum is still just outside so we get to visit. So envious of these UK car prices... cars are expensive here but then they don't rust.

[@Marcopolo-nu9me]

In LHD coutrys, most of this cars cost 2x more. Especially with the civic type r. The UK market is specific, with high insurence cost and car export insufficiency.

[@ginj4ninj4180]

Hey man, used to have a RS Clio 200, and just got a BMW 125i E82 M Sport in February, which I'm sure you know is just a 130i detuned to 215bhp. Cars so much fun, great first RWD car for me, very usable linear power and just a remap away from the 130i's performance! Glad you agree the E82's look better, was the main factor I got it, best looking 1 series, and looks better than a non M E92 as well IMO, which was the other car I was deciding between

[@CarsWithJB]

Definitely done well there - I really like the shape of the E82 - and agree re non-M E92 comparison - ideally I’d like an E93 M3 🤙🏽

[@sajakhtar852]

Is it a turbo? If not then a simple remap won't get u much extra power. you'll need the 3 stage manifold and software update.

[@ginj4ninj4180]

@@sajakhtar852 you should look up the 125i E82 maybe. The 125i and 130i are the same exact engine, but they only sold the 130i at 260+bhp in the hatches and they only sold the 125i with 214bhp in the coupes/verts. That's why there's such crazy gains for it, since they're the same car but for marketing BS needed to have separate amounts of power

[@sajakhtar852]

@@ginj4ninj4180 so you do h

[@sajakhtar852]

@@ginj4ninj4180 have the 3 stage manifold?

[@jadencorner4476]

ayy the megane getting some love

[@KillaKem2]

The E87 BMW 1 series isn't the best looking car out there but it (and the F20 1 series) will be a future classic. You can't get a RWD hatchback these days.

[@starcrash1750]

Could you do Cheap Hot Supermini' s? 😄

[@tolerbearALTII]

Can you do a USA version? Thanks!

[@dlawrence3187]

The biggest challenge is to try and source one of these that hasn’t been thrashed.

[@A-Simple-Carguy]

more: 1. Peugeot 106/206/306 2. Clio 2 3. Golf MK4

[@MultiRedhammer]

?

[@vedishgurung1706]

Can you do cars from 10k from the year 2016 and must have 5 seats

[@abdul-otf]

Finally waiting on the 2k video after 4 months😅

[@tonygoshive785]

The common problem on the asta Vxrs are cracked manifold, gear box and clutch

[@Hondafn]

Would you say the most reliable is the Honda Fn2 the engine???

[@tommydargydarg1775]

Is it not w bit weird that the audio in your intro is from a dual clutch auto but the graphic shows your logo going through a manual H gate

[@skidadle3071]

What’s the s3 w the blue interior??”??

[@Jk-oz5qn]

Ive just brought a 8th gen honda civic 1.8 ivtech and for a economy car it is a beast

[@CarsWithJB]

Congrats on the purchase!

[@Jk-oz5qn]

@@CarsWithJB thanks!

[@ianbowsher8532]

You speak about the audi s3 you should spoke about the audi a3 3.2 quattro that runs the vw golf r32 engine. You pick these up cheap

[@starzx6475]

how much would a facelift st cost?

[@drewmckelvie3216]

Nothing for a mini r53 cooper s, 170 bhp to 240 bhp supercharged, but given its weight would easily beat your recommended options,

[@ElzChunky]

Can we get an up to date version of first cars under £1500.

[@CarsWithJB]

More first car vids to come soon 🤙🏽

[@TheTruth-uy4kp]

Mk4 vw golf 2.8 vr6 4 motion, cheap and massively underrated, prices will shoot up in years to come, easy to boost and modify for big bhp and has the sleeper looks.

[@staszupancic3477]

Man I wish i lived where you live here in Slovenia average price of cars like this is minimum 6.000-8.000€ with 150.000-200.00 on the clock😭

[@kjp-sy8uf]

According to superchips, a remap alone can take a mk2 ST to 270bhp :)

[@SLR-722]

Mini Cooper S R56. Best handling. Cornering as gokart.

[@lavaman137]

Love your videos, however the seat Leon Cupra is not the same as a mk5 GTI, it’s more similar to an S3, it has a k04 turbo, s3 brakes and stronger internals, only difference is it is FWD, the mk5 GTI is similar to the Leon FR 2.0tfsi petrol version, not the Cupra, it’s an entirely different animal

[@firmackbendera9920]

Cupra is running on non GTI engine but on Golf R ones. Also GTI has k03 turbo when Cupra has k04, same as Golf R. Talking you as Cupra owner ;)

[@SouthRevolution]

corsa d vxr? so much car for your money, probs get a decent (ish) one for 5k or just under as well, although the better ones with low miles on usually go for 7-10k. they will be a future classic for sure, not many on the road either. nice to see the astra vxr on there as well, top quality car, if you can get one for under 5k that is, not many decent ones around atm.