HALF-PRICE ALTERNATIVES
RENAULT MEGANE RS 275 CUP-S £17,000
A good alternative to the new Civic Type R would be the old Type R, because broadly there’s so little to split them. But that’s a bit obvious. Why not try a pin-sharp French take on the recipe with the last-gen RS Mégane, in juicy 275 Cup-s trim (so you get the no-nonsense Cup chassis and mechanical LSD)? Serious pedigree – if you can find one…
Subordinate to the i30 N on paper but certainly not on B-roads. Lighter and with a smaller footprint, the i20 N makes outstanding use of its 201bhp with the help of a proper LSD. There’s a lot of configurability here but, at heart, the N-badged i20 is a simple point-to-point terrier that has composure and precision beyond its humble station. See also: Ford Fiesta ST.
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R (MK7) £19,500
The 296bhp Mk7 Golf R remains the high-water mark for the lineage, mostly because it blends poise with pliancy to near-perfection, even if it isn’t quite as capable of all-out dynamic flamboyance as the latest model, with its dual-clutch-pack rear axle. We’d go for one of these truly sorted all-rounders with a manual ’box, just three doors and 18in wheels.
FORD FOCUS RS (MK3) £25,000
Now costing less than half the price of the RS3, the final instalment of Ford’s RS Focus trilogy exhibits much the same half-crazed-but-passablydocile personality disorder. Both cars have oversized engines and back axles designed for serious on-throttle adjustability, although the Ford is edgier and less filtered. It’s a wilder ride and a cast-iron future classic.