Winner Honda Civic Type R

Winner Honda Civic Type R

This is a new award for 2006, and the fight to be the first-ever winner was extremely fierce. When it comes to getting the biggest bang for your buck, there"s a huge choice on used car forecourts. But which represents the best combination of performance, value and everyday practicality? You could argue that any of our short-listed models deserves to be the winner, yet in the end our judges plumped for the Civic Type R.

The Honda was commended in the Sporting Car category last time around, but our fresh award is tailor-made for the punchy hatchback. In a world where horsepower figures are beginning to spiral out of control, the Type R genuinely possesses traditional hot hatch appeal. Yet that"s not to say its 197bhp 2.0-litre engine lacks muscle - the Honda is the most powerful car to make the final three.

The sprint from 0-60mph takes only 6.8 seconds. A crisp gearchange and talented chassis let you exploit its performance to the full, thanks to nimble handling and precise steering. Better still, fuel economy is reasonable - a fine 32mpg is possible with careful driving - and the unburstable engine is as reliable as it is frenetic. For second-hand buyers that"s vital, and while a previous owner may have "enjoyed" your brand new pride and joy to the full, Honda"s legendary build quality ensures you can do likewise. Judge Jeff Paterson is senior cars editor at Glass"s Guide. He said: "Reliability is a major factor in any purchase, and Honda build quality makes the Type R a great used choice." A massive interior also ensures the Civic doesn"t sacrifice practicality for its extra pace, so there"s a decent boot and loads of space in the back.

Running costs are not unreasonable, but make sure you get an insurance quote before you commit to buying, just to avoid any nasty shocks. The Type R sits in Group 17, so your premium won"t be cheap, and be wary of early motors that were not fitted with air-conditioning. It was originally an expen-sive чЈ1,300 option, meaning not all models will have it.

With so much power going through to the front wheels, make sure you examine the tyres on any prospective Type R, too. Also, a full service history on this kind of car is highly desirable. Watch out for 30th Anniversary Limited Edition models from 2002. These specials boast Recaro seats and air-con as standard, while a facelift in 2003 brought projector-style headlamps and minor styling tweaks.

Expert tip

A used Civic Type R is a snip. Its futuristic replacement uses the same 197bhp engine, so if you buy the outgoing version you"ll get to enjoy the same powerplant, but at a fraction of the price. Good residuals are a Type R trademark, and although a new model is on the way, don"t expect values to spiral.

Commended MINI Cooper S

Last year"s Sporting Car winner is still a great used buy. A year on and availability is better than before, residuals strong and running costs low. Forget about the cramped rear and small boot, and instead concentrate on the supercharged performance and nimble handling. A slick six-speed manual box and direct steering make the MINI a cracker.

Commended Renault Clio Renaultsport 182

Sparkling performance and terrific handling make the little Renault quicker than many more expensive machines. You can also forgive the flimsy interior, as the Clio represents great value for money. If you can"t stretch to a later Clio Renaultsport 182, go for the original 172 - it still makes a great used hot hatch and starts from only чЈ4,500.