1 week Ago By Jack Mortimer
A used car expert has taken to YouTube to recommend a lesser-known hot hatchback that is available from £2,000 on the used market - claiming it is more enjoyable to drive than a new Audi RS3 . Jonny Brighton runs the YouTube channel Cars With JB and regularly posts videos in which he gives used car buyers tips to find the perfect second-hand luxury or performance model for them. In his latest video , Jonny discusses a number of cheap hot hatchbacks that few drivers are aware of, focusing on the Suzuki Ignis Sport, a Japanese hatchback that focuses on lightness and agility over power.
He explained: "Small, nimble, and built to provide maximum fun on a twisty road. That is the original formula of the hot hatchback. Today, with the [Mercedes-Benz] A45 AMG, [Audi] RS3, [Volkswagen] Golf R, and the likes, that formula has seemingly been scrapped.
Whilst those cars are performers in their own rights, they don't give you that pure hot hatch experience. "That's where the little Suzuki Ignis Sport comes in as the least powerful, slightly older, and cheapest car on this list, but arguably the most fun." Built from 2000 to 2008, the original Suzuki Ignis was largely sold as an economical yet practical supermini that offered a surprising amount of interior room for its size.
However, with the model used in the 2002 World Rally Championship Season, Suzuki launched a special performance version the following year, featuring a specially tuned version of the standard 1.5 engine, an eye-catching body kit, and firmer suspension for improved handling. Since the Suzuki Ignis Sport was never a popular choice compared to the Ford Fiesta ST and Vauxhall Corsa SRi, only a handful remain on the roads.
However, used car buyers are able to get an Ignis Sport from around £2,000, with a £3,000 budget enough for a clean example. Jonny noted that other hot hatchbacks for the money have quicker acceleration, however the Suzuki Ignis Sport is much lighter, making it particularly fun to drive. He added: "It comes with a 1.
5-litre four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing (VVT), which makes 107bhp, and can get to 60mph in 8.9 seconds. It's not quick at all, but owners and reviewers largely agree that this doesn't take away from the fun you'll have in one of these.
"It weighs just 945kg, so it's lighter than the Fiat Panda 100hp or Toyota Yaris T-Sport, and there are fewer than 500 of them left in the UK, so they're much rarer as well." Whilst the YouTuber praised the model for being particularly reliable, Jonny urged drivers interested in a used Ignis to check all of the suspension components for damage. He advised: "The main problems that you'll find with these will be age-related, rather than specific common problems.
Owners talk about them being pretty reliable, particularly given they're not the most powerful or performant cars out there. "They are cheap and cheerful on the interior and suspension could need a few replacement parts if they haven't been looked at in a while.".
