'I am a used car expert - this £3,500 hot hatchback is definitely worth your money'

In the video, Jonny recommended the Renault Clio 182 RS to thrill-seeking used car buyers (Image: Getty)

Motorists looking for a sporty yet practical hatchback for a reasonable price are being consider one model that can be bought from around £3,500.

Jonny Brighton runs the YouTube channel Cars With JB and regularly posts videos in which he takes a look at a variety of sporty or premium models available on the used market.

In a recent video, Jonny states that drivers looking for an affordable hot hatchback should try a Renault Clio 182 RS, stating many get used for track racing.

He explained: "The 182 Renault Clio RS is a properly cool car with great track potential. If you like doing track days, you'll have no doubt seen a few of these razzing around because you only need to do a few small and cheap modifications to get them going well.

"Tyres, brakes, and maybe a replacement driver's seat and you've got a great starter track car. They come with a 2.0-litre engine that makes 180bhp, taking it to 60mph in 6.9 seconds, made possible by their light weight and smaller proportions."

Whilst Clios are usually economical hatchbacks, the 182 RS can get from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds (Image: Getty)

Based on the second-generation model, the Renault Clio 182 RS was only sold for a brief period, with production running from 2004 until 2006.

However, in that time, the little Clio was widely praised for their good looks, agile handling, and an impressive amount of power for such a small car, helped by Renault fitting the 2.0-litre engine from the much larger Laguna and Espace.

With the earliest examples turning 20 years old, Renault Clio 182 RSs are now available at competitive prices, with drivers needing around £3,500 for a typical example and a £5,000 budget getting a low-mileage model.

Drivers with a slightly bigger budget can also choose the Renault Clio V6, with a 153mph top speed (Image: Getty)

Whilst prices are currently low, Jonny highlighted that prices have the potential to rise in coming years as examples become rarer and more sought after.

He added: "Again, like the [Ford Fiesta] ST, I think these have the potential for classic status in the future, though of course only the best examples."

This is already the case for the original-generation Renault Clio Williams, with clean and low-mileage examples fetching up to £40,000 on the classic car market.

Nevertheless, later in the video, Jonny reminded viewers interested in a sporty Renault to listen out for any rattles or unusual symptoms with the gearbox, both of which are known faults with older Clios.

He advised: "The inlet camshaft timing variator is known to rattle, gearbox sychros between second and third can wear prematurely and there's a known power steering leak to."

Used car buyers should also try to avoid any examples that have previously been used for track racing, with the mechanicals likely to be in worse order than a road-going version.