Used Car Buying Guide: Cheap Hot Hatches

Highly underrated, the five-door-only Citroen BX 19 GTi has long been a well-kept secret amongst Francophiles, amateur motorsport participants and petrolheads on a budget. Relatively rust-proof thanks to a high content of plastic panels, smooth-riding on its hydropneumatic suspension and responsive to the slightest inputs, the 160 bhp GTi 16-valve goes like a rocket and is ripe for tweaking, tuning and tearing about in. Very cheap at the moment, it gives an awful lot of performance for the money.

Unfortunately, there are plenty around that have been thrashed to bits: a fragile vehicle at the best of times, the BX does not stand up well to abuse. However, many have been meticulously maintained by enthusiasts, and it's worth paying over the odds for a nice one.

Less sought-after, but still quick, are the eight-valve models, the fuel-injected GTi eight-valve and the earlier carburettor GT. The GT, launched in 1984, came with electric windows, central locking, a front spoiler and integral foglamps; the GTi that succeeded it in June 1986 gained an electric sunroof and, of course, fuel injection. To get standard ABS anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels and uprated sports suspension, however, you had to go for the GTi 16-valve, launched in July 1987. This model got restyled bumpers and a larger exhaust in August '89.

There are also rare four-wheel-drive BX GTi models, the eight-valve, fuel-injected hatchback and carburettor-fuelled estate, although these were designed more for utility use by French farmers than high-performance motoring. They are also complex to maintain - dedicated Citroen fans only need apply.

The BX is looking increasingly dated, and many examples are now sporting badly faded bumpers and paintwork. But it's generally acknowledged as being a proper classic Citroen, so buy a good GTi now, treat it well and it could be an investment for the future. Or not.

Links:
Guide to checking out a used car
Mug's guide to tuning: More bhp for your bucks

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