Coupes.. and what to pay; SHARP LOOKERS THAT WON'T PIERCE YOUR WALLET.

Byline: Richard Hammond

SMALL coupes like the new VW Scirocco can give you the best of all worlds in one motor.

There's good handling, strong performance, practicality, reasonable running costs - including sensible fuel consumption and insurance - and, best of all, sexy looks.

Sure, a five-door hatchback is going to be more useful but even if it has a pokey engine it'll be no more exciting than the 1.1L model.

And that's the beauty of the small coupe - even if it doesn't have 200bhp it looks as though it does. And if you're a young petrol-head, that's dead important.

The great news is that there is a whole host of cracking small coupes out there in the classifieds that can be snapped up for not much cash at all - you can buy most of what's in our selection for less than two grand. Several are even made by Volkswagen...

BMW 318iS

BILLED as a coupe, to purists it's a 3 Series saloon missing a couple of doors.

Regardless, the 318iS is both a very desirable and able motor.

We're talking about the E36 model built from 1991 to 1999. It was fitted with a punchy 138bhp four-cylinder engine for good performance and economy. The car has a lovely balance and is still a scorcher to drive. Best of all, there are plenty about for not too much cash.

WE FOUND: A tidy 1999 car that's clocked up 95,000 miles for pounds 2,000.

You can find much cheaper models but expect far higher mileages. Go for sub six figure miles, if possible, and a good history.

FIAT COUPE

STILL a great-looking motor and fitted with what has to be the sexiest petrol cap of all time.

There is a fine selection of models to choose from - anything from a simple 16v 1800, with 130bhp, right up to a mental 20v 2.0-litre turbo with 217bhp.

If you want to go almost 150mph, go for the latter but if you want a cheap and affordable looker then go more conservative on the engine.

WE FOUND: A stunning black 20v non-turbo (147bhp) Coupe for pounds 1,295 with 75,000 miles and only one owner. This really is a lot of car for the money.

HONDA CIVIC COUPE

NOT quite as prestigious as some of the other cars featured here but the Civic looks cute and has a fantastic handling chassis.

This is surely why the car is so popular with tuners.

Honda makes very reliable engines that are fun to use, so you've got a good package here. OK, it may not be the most exciting choice but it should last for ever(ish).

Finally, one thing to watch out for are examples with add-ons such as spoilers which can, er, spoil the looks.

WE FOUND: A lovely 1997 1.6 LSi with 81,000 miles on the clock for pounds 1,800.

HYUNDAI S COUPE

THESE are a real favourite of mine.

You get such a lot for your money and it's a real coupe, too - not a four-door saloon or hatchback with a pair of doors missing.

There have been several generations of Hyundai coupe back to the early 1990s Scoupe. The original models will feel a bit ancient but a nice, second generation model from the late 1990s should do the business on all fronts.

WE FOUND: An 01 1.6 coupe on a Y with 75,000 miles and stacks of history. This silver gem (pounds 1,950) looks the part, even if it won't be that quick.

VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 

BUILT between 1987 and 1996, the Corrado came to the UK in 1989.

It might not have been a huge commercial success but it was a belter of a car all the same.

There are several engines to choose from - there's a simple 16v 1.8 right up to a powerful 2.9-litre V6 that loves petrol. Best of all you get a little rear spoiler that raises electrically as you go over 30mph. Neat.

WE FOUND: Thanks to rising fuel costs a V6 model is now no dearer than a four cylinder. If running costs are an issue we found a lovely 1993 2.0 16v version with only 73,000 miles and two owners for pounds 2,150.

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO

WE couldn't finish without featuring the very vehicle that started the small coupe revolution.

Hugely popular in the UK, the orginal Scirocco is still a great drive and a thoroughly practical motor.

After several generations and numerous different engines, we'd go for the ultimate Scirocco - the limited edition UK-only Storm with leather interior.

However, only 600 MK2 Storms were sold, so finding one is not easy.

WE FOUND: No Storms, alas, so how about a 1991 MKII GT (production stopped in 1993), with 99,000 miles and three previous owners, for pounds 1,750?

Sexy runners you can handle