£10,000 TO £20,000 MK1 FOCUS RS

Money in the bank: less safe than a Focus RS Mk1, and loads less fun. The Mk1 RS is a perfect package of performance, practicality and impending classic status. It’s an iconic Blue Oval you can enjoy using without worrying about depreciation or breaking down.

The first RS-badged Focus was introduced in October 2002, developed from the basic three-door but with 70 per cent of its components uprated and 521 unique parts.

A two-litre Zetec-E (renamed Duratec RS) was turbocharged and tweaked to produce 212bhp, gaining forged pistons, modified head, Garrett GT2560LS turbo and chargecooler. It was mated to a close-ratio MTX75 gearbox with AP Racing clutch, Quaife ATB differential and tougher driveshafts, alongside WRC-width suspension arms, Sachs