Five of the best cheap and cheerful cars money can buy

Cheap doesn't mean rubbish any more. Well, sometimes it does, but you won't find any of that on this list, as we give you the five best budget cars money can buy.
With Mother Earth and Father Finance conspiring together to stop everyone enjoying driving at the moment, it's easy to be despondent. MPG is the new BHP, CO₂ the new 0-62, and debt the new credit. Gone are the days when you could sprint to the Beemer dealership the second you saw the Jones's brand new 318i on their drive, furiously waving your flexible friend about to secure your very own.

But keeping up with the Joneses these days means probably having your 3 Series repossessed too, and who wants that indignity? Nope, modern jealousy needs to be more intelligent. It means buying something you can afford today so you can be smug about it tomorrow; something that's fun to drive, but that will also endear you to the vegetarian bus user who lives next door to the Joneses.

Buy a car from this list, and you'll not only impress your ozone-loving, deodorant-free neighbour, your bank manager will love you too, as will we. Each one of these cars is kind to the environment, easy on your pocket and, most importantly, a hoot on a curvy B-road. Cheap and cheerful, as they say.