In our first instalment of $5000 driver’s cars we chalked up the Ford Fiesta XR4 and BA Falcon XR6 Turbo, and BMW E46 3 Series coupe, as fitting used performance buys.

So let’s reiterate the brief for another three: $6000 car bargained down to $5000 on the nose, fun to drive, less than 20 years old, and with fewer than 250,000km. Let’s go…

#1 Sports sedan: Early-2000s Holden VT Commodore SS

Sure, the steering is a bit loose and the manual shift makes a Scania truck’s seem slick, but the Gen III – originally criticised for being too soft compared with the Aussie 5.0-litre it replaced – actually now appears silky and toey, and more in harmony with its mid-6.0-sec 0-100km/h than if it was simply shoutier. And the ride and handling has actually stood up pretty well, backed by a standard limited-slip differential (LSD).

They still look great and are unlikely to fall further.

#2 Hot hatch: 2005 Renault Clio II RS 182

Although a couple of years older than a Ford Fiesta XR4, these are faster, lower and ultimately more fun.

MORE Driver’s car bargains

#3 Sports wagon: Skoda Octavia RS 147TSI

And indeed the Octavia RS launched that year as a poor man’s Mark 5 Golf GTI both in looks and trimmings.

Thankfully, we’re also talking a poor-man used car budget here, and these 147kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder liftbacks (and, crucially, wagons) are now going for around $6000 – or $1000 less post bargaining.

Three pedals also came with wagon space, like a Subaru Liberty GT wagon – a close second for us here.