I remember back to 2005 when the Mk 1 Focus was being superseded by the Mk 2. My Mk 1 1.8 Zetec was coming up 7 years old and our local dealer was advertising deals on the outgoing ST 170 model so went along for a drive and see about a deal. Drive went well and despite it being the lowest powered Focus ST of all time (no turbo in this era) it was certainly no slouch. Problem was there were no 5 door versions anywhere in the country and all stock cars were laden with £1000,s of expensive extras like leather, xenon's, high grade sounds etc with little discount, left it at that.

With the desire to change still in mind borrowed a Civic Type R for the afternoon. 200 PS in that, still no turbo but it knocked the Focus into touch, brilliant car. Good deals available on stock cars but only 3 doors and the silly front "racing" seats made access into the rear difficult, left that one as well.

But the Civic is probably the only car I regret not buying.

Move on 13 years and I bought the Pulsar, "only" 190 PS (with a turbo this time) but nowhere near as quick outright as the above 2 (but much easier to drive). Cost about £3000 less than they wanted for the Civic and £5000 less than the ST.

I too have regrets about not buying a Civic Type R when I went for my more mundane (but as almost good handling) Mazda3 1.6 petrol back in early 2006.

Whilst there was a big difference (in percentage terms) between the two lowest prices I could find for each, the Type R was a bargain for the performance you got and practically bullet-proof reliability (no turbo to expire) if maintained well. Especially with the rise in prices for 'hot hatches' even before the current 'situation'.

Trying to find a non-abused (i.e. not maintained properly) or unmodified one nowadays though is becoming increasingly difficult, sadly. I think they are becoming what the Citroen Saxo VTS did a decade before...