Back in 2014, you could get a 2001 Y-reg 3200 GT with 86,000 miles for £9995. Fast forward five years and this 2001 Y-reg that we found with 73,000 miles is £3000 more expensive. In fact, it’s one of the cheaper ones. Next up the price ladder is a 2001/51-reg auto with 55,000 miles for £14,700. They top out at around £21,000. So what caught our eye, apart from it being the least expensive? First, it’s the automatic. The ’box has only four speeds but works well with the 370bhp twin-turbo 3.2-litre V8. In any case, replacement clutches are becoming almost impossible to find for manual versions. Second, the car’s service history is described as “fantastic”. It’s just had a fettle and a cambelt change. There’s lots of paperwork, too, so it may be possible to assemble an invoice trail that shows what was done and when. A shame the numberplate appears to be hanging off. Doesn’t say much for the seller’s self-respect… It’s a reminder that while we’re cooing over this GT’s sporty lines, we should check for the engine’s revs hunting at idle (a faulty throttle potentiometer), for oil leaks from the cam covers and for coolant leaks from the top hose into the V of the engine. We’ll cross our fingers that on startup there’s no ‘engine check’ light. It’s a common fault and early cars without the later, universally compliant OBD (on-board diagnostics) port require main dealer or specialist diagnosis. Finally, on the test drive, we’ll feel for looseness in the steering and suspension and pray a pothole hasn’t dislodged the captive nut on the top front suspension mount. It requires removal of the engine to refit. Daimler Limousine 4.2, £4150: Eight-seat Daimler limo, anyone? The 2000 W-reg car has done just 17,000 miles, most of them, we suspect, to and from departures… Still, we’d be more worried about the effect of all that idling and low speeds on the engine. Best get it checked, first. The GTV is a sweet-looking affair destined for classic status and this 1999/V-reg has covered just 46,000 miles. It has piped leather trim and full Alfa and specialist service history. It also comes with a spare set of Brembo brake pads. Nice touch. It was either this 106,000-mile 2005/55-reg Tigra or that other sub-£1k coupé-cabriolet, the Peugeot 206 CC. We’ve gone with the Vauxhall because it looks sharper, the roof folds more neatly, the boot’s bigger and the whole plot feels tauter. Now showing 112,000 miles, this 2004-reg JCW represents a brave purchase for someone. However, it has full service history and it’s oddly comforting that the floor mats are the original, branded ones, suggesting past owners have taken pride in it. Auction watch This 30-year-old cab has done 52,000 miles and was knocked down for just £3922, making it a good-value, emerging classic. On paper, the fuel-injected engine has a modest 105bhp but that’s 10bhp more than the naturally aspirated XR3. Talking of which, in the same sale, a 1980 XR3 hatch with 92,000 miles, partially restored in 2011, made £5088. Meanwhile, a 1986 Sierra 2.0 fetched £3604 and a 1991 Granada 2.0 GL £1900. Biggest miss of the day, though, was a bronze 88,000-mile 1973 Cortina 1.6 XL Mk3 that sneaked out for just £2756. Future classic Kia has made much of the Stinger’s association with Albert Biermann, its RD chief and former head of BMW’s M division. That the model performs is what matters, but his presence is the kind of ‘papal’ blessing enthusiasts like. The car we found, a 2018/67-reg with 11,000 miles, is £10,000 less than new. If Biermann and his team can deliver at least 10 years of even better sequels, the values of old Stingers may one day bottom out. At least they should make safe buys thanks to service histories born of their uniquely long, new car warranty. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find the best super-hatch for £20k. Mark Pearson: We waited a long time for this beauty and, boy, was it worth it. With a screaming turbocharged VTEC, all those spoilers and skirts and more scoops than Häagen-Dazs. Max Adams: Oh, it is a warm day, so I could do with an ice cream. Mostly because of how hot my A45 AMG is: 360bhp is an insane amount of power for a family hatchback. Remind us how much your car has to play with? MP: Power corrupts, Max. We all know that. What matters more is response, and in that, this 2016 Civic Type R has all comers defeated, including that ghastly and overblown Merc. And how long will that engine last? MA: If you won’t tell the reader, I will: 306bhp is all your car has, which explains why it’s a second slower to 62mph. Besides, Mercedes still makes some great engines and the latest A45 has 415bhp, so I’m not concerned about my car’s longevity. How come your Civic Type R looks like it’s on steroids anyway? MP: I don’t recall any Nürburgring lap records on your car’s CV. Why’s that? Oh, and why is yours so old? 2013? Blimey. MA: You have to pay extra for a desirable
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 9 August
before
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 2 August
The Audi S8 of 2006-2010 may not be the first choice of BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG fanciers, but don’t underestimate its deeply interesting 5.2-litre V10 or the value of its quattro system when conditions are less than ideal. Audi S8, £10,995: And what a talking point that lump is. It’s closely related to the V10 in the Lamborghini Gallardo and, while it’s less powerful, with 444bhp to the Gallardo’s 552bhp, it’s just as torquey, although at half the revs (3000rpm). Other S8 talking points include the car’s aluminium body (reasonably dent resistant but difficult to repair if it gets a bad knock) and suspension. However, things to keep under wraps are a heroic thirst of around 20mpg, a firm ride and high servicing costs – cylinder 10’s spark plug in particular is expensively difficult to access. Our interest in this Audi flagship was prompted by a 2007/07 S8 with 93,000 miles that we found, advertised for £10,995. It’s finished in black and has been serviced every 10,000 miles, although we’d want to scrutinise every invoice to establish exactly what was done. It’s had two previous keepers, the last one its custodian for the past six years. The car is for sale at a dealer with a 12-month MOT. We’re a risk-averse bunch so we’d check the engine for leaks from the cam covers and oil pump, and that the six-speed Tiptronic ’box performs smoothly. Turning to the suspension and brakes, any noises from the front end would have us running for the hills – it could mean replacement of whole suspension arms is needed. Worn brake discs are super-expensive to replace and we’d want to be sure there are no issues with the electronic parking brake. The size of a Land Cruiser but with two doors plus a couple of miniature suicide ones, and powered by a 4.0 V6 with 239bhp, the FJ is an uncompromising beast with a spacious cabin that’s full of details. This ’02 car has done 114,000 miles. Some say the 309 GTi’s stiffer body gave it the edge over the 205. With the numbers of both falling like a lift, it no longer matters. This 1991 309 has 150,000 miles but, says the seller, it runs sweetly. Seats and door cards have just been restored, too. Not pretty in its day but by Jove this one-owner XM estate, with 26,000 miles and a full history, looks the business now. It’s had its suspension spheres and LHM fluid replaced and has no rust, dents, scratches or tears. The velour seats are fully electric. For sale at a Ford dealer, this old Model T is fresh from a restoration at a motor museum. It’s authentic in every detail but has a few mod cons including a push-button start for those times when turning the crank handle seems like too much effort. Auction watch Never mind that this Bluebird made £4000 at auction, has done just 86,000 miles, is over 30 years old (it was registered in 1988) and has one owner in the logbook; more remarkable is that it survived the 2009 scrappage scheme. You’d have thought such an unloved repmobile would have been ripe for the crusher but no, some free spirit had the sense to save it. Its 1.8 turbo engine makes 135bhp and is good for 0-62mph in 8.6sec, and being in Executive spec it has leather, air-con and a radio – in 1988, all sought-after options on more expensive cars. Future classic For a time it looked like the prices of Saab’s big saloon were stabilising, but it was an illusion and now they’re entering the basement. This £3600 SE is a 2010 car with 112,000 miles on the clock and a recent full brake and cambelt service. At the other end of the spectrum, prices peak at around £10,000 for a 2011 TiD with 46,000 miles. However, we’d prefer to put our money in one of the rarer petrols, such as the 2010 2.8 T Aero XWD with 98,000 miles we saw for £7650 (new price £37,795). Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me the best Q-car for under £5000. 2004 Audi S4 Cabriolet, £4995 2002 Jaguar S-Type V8 R, £4995 Mark Pearson: We’d nearly given up on the dear old S-Type when this humdinger came along, with an Eaton-supercharged 4.2-litre V8 making near enough 400bhp and 0-60mph in 5.3sec. Rock and roll! It’s the perfect Q-car, unlike your, what is it, an Audi A4 convertible? Max Adams: Have you seen the grille on the S-Type? Subtle it is not! Unlike my gloriously understated Audi that also packs a 4.2-litre V8 with 344bhp on tap. MP: Only 344bhp? Why so low? Has it got a fault? I’m surprised it can push that heavyweight drop-top along at all. Mine can carry five fast and in discreet luxury. Wood and leather, old boy… MA: Wood and leather won’t make a car fast; if anything, your luxo-barge will weigh more than my stealthy convertible. MP: So it should, it’s built to impress. Luckily, the S-Type R has got more than enough shove to make life fun – you can hang the tail out and everything. I can’t imagine that Audi’s much fun. MA: Your argument hinges on sliding the tail out? That’s not the fastest way round a corner, so I
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 2 August
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 12 July
Eleven years since it was launched, the Scirocco’s concept car looks have served it well. Production stopped at the end of 2017, although there are some 2018/18-reg cars around. It was facelifted in 2014, when it gained new lights, restyled bumpers and uprated engines. However, at heart, it remained the Golf Mk5 that it was based on, a model launched way back in 2004. You can feel that relationship in the crashy ride of more extreme Sciroccos and see it in the cliff-like dashboard. The long doors weigh a tonne, too, although strong catches ensure they don’t swing uncontrollably into adjacent cars. If they did, the other motor would come off worse. The Scirocco’s steel is that strong. There are loads for sale at all ages, mileages and prices. We went mid-market and found a 2009/09-reg 2.0 TSI GT, the 198bhp version, with 70,000 miles. It’s a manual rather than the DSG automatic. There are claims that the auto gearbox was a little troublesome and that it was only from 2012 that VW truly sorted it. That said, fitted with paddle shifters, it’s quick and hugely entertaining. One trick when checking out a 2.0 TSI is to remove the dipstick while the engine’s running. If the motor stutters, all’s well, but if it runs on smoothly, there may be a problem with the crankcase ventilation system. Checking that second gear engages smoothly is another. Misfires may be the coil packs playing up but they’re inexpensive. Our find has full service history and only two previous keepers. Finished in sparkling white, it looks good – if you can live with its tan leather interior. This S60 saloon, a 2018/18-reg with 7000 miles, is less than half the price it was new, when it cost £37,050. R-Design Lux Nav is loaded with kit and the D4 diesel engine is economical. If you can stand its plodding handling, it’s a decent buy. Unlike the ugly ducking, Suzuki’s stubby-booted, two-seat T-top never turned into a swan but it was at least fun and stood out from the crowd. This 60k-mile 1997/R-reg has a new battery, cambelt and exhaust. Marcos Mantula, £13,600: The Mantula was one of the better-looking products of the UK’s specialist car makers. This 1986 one uses a 3.5-litre Rover V8 and has done 28k miles. Its history folder is 5in thick. The car has new suspension and has been kept in a dehumidified garage. A new Mercedes S350d AMG Line or this 52k-mile 2011/11-reg Ghost with full service history and stacks of extras, including a panoramic roof and 360deg cameras? It has just been wrapped, though, which raises a few questions, chief among them ‘why?’. Auction watch At launch in 1994, the original four-wheel-drive RAV4 3dr thrilled car buyers with its secure handling and strong performance. Sadly, subsequent generations of the model porked out and the moment passed. Fortunately, you can relive those happy days from £500 for a 1995 M-reg with 146k miles and a new MOT. Meanwhile, someone was feeling a little more flush when they bid £1100 for this tidy 1997 R-reg 2.0 with 89,000 miles. It’s in Stax trim, a special edition. The RAV4 was never short of creative trim names, others being Heat, Reebok, Max and Giant. Get it while you can As the Octavia’s replacement draws near, pre-reg vRS Challenges are appearing at low prices. We found a 2019/19-reg DSG with one mile for £24,733, or, as the main dealer’s advertisement claims, £6437 less than new. It needs to be that cheap, though, because as this was written, Skoda was supporting sales of new Octavias with an additional £1000 discount, a £2500 finance deposit contribution and cheap servicing. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me a car that depreciates slowly for less than £20,000, please. The task John has set is to find a slow depreciator, but I think I’ve found something that could be on the cusp of actually going up in value. The 928 is one of those Porsches that has yet to find the classic car spotlight, but it will, because this was a revolutionary car when it arrived: it was the European Car of the Year winner in 1978. This example has the fantastic Pascha inserts in the seats, air conditioning, cruise control, pop-up headlights and only 74,000 miles showing on the clock. Buy one now for just £16,928 and watch as prices rise. Max Adams Usually praised more for its agility than its durability, the noble Elise has enlivened our roads for more than 20 years, but this lightweight sporting paragon – so light that without a human sitting in it, it’s in danger of floating off – is rock solid in one very important area: residual values. A regular topper of polls to find the slowest depreciators, an Elise bought now will probably be worth more when you come to sell it. No wonder: nothing else is as immediate, as responsive or as much fun to drive. This original example has been well cared for and comes with a minimal mileage. Mark Pearson Verdict: It’s a close call but the 928’s time has finally
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 12 July
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 5 July
With looks inspired by the Vision SLR concept unveiled at the 1999 Detroit motor show and a galvanised body guaranteed to prevent the rust that corroded Mercedes’ reputation throughout the 1990s, an SLK R171 is a great second-hand buy. It was launched in 2004, facelifted in 2008 and expired in 2010 – long enough, then, to generate a fair quantity of motors ranging in price from around £2500 for an early SLK 200 to £11,000 for a late-plate 300. Feeling flush? Tidy – and potent – SLK 55s start at around £12,500 and go to £20,000 for a 2009-reg. Our choice would be a 2008 facelifted model (it gained a new nose and rear end plus more than 650 other new parts, including a new instrument cluster). Given the SLK isn’t the last word in performance and handling, we’d save our money for something undemanding such as the SLK 200 auto we found. Registered in 2008 and with 63,000 miles, it has a full history, black leather trim, silver paint and the essential Airscarf neck warmer. All good so far, but we’d be keen to check the timing chain is quiet from cold and that the auto ’box shifts smoothly, especially into reverse. A quick spin around the block should tell us how the front and rear antiroll bars are behaving (the bushes are a weak spot), while a poke about underneath will give us a chance to check no springs are broken. While there, we’ll check the rear subframe for corrosion. Finally, to the SLK’s party trick: its folding roof. It’s sure to work but lack of use can allow dust to clog the microswitches. Now you wouldn’t want that, would you? One of our number still pines after the 405 2.0 GLX he once had. This 1995-registered 1.8 has a year’s MOT and only 60,000 miles. The 405 was a classy repmobile that was also fun to drive. A casualty of its success was the larger and similar-looking 605. A B3 Coupé is still a handsome beast worthy of inspection. This 2.3-litre example has just 134bhp, but marvel at the rust-free galvanised body and the overall impression of solidity after 90,000 miles – and wonder how you’ll see over that sky-high belt line. Reliant SS1 T1, £2450: Not the prettiest thing, but the SS1, launched in 1984, deserved to do better. There are a few naturally aspirated 1.6s around, but we found a tidy 1988 1.8 turbo (it’s a Nissan Silvia engine) with 43,000 miles. It’s a daily driver, too, apparently. Here’s an interesting Q-car – a sort of Focus GT launched in 2011 whose 179bhp 1.6 turbo motor would find its way into the Fiesta ST two years later. We’ll let you have first dibs on this 2012-reg, 90,000-mile alternative take on the Focus. Auction watch ‘A bargain basement entry into Lotus ownership,’ gushes the sales catalogue for this 1990 Lotus Excel. It could have added ‘tough and reliable’, given that some major parts came from Toyota, at the time a shareholder in Lotus. The Excel also had a galvanised steel backbone chassis to complement its glassfibre body panels. Corrosion and breakdowns were licked, then, while performance was covered by a 160bhp 2.2-litre engine good for 0-60mph in 7.1sec. Handling and ride came courtesy of Lotus’s expertise. At £5265, it’s a bargain. Get it while you can News that the current XJ is no more will have bargain hunters flocking to see what pre-reg pickings can be snaffled. We found a 2019/19-reg 3.0 diesel Portfolio with 100 miles on the clock. The ad says it’s a dealer demo, but it can’t have been busy… Still, it’s specced to the eyeballs, taking the OTR price from £72,620 to £79,924 with options. To get it off their hands, the dealer is now offering it for £43,400 – a discount of almost £36,000. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me a comfortable car for £12k. The original, wonderfully iconoclastic LS 400 took the luxury limo world by storm, and all of its good qualities were carried over to the 600h hybrid version. It was magnificently comfortable, with a pillow-soft ride and a sybaritic interior that could teach Britain’s luxury car makers a thing or two. Immense build quality, too. This one is Presidential spec with a rear comfort pack, below-average miles and a full Lexus history. It’ll be cheap to tax, and if you get tired of wafting it’ll lift up its skirts and sprint from 0-60mph in just six seconds. Mark Pearson I admire Mark going down the ‘self-charging hybrid’ route, and it’s true that silent motoring is pretty relaxing. But so too is a super-smooth and virtually silent V12, which is what you’ll find stuffed under the bonnet of my S-Class. Okay, it’s not a Zonda engine, but there’s still 367bhp to play with, and because it has only covered 45,000 miles, it’s barely run in. What’s more, the S-Class has a better image and a nicer cabin to relax in, with electrically reclining rear seats – just like the LS. The only difference here is that they do so for around £4000 less than the price of Mark’s Lexus. Bargain. Max Evans Verdict: The Mercedes is so tempting, but the LS’s Presidential spec
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 5 July
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 28 June
, £2208: Workaday estates with four-wheel drive and a punchy motor are always fun – such as this 113,000-mile V50 T5 of 2004. It uses a detuned version of the turbo five-pot in the Ford Focus ST and shares that car’s chassis, so it handles well but is brisk, not quick. Seeing a motor described as the seller’s everyday car is always reassuring, which is how this 100,000-mile 1997 Brooklands caught our eye. It has full service history plus new brake spheres and reconditioned brake pumps. Who needs a pretty face when you’re as practical as a Rodius? The seven-seat MPV is that rare breed: a people-carrier with space for people. All seats swivel, slide, fold and come out. This example is a 2006-reg car with 77,000 miles. Yes, it has a rock-hard ride and visibility is woeful but the DS5 of 2012-15 is such a good-looking thing that we forgive it. Even this luxury-focused Style version looks genuinely sporty. It’s a 2013-reg model that has done 90,000 miles Auction watch Just 2000 of these roof, door and windscreen-less Smart Fortwos, launched as a concept at the 2001 Geneva motor show, were made. Tuned by Brabus, the special edition’s uprated 600cc motor produced 70bhp, ample in a car weighing 740kg. This one, number 0063 with 4600 miles on the clock, achieved £12,880 at auction, or around half what it cost new. Singer Robbie Williams owned a Crossblade for a while. He took delivery of his car, numbered 0008, in 2002 and called it “innovative and unconventional”, but by 2007, it was being advertised for sale at £14,995. Get it while you can As Autocar reported recently, a revamped F-Type is on the cards for next year. Judging by the generous deals available on the current model, it can’t come soon enough. You can get £2600 off the price of a brand-new, entry-level 2.0-litre coupé for cash, or a whopping £5800 if you take out finance. Alternatively, try your luck with a pre-reg such as the 2019/19-reg example with 100 miles on the clock that we found. It’s priced at £42,329 from a Jaguar dealer – around £10,000 less than it cost new. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me a performance diesel saloon for £10,000, please. If we’re talking about quick diesel saloon cars, then you’ll want power, efficiency and plenty of top tech; so I present to you the BMW 3 Series. I’ve specifically gone for the mighty 330d with a 245bhp 3.0-litre straight six diesel engine because it covers 0-60mph in 6.2sec, does 155mph and is still capable of high-40s to the gallon. The example here is a 2011 car with a full BMW service history and it comes loaded with leather, the professional media iDrive system and heated sports seats with adjustable thigh support in the front. The price? A mere snip at £8995. Max Adams Really pleasing diesel cars are few and far between but there’s no doubting the indomitable S-Class – the truly, deeply and unbelievably wafty S-Class, the best all-round car in the real world and the default luxury limo for the well-heeled. This purveyor of high-class motoring is at once great to drive and wonderfully comfortable to travel in. Despite such outstanding refinement, this 255bhp saloon has to be reined in to 155mph and its combined fuel consumption figure is a meritorious 46mpg. To top it all, this is a 2011 car with a barely run-in 78,000 miles on the clock, and it’s in immaculate condition. Mark Pearson Verdict: The big S goes straight to the top of the
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 28 June
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 21 June
You can say what you like – dozy recirculating ball steering, awkward looks – but a Chrysler Crossfire will always be an intriguing old thing. But why would anyone have chosen to buy one over its close relative, Mercedes-Benz’s Mk1 SLK R170, back when it was launched in 2003? Chrysler Crossfire, £5999: Possibly because as the Chrysler came on stream, that version of the SLK was being replaced by the more expensive Mk2, with its longer-lasting galvanised body. The Crossfire convertible was prettier than the coupé and looks best in red. We found just such a car, a 2006-reg manual with 82,000 miles and eight stamps in the service book. It has a black and cream leather interior with smart alloy facings on the dashboard and centre console. This regular Crossfire is powered by a 3.2-litre V6 that makes 215bhp and helps the car from 0-62mph in 6.4sec. The sportier SRT-6 auto, with the same basic engine but supercharged and tweaked by AMG, gets 330bhp for the same sprint in a frankly unbelievable 4.8sec. This version is rare, although we did happen across a tidy 2006 example with 37,000 miles for £10,500. So what to look for when perusing a standard 3.2? Rust, for a start. If the car’s been parked outside for most of its life, it’ll be there somewhere. Also check that the engine isn’t due a major service, which includes 12 new spark plugs and eight litres of oil. On the test drive, feel for propshaft trembles between 30 and 70mph (hopefully it’s just the rubber doughnut coupling) and check the active spoiler works. Finally, damp carpets point to poor roof seals, while water in the boot will likely knock out the central locking module. Mad four-wheel-drive repmobile launched in 2004 with a turbocharged 2.3 petrol motor making 256bhp. They’re rare, but we found a 2006 example with 99,000 miles and full service history. Old Audi estates still have the power to impress and most impressive of all are the jacked-up A6 Allroads. Interiors are rock-solid and that 3.0-litre TDI engine comes with 332lb ft up its sleeve. This 2007-reg example has done 130,000 miles. Midas Gold convertible, £2495: The Gold embodies the qualities of lightness and a low centre of gravity that are still prized today. The Metrobased Midas kit launched in 1989 for £4500, making this one, based on a 1985 Metro, a bargain. It’s for sale at the Titty Ho Motor Company In the wake of our CLK 55 buying guide, here’s its sister car, the limited-edition DTM, launched in 2004 costing £235,000. This 2006-reg example, one of only 40 right-hookers, has just 9000 miles under its boots. Auction watch Is there a prettier small car than the Ford Racing Puma 1.7? It was limited to 500 copies and cost more than £23,000 new in 2000, but this 75,000- mile example went under the hammer at £8800. Compare that with the £13,000 and upwards sellers tend to be asking. It wasn’t tatty, either. There were 11 stamps in the service book (fingers crossed the exposed brake pistons were cleaned each time), while a recent MOT had no advisories. It also had a new timing belt at 74,000 miles, and its ‘FRP’ registration was even included in the sale. Get it while you can Not a huge saving here, but all the same it’s interesting that it’s on a model as new as the RAV4, and this one a 2019/19-reg with 1600 miles. There are others, too. The thing is, you can bet that if you’re shopping for a new one, you’ll be told discounts are next to zero. Indeed, under current offers, there’s not even a PCP deposit contribution from Toyota. So buying this nearly new one will save you a bit of cash, and it still has most of its five-year warranty. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find a charming Brit classic for £5k. MG MGB convertible, £5000: Nothing says ‘charming British classic’ like a rorty little sports car, and perhaps the most popular example of that is the MGB. More than 500,000 were produced over the model’s 18-year production run and, because of that, there’s a huge following behind it. It also helps that the aftermarket support for the MGB is really good, so owning one should be a doddle. This 1972 example has only 53,000 miles on it and, aside from a colour change, it’s in original condition. What’s more, it’s sporting plenty of chrome and has natty leather seats and a wooden dashboard. How charming is that? Max Adams Reliant Scimitar SS1, £4499: Michelotti was a brilliant car designer but there are some who have expressed doubts about the styling of the SS1. Pourquoi? It’s a cute, small, glassfibre-bodied open-top roadster in the best British traditions, and it comes with the double blessing of all-round independent suspension and also of looking like nothing else on the roads. It can shift, too, thanks to the 1.8-litre turbocharged Nissan four-pot under the bonnet. This one is much modified in engine and chassis, but even the standard car could see off the 0-60mph sprint in 6.7sec. Go on, tell me you’re not a little bit
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 21 June
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 14 June
: Wrapped (as in vinyl and not around a tree) CLSs like this one really look the business. It’s a 2007/57-reg car with 117,000 miles and dressed to look like a 55 AMG right down to its boot badges, quad pipes and interior. You wonder why anyone would go to the trouble, except that, being a 2007-reg 500, it has the later 382bhp 5.5 V8 under its bonnet for 0-62mph in a near-AMG-rivalling 5.4sec. (The 470bhp 55 AMG cracks it in 4.7sec.) It went into the ring with a bundle of workshop receipts, although there’s no mention of them adding up to full service history. The hammer fell at £7504. Get it while you can Last month, Autocar reported the recent fall in registrations of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs); a result of the government’s decision to withdraw its PHEV grant, as well as supply difficulties caused by WLTP testing. It’s an issue that could be coming home to roost in the form of lower prices for certain nearly new and pre-reg PHEVs. We came across a 2019/19-reg BMW 530e M Sport auto with 3000 miles for £32,850, or £17,000 less than the new, on-the-road price. That’s some reduction on a model as efficient as this. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Please find me a surf dude’s motor for £1000. Jeep Cherokee, £999: Surfer dudes need something that’s good on sand, so four-wheel drive is a must, and you’ll also need a strong and robust diesel engine to get you out of trouble if you get stuck in a rising tide. You’ll also need a fairly high driving position, so you can see round those high-hedged Cornish lanes, five doors for easy egress and a capacious and easily cleanable interior for your boards and wet suits. This Jeep’s got a relatively low mileage and a service history. I love it, don’t you? It makes me feel slightly tingly… Mark Pearson Citroen Berlingo, £950: Back in the day, California surfer types rocked around in Volkswagen Kombis because they were simple and cheap to run and had wipe-down interiors. Today, I’d argue, the modern equivalent is a Citroën Berlingo. Its van-based mechanicals are tough, you should be able to get nearly 40mpg from this 1.6-litre petrol example and the rugged interior needs only five minutes with a broom, even if half of Newquay beach ends up in it. For a mere £950, I can’t think of a finer low-cost board carrier. It even comes with two fresh tyres and recent MOT. Max Adams Verdict: If I can’t have a Vee-Dub, that Jeep will do
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 14 June
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 7 June
We have a soft spot for the Suzuki Swift Sport of 2010-17, a result of its puppyish, naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine, crisp suspension and accurate steering. Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6, £5750: It was facelifted in 2012, when it gained a sixth forward gear, firmer suspension and a more rigid front subframe and steering bracket. All these refinements and still it registered just 1045kg on the scales. Together, they kept the Swift on top of its game at a time when rivals were moving to lustier turbo motors. Prices for facelifted Sports start at around £5000, and these are 2012- and 2013-registered cars with only around 50,000 miles under their wheels. That’s fun motoring on the cheap. We found a privately advertised 2013/63-reg with 52,000 miles for £5750. A little strong, granted, but the one-owner car has full Suzuki service history. It was last serviced only in March, when it had new brake pads fitted. It’s finished in black and is the three- rather than the five-door version; not as practical, true, but to these eyes, it looks better. What should we check for? Its full Suzuki service history means it’s likely to have had its 9000-mile oil changes (fully synthetic 0W-20) carried out on the dot, and new rear brake piston seals fitted as part of the 2015 recall. The engine has a timing chain rather than a belt, so little to worry about there. Round at the gearbox, we’d ensure all is smooth and quiet. Inside the car, we’d check the warning lights haven’t come on for the ABS (often caused by an ECU problem) or the engine management (a dirty oxygen sensor). And that’s it but for a little haggling. Seven years since it was last in the new car price lists, the Laguna Coupé is still a looker. We found a tidy, one-owner 2008-reg 201bhp 2.0T 16v GT with 111,000 miles. Sounds a lot but it has full service history – although, worryingly, it’s had a new turbo… Datsun 260Z, £11,995: We’ll want to go over it with our special ultra-fine-toothed comb but, at first glance, this 98,000-mile, 1978-reg Z looks the business. A shame it’s the slightly strangulated 260 rather than the freer-flowing 240 and the 2+2, not the two-seater. Still, it’s condition that matters most. Here’s a 2012-reg Panamera Turbo that’s done just 28,000 miles. Seems a waste of 493bhp but we’re happy to make up lost ground. Only thing is, it’s had just three services, although all by Porsche. It’s not what you’d call cheap but it cost around £100k new. Oil tight and not a speck of rust – the engine bay of this 108,000-mile, 1997-reg Prelude looks fabulous. Naturally, the body is a little scuffed in places but it’s nothing serious. That it has just been serviced, has four new tyres and a near full service history will do for us, especially at this price. Auction watch You’ll need a brass neck to drive this down the high street but look past the mock Gabriele Tarquini BTCC livery and you’re gazing at one of the 1990s’ best ‘if only…’ cars. The 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine was a peach and this car is the Series 2 wide-body version of 1995 that looked so much better than the less aggressive Series 1. It was great to drive but let down by poor build quality and dodgy electrics. This 109,000-mile example has good service history and, according to the auction house, is in tip-top condition. The hammer fell at just £1332. Get it while you can The ASX isn’t the last word in mid-sized crossovers, but this 2019/19-reg car does represent a whopping £2700 saving on the new price. It has done just 25 miles so comes with virtually all of its five-year/62,500-mile warranty intact. What’s more, deals like this one won’t be around for long because, later this year, Mitsubishi is kicking the 1.6 Juro and its brothers, the 1.6 Black and 1.6 4 Diesel, into the long grass, to be replaced by a 2.0-litre version. Could be your last chance to pick up a crossover bargain. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Chaps, find me a fun and economical car for £5000, please. When looking for a car that’s entertaining but economical, you’ll need something that’s lightweight and small with a gutsy engine. A Suzuki Swift Sport – as this week’s second-hand star has reminded me – fulfils all of those criteria and gives you an added dollop of high-revving fun. The example I found is a one-owner car with a full service history and a relatively modest 58,000 miles showing. And it has recently had four fresh tyres fitted so should be a sound used buy. Plus, you’ll have £250 spare to spend on, perhaps, a swift weekend getaway… Max Adams What’s in a name? Quite a lot, it seems. The Wind was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air even if it failed to take off. Some thought it was short of puff but the little car had enough gust to make it a bit of a blast. It can waft, too, and you’ll see more than 40mpg. It also has an electric roof so you can cut the breeze in style. This one has done a mere 22,000 miles, has a full
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 7 June
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 31 May
“If you have been looking to acquire an NSX on a realistic budget, this is the cheapest, best-value NSX available today.” The seller’s words and not ours. It’s some claim, but there’s no arguing with that price. Honda NSX, £30,000: There’s a sting in the tail, of course. The 1991-reg car has done 180,000 miles but, rather than go cold, think positively. Such a mileage proves an NSX is that rare thing: a supercar you can drive every day, rain or shine, without it going pop or costing a fortune in bills. It would be a flimsy theory but for the fact that, on the sales website we visited, we counted three NSXs with over 100,000 miles and 11 with over 50,000. They’re tough cars and, more to the point, their owners love driving them. So, having been bitten, what should we look for when sizing up this particular NSX? It helps it’s being sold by an NSX specialist who claims it’s passed its MOT with no advisories, that the engine oil pressure is normal and that the transmission is in rude health. Still, you can never be too careful, so we’d check valve cover gaskets, rear cam plug seals and the VTEC solenoids for oil leaks and that the VTEC system itself operates smoothly. We’d want to know when the belts were changed, too. Given those miles, we’d have a squint at the tyres looking for irregular wear that might point to alignment issues, and want to be sure that bushes, ball joints and bearings show no signs of track-day abuse. The NSX’s aluminium body is a devil to repair so we’d be on high alert for wonky panel gaps, filler and nonfactory panel seams. Fingers crossed it’s sound because good, affordable NSXs are rare. This 1994-reg 306 has done 67,000 miles and has full service history. The one-owner car is totally original and has the factory-fit sports seats and a glass sunroof. The price looksa little stiff but we’ve a good feeling about tidy old 1990s motors… Old X300s are coming into fashion and this 1995 N-reg XJR with its magnificent supercharged 4.0-litre straight six is just the job. It’s the auto version but the GM ’box is tough. It’s done a reasonable 90,000 miles but the service history looks patchy. Everyone homes in on the diesels but this 1.8 TFSI petrol is a more interesting buy. It’s done 144,000 miles but has full service history and it’s an Audi so probably feels newerthan most new cars. No scratches or dents and it’ll do 0-62mph in 8.4sec. If you’ve a job for an old Disco, it might pay to be brave and take the plunge. This 132,000-mile, 2004 Pursuitspec car has full service history. The owner has off-roaded it but says it’s been rust protected and pictures of the underside show it’s graunch-free. Auction watch ‘Morris Marina door locks’ was the fact most quoted about the Esprit Turbo. No matter – after a spin up the road in one, its knobs were the last thing on your mind. Hethel’s supercar still looks an eyeful and this 1985 example is a stunner. It’s a left-hooker imported from the US but that just means you’ll have a ready market on the continent if you ever want to move it on. This car has done only 47,000 miles and has had £18,500 lavished on it – including a full engine rebuild – taking it to the next level. It sold for just £23,310. Get it while you can BMW’s big sports barge slipped its moorings last autumn. Now, if you want a Six, BMW only offers the GT, although it is all new. Meanwhile, the 8 Series Gran Coupé comes out this autumn. But back to the 6 Series GC. You can’t buy a new one but there are some late-platers around including the 2018/18-reg 640d we found. The private-sale car has done 7000 miles and, given it has had two owners, sounds like it was a heavily discounted pre-reg model. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me a hard-charging V8 for £15,000, but please play nicely. BMW M5 ‘E39’, £13,995: If ever there were a car to make enthusiasts frothy, it would be the ‘E39’ M5. Not only does it have a fantastic 400-horsepower V8 engine but the best styling out of all the M5s produced so far, brilliant handling and a wholesome manual gearbox to give your legs a workout. This one may have had a few owners, but they’ve all been careful custodians because the service history is full of BMW rubber stamps. In other words, it’ll still be fit enough to take on any V8 upstart you care to throw at it. Max Adams Do you come from a land down under? Do I ’eck. If you’ve never driven a VXR8, your mind will already be made up: it’s uncouth, unseemly and unlikely to sway you away from an M5. If you’ve driven one, though, you’ll be forever smitten. It’s large, uncomplicated and gloriously quick, and can play the rapid cruiser or the utter hooligan with equal ease. That 6.0-litre V8 pumps out 414bhp, so think 0-60mph in five seconds. This well-kept example’s a peach, with a low mileage and a full history. Ripper, mate. Mark Pearson Verdict: The head says M5 but the heart yearns for a bit of rough-and-ready charm. The VXR it is. John
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 31 May
Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 24 May
With its swollen haunches and smarter back end, the refreshed Z3 of 2000 looked the business. BMW Z3 2.2, £4995: The 146bhp 2.0-litre six survived the facelift but had been replaced within a year by the 168bhp 2.2. It was one of these, a 2002-reg Sport manual with 62,000 miles, that caught our eye. Finished in classic Estoril Blue with black leather and riding on bright BBS alloy wheels, it’s offered with the rare removable hard-top, although that does mean we’d need to find a safe place to store it. Still, ’tis a small detail. What isn’t is the lack of information concerning the car’s number of previous owners as well as its service history. Cross that bridge etc. While we’re preparing to do that, we’ll recall a few checks pertinent to it and other Z3s. They include looking for problems with the camshaft position sensor on the Vanos variable valve timing system, and listening for a rattly dual-mass flywheel and for gentle tapping on start-up (which fresh oil should cure). Turning to the gearbox, we’ll feel for clutch drag and check the rear differential mount isn’t about to give way. While poking about there, we’ll check the fuel tank for damage. On the test drive, we’ll listen out for rattly drop links and rear suspension top mounts and feel for rumbly front lower ball joints. Our find looks neat but tin worm can break out on the door bottoms. Inside, stray warning lights and a worn driver’s seat bolster will be on our radar. All well and good but that service history is an issue. We want evidence of 6000-mile oil changes, of fresh plugs, transmission and diff oil at 18,000, and of fresh brake fluid every two years – or its yours. Here’s a handsome load-lugger and a welcome change from all the porky SUVs rolling around. We found this 2017/67-reg SRi Nav 2.0 Turbo D with full Vauxhall service history. It’s done 50,000 miles but they were probably motorway ones – the best ones of all. The Focus CC of 2006-11 was one of the better-looking mainstream coupé-cabriolets but went by largely unnoticed. Now they’re popping up at tempting prices. How about this smart 2008-reg 1.6 with 85,000 miles and full Ford service history? Who knows: perhaps we’re looking at a future classic. With its three-door crossover styling, the Paceman – related to the Countryman – lasted just four years (2012-16). We spotteda 2014-reg Cooper with 62,000 miles and just one owner. Here’s that unusual thing: a rare A4. It’s a special from 2005 made to mark Audi’s success in German touring car racing. It has carbonfibre trims, a larger exhaust, lowered suspension and 217bhp. Our 98,000-mile one is tidy but the service book’s missing… Auction watch Old SECs never die: they just become even more distinguished. That, at any rate, is what one brave bidder must have believed when he scooped this 1990 5.0 V8 for £6660. Brave? In fact, it only had 114,000 miles on the clock and was, according to the auction house that presented it, in three-star condition (out of five, by the way). In simple terms, that means it had some history and looked and drove perfectly well. Built in 1981-1991, SECs aren’t uncommon, which means more choice and a wider price range for canny buyers. Get it while you can Autocar recently reported the death of the Golf R manual. Time, then, to bag a nearly new one before they’ve gone. We found a 2018/68-reg with 1500 miles at a Volkswagen dealer for £29,000. The manual shift is a slick affair, so shame on us Brits for preferring the auto. You can be sure that future generations will regard the few remaining stick-shift Rs differently and pay top money for the best. Hang on to the one we found and you may just cash in later down the line. Clash of the classifieds Brief: Find me a cool cabrio for £10k, please. Mercedes-Benz SL500, £9950: There’s nothing cooler than cruising along in a classy convertible with the wind blowing through your hair – and, for many decades, the smartest-looking convertible has beenthe Mercedes SL. The one I’ve chosen is a 1996 SL500 with the desirable M119 5.0 V8 engine. The car still has its original hard-top and stand, and comes with a full service history. What’s more, there’s some investment potential with this SL because prices are beginning to firm up as people realise how good these things are. Max Adams Honda S2000, £9995: You want a really cool drop-top? The S2000 is a perfectly balanced, rear-wheel-drive two-seater of prodigious performance and low polar moments. At its heart is a wonderful 8300rpm, 237bhp 2.0-litre VTEC engine, a work of art that can potter around or hammer like a racer at the switch of a cam profile. It has aluminium double-wishbone suspension, supersharp steering and a hood that is quick to erect and lower, too. This one is immaculate, has a full history and shows only 60,000 miles – and, of course, it’ll never go wrong… Mark Pearson Verdict: That Honda is hot but the Merc is so cool and just what the
Origin: Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 24 May
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