Autocar - First for car news and reviews

I reckon there is a used car sweet spot at roundabout three grand.  Some decent cars have lost a lot of value due to the price of fuel and misunderstanding of the road tax increases.  Autocar got a nice 280TE for 1100 quid.  James Ruppert mentioned the Lexus GS300 in another blog and I'm finding it hard to disagree.  What say you?  There are no rules here but points will be gained for the more left field suggestions...

Honda Legend - the invisible car! Can get a really nice one for a couple of grand. Used to deliver them once. Properly cheap.

Couldn't agree more!  Three thousand will buy you all the car you'll ever need, what ever class you look at.

Working on what is available on Autotrader, without discount I have put together the list below.  If you went to auction........

Personal favorites include:

1987 Porsche 944 - Get a really decent 2.5 8v for that money or a high mileage S2 3.0L

1999 BMW 528i - Need I say more.

1999 SAAB 9-3 Convertible - 64k miles with leather.  Four seat drop top bargain. 

2001 Alfa 156 2.0 Sportswagen - Estate with style.  Decent mileage and a history.

2001 Audi A8 - 2.8 version, but what do you really need.  Fully kitted and 60K miles.

2002 Citroen Xsara 2.0HDi - 38k on the clock with lots of toys.  Great economy car.

2001 Citroen Xsara VTS - 66k on the clock but fun handling and decent engine.

2003 Fiat Doblo 1.9JTD - Family edition with 7 seats.  Low mileage, best engine!

2004 Fiat Panda 1.2 - 50k, Dynamic spec, great little car.

1998 Fiat Barchetta - Low mileage, under rated little sports car!

2001 Hyundia Trajet -  Massive 7 seater with room for the dog.  As family transport goes, what more could you expect for £3000.

2000 Jaguar S Type 3.0V6  -  Wafting luxury with only 66k on the clock.

1999 Land Rover Discovery V8 - It may drink fuel but it will plough through fields.

2002 MG ZT190+  -  The best car Rover / MG produced.  70k in the best colour - Blue.

And for those who must have the newest car possible......

2007 Ford KA Studio  -  5k miles.  Great, reliable, fun car.

There are tonnes of other options, but thats part of the fun of looking. 

I'm rather interested in Saab 9/5's today - You can get Aero's for this kind of money it seems.  I must be saved from myself!  Got to be a GS300 though in some dire colour combination...
 

My favourite deal is the Volvo S80. £3k will get you a good example and they're soooo comfortable

I recently had exactly that amount to spend and after looking at several, completely underwhelming Merc W124 coupes, I found a lovely 2000W Alfa 156 V6 for under £2K. 

Full history, recent £1k cambelt job and top SP3 spec. Marvellous.

Why pay more? 

 

I cannot believe how cheap GS300's are! 

Oh, and this will get me thoroughly shunned; 2002 Rover 75 Tourer 2.0CDT Classic SE, 70k - £3k Incredibly comfortable, cheap to run, surprisingly reliable... I'm seriously considering a swap!

I like 75's.  Never driven one though. Never driven any kind of Rover much to my regret...

theonlydt:

Oh, and this will get me thoroughly shunned; 2002 Rover 75 Tourer 2.0CDT Classic SE,

Brilliant car.  This series of cars (75/ZT) were one of the great losses when MG Rover went bust.

Have often kicked around the idea of a ZT-T or a 75 touring (depending on my mood) as another car.