Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 11 December

Land Rover Discovery 4, £18,250: Given how cheap the third-generation Discovery has become, it’s surprising that prices for the near-identical Discovery 4 have held so strong. This is big money for a seven-year-old car, but it’s a nice example and has the revered twin-turbocharged diesel V6

Honda CRX, £17,995: Here’s proof, if any were needed, that the classics of tomorrow won’t all be Italian supercars and leather-soaked GTs. The CR-X is a handsome and rare runaround that doesn’t disappoint in corners. The trick is finding a stock one, which clearly won’t come cheap.

Bentley Brooklands, £139,950: You could buy a new V8 Flying Spur for £20,000 more, but would that have the same presence as this ultraexclusive coupé? Bentley’s 6.75-litre V12 has been put out to pasture, so if you want a taste, this is one of the classiest vessels in which to have it.

What we almost bought this week

MG TF: The once-maligned TF jostles with same-aged Mk2 Mazda MX-5s and Mk3 Toyota MR2s in the classifieds, so the seller of this 1999 car is being brave in asking for more than £3000. We would view it as an investment given the way prices look to be going – and because this is a rare 75th Anniversary edition (check out the fancy red interior).

Auction Watch

Ford Mustang Mach-1: Ford has revived the hallowed Mach 1 name for an upgraded version of the current V8 Mustang, and it will be the first time the badge has made its way to a right-hand-drive car. About time, we say, because this top-rung version of the pony car has long been regarded as one of the most desirable. Crossing the block at a shade under £60,000, this 1969 example retains its fearsome hood scoop, rear window louvres and snowplough-style front splitter. And with nearly 90,000 miles on the odometer, it has clearly been enjoyed so far, so let’s hope that it’s not destined to languish in some private collection.

Future Classic

Vauxhall Vectra SRI, £2495: Depending on who you ask, the Vauxhall Vectra is either an undeservedly overlooked answer to the marvellous Ford Mondeo or an uninspiring embodiment of no-frills motoring. Let’s look at the sporty SRi variant in isolation, though, because it seems to be quite a tempting proposition these days. Its 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder engine won’t set any land speed records, but the subtle bodykit lends some excitement to its otherwise anonymous threebox form and the Recaro sports seats give its interior some much-needed embellishment.

Clash of the classifieds

The brief: Find me a Q-car for £5000.

Max Adams: Fancy a stealthy Ford Focus ST? My 2007 Volvo V50 uses the same turbocharged five-cylinder engine, plus this one has a manual gearbox to make the most of its 227bhp. The owner seems to have cherished it, because there’s fresh Michelin rubber all round, refurbished wheels and history of cambelt and water pump changes.

Felix Page: A commendable effort, but it would have James spending lots of time Q-ing at petrol stations. My Audi A3 3.2 is essentially a Mk4 Volkswagen Golf R32 without the image problem: no speed-bump-scraping bodykit here, just rare S Line alloys and enough leather to stock your local Burberry outlet. The mileage is pleasingly low, too, so there’s little doubt it will still feel as fresh as a daisy on the road. Electric sunroof, too.

MA Funny you should mention the Mk4 Golf because that was one of the dullest cars ever made, and the contemporary Focus promptly wiped the floor with it. My V50 is essentially a Focus underneath, so not only is it understated but, secretly, it’s a nice steer too.

FP Good point, but it does rather beg the question: why wouldn’t you just buy the ST? I’ll concede the added lairiness might put off introverts, but a fast Ford should really be just that.