Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 6 December

Ford Mondeo 2.0 SCTi 240 Titanium X Sport Auto Estate, £6845: With 237bhp for 0-62mph in 7.5sec, the 2.0 SCTi 240 was the hottest Mk3 Mondeo. Add class-leading poise and a 1728-litre load capacity and this 2011 estate with 79,000 miles and full service history is hard to ignore.

Toyota Hilux 2.5 280 EX 4dr, £3949: With Defender prices through the roof, old 4x4 pick-ups such as the Hilux look appealing. This 2004 double-cab has done 135,000 miles but, given it’s rust-free, they can’t have been that hard. It’s just had new brakes fitted and the air-con works.

Nissan Patrol GR 3.0 Di S, £3750: Set against other heavy-duty Japanese 4x4s such as the Mitsubishi Shogun, Isuzu Trooper and Toyota Land Cruiser, the Patrol never really cut it: too crude and ugly. But heck was it tough and capable. This 2003 one with 126k miles brings it all back.

Mazda MX-6, £3995: Good though it was, Mazda’s 2.5-litre V6-powered coupé of 1992-98 never made itself heard above flashier rivals such as the Vauxhall Calibra, Ford Probe and Fiat Coupé. Occasionally, a survivor pops up such as this 1997 car with 66,000 miles.

Auction watch

Toyota MR2: Toyota’s mid-engined two-seater was like a bolt from the blue when it first arrived in 1984. Buyers fell for its mix of compact sporty looks, light weight (it was still very strong, though), kart-like handling and revvy 127bhp 1.6-litre motor with fuel injection and variable intakes. A short-throw five-speed manual gearbox was fitted as standard. Also standard was the way ‘Toyota’ was reflected on the rear window. Very cool.

Production of the Mk1 ended in 1989 but a very tidy one registered as late as 1990 made £3640 at auction recently. Elsewhere, one dealer is advertising a “near-perfect” 1988 automatic with 49,000 miles for £6985.

Future classic

Lotus Evora S, £34,990: Lotus’s mid-engined 2+2 was criticised for being a touch pricey at launch. Interior quality got the wagging finger, too. However, a blast down a favourite road is usually enough to dispel these concerns. The Toyota-sourced 3.6-litre V6 performs well, the car handles precisely and the ride quality is second to none. The supercharged S version (it produces 345bhp for 0-62mph in 4.6sec) with Sport pack and Sport gearbox launched in 2010 is our pick for future classic potential. We found a 2012-reg with 31,000 miles for £34,990.

Clash of the classifieds

Brief: Find me a car for £6000 to take me and my skiing mates to the Alps.

Audi S4 Avant, £5000

Porsche Cayenne V6 S, £5995

Max Adams: Skiing, I believe, is all about that delicate balance of speed and control, which is why the Audi S4 Avant is the perfect choice. Big V8 power allied to the excellent traction of quattro four-wheel drive, a roof rack for those blades and a big boot for luggage. What have you gone for?