Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 7 June

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. 

Renault Laguna 2.0T Coupé, £2895: 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.

Porsche Panamera Turbo, £39,450: 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.

Honda Prelude 2.0i auto, £999: 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

Alfa Romeo 155 2.0 16V: 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

Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 Juro, price new - £19,585, price now - £16,895: 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.

Suzuki Swift Sport, £4750: 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