10 Jan 08
Lexus LS400
Lexus LS400, 1997, 84,000, £3,750
For this kind of money, buying a leather-lined limo could be financial suicide: if something breaks, it's almost always a four-figure bill.
Yet the Lexus - with refinement that still comes close to class-topping - has the legendary Toyota reliability and commendably long service intervals, and Lexus dealerships offer reasonable fixed servicing costs. Best models are the post-2000 cars, which (just) come into budget and boast standard sat nav.
Renault Avantime
Renault Avantime 2.0 16v Turbo Dynamique, 2002, 80,000, £4,495
While the Lexus lacks a certain style, that certainly isn't the case with this striking Renault. This engine's the most sensible choice.
