05 Dec 08
An all-new model, this time based on the C-Class, comes next year, but there's not much wrong with the current CLK. It's a classic, classy-looking small Merc coupe, comfortable and well-equipped, and if not the sharpest drive, then fast, smooth and refined for long-distance cruising. The entry-level supercharged 200 K (Kompressor) is fun enough, and there's also a small diesel: the 220 CDI returns 43.5mpg.
Though the official price lists are somewhat scary to the first-time Mercedes buyer, sub-£30,000 newish CLKs are now easily found. Try independent brokers and agents (they're doing a good £3,000-£3,500 off) if the Mercedes dealers aren't willing to talk turkey, but even the snootiest of franchises are having to haggle now. Or is the CLK too conservatively comfy for you? We hear there are discounts around on the SLK-Class, too.
Nissan dealers are keen to shift their last 350Zs before the uprated 370Z and the GT-R arrive next year so we'd suggest you go in and name your price (within reason, obviously, but we hear they're going for under £25,000 now even with the GT pack option).
A back-to-basics rear-wheel-drive two-seater now developing 313bhp, the 350Z is well worth considering instead of a far dearer Boxster, TT or Z4. Its handling is good, and it's refined to ride in as well. It's less of an oddball than the Mazda RX-8, though both these Japanese screamers succumb to tax band G and high petrol thirst: the Z's V6 only returns 24.1mpg. But offset this against affordable Nissan servicing costs and lower insurance, and it'll be less expensive to run than its more expensive, comparably-powered German rivals.
There's many a three-door hatchback masquerading as a 'coupe' - Renault Megane, Seat Ibiza, BMW 1-Series - but the reborn Scirocco is the real deal. It's not just a low-slung three-door Golf, but an altogether longer, wider, lower and substantially-modified model with its own clear identity.
The first versions on sale in the UK - fresh on the forecourts this autumn - have the Golf GTi's 197bhp 2.0 TFSI turbo engine, the 138bhp 2.0 TDI diesel, or entry-level 1.4 TSI turbo- and supercharged petrol unit - and even the 2.0 TFSI returns 37.2mpg, despite doing 146mph and 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds. The 1.4 TSI'll do 43.5mpg and the diesel 52.3mpg. And the Scirocco costs barely more than a mundane Golf to buy.
Ex-demo and low-mileage Sciroccos are now coming onto the market, though the advertised prices are still high. Wait a while though, and as recession bites we'll see a fair few more under the £20,000 mark. One broker we've seen is already offering the 1.4 TSI unregistered for less than £17,500.
