Astons, Maseratis, BMWs & Bentleys

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If an XK or DB7 doesn't float your boat, try this selection of superlative super-cheap supercars that start from a grand!

BMW 8 SERIES FROM £2000

If you’re looking for the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ as BMW used to advertise its cars, then this coupe will probably disappoint. But, if you want something that’s super stylish and sophisticated and eats miles for fun, then there’s no better modern supercar bargain on the block. The 850 was V12, the 840 a V8, but all possess copious pace and poise, even if they aren’t a driver’s delight cross country. All can be amazing value but there’s an alarming amount that goes wrong plus a lot of neglected dross out there.

JAGUAR XJ-S FROM £2000

E-types continue to go through the stratosphere – could the same happen to the previously unloved XJ-S? Never to the same degree of course and these cats are always exceptional value, although good examples are now worth creditable money. Most fancied are the post 1993 cars with the revised bumpers, and preferably with the 6-litre V12, but the AJ6-engined models are easier to own and quick enough. Forget the rumours – a good well sorted XJ-S is a joy to behold

MERCEDES 560SEC FROM £1000

You can read about the SL range elsewhere in this issue but strangely SECs have never been held in the same esteem – the 560 being the exception. Buying right will mean depreciation-proof motoring over the next five years, as prices begin to rise. As ever, with big, complicated cars, don’t buy unless it’s tip-top, as putting a poor one right will be your road to ruin. However as they are built just Mercs used to be, you stand a good chance of buying well.

TVR GRIFFITH 400/430/500 FROM £8000

Now you might not like the he-man looks of the last TVRs but there’s always been something about the Griffith. With power output starting at 240bhp, rising by a further 100bhp in the 500, these are brutal supercars at GTi money. Reliability shouldn’t be an issue as most will be sorted by now although still need watching and the aid of a TVR expert. Prices remain amazingly inexpensive, but they won’t stay that way for ever so buy sooner than later.

MASERATI 3200/4200 FROM £14,000

Ferrari showed real commitment to this Maserati and reinvent this iconic brand. This Maser has never had the Germanic precision of a Porsche but its cruising skills and blistering acceleration allied to a truly Latin experience makes up for it, as do those glamourous lines and evocative badging. Whisper it but some Ferrari specialists prefer one to a Prancing Horse, and with prices from £14,000, why not do the same? If it had a Ferrari badge you’d treble the price…

MG ZT 260 FROM £1500

An MG bearing a supercar badge – are we serious? The Ford Mustang-powered ZT saloon provides real thrills and a proud heritage. With its antique Mustang V8 up front and good old fashioned rear-wheel drive, the move was as bold as MG’s assault on Le Mans at the same time. But, if ever a modern sports saloon harked back to the good old days then it was this old warrior, that’s now an amazing bargain. Trade price guides ‘book; them from just over £1400 – beat that!

ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE FROM £9000

The long-awaited replacement to the DBS, yet even most ardent AM supporters agree that the Virage was initially a major disappointment. Nicely styled but seriously under-developed and pared-down, the driving thrills were more upmarket Vauxhall Calibra than Aston, even though that V8 remained a giant. It all came good with the Vantage update, even if a Ford-dominated cabin remained. Today, Virages remain dirt cheap and while not the best of its ilk, will surely soar in values as all Aston Martins eventually do.

LOTUS ESPRIT S4 FROM £5000

Let’s be honest here, original Lotus Esprits weren’t up to much. They looked great but dynamically were no advancement over the Europa that shared the same basic chassis. Only in S2 and S3 guises did the Esprit finally come good. The Peter Stephens-styled S4 variant righted most of the wrongs and, in (troublesome) V8 form, was a Ferrari-beater, even if best avoided. In contrast, the Jensen-Healey-derived ‘four’ has as much pace as you can wish for, wrapped in a lovely body.

BENTLEY TURBO R FROM £3000

What a cheap super upper class saloon! Early ones are okay but various refining went on during the 1990s until the so-called ‘Mk4’ model was introduced late in 1995, identified by the shallower grille and deleted quarter lights. Under the skin lurked many changes too, with the ‘Zytec’-managed engine being the most significant. This transformed the car’s driving qualities and these models are now the most sought-after. There are loads of neglected nasties on sale but buy a good one and it’s better than money in the bank.

PORSCHE 928 FROM £1500

This was the car that Porsche designed to kill off the iconic 911, but it was this 70s GT which fell on its sword while the 911 celebrates its 50th this year! Like the BMW 8 Series, the 928 is too fat and too heavy to be called a real sports car but as a GT it ranked as the very best in its day. Today they are incredibly cheap to buy if not maintain plus you can race them. However despite their granite build most cheapies are liabilities.