Buying On A £7,000 Budget

Mazda's MX-5 comes with 1.6 or 1.8-litre power, and a four-year-old model with the larger unit is in our price range. With the engine up front and rear-wheel drive, the scene is set for fun - and this car doesn't disappoint. Japanese reliability and open-air thrills are a great combination and, with Sixties' Lotus Elan looks, one of the last original MkI models is as attractive as its fixed lamp replacement.

Ford Puma
A few years ago, if a car didn't have a huge engine and an asking price to match, performance fans weren't interested. But the Puma was one of the first to offer impressive handling and sportiness on a budget. Based on the Fiesta, this coupe has a perfect blend of pace and economy. The 1.7-litre engine is the pick of the bunch, and a three-year-old model fits into our budget. Watch out for thrashed examples, although its Fiesta parts make servicing relatively cheap.
Model: Three-door coupe Year: 1998 S Engine: 1.7-litre 4cyl petrol Value: GBP7,000

Triumph Stag
Not many motors are as stirring as Triumph's Stag. Back in its Seventies prime, the brutal Brit was very advanced, with independent suspension all-round, servo-assisted brakes and power-steering. The 3.0-litre V8 was launched in 1970, but the MkII is easier to find and better value. Performance is admirable and the exhaust sounds great. But Stags tend to overheat and warp the cylinder head. A specialist should check potential buys, and service the car every 6,000 miles.
Model: MkII Year: 1975 PEngine: 3.0-litre V8 petrol Value: GBP7,000

Lexus LS400
The LS400 caused a shock at its launch in 1989, as it proved the Japanese could build a truly prestigious car - and it's also one of the best-equipped motors around. Your budget will buy you a smart 1993 example with less than 80,000 miles on the clock - the Lexus is good for at least 200,000 miles. Only one model is available, but it has everything. Leather trim, heated seats, cruise control, and air-con are all standard, as is a smooth 4.0-litre V8 with an automatic box.
Model: Four-door automatic Year: 1993 L Engine: 4.0-litre V8 Value: GBP7,200

Toyota Yaris
If you want a modern hatch with the initial sting taken out of the depreciation, you should look to Toyota's versatile Yaris. For GBP7,000 you can get a great two-year-old 1.3-litre model. You could go for the 1.0-litre, but with only 67bhp, it lacks pace. The 85bhp 1.3 has a better turn of speed and still returns 47.1mpg. Ingenious interior design adds practicality, and faultless build quality provides peace of mind. Also, you'll save more than GBP3,000 over the list price new.
Model: VVT-i GLS five-door Year: 2000 X Engine: 1.3-litre Value: GBP7,000