Volvo S60 v Peugeot 406 Coupe v MG ZS 180 v Lotus Elan S4 v Mitsubishi Shogun

Used buying on a £12,000 budget

We examine secondhand options with a budget of £12,000

Auto Express Car Reviews

November 2002

In a market full of brash German saloons, Volvo's svelte S60 is a wise buy. A 40,000-mile 2000 model stretches our ΂£12,000 budget, but it makes mincemeat of the opposition in terms of understated class. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine puts out 180bhp and powers the car from 0-60mph in only 8.8 seconds. But this Volvo is all about refinement, with long-haul drives dispensed with ease. It may not be the most capable on the twisty bits, but the S60 is more talented than many people give it credit for.
Model: 2.0 T Year: 2000 X Engine: 2.0-litre 5cyl turbo Value: ΂£12,100
Peugeot 406
If style is your priority, Peugeot's beautiful Pininfarina-bodied 406 Coupe could be for you. The 2.2-litre common-rail diesel is still too new to be within budget, so you have the choice of two petrol versions - a 2.0-litre or flagship 3.0 V6. If you can live with 26mpg thirst, we'd opt for the silky V6 and enjoy a sprightly 0-60mph time of 7.9 seconds and useful grunt for overtaking. Go for a high-spec model and you should find leather trim, air-con and all manner of luxuries.
Model: Two-door coupί¿½ Year: 2001 X Engine: 3.0-litre V6 Value: ΂£12,000
MG ZS 180
Nobody thought they would last very long, but MG's sporty saloons have actually gone from strength to strength. The Rover 45-based ZS 180 costs ΂£16,640 new, but steep depreciation means there are plenty of bargains around. The 175bhp V6 version is a surprisingly capable performance car, with the 0-60mph sprint taking 7.3 seconds en route to a top speed of 139mph. Plenty of mid-range punch means the MG is an affordable rival to the Honda Accord Type R.
Model: 180 Year: 2001 '51' Engine: 2.5-litre V6 Value: ΂£12,000
Lotus Elan S4
If ever a car was worthy of an admiring glance, it's the timeless Lotus Elan. Back in the late Sixties, it was the definition of sports car chic, and when the Series 4 came along with flared wheelarches, a bonnet bulge and a revised dashboard, roadster fans were in their element. It's a look that designers still copy today, and an Elan will hold its value if well maintained. Go for a sought-after S4 Sprint and you'll enjoy improved performance from the 126bhp powerplant.
Model: Two-seater convertible Year: 1969-72 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl Value: ΂£12,000
Mitsubishi Shogun
It may have taken an image hit recently, but Mitsubishi's Shogun still offers class, space and serious off-road capabilities. Don't confuse the cheaper Pinin and Sport versions with the full-size luxury Shogun - it's not cheap new, but makes more sense used. Fuel consumption is likely to dip below 20mpg if you do a lot of urban motoring, but just think of all the money you've saved on the asking price - a five-door GLS V6 would have cost ΂£37,162 in 1996.
Model: GLS five-door Year: 1996 P Engine: 3.5-litre V6 Value: ΂£12,000