Jaguar XFR, 2009, 61k, £14,995
As we mourned this week the demise of Jaguar as we know it in the UK, with production ending on what is expected to be its final combustion-engined vehicle, it wasn’t hard to reminisce about some of the great cars made in recent years. Because while the general public can daydream about E-Types forevermore, we know better than that; the real gems of the past few decades have been supercharged super-saloons, with six or eight cylinders up front, a divine rear-drive chassis, and unrepeatable, caddish charm to the way they went about their business. S-Type Rs, XJRs and XFRs have all earned their places as some of the best fast four doors around, and are fondly remembered. It’s one of the latter we have here; not a wild, 550hp S, but a very early 2009 car with just 60k miles. It’s been serviced 13 times and has an advisory-free MOT until September. Accept no substitute.
Mercedes S63 AMG, 2010, 118k, £14,995
Perhaps no maker has excelled in the field of huge saloons with huge engines quite like AMG. This was a company that downsized from a 6.2-litre V8 to a 5.5-litre twin-turbo one, remember, and only then squeezed down to 4.0-litres. AMG’s first four-wheel-drive saloon only came when power was up beyond 600hp, and that still came with a rear-drive setting. The Affalterbach folk love making V8 ‘bahnstormers as much as we love driving, owning and talking about them, so it’s only right to include one here. It had to be the M156 6.2, really, for maximum kudos, and if biggest is going to be best, then why not in an S-Class? An oft-forgotten ‘63 saloon given the focus on the C and E, this long wheelbase limo is 525hp strong. And it’ll rev beyond 7. This one is said to boast plenty of options, but be sure to check on service history also - the one thing more expensive than running a V8 AMG is running a neglected V8 AMG.
BMW M3, E36, 160k, PH Auction
The car that established the template for the modern M3, the E36 has been enjoying some appreciation over the past few years. Gone are the cheap and cheerful examples that could be taken on as affordable (to buy) rolling restos - these are bonafide modern classics now, 30-odd years from launch. The E36 ditched the homologation hero status of the E30 for a larger, more luxurious, more powerful take on the M3, and it paid off: subsequent generations would follow its formula for making an M3 instead of the E30’s road racer vibe. Amazingly, this E36 M3 - a very rare pre-Evo saloon - has been with its current husband and wife owners since 1998. They bought it from the original buyer (who racked up an impressive 90k in three years) more than a quarter of a century ago; it’s only now being sold because of ULEZ. Their loss could be your gain, however - be sure to have the PH Auctions landing page open next Sunday…
Toyota Aristo Vertex Edition, 2000, 56k, £11,995
A curveball, and one that’s more interesting than you might think. Because to most, this is a turn-of-the-century Lexus GS - except it isn’t: it’s an imported Toyota Aristo. To most intents and purposes the same thing, apart from under the bonnet. Where UK cars were offered with either a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre straight six or 4.3-litre V8 in the 430, the Aristo was powered by a twin-turbo version of that straight six. Which had the ‘2JZ’ engine code. With the forced induction, it became a 2JZ-GTE. Yep, this is a Supra-engined saloon. So while it remains officially 280hp-ish, there’s a heap of potential in this old barge for those willing to exploit it. There’s fewer than 100,000km on the clock, no rust because of its life in Japan, and a smart-looking interior. An Aristo could make for the ultimate silly sleeper, or probably very comfy Lexus-like transport for aeons yet. And it’ll only take £12k to find out.
Kia Stinger GT S, 2018, 71k, £19,058
Surely the first time a Kia has been the most expensive option of a six-car group, but the Stinger well deserves its place. With an interior that’s from another planet compared to anything else here and the reassurance that comes from modern build quality and lots of airbags, this one is not long out of its warranty thanks to Kia’s very generous coverage. But it was the old-school feel of the V6-powered Stinger's driving experience that charmed everyone's pants off, offering up plenty of power to an LSD-equipped rear end and some welcome heft to the controls. It was a brawny, burly, traditional take on the sports saloon, very out of character for Kia really - and very likeable as a result. This one is down at £19k thanks to higher-than-average mileage, but aside from a shiny wheel and some budget tyres it’d be hard to tell. Not one of the usual suspects, and all the better for it.
Maserati Quattroporte 4.7 S, 2009, 63k, £14,500
If a turbocharged, 2018 Kia is just too sensible, how about this to finish off? Red-blooded sports saloons don’t come any more emotional, any more charismatic, any more alluring than the fifth-generation Maserati Quattroporte. The model before this one was too weird to appeal to anyone but the dedicated Maserati fans; the one after was too plain. But this QP hit the spot like few modern Maseratis have: stunning to look at, great to drive, sublime to listen to and supremely cool to boot. The early 4.2s with the automated manual showed the potential that was properly exploited with the larger 4.7-litre V8 and torque converter auto. This one is said to have just one previous owner, not many miles, and lots of main dealer history - fortune favours the brave…
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