Porsche 911 GT3 (997), 2006, 44k, £89,995
Where else do you start? True enough, every decade has a definitive 911 to go with it because that’s the genius (and unending high quality) of the car and its reason for being. But the 997 will stick long in the memory because what followed it seemed so different. And that isn’t to understate our affection for the 991 or 992; it just underlines the idea that they were something new, meaning the 997 was, in some ways, an ending. And what a way for a certain sort of 911 to tap out. Accordingly, the later variants command sky-high premiums - but examples of the 3.6-litre 997.1 GT3 proliferate at less than six figures. Take this Clubsport in Basalt Black. Lightened and lovely; the way things used to be.
Lamborghini Gallardo, 2007, 17k, £84,995
Unlike the Porsche, the Gallardo wasn’t considered a pinnacle of handling finesse back in the day, mostly because it helped mark Lamborghini’s transition to all-wheel drive. But that proved no impediment to popularity - quite the opposite. It sold like kebab meat after 11pm. And because its life cycle lasted from 2003 to 2013, there’s no question that it’s one of the definitive supercars of the noughties. No question either that with a manual gearbox and that howling (discontinued) V10, it now looks like a car from yore when viewed from 2024. Much like the related Audi R8, that makes it a terrific throwback to keep in the garage: modern enough to not be a pain in the neck; old enough to feel very special.
Ferrari 360 Modena F1, 2001, 5k, PH Auction
The 360 Modena was similarly seismic for Ferrari. Its predecessor, lest we forget, was the 355, a car so of the ‘90s that it should come with a SNES in the glovebox - and even then it was only a dressed-up 348, a car that Enzo himself would’ve recognised. But the 360, with its all-new aluminium spaceframe chassis, was something completely different - and looked it. Also, and whisper this, it was maybe the final Ferrari to come with a road-appropriate power output from its last-of-the-line Dino V8. Its replacement, the F430, was assuredly better, but also 100hp punchier. The 360 can be enjoyed without quite so much guilt kicking in. And is unquestionably a lot of car for under £80k - even if the steering wheel on our auction car has strayed to the wrong side.
BMW M3 CSL, 2003, 22k, £95,000
If you baulk at the idea of paying more for an M3 CSL than you would for a Ferrari of the same era, then feel free to look away now. There’s no denying that £95k is a chunk of change, even for BMW’s icon. But there’s no defying the market, and when the car looks this well-kept and is so unencumbered with miles, the arguments against taking the plunge do begin to lose their edge - not least because when it comes to the flagship E46, the want is still so strong. Forget its imperfections (yes, the gearbox) and remember that BMW is never, ever going to build anything that rivals its just-so quality. Objectively faster and better derivatives of later models exist, yes. But none subjectively lovelier. They really were the days.
Bentley Azure, 2006, 43k, £104,950
No luxury manufacturer undertook quite such a rebirth as Bentley in the early 21st century. Flush with VW cash, the Continental GT and its derivatives introduced new technologies, new capabilities and new customers to the storied brand. But the glorious old two-door V8s were allowed to soldier on for a few more valiant years, and are now very collectable - not least because they’re old-school Bentley in all its pomp, with a few useful modern features on top. And power: an Azure like this teased the mighty twin-turbo 6.75 V8 to more than 450hp, which sounds more than sufficient for a laid- back cruiser. A hardtop Brooklands like this one cranked the dial even further for the enthusiastic pilot, to beyond 530hp. A decade and a half from the last Azure cruising out of Crewe, £100k (and a bit) buys this early Diamond Black over Linen example with 43,000 miles - splendid.
TVR Sagaris, 2006, 5k, £92,500
Never does the early 21st century seem quiet so long ago as when thinking about a vibrant, exciting, healthy(ish) TVR. Poetically enough, the last car to leave Blackpool remains commonly regarded as the very best: the Sagaris was just as mad as any other TVR, complete with superbike-style exhausts and those incredible bonnet slashes, but drove better than anything else it'd ever made. The dream combo, basically, with that Speed Six fizz on top, and a bittersweet taste of what might have been. Still, a few Sags are definitely better than none at all, and this one is sensational: bought new in 2008 - having languished in a dealer since 2006 - by its one and only owner (who had it resprayed Chameleon Orange from silver), it’s covered less than 5,000 miles since. It’s as close as is now possible to a brand-new TVR Sagaris in 2024. And who on earth on PH wouldn’t want one of those?
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