Discounted nearly-new bargains | Six of the Best
It's new reg plate weekend - time to see which recently registered performance cars might be worth the plunge
Aston Martin DBS Volante, 2023, 430 miles, £194,995
Granted, beginning with a £200,000, V12 Aston Martin hardly screams the peak of value-for-money motoring. But in terms of current asking price versus original purchase price, it might be the biggest bargain of the lot. Right now it’s for sale at £195,000, which understandably makes it one of the more expensive Volantes available - yet the ad states that it was specced up to more than £300,000. And that wasn’t years ago, with the car then left to sit: it’s a 2023 DBS, with 430 miles. As good as new, basically. And for one of Aston Martin’s recent best, too. The interior looks even more dated in light of the DB12, though its 725hp V12 (that’s no longer available) will seem all the more imperious. All that money in addition to RRP was spent on a glorious spec, moreover, with Magnetic Silver paint, Onyx Black and Oxford tan leather, plus extra exterior carbon. One buyer’s considerable loss must surely be the next one’s enormous gain.
VW Golf GTI, 2024, 35 miles, £39,795
No monumental saving off RRP here, but this particular Golf GTI is significant nonetheless. Why? Because it might be one of the last manual Golf GTIs ever registered in the UK. We know that the Mk8.5 facelift will be DSG only for the GTI, and the option of three pedals has been absent for a while from the current configurator. It’s not entirely clear how this one slipped through the net, although we’re very happy that it has. The seven-speed DSG is fine, though still not the best auto out there; even in 2024, a Golf GTI - to folk like us at least - makes a lot of sense with a stick. This one is peak old-school spec, too, in red and with the tartan seats. You’ll have to make your peace with the maddening interior, of course, though that might be a tad easier knowing it’s part of GTI history.
Morgan Super 3, 2024, 0 miles, £46,793
The Morgan Super 3 is here because a) it’s absolutely brilliant fun and b) it’s available to drive away right now, for what must be close to an as-specced price. Waiting lists for all the low-volume British sports cars can extend into years, which is fine for those who can wait, but we all have recent experience of how quickly (and massively) life can change. The appeal of a car to enjoy right here, right now (once the rain finally stops) is obvious. Especially in such a smart configuration: Royal Blue and cream might not be the first colour combo that comes to mind for a Super 3, yet it works a treat. Plus this one is unregistered, so it could cruise into summer on a 24 plate - which certainly wouldn’t be possible with a new factory order. Perhaps not even a 25 plate, in fact.
BMW 840i M Sport Gran Coupe, 2023, 4k, £54,995
A few things are always guaranteed with big BMWs, and depreciation is one of them. Even the M cars aren’t immune, meaning there are some serious savings out there for those after performance, luxury and - especially in the case of the 8 Series Gran Coupe - style on top. It really is a stunningly turned-out five-door, far more visually appealing than something like a Panamera or A7. This one isn’t an M8, but rather a six-cylinder 840i, though that is sufficient for more than 330hp. As new this is an £80k+ luxury car, and that’s before options; this one has covered just 4,000 miles since first registration last year, and is for sale at £54,995. That’s 3 Series money (an M340i is £60k) as well as more than £25,000 off. And no 3 Series - arguably no other BMW - looks quite this good. Always a fine place to while away the miles, and never more so than at something like two-thirds the new price.
Audi RS6 Performance, 2024, 10 miles, £116,898
The appeal of the RS6 Performance doesn’t take very much explaining, particularly with not very long left on sale. Even after the debut of the wild GT, the combination of a 630hp twin turbo V8 and an ever so slightly better chassis than standard makes the Performance pretty darn special. No owner will ever want for performance, all-weather ability, sense of occasion or, to be frank, space - these really are massive family estates. Just with the potential for monstrous speed alongside. This Vorsprung spec model (Audi-speak for top of the range) benefits from the special 22-inch forged wheels that, despite appearances, actually improve the ride, and a host of carbon parts to really lean into the mean and moody aesthetic. It’s another one that’ll benefit from a new March reg, too. All for almost £17,000 off the list price. Which will pay for a lot of V-Power.
Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988, 2023, 4k, £77,663
The F-Pace SVR is a wonderful fast Jag. Of course, the supercharged V8 provides a large part of the charm, but combine it with a smart interior, handsome styling and the kind of measured, gratifying experience behind the wheel that Jaguar does better than any other and it’s a complete package. It deserves to be as fondly remembered as any barmy F-Type or tyre-smoking saloon. Anyway, this isn’t just any old SVR, it’s the Edition 1988; a strange car to mark the XJR-9’s Le Mans, sure, but notable - and really desirable - for the Midnight Amethyst paint, Champagne Gold forged wheels and Sunset Gold accents exclusive to this model. The pics here don’t show off tremendously - it’s stunning in the sunlight. With just 394 ever made (the amount of La Sarthe laps completed by the winning XJR-9), this one is with four thousand miles available for less than £80k - it was six figures new in 2023…
The Aston, whilst expensive is very appealing. Definitely my pick. And I reckon the BMW is an absolute steal at that price- and you would walk away from in in 12 months without having lost much.
The Super 3 though, based on my 60 minute test drive, is pretty dreadful. I'll be keeping my current three wheeler for now!
OK, the Audi is a great car, but you just know it will be driven by someone who frequents a gym, has a beard, white teeth and at least one Beano arm.
Saying all that it's still a much better option than any of the 6 listed in terms of looks. The Morgan 3 wheeler allegedly ended a certain Yorkshiremans TV career by angle grinding half his face off into the tarmac...
The 8s are huge however and no good for my multi-storey visits unfortunately which must really count against them.
F Pace owners seem to like them but you’d be better off with an ingenium diesel version as an all rounder. Great efficient long distance car.
I fear for the future of Morgen as there’s only one thing people now associate that 3 wheeler with. Is there really still a long waiting list? I hope so.
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