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Mike Brewerâ€™s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

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Mike Brewer’s

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USED CARS

Blackball Media Haslar Marine Technology Park Haslar Road, Gosport PO12 2AG EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Mike Brewer mike@mikebrewermotoring.com @mikebrewer Editor-in-chief’s chief assistant James Baggott james@blackballmedia.co.uk @CarDealerEd Head of design Graeme Windell graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk @graemewindell CONTRIBUTORS Felicity Bestwick, John Bowman, Dave Brown, Rebecca Chaplin, Jess Ernerth, Jack Evans, Tristan Shale-Hester, Ted Welford, Adam Weller, Tom Wiltshire ADVERTISING SALES Catherine Rowe – 01233 228750 tandemmedia.co.uk PRINT & PRODUCTION Kelsey Media kelsey.co.uk

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Company No. 6473855 VAT No. 933 8428 05 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide To Used Cars is published by Blackball Media Ltd (Company No 6473855) and printed by Kelsey Media. All rights reserved. Conditions of sale and supply include the fact this title shall not, without our consent, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated way or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to any part of a publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. While the information within this guide is accurate at the time of publishing, prices and figures may fluctuate with the market. Therefore always thoroughly research the current market before making any purchasing decisions. The publishers take no responsibility for any losses or injury that readers may incur by following the guidance. Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide To Used Cars is fully protected by copyright.

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f you watch my TV shows, you’ll know I’m absolutely bonkers about motors. Petrol runs through my veins – so much so that I have to be cautious when standing near a naked flame! The noise, the smell, the feel of cars – old and new – really rev my engine, but I’ve got a particular love for used cars.

You see, that’s where it all began for me. I started in this game way back as a car dealer – flogging used cars that I’d bought at auction to wonderful people. I loved the thrill of the hunt, checking out the motors and haggling with the punters. It was a brilliant game and one that I couldn’t get enough of. Then TV came knocking and I turned my passion for petrol into a career on screen, rather than in the showroom. These days, I still buy and sell cars all the time. I’ve got my own dealerships, I spend my weekends going to car shows here in America where I now live (we film Wheeler Dealers here), and even splash my own cash on the odd bargain motor I find online. Back home in Blighty, more than eight million used cars are sold every year – four times as many as new cars. They come in all shapes, sizes and conditions and effectively make the car industry go round. That’s why I decided to sit down in front of a computer, for what seemed like many weeks indeed, to put this special magazine together. I wanted to share my passion for used cars, talk about the ones that float my boat and tell you how to bag one for yourself. Inside, you can read about my favourite used cars ever, I pick my future classics and give you the lowdown on some iconic brands. So hold out yer hand, grab hold of my Ultimate Guide To Used Cars and sit back and enjoy. Ta da!

Mike Brewer

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

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Inside 82

74 50

Mike on Mike

Bag a future classic

Used Car Hero: Mazda RX-7

Used Car Hero: Ford Fiesta XR2

Used Car Hero: Peugeot 205GTI

Contents Mike On Mike My Career Top 10 Used Cars Of All Time Used Car Icons Motormouth Quiz Buying Advice Optional Extras How To Prepare Your Car For Sale How To Clean Your Car Like A Pro Top 10 Selling Tips Top 10 Selling Locations Used Car Hero: Peugeot 205GTI Bag A Future Classic Used Car Hero: Honda S2000 The Weird Stories Behind Car Names Used Car Hero: VW Golf GTI Mk1 Foolproof Guide To Porsche Used Car Hero: Ford Fiesta XR2 Automotive Doppelgängers The Cars I Wish I'd Never Sold

Used Car Hero: Jaguar XK8

8 14 16 22 28 30 37 40 42 46 48 50 52 64 67 68 70 74 76 80

Used Car Hero: VW Golf GTI

Prepare Your Car For Sale

16 42

My top 10 used cars ever Clean Your Car Like A Pro

82 Foolproof Guide To Aston Martin 84 Best Limited-Edition Cars Of All Time 86 Top 10 Ford Classics 88 Used Car Hero: Jaguar XK8 92 Top 10 Driving Music Tracks 94 Used Car Hero: Mazda RX-7

Top 10 selling tips

Foolproof Guide To Bentley Best Of British Used Car Hero: BMW M5 Best Electric Used Cars Foolproof Guide To Ferrari Behind The Scenes

96 99 102 105 110 114

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LISTICLES.

My top 10 used cars ever

I’m often asked the question ‘What are your favourite cars of all time?’ I’ve got quite a few, and to be honest with you my list is always changing. Here, I’ve put together 10 of my absolute favourites – some of which I actually own! It’s a bit of an eclectic mix, I’ll admit, but some of these cars changed the very landscape of motoring for the better – which is why I think they’re so important

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Model: Range Rover Velar | Engine: 3.5-litre V8 | Price (today): circa £140,000 (circa $183,200) | Produced from: 1967-1970 | Power:130bhp

AUSTIN HEALEY When Austin was coming to the end of the run of the Healey, the car had a big 3.0-litre engine – and I think it had become the best it could possibly be. It had the look and the presence – it’s an event to be behind the wheel, and I urge anyone to have a go if they get the chance.

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Model: Austin Healey 3000 | Engine: 2,912cc petrol | Price (today): circa £45,000 (circa $58,900) | Produced from: 1959-1967 | Power: 136bhp 16

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

In at number 10 is the Range Rover. I honestly think it could be any generation of the car, but the one I really do love – and probaby because it was a car my dad had when I was growing up – is a 1970s two-door Velar. It didn’t matter if you were the Queen of England or a plumber – it was perfect for anyone. Completely class-free.

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FORD ESCORT MK1 It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s the little 1.1-litre engine or the full-blown RS, as long as it’s a Mk1. It’s a completely connected car, and once you’re behind the wheel it becomes intuitive – everything about it is simplistic. It’s lightweight, and it communicates with you when you drive it.

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Model: Ford Escort Mk1 | Engine: 0.9-litre rising to a 2.0-litre | Price (today): circa £6,500 (circa $8,500) | Produced from: 1948-1989 | Power: 82bhp+

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* Insurance quotes Quotes are based on a 45-year-old male, second vehicle. It’s garaged, covers 3,000 miles a year and in an SP2 postcode. He has no claims or convictions, is a club member and is employed as a marketing manager. Disclaimer: Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may vary between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. An additional charge may be payable.

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CITROEN SM

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This was a marriage between Citroen and Maserati. Two companies not renowned for their reliability, these brands combined became phenomenal in the SM. Around the early to mid-1970s, this car was so forward-thinking. It had self-levelling suspension, power brakes, power steering and an amazing fivespeed gearbox hooked up to a Maserati V6 engine. It’s amazing to drive and one of my all-time favourites – so much so that I actually own one!

The knowledge

Model: Citroen SM | Engine: 2.7-litre – 3.0-litre V6 | Price (today): circa £30,000 (circa $39,300) | Produced from: 1970-1975 | Power: 167-177bhp Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

ROAD TEST.

What is it? In terms of hot hatches, there are few that do it quite so well as the iconic Peugeot 205 GTI. It’s known as one of the best cars of the segment – and it’s not hard to see why. Sharp to drive, yet usable on a daily basis, it summarises everything you’d want from a performance hatchback. When it first arrived in the mid-1980s, it was met with critical acclaim from all angles – people just loved the thing. In truth, I loved it too. Underneath the bonnet (in the early cars, at least), was a zingy little engine, and it perfectly complemented the nature of the car. This car is all about feel, and boy does it feel good. And then, when you dialled things back and stopped driving like your hair was on fire, it became a usable, easy-to-live-with hatchback. You could take it to the shops, or give the kids a lift to school in it – I even knew people who had one as a company car! Put simply, the 205 GTI covered every base – and this is likely why it was quite so popular and remains so even today. Demand for these little pocket rockets is incredibly strong these days and prices seem to increase year-on-year.

What’s it powered by? The early cars used a 1.6-litre petrol engine with around 105bhp. Power was sent to the front wheels via a neat little five-speed gearbox, and the sprint to 60mph took around eight seconds. In truth, you could probably go quicker in a modernday Fiesta, but that’s not the point. This was later boosted to 115bhp. Then Peugeot upped the ante by introducing the more powerful, more serious and my personal favourite 1.9-litre version. This put out more than 120bhp and benefited from disc brakes on all four corners, as opposed to the disc and drum combination on the 1.6-litre. It was a far more grown-up affair, and although many people loved the extra power, the peppy little 1.6-litre seemed to win the hearts of many. That said, the 1.9-litre did get part-leather seats rather than cloth. Luxury! The Peugeot 205 GTI had some serious contenders to deal with – I’ll get to those in a minute – but it 50 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

weighed into battle with an impressive armoury. It’s a firecracker, that’s for sure – both in terms of performance and looks.

How are values today? In case you haven’t noticed, the values of 1980s-era hot hatches have somewhat skyrocketed. Whereas a few years ago you could have picked up a Mk1 Golf GTI or Fiesta XR2 on the cheap, now you’ll struggle to get one for under £5,000. The Peugeot 205 GTI is no exception. You’ll be looking to spend around £8,000 for a halfdecent example that may need a little bit of work.

Even high-mileage cars are commanding serious money, and if you’re after a car that is in pristine condition then you could be seeing prices of around £20,000. One recently went at auction for £35k! But then, getting your hands on a 205 GTI is an investment. However, these aren’t cars to be kept locked up in a garage – they deserve to be used regularly, as they were designed to be.

What were its rivals? When the first 205 GTI entered the market back in the late-1980s, it did so alongside a variety of other

If you’re after a GTI in pristine condition you’ll pay £20k. One recently sold at auction for £35k!

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t o e g u e P 205 GTI MY USED CAR HEROES

If there’s one thing the French can get right each and every time, it’s a hot hatch. This is my favourite one – the Peugeot 205 GTI. Small, nimble and exceptionally lightweight, it’s an utter joy to drive. It’s why it’s easily one of my top used car heroes

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capable rivals. First and foremost, there was the all-conquering Volkswagen Golf GTI. Now into its second generation (MkII), the GTI was building on a wave of success generated by the first incarnation. Another rival – this time from the same homeland as the Peugeot – was the Renault 5 Turbo. A clever package this one, it could hit 60mph in a similar time as the 1.9-litre Pug despite having a far smaller engine, thanks to turbo technology. It also looked special, with square proportions giving it an aggressive style despite its compact nature. Prices for these cars are exceptionally strong at the moment too, with clean examples changing hands for in excess of £30,000. There was also the newly released Ford Fiesta XR2i. This boasted 14bhp more than the outgoing XR2, and although it couldn’t quite keep up with the Peugeot in terms of handling, it more than matched its French rival in the performance stakes.

Anything to look out for? Although the 205 GTI was relatively bullet-proof

mechanically, there are still some areas you need to check if you’re planning on buying one. The GTI’s engines are quite strong but need regular servicing to stay that way. Timing belts especially can let go if not replaced at proper intervals. Bushes can fail on high-mileage cars, but this is pretty routine. The biggest area to look out for is the bodywork. It’s quite susceptible to rust, particularly in areas such as the boot floor and wheel arches. The bottoms of the doors can be eaten away too, along with the battery trays. Be thorough when looking the car over – it could save you quite a few headaches in the long run. As mentioned, later 1.9-litre cars benefited from a partleather interior. Although these look good, the seat bolsters can be quite prone to wear, but this can be repaired relatively easily. Replacement parts aren’t particularly easy to find, and although certain companies do produce spare components, these aren’t cheap whatsoever – so bear this in mind whenever you’re looking at a potential purchase.

The knowledge Model: Peugeot 205 GTI Engine: 1.9-litre naturally aspirated petrol Price (when new): £9,835 (circa $13,340) Price (today): circa £8,000 ($10,500) Produced from: 1984-1994 Power: 126bhp Top speed: 127mph

* Insurance quote Quotes are based on a 45-year-old male, second vehicle. It’s garaged, covers 3,000 miles a year and in an SP2 postcode. He has no claims or convictions, is a club member and is employed as a marketing manager. Disclaimer: Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may vary between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. An additional charge may be payable.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

ROAD TEST.

MY USED CAR HEROES

What is it? The XR2 was produced from 1981 to 1989 in two editions – the Mk1 and Mk2. It was essentially a souped-up version of the standard Fiesta, a lightlybreathed-upon hot hatch that aimed to appeal to drivers who wanted something practical enough to use every day but with sporting credentials too. It may have only had a small engine and was relatively slow by today’s standards but the XR2 was also extremely lightweight and, more importantly than anything else, a huge amount of fun to drive. Thanks to its relative low price – costing from £5,713 (equivalent to around £17,500 today) when it was new – the XR2 was sought after by boy racers who wanted something quick and cheap. At one point, XR2 models accounted for more than a third of all Fiesta sales in the UK.

What’s it powered by? Under the bonnet of the XR2 – seen here in Mk2 guise – was a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 96bhp. Its 0-60mph time of 10.2 seconds and top speed of 112mph may seem quite pedestrian now, but that was a lot for a car of its type at that time. What improved the performance and driving dynamics of the XR2 was how lightweight it was. The Fiesta had a mass of just 839kg, which meant it didn’t need heaps of power to get it moving at a good pace and could really be thrown into the corners thanks to go-kart-like handling. The sweet little 1.6-litre engine has one brilliant characteristic to it that outshines everything else 74

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

Ford Fiesta XR2

The Ford Fiesta XR2 was the predecessor to the ST, making it one of the Blue Oval’s earliest attempts at taking a relatively mundane runabout and turning it into a mega-fun driver’s car. Now the XR2 is something of a legend among modern hot hatch fans and you know what? It thoroughly deserves that status

– the noise! It’s a beautiful, pure rasp that’s really missing from modern cars and is enough to get any petrolhead grinning.

How are values today? Prices for an XR2 are hugely variable. You can pick up one for around the £2,000-to-£3,000 mark, but it’s worth bearing in mind that it won’t be in the best condition. Naturally, the more you pay, the better-quality vehicle you’ll get, especially once you enter the five-digit zone. Although you may be lucky enough to find a good example for less than £10,000, you can easily end up going higher, with some low-mileage models costing £17,000 upwards!

Personally, I’d say you should be looking to pay somewhere between £5,000 and £7,000 for one that’s in good nick. But you’ll have to be fast – prices for these little beauties are skyrocketing at the moment and showing no signs of slowing down!

What were its rivals? As the 1980s were when hot hatches became something of a phenomenon, the Fiesta XR2 wasn’t the only option on the market. Perhaps the most obvious competitor for the Ford was the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Still one of the most famous hot hatch names in the world, the first generation of this icon was a winner in terms of driving dynamics

When looking to buy an XR2, there’s one main thing to remember when checking for faults – rust.

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and practicality and is an equal icon to the Ford. Putting more emphasis on the boy racer aspect, there was also the Vauxhall Nova SR, which was a staple of the decade’s rebellious youth and their hooliganism in the UK. Peugeot also had a real trick up its sleeve with the 205 GTI. First available in 1.6-litre form, it later arrived with an amazing 1.9-litre unit. I loved that car – so much so that it’s also featured elsewhere in this publication. Buyers loved it too, and with its injection engine, compared to the carbs on the XR2, it started to make the little Ford feel old.

Anything to look out for? When looking to buy an XR2, there’s one main thing to remember when checking for faults – rust. Unfortunately, this fast Fiesta did have a habit of accumulating the stuff in several places, so you want to be very thorough when giving an example a going-over. There are a few main areas to look out for. Firstly,

The knowledge check the sills – often hidden by that black plastic trim that gives the Fiesta its iconic look. Also, move on to both the windscreen and rear window, around the locks and check around the fuel filler cap – all places that were terribly susceptible to rust. While you’re checking that black plastic trim, make sure it’s in good condition, as it can fade badly. Although you can bring it back to life with some Back to Black-style product, it’s not easy and might not last. Also, closely inspect the pepperpot alloy wheels – these are a vital addition to the Fiesta and should be in good condition. Lastly, although a personal preference of mine, I think the XR2 looks best with its original orange indicators. A lot of owners swapped these for clear ones as they started to make the car look dated, but these days I feel it takes away from the authenticity.

Model: Ford Fiesta XR2 Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol Price (when new): £5,713 (circa $7,750) Price (today): circa £6,000 (circa $7,800) Produced from: 1984 Power: 96bhp Top speed: 112mph

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

ROAD TEST.

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5 M W M B MY USED CAR HEROES

There are few letters in the motoring world quite as exciting as ‘M’. This is one of BMW’s hallmark cars to wear that badge – the M5. I’ve loved every single generation – they’re fast, practical and all look the absolute business too. I’ll be looking at a pretty iconic generation here – the E39 What is it?

What’s it powered by?

The BMW M5 is one of the most iconic performance cars in the motoring world. If there’s ever a chance to get behind the wheel of one, I’m right there – they manage to feel both special and completely user-friendly at the same time.

The M5 packs a 4.9-litre V8 engine, which sends drive to the rear wheels via a joyous six-speed manual gearbox. When new, it produced 394bhp and 500Nm of torque, capable of sending it to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited 155mph top speed. It does show how far we’ve come in the performance stakes, even in a relatively short amount of time – the new M5 now has just over 200bhp more than this E39 model. Isn’t that crazy?

This is one of the standout generations – the E39. Based on the angular, boxy shape of the late-1990s 5 Series, I’d argue that it’s one of the angriest, punchiest-looking M5s ever made – and that’s part of the reason why it was so popular. Watch any number of action films created around the same time as the M5 and it’s likely you’ll see the baddie piloting this V8-powered muscle saloon. It sounds just as evil as it looks too, courtesy of a 4.9-litre naturally aspirated engine. It’s also very practical, being relatively unchanged in layout to the regular 5 Series. There’s a decent boot, space for five inside and, despite the lowered suspension, it’s got a decent ride too. It’s therefore pretty close to being the ideal performance daily driver. 102 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars

BMW’s M-Division garnished the M5 with plenty of performance goodies to make it as capable as possible. It got a quicker steering ratio compared with other V8-powered 5 Series models and it received larger brake discs too. It was even one of the first performance cars to get a Sport button – pressing this adjusted the throttle, making it more sensitive in certain modes. The car’s ride height was also dropped by 23mm compared with the regular car, and this gave it better cornering abilities, while also making it look even better – in my eyes at least! The E39 preceded

No one will ever see you coming – and that’s why this age of M5 is one of the best to surprise others.

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The knowledge Model: BMW M5 (E39) Engine: 4.9-litre naturally aspirated V8 Price (when new): c irca £53,000 (circa $88,400) Price (today): circa £20,000 (circa $26,200) Produced from: 1998-2003 Power: 394bhp Top speed: 155mph

the mad, V10-powered E60 M5, and it was the last naturally aspirated V8 M5 that we’d see – it all became turbocharged after that.

How are values today? Prices for the E39 M5 vary quite wildly today, depending on mileage and condition. Many have been overworked and under-maintained – it’s these you’ll have to watch out for. Look to spend in the region of £17,000 to £20,000 for a pristine, lowmileage example, although you could go as low as £8,000 for a high-mile, slightly tired version. One thing’s for sure – prices for this age of M5 are now as low as they’re likely to go, so it’s a good time to get your hands on one before they start to increase in price, as I’ve seen in all areas of BMW used cars. Have you seen the price of early E30 models recently? They’ve gone through the roof. Le Mans Blue is one of my favourite shades for this age of M5 – although Imola Red is also a bit of a highlight. The best thing about this age of M-car

is the complete absence of over-the-top styling. You just get four pipes at the back and some subtle badging dotted along the exterior. No one will ever see you coming – and that’s why this age of M5 is one of the best to surprise others.

available as either a saloon or an estate – with the wagon version arguably one of the best-looking cars of its time.

What were its rivals?

Although the vast majority of the M5’s setup is bulletproof – the interior, for one, is brilliantly made – there are some aspects of the car you need to double-check. Chain tensioners are quite sensitive to which oil has been used, plus keep an eye out for whether the clutch has been changed, as these last for around 60,000 miles and are costly to replace.

There were quite a few contenders in the M5’s segment during the late-1990s and early-2000s. The Jaguar S-Type R was a stylish, high-powered saloon car with retro looks and an equally retrolooking interior. In fact, it matched the BMW in terms of power, packing 395bhp from its 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine, allowing it to hit 60mph in just 5.5 seconds. It also sounds fantastic – but then most things with a supercharged V8 under the bonnet do. Then there was the Mercedes E55 AMG. Coming in just before AMG’s incredible revival in popularity, the E55 was based on the regular E-Class. The E55 weighed into battle with a lot of power, thanks to a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 with 469bhp. It was also

Anything to look out for?

BMW 5 Series of this generation were also a little susceptible to rust. Check the car’s arches (they can turn into dust if uncared for), along with the area behind the bumpers and underneath the window and door trims. And although that interior is pretty robust, give the seat bolsters a good looking over. They’re the main area of wear in the cabin and can be prone to collapsing if given a hard life. Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Used Cars 103