Dream cars for deep pockets - Christmas used car buying guide

So you've finally won the lottery, and now you want to fill the garage with the finest cars money can buy. Here are five to get your car collection started.

1 - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster (2007-2009)

You can’t go wrong with side-exit exhausts, can you? Well, the curious product of Mercedes-Benz’s and McLaren’s collaboration isn’t the finest example of ankle-burning motoring around, but it’s a serious bit of kit that blends a 617bhp 5.4-litre V8 with a five-speed automatic gearbox, super-sharp steering, finickety brakes and a hefty kerb weight. Jaw-dropping top-down looks and a raucous exhaust provide much compensation, however, as does a 0-62mph time of 3.8sec.

Expect to pay £300,000 for an immaculate example of the rare and distinctive Roadster with less than 15,000 miles on the clock. It should be reliable and usable, too, furthering its appeal.

2 - Saleen S7 (2000-2006)

If you’re in the market for a hand-built supercar, Saleen isn’t a name that jumps to mind. The Saleen S7, however, is unquestionably a serious contender in 
its class. It was well engineered, primarily in the UK, and used high-end materials and components throughout.

Opt for a 2005-on example and it’ll feature a twin-turbocharged 7.0-litre Ford V8 that produces 750bhp and 700lb ft. A kerb weight of just 1338kg and sleek aerodynamics further help it to dispatch the 0-60mph sprint in a claimed 2.8sec, and, if you’ve room, Saleen says the S7 will touch 248mph.

Around £850,000 will net you an immaculate imported example of what is a very rare, interesting and capable car.

3 - Pagani Zonda F Clubsport (2005)

Only 25 beautifully engineered Zonda F coupés were made, so you’ll be joining an exclusive club if you buy one. Go for a Clubsport version, with more power, bigger brakes and reworked aerodynamics, and it’ll be even rarer. Expect to pay a hefty but depreciation-free £1.5 million or so for a sub-10,000-mile example in excellent condition.

The Zonda’s 641bhp naturally aspirated 7.3-litre V12 helps the bespoke supercar to sprint from 0-62mph in 3.6sec. You don’t need to drive it hard to enjoy it, though, with its fabulously detailed interior, evocative engine and staggering presence. Pleasingly, Pagani has a reputation for reliability, so embarrassing stoppages should be rare.

4 - Maserati MC12 (2004-2005)

The MC12 may have been slower, less powerful and less well received than the Ferrari Enzo on which it was based, but fewer were built and it’s more affordable - comparatively speaking, that is. Maserati built a total of 50 road cars (as opposed to the some 400 Enzos created by Ferrari), and you’ll pay ‘just’ £1.2 million for an MC12. That’s a saving of £300,000 compared with the least expensive Enzo, so pocket the difference and spend it on driving your Maserati in anger.