Buy them before we do: second-hand picks for 6 August

Audi TT 3.2 TFSI Quattro auto, £4550: The TT’s impressive build quality makes it compelling. The Mk1 is more interesting, but the Mk2 looks that bit fresher and prices are enticing. This 2006 car caught our eye. It has done a heroic 145,000 miles but has a solid service history. Worth a drive, surely?

Ford Cougar 2.5 V6, £1995: Two people have owned this Mondeo-based coupé with 109,000 miles in 21 years. They’ve looked after it, too, since it’s in excellent condition. Add in leather and a tape deck and there’s no end to its charms. The Cougar sold poorly in its day; maybe its time is now.

Porsche 911 3.6 Carrera, £21,995: You can still buy a 996-generation 911 for around £13,000, but this 2003 car has done just 45,000 miles, has a near-full Porsche service history and has had only one owner. Tales of failed IMS bearings and rear main seals haunt the 996, so get it inspected.

Auction watch

Toyota RAV4 GX: In the febrile world of 1990s classics, where the most unlikely relics change hands for ridiculous sums, this 1994 SUV stands out for being reasonably good value. The hammer fell at £4400, which – considering the car’s apparently immaculate condition, its low mileage (8631 miles) and the fact that it’s one of the earliest examples of the original RAV4 that inspired legions of imitators – doesn’t seem too bad. Well, at least it doesn’t if you’re not the one paying it. Whoever did stump up the readies has got themselves a rare bird indeed. Not the most attractive thing, but a genuine trendsetter.

Future classic

Vauxhall Meriva VXR, £4250: If you thought the Vauxhall Zafira VXR was daft, check out this: its little sister, the Meriva VXR of 2006. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 178bhp and 196lb ft of torque and can go from 0-62mph in 7.9sec. A close-ratio gearbox, stiffened suspension, a lowered ride height and a bodykit round off a genuinely oddball collectable. In corners it leans more than a certain tower, but you can’t deny that it’s different. Vauxhall reckoned it sold 400 of them. We’ve found one: a very tidy 2007-reg with 62,000 miles.

Clash of the classifieds

Brief: I want a heatwave-ready sports car for £15,000

BMW M3 Convertible, £12,995

TVR Chimaera 4.0, £12,995

Felix Page: If I could go back in time, I would head straight for 2002 and shake the hand of whoever specced this E46-generation BMW M3. Phoenix Yellow paint with a suitably garish interior to match, a manual gearbox and, crucially, a folding soft-top. Its solid subframe and tip-top Vanos timing system are the cherries on top. Get it bought, James.

Jack Warrick: Sometimes you don’t need a bunch of optional extras for a pure summer driving experience. This 1993 TVR Chimaera is what you need, with air conditioning, a foldable roof and, most importantly, a white leather interior, so you won’t need to worry about a burnt backside. Also, that 4.0-litre V8 with only 48,000 miles behind it? Sign me up…