New classics setting style for the future; IN ASSOCIATION WITH fish4 MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE gives advice on buying a classic car at a budget price

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Nov 14, 2007

Byline: MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE

IT'S amazing how fast things move on. When I was little, a classic car had chrome bumpers and a manual choke. But when I visited the recent Classic Car Show I was confronted with Toyota MR2s from the 80s.

If a 1980 MR2 is a classic, then all sorts of fun cars must be about to graduate to classic status. You won't get any special insurance deals just yet, but rather than saying you bought an old banger you can genuinely claim to have a new classic.

Here are three great cars for less than pounds 6,000 to think about:

TOYOTA MR2 (1990-2000) Looks like a little Ferrari, but it's much cheaper. As well as UK cars there are faster turbo models imported direct from Japan.

So a huge and confusing choice. Most economical: 2.0 - 35.9mpg. Best used buy: MR2 T-Bar best of both worlds. Buy from: Import specialists, private sellers with full history. UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 9. Used Car Expert guide price: A 1995 2.0 T-bar with 79,000 miles will be around pounds 4,500.

BMW 850 and 840 (1991-1999) Big super coupe that cost a fortune new and now can be picked up for pounds.

Sensational value but epic running costs, especially with V12 engine. The car trade are actually frightened of it.

Most economical: 840 - 24.8mpg. Best used buy: 840Ci Sport looks good and is almost sensible. Buy from: Sports car dealers and owners who have spared no expense. UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 11. Used Car Expert guide price: A 1994 or 1995 840 Ci with 114,000 miles will cost around pounds 5,600 in a private deal. Be aware that prices vary wildly.

BENTLEY TURBO R (1985-1997) The ultimate luxury supercar. It has huge presence and actually is huge. Running costs are high, but older models now very affordable and the Bentley badge retains credibility, so this is probably the coolest car here.

Most economical: 18mpg if you are lucky. Best used buy: 1994 model with ABS brakes and twin airbags. Buy from: Bentley specialists and private owners who have spent a fortune.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 16. Used Car Expert guide price: A late 80s model with 100,000 miles will be around pounds 5,900.

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BLASTS FROM THE PAST - from top, Toyota MR2, Bentley Turbo R and BMW 840