Cool deals on offer now; MATTHEW TUMBRIDGE looks at cool deals on the sporty car front

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 25, 2008

Byline: MATTHEW TUMBRIDGE

BUYING an Audi TT, for some reason, is always a cool thing to do. It's like a BMW 3-Series or a Mini - or an iPod. When you tell someone that's what you have bought, they never turn their noses up.

I don't understand why. I don't want to look like everyone else-craving popular approval. It is a perfectly good car, but some days it feels like everyone has one. I would rather have one of its overlooked competitors such as the Mazda RX8 or even the bigger Mercedes CLK:

Mercedes-Benz CLK:

Make: Mercedes-Benz CLK, (1997-present) Large, comfortable and stylish coupe. Pre 2002 model becoming more affordable although the cabriolet remains pricey.

Most economical: 200K - 32.8mpga Best used buy: Pre '02 230K

Buy from: Mercedes dealers, specialists UsedCarExpert.com

buyers checks: 7

Price: A year 2000 2.0 Sport should have around 75,000 miles and be pounds 5,80 - pounds 7,293.

Mazda RX8:

Make: Mazda RX8, (2004-present) Unique and highly sought after. An excellent all-rounder. Choice of two power outputs. Newer models are still a little pricey.

Most economical: Low power - 26.7mpg

Best used buy: High power version.

Buy from: Mazda dealer, private/company owners UsedCarExper t.com buyers checks: 10

Price: A year 2004 1.3 PS should have around 41,000 miles and be pounds 8,900 to pounds 10,1 35.

Audi TT Coupe:

Make: Audi TT Coupe and Roadster, (1999-present) Designer shape still turns heads. Prices are now down to almost sensible levels.

Most economical: 1.8T 180 - 31.7mpg Best used buy: 180 T Coupe.

Buy from: Specialist dealers and private sellers.

UsedCarExper t.com buyers checks: 12

Price: A year 2000 1.8 T should have 80,000 miles and be between pounds 7,056 and pounds 8,820.

CAPTION(S):

Mercedes-Benz CLK; Mazda RX8; Audi TT Coupe