Little sports can add love to your life; MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE gives advice on buying something sporty

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 6, 2008

Byline: MALCOLM TUMBRIDGE

IT MAY seem far-fetched, but the car you drive really can improve your love life. When I drove a bright red sports car, if I polished it, I always got admiring glances and the occasional compliment.

People do judge you by the clothes you wear and the car you drive. A cool car means you must be pretty cool too.

If you are totally head-over-heels in love this year, a little sports car is also the ultimate present for your loved one. And a pretty sports car doesn't have to break the bank.

Toyota Celica (1994-1999)

Reliable, easy to own, good value. Not sexy to look at although GT Four is and has four-wheel drive. Now very cheap and being a Toyota is ultra reliable.

Most economical: 1.8 ST - 37.6mpg Best used buy: 2.0 GT and GT cabriolet. Buy from: Mature owners with a full service history.

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 1999 1.8 ST with 70,000 miles should be around pounds 2,784 - pounds 3,276. UsedCarExpert.com common faults to spot: 4

Mazda MX5 (1990-present)

Affordable, reliable and still sexy. The best small roadster you can buy. Huge choice of UK cars and high specification Japanese imports. Cheap to buy and run.

Most economical: 1.6 - 35.3mpg Best used buy: pre '98 1.8S Buy from: Specialist MX5 dealer, enthusiast owner.

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A year 2000 1.6 with 50,000 average mileage will be around pounds 4,499 - pounds 5,299.

UsedCarExpert.com common faults to spot: 15

Honda S2000 (1999-present)

Fast, well-equipped and full of character.

The S2000 won't break down and only now are the high mileage earlier examples good value buys.

Most economical: 2.0 - 28.5mpg Best used buy: Standard 2.0 Buy from: Honda dealer, specialists and company owners with all the service records.

Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A year 2000 2.0 with 62,000 average mileage will be around pounds 9,765 - pounds 10,731 UsedCarExpert.com common faults to spot: 6.

CAPTION(S):

SPORTY - from top, the Toyota, Mazda and Honda