This classic 900 Turbo (the low-
pressure LPT, not the much-lusted-
after T16 S), has been restored by aspecialist. It’s a 91/H-reg model with
100,000 miles but just two owners.
“A fantastic example for any classic
car lover,” he gushes.
The undersung 3.2 V6 Eos cabrio
can do 0-62mph in 7.3sec. It was one
of the prettier coupé-cabrios of its
time (2006-15), benefiting from VW’s
attention to detail and classy build.
This 2005/56-reg example with
56,000 miles looks a proper eyeful.
The FR-V (flexible recreational
vehicle) of 2004-09 was Honda’sreply to Fiat’s Multipla. It had three
front seats and three in the back and
petrol or diesel power. This cherished
2005/05-reg 2.0 i-VTEC SE with
100,000 miles is £1850. Tempting.
Little feels as capable and solid as an
A6 Avant. We found this 2007/07 3.0
TDI with 85,000 miles in excellent
condition and with full history, and
it’s the rare Le Mans edition with 19in
wheels from the RS4, the Luxury
Pack and an exclusive colour.
MUCH-
LOVED
MPVA CUTE
QUICK
HATCHBUY THEM
BEFORE WE DO
WILD CARD
M i n i C o op e r S of t he
so-called R56 generation
t h at r a n f r om 2 0 07 t o
2013 makes a great hot-
h at c h bu y. It ’s p ow e r e d b y t he BM W/
Peugeot-developed Prince engine – a
1.6 turbo with an overboost function.
T he ba d ne w s i s t h at c a r s up t o
2010 were powered by a version of
the engine codenamed N14, which
used BMW’s infinitely variable single
Vanos valve timing. It wasn’t the
mo s t r e l i a ble t h i n g, s o i n 2 010 it w a s
r e pl a c e d w it h a b e t t e r v e r sion , t he
N18, which featured a double Vanos
system and produced more power. It
also had lots of mechanical upgrades.
I f y ou’r e u n s u r e w h ic h i s w h ic h , t he
N18 has a large plastic engine cover.
At the same time the clutch was
improved, although it’s still fragile.
And then a few months later the
model was facelifted, receiving
restyled bumpers, a revised interior,
LED tail-lights with pulsating brake
lights and additional air intakes.
Fi n a l l y, i n 2 011 t he e n g i ne ga i ne d t he
revised timing tensioner it had been
crying out for since day one (it had a
nasty habit of throwing its chain).
We found a 2013/63-reg Cooper
S Sport Chili with 69,000 miles
for £6990. The car has a full BMW
service history, it’s had two owners
from new and is described as being in
excellent condition.
Oil leaks were a problem with older
cars but shouldn’t be an issue at this
age. Given the BMW history, neither
should the cooling system, which can
develop cracks in the plastic coolant
thermostat housing. We’d check
if the water pump was replaced at
50,000 miles and the condition of
the radiator lower support bracket.
On the test drive we’d feel for a worn
clutch – they can go from as low as
20,000 miles.
A
Mini Cooper S £ 6990
Audi A 6 Avant 3.0 TDI
Le Mans £ 6990
Honda FRV
£ 1850
Saab 900 S Turbo 5 dr auto
£ 5495
Volkswagen Eos 3.2 V 6
Sport Auto £ 4495
LIMITED-
EDITION
AVANTQUIRKY
CLASSICSAAB
74 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 24 APRIL 2 019