Has There Ever Been A Better Time To Buy A Used Luxury Saloon?

The credit crunch has hit most people in the pocket, except for a few exceptions, namely those with tracker mortgages and repossession companies, but believe it or not, as we enter recession, those with their finances in check can profit from these miserable times when wanting to splash a little cash.

If you're in the market for a luxury used car, there really are some bargains to be had out there. Be it a Lexus, BMW, Alfa Romeo or an Audi that takes your fancy, car dealers won't admit it, but they all know that we are in a buyers' market. So now is the time to put on your negotiating hat and grab that bargain!

I'm going to compare three top-end luxury sports cars: 2008 models of Lexus IS 250; BMW M3 and Audi S5. All classic, chic and sleek, starting with the Lexus IS, a model that was first developed and available to drive out of the showroom in 1999. The 2008 IS 250 sports a 2.5 litre V6 engine - the first generation of the IS was only available with a 2 litre, 24 valve engine.

Available in manual or automatic transmission, although the manual gearbox is much more fun to drive with, the IS 250 is a comfortable ride; you'd expect nothing less from a Lexus though would you. Noise levels from the engine are not as loud as you would expect from a V6 engine, which may or may not appeal to drivers - probably dependent upon the age of the driver.

Lexus may have gained new-found fame through Alan Partridge - whether that diminished the brands credibility remains to be seen - but given the fact that you can purchase a two month old Lexus IS 250 from a Lexus dealer for as little as 22,000, pounds that simply is not to be scoffed at!

Next on test, the BMW M3 - the classic sport saloon. But a 2008 model will set you back a good 15 grand more than the Lexus. However, there is no denying the quality of this baby. A bit of an unfair comparison of sorts though given the M3's 4 litre V8 engine with 420 horses under the hood.

The M3 may have more muscle than the Lexus but it is just as comfortable and practical. The M3's sleek lines are on a par with the Lexus IS, but don't compare with the final car in this comparison - the Audi S5.

The 2008 S5 Quattro has a 4.2 litre engine, which comes in triptronic also. It's a stunning sports saloon, with all the curves in the right places - the Angelina Jolie of Sport Saloons. The interior, as always with Audi's, is well thought out, constructed and very sexy.

A 2008 S5 can be found for around 35,000 pounds - 5 grand off the on the road price. And that's before a little bit of negotiation has taken place - you could Del Boy your way to a lovely jubbly price!

These really are three beauties and they will be desired for similar purposes but also for differing reasons depending on the driver's specifications. For me, the S5 wins the battle of the German cars on test here, simply for its beauty, if not for its driveability, but for more affordable luxury, especially in a buyers' market, the Lexus is hard to beat in this field, especially when such bargains can be had from Lexus dealers.

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