Luxury on a budget

15:13, Aug 31 2009 Matt Tumbridge

I HAVE signed up for a charity event that raises money for BEN - the benevolent fund for people in the motor trade. Essentially, we have to find a banger for less than £250 that can make it around the country for three days of events. The cars are then auctioned off to raise money for the charity. Obviously I want to do this with some flair, so I have been looking for luxury cars - Jaguars, Lexus, Mercedes C-Class and the like. The doubters say it's not possible. £250 cars are off the end of the price guide scale and no dealer will have one. But the process of trawling has reminded me just how many great big luxury saloons can be yours for so little. Here are three: Lexus LS Superb to drive and be driven in. Outside of the top draw Rollers this is the last word in refinement. Latest Hybrid engine fashionable, but V8 petrols shed value fast, making them a bargain used limousine. Most economical: 4.3 Best used buy: 4.3 UsedCarExpert.com faults: n/a Used Car Expert magazine price guide: A year 2000 4.4 litre LS with 85,000 miles is around £8,500. Jaguar XJ Smooth performance and the ultimate in comfort. Early 6 cylinder cars up to 1997 are now at low low prices. Not only that later V8 is going the same way which is brilliant. Most economical: 3.2 6 cylinder Best used buy: 4.0 UsedCarExpert.com faults: 18 Used Car Expert magazine price guide: A year 2000 3.2 litre XJ with 80,000 miles will be around £5,700. Mercedes S-Class If the BMW 7-series looks too whacky, the Lexus is too bland and the Jaguar XJ too cramped but you still want a high-spec luxury limo it has to be the S-Class. Most economical: 3.2 Cdi Best used buy: 5.0 UsedCarExpert.com faults: n/a Used Car Expert magazine price guide: A year 2000 3.2 CDI with 100,000 miles will be £7,097.