I’ll get the ball rolling with an '05 AMS Acolyte 3.5 GT - a sporty mid-sized 2-door 4-seater coupe that retailed for just 24k AMU when new.
With a 300-bhp 3.5L I6 driving the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and helical LSD, it’s quick off the mark, as a sports coupe should be - 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds is more than perfectly adequate for a family-sized offering with sporting intent.
Thanks to 4-wheel fully independent suspension (dual wishbones front/multi-link rear) tuned for a balanced mix of sportiness and comfort, plus ABS-assisted vented disc brakes at each corner, the Acolyte has exemplary ride, handling, and braking to match the class leaders.
The Acolyte also comes with a full premium interior, complete with sat-nav, high-quality CD stereo sound system, MP3 compatibility, and 4 seats trimmed in genuine leather, with optional contrasting accents (as shown on the example here).
The 3.5 GT trim comes with 225/40R18 high-performance tires wrapped around 18-inch alloy wheels at each corner, as well as a functional aero kit that keeps the tires planted even in extreme cornering situations, and standard-fit fog lights for use in low-visibility conditions.
This example is being offered for sale at just 18k GBP, with a full service history, and has been well-maintained for nearly two decades. Its sole owner throughout this time has chosen to sell the car due to his family of five having outgrown it in the years since.
Best of all, as a Euro 4-compatible car, it’s CAZ/ULEZ exempt, and in addition to that, it’s very well-built and reliable - while still weighing 1455kg, so it’s not too heavy by modern standards, allowing it to make the most of its top-notch powertrain and chassis.