USED RIVALS: SUPER SALOONS

ALTHOUGH THE NOTION OF A naturally aspirated V10 in a luxury saloon car seems faintly absurd in this era, that’s exactly what you get with the previous-generation Audi S8. In fact, without turbochargers, the S8 wasn’t quite as rapid as it first appears on paper, but it’s nevertheless a pleasing device and an effortlessly quick way to cover miles in comfort.

The X350/ X358-gen supercharged Jaguar XJR is great value, and these aluminium-bodied cars always struck a fine balance between limousine comfort and incisive handling, even if the olde worlde styling won’t appeal to everyone.

Finally, if you want to be truly decadent, it’s hard to beat a sub-£20,000 S65 AMG. With over 600bhp on tap, these really were the plutocrat’s limo of true excess, although the depreciation must have hurt anyone who actually handed over their own money. Buy a bad one and it’ll be your wallet that’s hurting, so shop with care.