BENTLEY ARNAGE

1998-2009

Price £12,500-£53,000

From a classic British luxury brand taken under the German wing (initially by VW, then BMW), the Arnage has one foot in an old-school British drawing office. It was updated and improved throughout its production run, so the later cars are probably better, especially in terms of day-to-day reliability. Its pre-germanic roots mean that you get a properly upright dashboard, high driving position and pre-modernist styling. Because these cars were individually specified and there were many special factory editions, choose the right one and you’ll get plenty of trad walnut, quilted leather and ‘engine turned’ trim. The best way to buy is from a specialist (they often offer their own warranties) and stick with them for maintenance. It won’t be cheap to run and fuel, but you’ll get genuine get-away-from-it-all luxury.

ONE WE FOUND 2006 BENTLEY ARNAGE 6.8T MULLINER II, 55K MILES, £36,950