LORD Sugar is always going on about sticking to the basics when it comes to business. You buy something when it’s cheap, you sell it when it’s expensive – that’s it as far as he’s concerned and those with some knowledge of second-hand cars will agree. If you want a 4X4 for winter, buy it in June when demand is at it’s lowest, sell it in March when demand is still high but the snow has finished. It’s the same with convertibles – buy now and save yourself a whole heap of cash. Nobody wants to go roof down in the snow and ice (though they should – it’s great fun) and anybody trying to sell a soft top is much more likely to be amenable to a hefty discount. Modern convertibles can deal with the weather anyway so now is the time. Come April and you’ll be laughing. So here are three hearty recommendations from UsedCarExpert. Mazda MX-5 It’s a cliché, the little Mazda, but you can’t really avoid it. In the realms of modern soft-tops the MX-5 is the acknowledged master. And with good reason. In terms of pure driving pleasure it shames cars many times more expensive. It’s very reliable, classless and cheap to run and insure. A stone cold no brainer if ever there was one. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for sale: A basic, 2007 1.8i model of the current car, in black with 31,000 miles on the clock and a full service history is for sale at £6,993. Peugeot 308 CC It’s a very rational choice. the looks are a little challenging and it’s geared rather sensibly toward comfort over speed but it’s a lovely car to be in, the interior really is brilliant and, unlike the competition, it’ll seat four quite happily. With a sensible petrol engine you can get quite a bargain as well. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for sale: A gloss black, 2009 1.6 petrol with warranty left, a great history and only 20,000 miles on the clock is available at £12,950. That’s half price compared to new. Lexus SC430 If you want a lot of luxury but don’t want to pay too much or be lumbered with high mileage, unreliable ‘premium’ scrap then the SC430 is the right car. Used values are amazingly low for such a brilliant luxury machine, especially when compared to the German competition. Unless you know the subtleties of Lexus detailing (and few do) you’ll never tell the difference between an old car with a private plate and a new car. Often the used car dealer’s wheels of choice, and for a reason. UsedCarExpert.co.uk Cars for sale: An utterly gorgeous 2003 model in plush gold with all the necessary history and trimmings, with 55,000 miles on the clock is available for £12,995. | 
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