Not necessarily sporty or luxurious, but sufficient to arrive to a party covered in style and leave remembered. Should you be in a market for a used car, here’s a list for those Europeans who shop in a used car marked and choose with style in mind. Remember it’s always you, not the metal, that matters the most.
1. CITROEN C6 - designed and manufactured by French themselves until 2012, it had never been a popular choice between driving purists nor is a head-turner today. But just as it’s predecessor XM, it remains a car to be approached with respect to its owner. The car tells nothing about owner’s status or size of wallet, but tells everything needed to know about the one’s taste in style.
From 5 000 € to 13 000 €
2. MINI COOPER S (3 door hatchback or cabrio, or I like to call him mini pooper fridge) - just don’t mix it with Mini One, as it’s close, but sometimes close is just not enough. Mini has reinvented the upmarket supermini segment and continues to be a default choice between style purists. Unfortunately iPhone 7 doesn’t come standard and must be purchased separately, together with an oversized knitted scarf.
From 5 000 € to 25 000 €
3. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque - in 3 doors configuration or dare a new cabrio. Frankly, you want one, but continue making up rational excuses, right? Was the first stylish SUV in the market and still holds the title of the most stylish SUV today by a good margin. Compared to Mini, works with wider variety of phones and a classic office suit. From 20’000 EUR to 37’000 EUR.
4. FIAT 500 - despite it being around since 2007 and earning segment’s best-sellers title in Europe for many years since then, we see plenty of those in streets, but you just can’t ignore it, can you? Just don’t skimp on color choice.
From 4 000 € to 9 000 €
5. BMW i3 - electric power? OK, but don’t lie you are not a two car garage person, so a great attempt to receive animal applause, but sufficient to get you in the stylish club. Eco friendship is still trending. Don’t spoil your club membership with the real leather bits in your outfit though.
From 25 000 € to 35 000 €
6. ALFA ROMEO BRERA and SPYDER - just must be on the list, as Alfa Romeo designers really succeeded with design of Brera. Today it’s appreciated by owners who value it for a rare combination of timeless style and driving characteristics.
From 6 000 € to 15 000 €
7. MERCEDEZ BENZ SL (any generation and specification) - a bold and stylish statement of status. Must own something in order to buy one, a winery preferably.
From 10 000 € to skyhigh.
8. SAAB 900 (pre 1994 GM model) - as long as it’s you who decide, a bit of rough on the edge is fine, it’s not necessarily dated. Together with style, this choice also sends a message of your good investment taste, especially if it’s a Turbo.
From 3 000 € to 20 000 €
9. PEUGEOT RCZ - didn’t know it even existed? Peugeot might have had Audi TT in mind when created design of RCZ, but just a choice of latter tells you value style above the brand. It’s more of a conversation starter rather than statement maker.
From 12 000 € to 25 000 €
10. NISSAN JUKE - it’s ok if style appears to be ugly for some. Or most. And taste for boobs has always been subjective. Or are those the eyes I’m looking at? Nevertheless, it’s definitely a different shape of metal to travel in and deserves it’s place among the stylish ones, although it’s the last one it earns.
From 8 000 € to 12 000 €
I originally wrote this article for the styling blog Lenalisabona, written by a famous local stylist Lina, make sure to check her blog!