THE new tax bands mean buying a big new car is a bad idea.

The ever-increasing fuel costs, at first thought, seem to compound the problem.

But what all this means is that big cars are becoming unpopular, so once they leave the main dealer network, mostly at three years and older, they start to become cheap fast.

Older, premium brand vehicles that have tens of thousands of miles and years of life left in them are yours for the taking. Check out these three:

VW luxury can be a bit tame in comparison to the indulgent interior of the BMW or Lexus. This is however a high quality saloon that can doesn't draw unwanted attention to its owner and will leave you feeling fresh at the end of a long journey.     

3.2 petrol is the only practical choice. 

£48,000 plus when new, a 50,000 mile, five year old version is yours for just £15,000.

A comfortable and stylish coupe or cabriolet. One of the most head turning cars you can buy on the used market, plus it is built to do hundreds of thousands of miles.

3.2 petrol 

£30,000 plus when new, a 40,000 mile, five year old version is yours for £15,000.

A luxury saloon that thinks it is a sports car - handling that puts other luxury cars to shame. Only a small seller, yet very soft prices. It just keeps getting better...    

3.5 petrol 

£35,000 when new, a 30,000 miles, four year old version is yours for £15,000.