Market Watch: Buy These Cool 10-Year Old Cars That Withstood The Test Of Time

While we try to convince ourselves that the new year will bring forth more compelling cars, we can’t help but attempt to “localise” this scenario - what 10-year old cars are worth saving in Singapore? Plenty, in fact. Those that question the lack of interesting new cars could revive some of the greatest hits in the mid-2010s, before the COE timebomb sends them to the scrapyard.

Roll back the years to 2015 - Ferrari introduced the V8-turbo 488 and manic V12-powered F12tdf. Jaguar was still well in the luxury sedan fight, launching the XE and XF. Honda teased the new NSX and Mazda’s ND roadster was revealed. While most of these might still be on the more aspirational end of the affordability scale, they have designs that look stunning and most importantly, make you feel special. So, what other desirable cars can we “save” in Singapore before the death knell strikes?

BMW i8

If there was an automotive duo that tried their best to map an exciting future, the BMW i3 and i8 will not be far off the list. The latter packed supercar looks and modern day hybrid levels of efficiency. Sure, a 0 - 100km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds won’t set our hearts of fire now, but take a peek beneath its skin to reveal its USPs.

It was the first production car with laser headlights. It's made out of carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), and with butterfly doors and a low centre of gravity, not many cars can claim that it looks strikingly similar to its concept. Here’s one in Pure Impulse trim, which adds accents on seatbelt straps, floor mats and metallic surfaces on the centre console amongst others.

Mercedes-Benz S400L

The S-Class was the king before EVs rewrote rulebooks to maximise cabin space, particularly for rear passengers. Most specced for Singapore were long wheelbase options, and if you were after a V6 unit there’s plenty to choose from. S320L, S400L and S450L (facelift) supplied exemplary chauffeuring duties - the 3.0-litre biturbo V6 S400L here is equipped with air suspension, a 70-litre fuel tank and 480Nm of shove.

A claimed 12.2km/l efficiency doesn’t sound criminal - that’s because it weighs on the healthier side of 2 tonnes, a staggering 800kg lighter than an EQS SUV.

Volvo S80 D2 diesel

Can a diesel car be considered timeless? It could very well be, if it’s specced like this Volvo S80 D2. Pendulum has swung towards its favour - it doesn’t come with a sunroof, electric tailgate, sat-nav and reverse camera - equipment that could either succumb to wear and tear or would have been outdated.

Ad claims that it’s possible to renew it either for another 10 or 5 years. It’s Cat A-eligible, pushes 115bhp and 270Nm, and sips fuel (literally) at 22.2 km/l. Time to add this to the 1,000km-per-tank challenge.

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