tommallett

If you sit on the beach at Juan les Pins you will have to pay €8 for a beer, and a further five for an ice cream, it is expensive but not flashy like St Tropez and this is reflected in the vehicles on hand.

It is not uncommon for a slightly battered Peugeot 205 Roland Garros to pull up to the kerb and an elegant lady emerge dripping with diamonds and wearing an elegant, but subtly Italian dress. What this got me wondering is: what cars are classless? And does it make any difference where it is?

First I think I will try and explain what I mean by classless. A classless car is one that makes as much sense for a multi-millionaire to buy or a shopkeeper, one that the multi-millionaire can turn up to the Ritz Hotel in London and hand to the valet but can also be parked without too much as a second glance in the local man’s working club.

The first car that I shall suggest for this accolade is the latest BMW produced Mini, a car which has sold in huge numbers, is built beautifully, is cheap to run and even has good residual value.

The Mini is a car that is at home anywhere. It is a car favored by wealthy families to use in the city or as a runabout and the fact that it is stylish means that it makes perfect sense, especially when the fun factor of the way it drives is included into the equation.

On the other hand, it makes an ideal car for anyone who is counting the pennies too, with strong residual values and the Mini TLC servicing package coming to the fore.

Other cars that fulfill these criteria? Try the Fiat 500 maybe, or the Subaru Forester…yes, the Forester!

Anyway, I’ve given one example here with the Mini, and explained my reasons behind it. I’d like to hear a few more though, and why you think it is classless. As a pointer, just try and think of a vehicle you would not be surprised if the Managing Director owned to go into town while his secretary uses the same vehicle to get to work.