Not All Classics Cost the Earth...
If you're looking to pick up an iconic car on a budget, know this — it won't be easy! Don't lose heart, though. There are many hidden gems and future classics to be found on the market with serious performance potential. And they shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. To give you a helping hand, we'll be taking a closer look at some of those vehicles right here.
Porsche 924
The Porsche 924 didn't get the greatest of receptions upon its release. Certain reviewers really laid into the car's performance! But time has been kind here. The 924 is now seen as something of a misunderstood classic. And guess what? It can be had for a reasonable price today. The average figure for a base model ranges between $8,000 and $15,000.
Rover 75
There's a lot to like about the Rover 75. It's luxurious, nippy, and has a decent amount of power thanks to some good engine options. Is it a hidden gem? We'd say so! It's certainly well-priced compared to other classic motors today. In the U.K., you can snag one for just under $7,000.
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is a classic in waiting. Equipped with a tremendous V6 engine capable of reaching 250 horsepower, it's a great performer. It looks awesome, too! But is it expensive today? Well, prices in the U.K. start at around $12,000. That's a pretty good deal, folks.
Peugeot 205 GTI
A deceptively strong performer, the Peugeot 205 GTI was a very cool car to own back in the 1980s. And honestly? It's still awesome to have now! It handles brilliantly on the road. In terms of price, you're looking at $8,000 minimum — which isn't bad at all.
Jaguar XJ-S
The Jaguar XJ-S enjoyed an excellent run — it was in production for 21 years. It finally bowed out in 1996. But this luxurious motor hasn't been forgotten in the decades since. It's still an awesome performer on the road. Today, you could bag an XJ-S for $10,000-plus.
Alpine A110
Is the Alpine A110 a modern classic? It's definitely got a case! The base model is a very impressive car — it can hit 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Quite the figure, right? The A110 can be a little pricey compared to other motors on this list, but if you love what it offers it'll be worth it.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W168)
The first generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, also known as the W168, is a fascinating motor. It's deceptively spacious, looks fantastic, offers excellent fuel efficiency, and makes for a fun drive in city areas. At most, this car can fetch around $12,000 today. We wouldn't blame you for feeling tempted!
Volvo 1800ES
The Volvo 1800ES is a rather understated car. It does a lot of good things without drawing attention to itself. This vehicle can cruise at 100 mph and hit speeds of up to 118 mph. It handles brilliantly, too. An 1800ES in decent condition can sell for roughly $15,000 today.
Ford Capri 2.8i Special
Looked upon as Europe's answer to the Mustang, the Ford Capri 2.8i Special is indeed a special motor. Equipped with a V6 engine, it's punchy and wickedly quick for its size. It's not hard to understand why so many people still love it today. In the U.K., a 2.8i Special in good condition can fetch about $16,000.
Vauxhall VXR8
Is the Vauxhall VXR8 a worthy investment at $21,000 today? Certainly! Equipped with a powerful V8 engine, this underrated classic can hit 62 mph in five seconds flat and has a top speed of 155 mph. It also handles brilliantly on the road, boasting some excellent brakes.
Mazda MX-5 Mk1
Making its bow in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Mk1 immediately stood out. It looked great, had excellent reliability scores, and proved to be a lot of fun to drive. And guess what, folks? You won't have to break the bank to buy one today. The average price for a Mk1 is around $12,000.
Abarth 124 Spider
The Abarth 124 Spider is a seriously gorgeous sports car. It looks amazing! Fortunately, it's a fantastic performer, too. With its rear-wheel drive set-up, this is a very fun motor to take out for a spin. As for its price, you can pick one up for just over $20,000 in the U.K. now.
Lotus Elise S1
Arguably one of the coolest cars of the 1990s, the Lotus Elise S1 is still mighty impressive. It has a great look, handles very well, and is a dream to drive. What's not to like here! If you want an S1 today, you could bag one for $28,000.
Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag wasn't without its problems back in the day. This 1970s motor had poor cooling and developed cracked gaskets after a while. But now? Its reputation is looking a lot better. Those issues can be easily fixed, giving you a chance to enjoy the Stag's V8 engine. Its average price today sits at roughly $18,500.
Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is a tremendous sports car — good luck tearing your eyes away from this beauty, folks! It has excellent engine options, performs brilliantly on the road, and looks oh so elegant. In terms of price, a 2014 F-Type can fetch about $23,000 today.
BMW I3
When discussing future classic EVs, the BMW i3 has to be in the conversation. This stylish motor is surprisingly agile and boasts excellent power on city roads. Its acceleration is nothing to be sniffed at, either. Today, prices for the i3 start at around $8,000.
Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 made its debut back in the mid-1980s. And it didn't take long for the sports car to win people over. Small trunk aside, it had a great look and offered fantastic handling behind the wheel. Today, the MR2 has an average price of about $18,000.
Volkswagen Golf MkI GTI
Is the Volkswagen Golf MkI GTI the prettiest car in the world? Probably not! But don't let that put you off. This motor is a genuine classic, offering great performances and equally impressive handling. It's really fun to drive. A MkI GTI in good condition today can be had for $15,000 or so.
Alfa Romeo Spider Series 2
We'll be blunt here — the Alfa Romeo Spider Series 2 is an absolute stunner. You couldn't ask for more in terms of looks or performance. So how much can you expect to pay for one right now? Well, the average sales price is just under $17,500. Not bad, right?
Ford Escort RS2000
The Ford Escort RS2000 packed quite the punch. It was powerful, fast, and lots of fun to drive. You wouldn't forget your first time behind the wheel of this thing, folks! In the U.K. you can snag an RS2000 for rougly $24,000 today.
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
Fast? Check. Practical? Check. Stylish? You bet! Yep, the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is an undeniable classic. It can hit 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 150 mph. Prices in the U.K. can start at around $20,000 for this '80s gem.
Fiat 124 Sport Spider
The Fiat 124 Sport Spider is still an eye-catching motor today. It looks fantastic, right? Its engine isn't bad, either, offering some zippy performances on the road. Will it cost you an arm and leg to buy one now, though? Not quite! Prices for this car start at about $13,000.
MGB GT V8
A classic '70s motor, the MGB GT V8 was very impressive for its time. Thanks to that punchy engine, it could hit 60mph in 7.7 seconds. It was also capable of producing 137 horsepower. If you want to buy one now, the average price sits at around $25,500.
BMW E34 M5
Few cars from the 1990s can touch the BMW E34 M5. It's one of the finest vehicles of that decade, boasting an iconic design, excellent driving dynamics, and a superb engine. Prices can vary today, but some M5s have sold for as little as $9,600 recently. Talk about a bargain!
Bentley Turbo R
A motor that just oozes class, the Bentley Turbo R is as luxurious as they come. It looks incredible! Don't sleep on its performance, though. This car has an impressive V8 engine capable of hitting 60 mph in seven seconds. The average price comes to $21,000 today.
Toyota Supra Mk4 Turbo
The Toyota Supra Mk4 Turbo ticks so many boxes. It's stylish, reliable, powerful, and capable of some thrilling performances. Finding one for a decent price can be tricky today, but don't be downhearted. In recent times, a buyer was able to snag a Mk4 for just $12,000!
Land Rover
Land Rovers have been around for decades now. There's so many different models to choose from! The Series II and Series IIA are a couple of standouts from earlier generations, while the classic Defender is worth mentioning, too. Older Land Rovers can be had for less than $15,000 today.
Honda Integra Type R
It's hard not to be impressed by the Honda Integra Type R. Its performance, handling, and front-wheel drive setup are all impeccable. The car has quite a kick as well! Right now, the average price for this classic sits at roughly $23,600.
Nissan 300ZX Turbo
Is the Nissan 300ZX Turbo underrated? It feels that way! This car is a great performer, offering solid acceleration, fantastic handling, and a balanced drive. It's also fairly priced today. The sales figures can start at about $15,000 on the used market.
Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is an icon. Making its debut in 1965, this motor excelled when it came to off-road travel. It went on to enjoy a lengthy production run. But how much do the classic models cost today? Well, first-generation Broncos can be had for $20,000-plus right now.
Mazda RX-7
Looks aside, does the Mazda RX-7 have anything else going for it? Absolutely! This classic motor makes for an excellent drive thanks to its awesome handling and eye-catching engine. As for its average price today, the figure comes to around $27,000.
BMW E46 M3
All-round performance cars don't come much better than the BMW E46 M3. This is a very special vehicle, folks! Its performance and handling are both second to none. It looks beautiful, too. Today, prices for the M3 start at $20,000 or so.
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
We won't beat around the bush here — the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R is a monstrous vehicle. It isn't nicknamed "Godzilla" for nothing! It's ridiculously powerful, capable of producing over 300 horsepower. You can bag one for $30,000 today.
Alfa Romeo Brera
The Alfa Romeo Brera is a visually-striking motor. It's an easy car to gawk at! On the performance-front, it's got excellent steering and agile handling. But will it cost you the earth to own one now? Nope. The average price sits between $9,000 and $10,000.
Through: Alexander-93