Which modern classic?
 

Toying with the idea of buying a modern classic but can't figure out which one. Definitely a large part of the motivation is as an investment however I would like to enjoy driving it as well.

I've only had one experience of a modern classic before and it didn't end well. Many years ago I chopped my Scoob in for an absolutely mint BMW 635 csi. It was a boyhood dream to own one. However like lots of boyhood dreams the reality doesn't live up to the anticipation. The car was mint but within a few weeks I was fed up. Mainly because it handled like a barge and was no fun to drive.

It was my only car though and so I really missed the Scoob and so sold it a few months later for considerable loss.

So this time around I want something that will actually be enjoyable to drive but thankfully it will be my third car.

With the two cars that sprung to mind it seems that I've already missed the boat ie BMW ZM coupe and the Skyline GTR r34. The prices are crazy. I'd love a classic Porsche but prices aren't just crazy but frankly ridiculous.


Anyway my requirements are

1) Approx £30k but could go higher

2) Can be left outside as I don't have a garage (but do have a drive)

3) Fun to drive once in a while and will start and go reliably if properly maintained.


4) Will qualify for classic car insurance

5) Has investment potential.

Thanks for looking.

Golf Mk1 GTi Campaign Edition.

Mk 1 MX5 or a lotus elise

My God I want an early Elise

You could get something special for less than £10k

996 or 986 Porsche is currently where the value is at, investment potential is likely to take years to realise although they are on the up already. Most Japanese stuff has already sailed or is in the process of being inflated by chancer dealers.

Thanks I will look at the Golf GTi, early elise or MX5. I reckon they could be a lot of fun to drive as my main two cars are quite big and heavy.

@mikejenkins

The 996 is probably the only 911 that I absolutely hate, I just can't stand the shape.

Could the 986 actually become an appreciating classic? I'm assuming it was made in huge numbers?

Thanks very much

Mk 2 RS Focus, low miles, standard, with top luxury pack.
Evo 9 GT
Mini Cooper works GP

I had a V Spec Eunos Mk1 1.6, it was brilliant. Probably the most speed I have carried through a corner or round a roundabout.

At that price point and guaranteed investment: Integrale :thumb:

A quick google reckons that 400,000 Mk1 MX-5s were made, and about 160,000 986 Boxsters. Neither are thin on the ground but the MX-5 is going up in value currently.

I have had several Mk1 MX-5s, they are a great weekend car, but a bit dated and basic to use more often in my opinion. They are however plentiful, cheap and easy to fix. I think the Mk2 is a better car in every way, but rusts a bit more easily and doesn't have the pop up lights so hasn't been affected by retro tax and is currently excellent value for money. I doubt these will ever appreciate enough to be considered investment potential however.

I doubt the 986 is going to get much cheaper and it's a great car (it feels like a classic to drive, but not so much as to be annoyingly dated). I had an early one for a bit last year, it had 1 owner and 39,000 miles, was in immaculate condition, and cost me £4800 - they have gone up a bit since then.

You never really know with Porsches - my Dad had a 944 Turbo for 8 years, and it was worth around the 4K he paid for it until last year when it tripled in value after being sneered at for decades due to the engine being in the wrong place with not enough cylinders (history repeats). The number of those was in the low hundreds for most of that time, so rarity didn't really effect its value, but buying trends did.

The same is happening with the Mk1 MX-5 at the moment, difference being there are thousands of them around.

Just a great fun car though. Only had a Mk 2

I perhaps am living a dream with the elise. One day I will have one. Surely that must be a car that goes up in value.I have sidelined all porsches.Too expensive

Noble m12

Lancia Delta Integrale
Clio V6
any Ford RS
Classic Mini Cooper sport 500
P1
Mk1 /2 GTi Golf

Without checking prices... Lotus Exige.

Some of the suggestions are just too slow IMHO

Checked prices - Deffo one of those (circa £25k)

Edit again - forgot about the classic insurance - doh!

Would still have the noble very rare and quick

Elise
VX220
205GTI
944

Classic mini?

check out the prices of these little babies now, good investment and fun to drive

if the 'standard Classics' not your idea of Fun, try a 'Z cars' Classic Mini :notworthy

The Integrale is already big money, so that's out.

The exige and elise seem to be suggested again and again so I'll look into those. I would have preferred classic car insurance but they are lovely looking cars.

Classic mini is not really my thing but I will take a look.

What about something like an Evo Tommi Mak? I've done a quick search but can't get a handle on prices. There are some as cheap as £13k and some dealers have them up for £40k.
I know condition and history is everything but what could you pick a good example up for?

Cheers

I think you've missed the boat on the Tommi Makinnen one's the red ones go for silly prices. Torque GT had a nice white one for £18k but that's just been sold.

Gotta be the Exige IMO, it's just a little bit more special than the Elise. Either that or if you're prepared to wait you may be able to get a 2 Eleven, though you'd have to wait for one to pop up and see what prices are like. I can only find 2 for sale and they're right at the top of your price range.

Evo 6 but then im biased as I have one :)

I do think the 996 will be a future investment but it will be years from now.

Evo 6 RSX, only 25 ever made, and the prices of just normal Evo 6's are going up, might be worth jumping on the band wagon now before its too late!!!
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=535215

Most things Japanese

DC2
S14
S13
RX7
Supra

Etc
Etc

Few Evoras in the £30k bracket!

That does look nice. There were only 100 UK V spec cars ever produced so that should help values going forward.

I'd need to check insurance though as I really don't want pay for a third car with mega high premiums.

Would the Exige have to be mk1 to be 'collectable'?

You can get a nice 8 or 16V Integrale well within your price range. Granted Evo 2 prices have gone stratospheric, especially the limited editions, you may get an Evo 1 though.

I sold my Evo 1 a few years ago and am currently restoring an 8 valve. I really rate the 8V as it was first of the Integrale line, had a quick look and found this nice example:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...egrale/5213908

HTH

Ding based on your previous car history, I don't think any Elise (unless it has been honda supercharge converted) is going to cut it for you in terms of speed. An Exige would be a better shout but again I think you would be underwhelmed unless it was at least an 'S'.

I think you might struggle to find something fast and special enough for you on a 30k budget not because of the budget but because of what you have previously owned/driven.

Something left of field like a Noble M12 may be? :p