Interesting cars mortals can still afford ?
Discussion
Any kind of 911 is getting expensive, even 996s, long derided and cheap are on the up, a dust pan and brush full of MK1 Escort rust is now about 12 grand, in fact any Fast Ford seems to have gone daft, crappy 1.6 laser Capris for seven grand ! Integrales are beyond most folks reach, any kind of M3 is going silly, even Manky old E36's which everyone hated 6 years ago are now apparently priceless. I exagerate but you get the idea,
So, what interesting (can be anything really) can less well heeled enthusiasts still buy for sensible money, that varies by individual so its what is not ridiculously overrpriced, say ten grand, stretch it a bit if needs be. Not just talking about gaining value, but being able to get a similar experience for a lot less money, or just somethign interesting that is off the beaten path.
I would say,
Porsche 924/944, a better car (if not image) than any Escort ever was, same era as a Mk2 RS2000 but more powerful, handles better and much better built, a grand still gets a working example, 4 gets the pick of most. Same goes for non turbo 944's, dont want to pay 20 grand plus for that 968 Club Sport, a well sorted 944 S2 for about 5 grand ?
Escort Cosworth or Integrale too rich for you, how about a Celica GT4, shared an Arcade machine with the Lancia and four grand gets a lot of Jap 4wd still.
Pug 205 GTI, 306 GTI was better in every respect, largely ignored these days but it a proper French hot hatch, available from a few hundred quid and destined to be a classic in its own right, 309 deserves a mention also as do the droves of Clio 172's out there for not much money, thats another that is due to have its day, buy now to avoid disappointment.
Volvo 850 T5, largely now consist of leggy sheds with the boost turned up, its over 20 years since these arrive, they were a big deal, nice, manual estates will get expensive, especially R's. Saab 9-3 Aeros and Viggens may get a minor following but not overly confident on that one.
Mk1 MX5, already on the up, so many tracked, stanced and drifted to death, a lot killed by rust, nice ones can only go one way now, a weird thing in that its no a classic aping a classic, Mk2's will be a while yet.
MG ZT, largely ignored at the moment, the petrol ones have hit rock bottom, deserves to get a bit of a following, the 200 BRM, 795 made, 200 or so left, most probably a bit screwed, actually a decent car, might be worth sticking one away, cant go any lower.
Audi TT Mk1, cheap and numerous currently, not the last word in driver enjoyment but quite a fantastic piece of design, iconic, trouble with these is they are worth enough to get fixed even though they are cheap so still loads about.
Your suggestions ?
So, what interesting (can be anything really) can less well heeled enthusiasts still buy for sensible money, that varies by individual so its what is not ridiculously overrpriced, say ten grand, stretch it a bit if needs be. Not just talking about gaining value, but being able to get a similar experience for a lot less money, or just somethign interesting that is off the beaten path.
I would say,
Porsche 924/944, a better car (if not image) than any Escort ever was, same era as a Mk2 RS2000 but more powerful, handles better and much better built, a grand still gets a working example, 4 gets the pick of most. Same goes for non turbo 944's, dont want to pay 20 grand plus for that 968 Club Sport, a well sorted 944 S2 for about 5 grand ?
Escort Cosworth or Integrale too rich for you, how about a Celica GT4, shared an Arcade machine with the Lancia and four grand gets a lot of Jap 4wd still.
Pug 205 GTI, 306 GTI was better in every respect, largely ignored these days but it a proper French hot hatch, available from a few hundred quid and destined to be a classic in its own right, 309 deserves a mention also as do the droves of Clio 172's out there for not much money, thats another that is due to have its day, buy now to avoid disappointment.
Volvo 850 T5, largely now consist of leggy sheds with the boost turned up, its over 20 years since these arrive, they were a big deal, nice, manual estates will get expensive, especially R's. Saab 9-3 Aeros and Viggens may get a minor following but not overly confident on that one.
Mk1 MX5, already on the up, so many tracked, stanced and drifted to death, a lot killed by rust, nice ones can only go one way now, a weird thing in that its no a classic aping a classic, Mk2's will be a while yet.
MG ZT, largely ignored at the moment, the petrol ones have hit rock bottom, deserves to get a bit of a following, the 200 BRM, 795 made, 200 or so left, most probably a bit screwed, actually a decent car, might be worth sticking one away, cant go any lower.
Audi TT Mk1, cheap and numerous currently, not the last word in driver enjoyment but quite a fantastic piece of design, iconic, trouble with these is they are worth enough to get fixed even though they are cheap so still loads about.
Your suggestions ?
J4CKO said:
Porsche 924/944, a better car (if not image) than any Escort ever was, same era as a Mk2 RS2000 but more powerful, handles better and much better built, a grand still gets a working example, 4 gets the pick of most. Same goes for non turbo 944's, dont want to pay 20 grand plus for that 968 Club Sport, a well sorted 944 S2 for about 5 grand ?
I very much like the 944 but it's always said that that "if you can't afford an expensive Porsche, you can't afford a cheap one".Late model Mustang GT's can be had for sensible money, £14k to £16k should buy you a nice 05-09 car (manual or auto), the later 5.0's starting around £20k, with higher mileage ones being a bit cheaper (mileage is no enemy to these cars, mine has 90,000 on it and it is still solid).
General servicing is hatchback money, even less if you can change the oil yourself (and yes I do mean hatchback not hot hatch); bigger stuff like tyres and brakes are obviously more expensive, but far from eye watering. £230 p/a to tax regardless of engine size and the insurance is sensible once you have a few years LHD experience under your belt, solid, reliable; the only part that I wouldn't class as non wear and tear that has gone is the alternator which I don't think is bad for a 90,000 mile car that is driven every day, lives outside and is also used in a national drag racing championship (SPRC Sportsman ET, if you were wondering).
The aftermarket is also huge for these cars, a few choice insurance friendly modifications and they handle really rather well too (most used cars will already have these to one degree or another).
General servicing is hatchback money, even less if you can change the oil yourself (and yes I do mean hatchback not hot hatch); bigger stuff like tyres and brakes are obviously more expensive, but far from eye watering. £230 p/a to tax regardless of engine size and the insurance is sensible once you have a few years LHD experience under your belt, solid, reliable; the only part that I wouldn't class as non wear and tear that has gone is the alternator which I don't think is bad for a 90,000 mile car that is driven every day, lives outside and is also used in a national drag racing championship (SPRC Sportsman ET, if you were wondering).
The aftermarket is also huge for these cars, a few choice insurance friendly modifications and they handle really rather well too (most used cars will already have these to one degree or another).
Edited by PanzerCommander on Wednesday 16th March 15:21
ikarl said:
I keep banging the same drum, but a nice mk2 MR2 is worth the money imo
Agreed. I also think the Mk3 MR2 Roadster is quite possibly the most fun drivers car per £ that money can buy. Both models look great, have plenty of poke for the road and are highly underrated by the market IMHO.ikarl said:
I keep banging the same drum, but a nice mk2 MR2 is worth the money imo
Some suggestions:
As above, Mk2 MR2 - feels very special and a real "event" car.
Mk3 MR2 - Has been oft said - 80% of an Elise for a fraction of the cost.
Lotus Elan Mk2 - Beautiful handling, exotic looks and a Lotus badge
Honda S2000 - THAT engine - even beat Ferrari at the HP/litre game for a while. Values continue to be strong.
It's hardly going to get alarm bells ringing at Amelia Island, but I've seen asking prices of my car (Impreza Type-R) climb from around £5.5k to £8.5k upwards in the couple of years that I've owned it... Nice thought potentially making money on a car, rather than losing a wallet full - especially as it wasn't bought as a 'sensible' purchase in the first place, let alone a potential investment!
Bennet said:
J4CKO said:
Porsche 924/944, a better car (if not image) than any Escort ever was, same era as a Mk2 RS2000 but more powerful, handles better and much better built, a grand still gets a working example, 4 gets the pick of most. Same goes for non turbo 944's, dont want to pay 20 grand plus for that 968 Club Sport, a well sorted 944 S2 for about 5 grand ?
I very much like the 944 but it's always said that that "if you can't afford an expensive Porsche, you can't afford a cheap one".insurance, 240 a year, Ved £250, parts off Ebay and various breakers, did the work myself that it needed, spent £1200 or so on it in 2 years and sold it for £4500.
Depends of course how hands on you are, but I dont think a 968 is that much different, its an evolution of the same car.
Like any car, especially older ones, at any price, just try and buy a good one.
*Al* said:
I had a Clio V6 a few years ago, sold for around £8K and was a very tidy low mileage example. I've recently checked prices and they are shooting up in price! Most MK1s are around £18K upwards now!!! What's going on?
I know! 
I've missed the boat on 205s and Rallyes now - they are going up....
SarGara said:
Nissan 350z's can be had from around £5k, worth a look in my opinion.
3.5L V6, RWD, Coupe, well spec'd and Nissan quality. Ticks a lot of boxes.
Yeah, I bought mine for 7 grand in 2013, ran it for 2 years and sold it for 7 grand, didnt spend that much on it.3.5L V6, RWD, Coupe, well spec'd and Nissan quality. Ticks a lot of boxes.
Dont think they are going to go up much, but the lack of depreciation offsets the fuel and VED costs to some extent.
Compare prices with a BMW Z3 Coupe and a Z4 Coupe. Z4 still be had for sub 10k albeit a 3.0 high mileage example.
I think 2006 Jag XK 4.2 You can buy in from 12k
Maserati 4200 GT. Ok high running cost but has performance, heritage, and a Ferrari engine - compare prices to an actual Ferrari and it's a bit of a bargain.
Mercedes SL as already mentioned. r129 was the last of the proper built models. And last of the removable hardtop, but also the shape has been the template for all the recent ones.
I think 2006 Jag XK 4.2 You can buy in from 12k
Maserati 4200 GT. Ok high running cost but has performance, heritage, and a Ferrari engine - compare prices to an actual Ferrari and it's a bit of a bargain.
Mercedes SL as already mentioned. r129 was the last of the proper built models. And last of the removable hardtop, but also the shape has been the template for all the recent ones.
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