What 80's or 90's Iconic classic to buy?

[Randompunter74]

Hi all,
Ok, so am looking for to add to the few cars I have already and thinking what to get which is in this order:
1) Is a great car to drive
2) Good investment
3) Ideally European but not essential
4) Manual
5) Something that is well known for its technological advancement for the era. Handling, Engine, Motorsports etc
6) Doesnt have to be road car

I already have a 1994 Lancia Delta Integrale EVO 2 Giallo Ginestra Euro Spec with 76,000kms and a 1988 BMW E30 M3 in Diamond Schwartz Metallic with 86,000 kms - Euro Spec, 911 GT3 997 Gen 2 with 12,000 kms and 2010 RS6 V10 as daily drive. (To give you an idea as to what driving cars I prefer. I love manuals)

I was thinking of the following:
- Audi Quattro (Although the prices have moved somewhat and have no idea as to the range of models and best one to get)
- Audi RS4 in Blue
- Toyota Celia
- TVR Tuscan, late Mk1 2003 etc
- Random car (Delorean)
- Renault 5 GT Turbo (White or Raider) - Or maybe Turbo 2
- Would like 911 964 but missed the boat on the prices and am not paying 60k for one.

Looking to spend between 10 and 30,000 GBP.

would appreciate any thoughts, suggestions etc. Cheers.

Edited by Randompunter74 on Friday 14th March 06:33

Edited by Randompunter74 on Friday 14th March 06:34

[benjj]

Audi RS2 for me.

[Randompunter74]

Good Point mate. I have been looking for a Blue one of them at the moment. Only 2 Grey ones at present. Goot have in Blue or yellow really. RS2 VS RS4? More the case that the RS2 was their first RS? etc

[benjj]

RS2 trumps the RS4 in pretty much all of the criteria you list, especially 'investment'.

Go and drive one. They're epic

And yes to Nogaro Blue, it just works better than the yellow.

[williamp]

Aston Virage (manual)
DB7
968 clubsport
928 GTS,
850 CSI
Lotus Esprit
Bentley continental R (not manual, but...)

The following will appreciate in value I am sure, however they must be in perfect, original non molested condition with low mileage. loved rather then thrashed:

one of the more extreme Imprezas,
Or the Mitsubishi Evo version)
Escort Cosworth

[Phil Dicky]

TVR Griffith 500.

[e21Mark]

968 CS
Audi Quattro UR 20v
Mercedes 190 Cosworth Evo

[woodytype S]

Toyota Mk1 Mr2

[blueg33]

This is my 1980's classic:

Lots of new things for the 1980's including:

Glued polyester body with panels cut by water jets
Lots of electronics ranging from fuel guage to door locks
ABS
Pretty quick for its day (still feels quickish now)
Great traction
A engine that won LeMans (ok it was tweaked a bit )
Hand made by Frenchmen in Dieppe (ok so every silver lining has its cloud )

And in true 1980's style it has velour upholstery and a graphic equaliser




Sadly, I will be selling it in the next month or two

[benjj]

Erm, you can drop me a line when ready to sell the Alpine!

[Randompunter74]

Thanks.

I think the Astons, BMW 850's and and Bentleys will just be too much maintenance you know.The porkers are nice and no doubt present investment, however I am 911 fan through and through. 968's etc dont do it for me, although I know they handle well.

I thin the RS2 and the Quattro are good ones to go for. Why the WR 20V? Over others so much? There are a number of engines and proces vary significantly.

Yes, def low mileage well cared for cars is what I am looking for.

[Randompunter74]

Thanks Benji, best colour by far. Love that colour. Had my old ZXR400 in that colour and loved it. Thinking of changing the RS6 into it too. Will have a think and research. The French werent the best with electrics in the 80;s or 90's hey....or for that matter...ever. : ) have considered that car before though so thanks for posting it.

[benjj]

Just been thinking about this more.

So you have:

Integrale
E30 M3
RS6 daily snotter

If I had those and had up to 30k to add a playmobile I'd probably draw up a shortlist of:

Audi RS2 as mentioned
Sierra RS Cosworth (RWD not 4WD)
BMW E28 M5
Porsche 993 Carrera 2

Then I'd spend a happy few weeks getting behind the wheel of all of them and seeing which suited me best.

[Dave Hedgehog]

RS2 and RS4 (very very rare in blue) can be very expensive to maintain, which can easily wipe out any potential profits from increased values

the whole car market is massively over inflated at the moment, it will crash with a bang when more traditional markets start to return decent amounts. So buy what you love, then if it halves in value you still have a car that you love

[HeWhoDaresRoy]

Vauxhall Lotus Carlton might be fun?

[S10GTA]

Venturi Atlantique

[williamp]

This monthe Octane has a similar article, and include, in addition to the others listed above:

Mercedes 500E/E500
Alfa SZ
NSX
Maserati 3200GT
Renault sport spider
Skyline

[Timbo_S2]

I've always wanted a Golf Rallye for this very reason.

Came close to buying one a few years ago, and have been thinking more and more about it recently - though good ones are fairly rare!

[Cheib]

A bit left field....

BMW Z1.

One just sold at auction for £18k which seems to have been the same price they have been for ten years.

Made in limited numbers, supposed to be great to drive (chassis capable of more than the 325i engine in it), unusual design and pioneering construction methods.

Nowwhere near the driving appeal of the current stable (both superb) but offers something completely different with the hood and door down motoring.

[Mattlan]

Thank kind of money = very best NSX mmmmmmm!!