HPI's top 10 future classics
Here's the list of cars HPI thinks is worth putting money into, with a few choice examples found on PH...
Anyway, those clever guys and gals at HPI have compiled a list, a list of cars it believes "could prove to be future classics." So hardly the gospel truth, but still worth perusing - these are the people who offer valuations "to give consumers the ability to buy and sell cars with utmost confidence", after all. Clive Wilson, HPI's Black Book Editor, added in the release: "Whether it's a particularly interesting or unusual design feature or has an element of engineering integrity behind it, picking up an affordable car now could potentially provide a healthy return on the original investment as it takes on classic status."
So without further ado, here are the 10 cars picked by HPI as future classics, the prices it says you should pay for maximum profit potential and, most importantly, the examples of all 10 from PH that are in budget. Go on, the Internet says so...
10. Westfield - all models, £6,000-£15,000.
Looks good value given Caterham values. Towards the top of suggested budget at £12K, but factory built with less than 20,000 miles and owned by a "retired Westfield enthusiast" its entire life. And it's running a 1.8 Zetec with throttle bodies, which are always good to have...
9. Vauxhall VX220 - all models, £9,000-£13,000.
These are guaranteed to rise, aren't they? Elise derived, sharply styled and rare, the VX200 has slowly been creeping up for a while now. The days of £6K cars are gone, this 62K-mile 2.2-litre car for sale with fresh dampers, four new Bridgestones and new discs at £11,000. And isn't it great? Move fast...
8. Peugeot 205 - GTI 1.6 and 1.9, £4,000-£9,000.
Yes, HPI believes there is still headroom in 205 GTI values. But even if it doesn't appreciate much, you're still going to be left with one of the best hot hatches ever made - doesn't seem too bad for less than £10K, does it? The pick from PH is a red 1.9, 145K down but still looking remarkably fresh. The ad says great for a collection, but why waste it there?
7. Audi TT - 3.2 V6, £3,000-£6,000.
The Mk1 TT has now certainly reached classic territory, the later Quattro Sports especially desirable. HPI sees potential in the V6 as well though, the model that first brought dual-clutch gearboxes to the range. This Glacier Blue car is less than £4K with fewer than 100,000 miles. And it still looks pretty smart, doesn't it? They're not getting cheaper...
6. BMW Z3 - all models, £1,500-£6,000.
They said it, not us, OK? Although perhaps it's not that ridiculous. Z1 values have skyrocketed, the Z3's range contemporaries are starting to be appreciated and they can be had, as this silver car is, with a nice straight-six/manual gearbox combo. It might not be a Boxster dynamically, but stranger things have happened than a fully fledged classic Z3...
5. Citroen C6 - all models, £4,000-£8,000.
Remember what the guy said about unusual design features? We present the Citroen C6! In a stubbornly French and idiosyncratic way, the C6 has a certain style; being big and French it has depreciated catastrophically too, which must contribute to its future classic potential. There are just two on PH, this black diesel for sale at £6,740. Feeling bold?
4. Rover Mini - all models, £3,000-£8,000.
Well if the Citroen is a surprise inclusion to the top 10, then seeing a Mini here shouldn't shock anybody. Perhaps the biggest discovery is that there's still scope for Minis to appreciate further, because they're already rather pricey. The car from the classifieds is right at the top of the budget, a 1998 Cooper with 77,000 miles. And, well, it's got stripes and centre-exit exhaust, which is enough for us - what about you?
3. Alfa Romeo GTV - all models, £1,000-£6,000.
Yep, Shed money Alfa GTVs are still available. Again, like a few others in the list, it's almost become a case with the GTV of it being impossible for them to get cheaper. Classic potential is there in the stunning good looks and fabulous engines, then aided by Alfa's problems in replacing it. We found a V6 for £4K and it looks a beaut, even if we do say so ourselves. Recently refreshed with a new cambelt, plus fresh springs and dampers, it looks a fabulous way to spend not much at all.
2. Nissan Cube - all models, £2,000-£5,000.
Could the same thing that happened to the Figaro happen to the Cube? Stranger things have again happened, the Cube's combination of wacky styling with humble (and reliable) underpinnings very similar to the Figaro. We've had to push HPI's budget a tad to find a nice Cube, this recently imported 2004 car having just 17,000 miles on it - £5,295 is the asking price. Remember now where you first read about classic Cubes...
1. Mazda RX-8 - all models, £500-£3,000.
You probably didn't need HPI, or anybody in fact, to tell you this. As so many RX-8s suffer catastrophic engine failure and are uneconomical to repair, so the values of those left will rise. Here is a quirky, fast, engaging sports coupe that's available for £2K. There are issues, sure, but you don't to be the person kicking themselves when the cheap ones are gone. This RX-8 is an Evolve special edition, though it is at prime engine detonation mileage. Still, it's £1,650...
Westfield - all models, £6,000-£15,000 - Yes but it's not surprising really. Depreciation on such kit cars is practically nil. They can only go one way and it ain't down!
Vauxhall VX220 - all models, £9,000-£13,000 - Yes but, again, not surprising. These have already been steadily rising over the years. Almost guaranteed to go up.
Peugeot 205 - GTI 1.6 and 1.9, £4,000-£9,000 - Yes. Same as the above two. A very obvious one to carry on appreciating over time.
Audi TT - 3.2 V6, £3,000-£6,000 - Not convinced. Not particularly special enough and can still be had sub 3k. Been that way for a while now.
BMW Z3 - all models, £1,500-£6,000 - Not convinced at all. Not as good as the Z4 and they're in the same boat. Not that well received. Only the 2.8 6-cylinders may keep their value, at best.
Citroen C6 - all models, £4,000-£8,000 - Not a chance.
Rover Mini - all models, £3,000-£8,000 - Potentially. Universally loved and a real analogue experience. Getting rare now.
Alfa Romeo GTV - all models, £1,000-£6,000 - Not convinced. Not really that special. Only the 2.5 V6 could swing it for higher values.
Nissan Cube - all models, £2,000-£5,000 - Not a chance.
Mazda RX-8 - all models, £500-£3,000 - Not convinced. They can be had way too cheap for them to rise significantly.
That TT is nice, they have dropped further the 3.2's from a couple of years ago, that seems a lot of car to me for the money, lovely colour too.
As the previous poster mentioned, surely the puma deserves a mention and the Fiat coupe I would add as well
I prefer it to my 944, there I said it.
My tips are far better :0)
My 10 in no particular order
Jaguar S Type R - 1/2 the money of an E39 M5 but comfier and quicker
Alpine GTA - Currently undervalued and just starting to rise - brilliant new model will see a big up turn in interest & values in the older cars.
Brera Prodrive - Limited numbers and fantastic looks - V6s are too heavy and £500 to tax
RX7 - Rising fast and will continue to.
Audi TT 3.2 - manual pre 2005 cars -
986 and 987 Boxster S - Latest model not so loved and 4 pot only
Alfas with a Busso - Not just GTAs - GTV,156, 166,
Mitsubishi EVO especially MK 6 and 7 - Same as RX7,
Classic Impreza - Standard or sensibly modified getting hard to find with low miles
Monaro - Very little else that's V8 manual.
I prefer it to my 944, there I said it.
S2 Lotus Elan would be my top pick along with aforementioned 996.
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