Affordable '90s classics | Six of the Best
Perhaps the best decade ever for fast cars means a classified section crammed full of half-forgotten heroes
Ford Mondeo ST200, 2000, 52k, £10,500
No rundown of affordable heroes from any decade would be complete without a fast Ford. Course many have now appreciated into the stratosphere, but if the RS and Cosworth badges can be avoided then there are still gems aplenty. Take this ST200, for example. The Mondeo had always been a fine-handling family hatch, putting most rivals into the shade from 1993 onwards, but its performance potential remained untapped for ages; the ST24 looked the part, yet wasn’t any more powerful than a normal 2.5. The ST200 was, though, with 200hp thanks to some fruity cams, induction and exhaust work - it arrived just as Mondeos were crushing the final year of Super Touring, too. Which, yes, was 2000 (as this car is) but with very few miles and some recent flawless MOTs, we’ll give the ST200 a pass. Mondeo Man is a '90s thing, after all. A £10k bargain given what some old Fords are apparently worth.
BMW Z3 2.8, 1999, 52k, £7,250
‘Where’s the Boxster?’ you may well ask - because listing hero cars of the '90s without it is like listing boy bands of the era without mentioning 911 (pun sort of intended) - but the problem there is the best version of the time, the 3.2 S, didn’t arrive until 1999, and a 2.5 or 2.7 in here wouldn’t be the same. However, there are plenty of 2.8-litre, 190hp Z3s for not very much, and they’re looking very appealing 30 years on from launch. It’s aged quite nicely, there’s a big straight-six with RWD and a manual gearbox, plus the Z Register for advice. It won’t drive with the crispness of a mid-engined Porsche, but as a sweet-sounding soft top for cruising around in a Z3 looks jolly nice indeed. This 2.8 seems in great nick (which 52,000 miles will have helped), and it’s only failed two MOTs since online records began. Not bad going for £7k.
Subaru Impreza Turbo, 1999, 63k, £16,995
Now we’re talking. More money than any other car here, but nobody on PH needs much reminding of the Impreza Turbo’s significance to the car culture of the '90s. Flat-four, four-wheel-drive Subarus had existed prior to the Impreza (think Legacy), but none had captured the imagination of the British buying public like Subaru’s smallest saloon did. The dimensions were spot on, the performance wild, the styling add-ons just the right side of silly and the cross-country pace unmatched. Add in the McRae factor and the Impreza Turbo was truly a legend in its own lifetime. In a fallow era for the hot hatch, the rally rep ruled. This one’s really special: completely unmodified, green with gold wheels, just three owners and 63,000 miles since 1999. They just don’t come up like this anymore. Best dig out your favourite mix tape.
Audi S2, 1991, 98k, PH Auction
The Audi S2 deserves to be remembered more fondly than it probably is. But replacing the all-conquering, revolutionary quattro in the early '90s was always going to be difficult, and especially so with cars like the Impreza Turbo showing the entertainment value of four-wheel drive very soon after. Then consider that the RS2 came along in ‘94, transforming Audi’s rep overnight, and the humbler ‘S’ models (saloon, coupe and wagon were made) tended to be forgotten a tad. Pity - the regular models like this coupe still boasted the tuneful five-pot turbo, ample performance with 220hp, and the kind of build quality to make Snowdon look a little flaky. So it’s the perfect '90ss classic for right now: incredibly rare, really interesting, properly fast and, just as importantly, stoically solid. This PH Auctions lot has had just three owners for almost 35 years of driving, looks really clean, and will surely garner affection at your next classic car meet. Bidding starts next week.
Lotus Elan SE, 1992, 106k, £9,995
So you want a proper sports car from the '90s and don’t want to spend more than £10,000? Easy - Lotus Elan. Think about it: an Elise is now at least £15k, early MX-5s will be slow (and probably rusty), and most other soft tops from the era won’t be much cop at all to drive these days. The Elan absolutely will, which is why we welcomed it with open arms into the PH Heroes hall of fame a couple of years ago. Even in a modern context, it impressed with its traction, steering and composure; it may have felt like an unconventional Lotus, complete with turbo huff and a surprisingly spacious interior, but it did feel like a Lotus alright. This lovely Pacific Blue car looks ab fab for its 100,000 miles, and is being sold by a Lotus specialist. It’ll be a hoot - because fast, fun and front-wheel drive from the '90s doesn’t have to mean hot hatch.
Bentley Arnage, 1998, 103k, £11,995
Something a little different to finish up, because who can resist a cheap and charming Bentley? The '90s were of course a time of huge upheaval for the firm, VW acquiring both it and Rolls-Royce in 1998 - when this Arnage was made - before a deal was done with BMW to take Rolls from Vickers. But BMW engines featured in both Bentleys and Rolls-Royces from ‘98, and this Arnage has one of the 4.4-litre units. Sure, it’s not a 6.75, but then you aren’t buying one of those this nice for £11,995. This one’s a feast of expensive hide and plush veneers, just as you’d hope for from a Bentley. It really is dark green, too. Obviously the service history will need closer inspection, and it’ll probably be very easy to spend another £12k in upkeep - but what a damn fine vehicle to do it in.
That Mondeo looks cool with those wheels too, maybe from a Mk1 Mondeo 4x4?
Z3 in 2.8 form better than a lot give them credit for I reckon.
You can poke yer Mondeo at 10 bags.
Elan wrong wheel drive for a Lotus albeit they are good, apparently.
Bentley? Best have a large slush fund.
S2 a rare thing but decent one not so much of a bargain.
I'll take the Z3.
Never thought much of the Elan as it's FWD but becoming more fond of them as I grow older. I went to a launch style talk by Lotus and they said it was faster around their test track than any RWD equivalent. Some parts are a little rare now - rear lights are shared with the Alpine GTA for instance. Hood seals are notorious leak points and there's a steel structure in the sills that can corrode.
The Impreza fascinated me as a rally lad in the 90's, much more so than the 'bishi Evos. Tried an early one at a dealer in Northumberland and was well impressed but never bought one. Keep looking, as prices start to rise these will be priced like the Integrale in years to come if petrol is still around. Rust in the rear and low mpg figures are the main causes of me not buying one.
Could be tempted to p/x one of my current fleet for either though.
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