PH Service History: Starter for Five
Not all classic cars' values have risen to preposterous levels. Scrof turns the rock over...
You've heard it all before. The prices of classic cars are ridiculous these days; the ship's sailed on so many desirable old motors; your chances of finding something interesting and old for anything approaching sensible money is basically naught, and high values are barring the next generation of enthusiasts from owning their own classics.
At this point in several discussions recently, I've had to raise a tentative hand and butt in with a "Well, that's not entirely true..." Because while big-ticket classics like older 911s, BMW M-cars and fast Fords have all rocketed to levels that put them well out of reach for most of us - let alone the cash-strapped youth - that doesn't mean the entire classic car market is now priced beyond reason. Happily, there are still some tidy older motors out there that you or I can buy and run for reasonable sums - and indeed, that young people can afford for less than the cost of a five-year-old Fiesta.
The way I see it, there are two ways of doing it. The first is to find the cars that the market's forgotten about; either because there are too many of them around, or because demand simply isn't that great.
One example of this right now is the Mk2 Volkswagen Scirocco. You can pick up an early GT or GTX in decent nick for about two or three grand, putting it well within reach, while even a late Scala - the most desirable of the bunch - won't set you back more than about five, as evinced by this example, which looks like it's covered a tenth of the miles it really has. While these old 'Roccos aren't particularly quick, they're handsome, economical and mechanically durable, making them excellent usable classics. Sportier versions are also blessed with a sprinkling of the handling magic of the contemporary Golf GTI, too.
Next up, the BMW E30 3-Series. Hardly a car you could describe as having been forgotten about by the market, I'll grant you, but that generally goes for the two-doors; the four-door saloon is still relatively cheap, and I can't think why, because it's getting more attractive by the day. What's more, like the Scirocco, it's a genuinely usable option and should prove robust and easy to fix. This 325i SE with cross-spokes, velour, an auto 'box, low mileage, a whopping history and a rust-free body (apparently) at £4995 sounds like a cracker, and if that's too rich for your blood, spend a little less on one with a few more miles. An old Beemer should stay the course.
And how about this Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4 for a rarity? I can't think of many turbocharged hot hatches from the 1980s that can be had in such good nick for £4500. This one isn't totally standard but what has been done to it is tasteful; what's more, the mileage is low, and there's a long MOT. A recent clutch, head gasket and water pump mean some of the big jobs have been taken care of, too. It's smart, it's quick, and nobody will know what the hell it is. Perfect.
So that's one way of doing it. The other, of course, is to buy a car that isn't quite a bona fide classic yet, but is about to become one, and ride the wave of price inflation. This is an especially good way of doing things if cash is tight; for example, I've lost count of the number of two-door six-pot E36s I've seen going for around £1000 in recent years that I've been tempted to buy and stash away somewhere.
Another car that's bound to ping up in price in the months to come is the Mk1 Mazda MX-5. Go for a clean, early 1.6-litre example for maximum future-classic cred; they're the ones most journos reckoned were the sweetest when new so they'll attract a smidge of extra mythos as time goes on. This one should do the trick, and while it's more than you'd have paid for one five years ago, it's still not mega money - especially given how solid and clean it is. It's also a rare, period-perfect colour and relatively unmolested, which will stand it in good stead as prices do inevitably inflate.
Too obvious? How's about something from out of left-field, like an Alfa Romeo 164? These were once peanuts, of course, but are now experiencing a quite staggering burst of the bumps, and I can see them following 75s and GTVs into genuine classic status. Remember this Cloverleaf we found earlier this year for £13k? Granted, this 12v V6 isn't as quick or as special, but it's only £4500, which seems much more reasonable. You still get that famous Busso engine note, not to mention Enrico Fumia's glorious razor-sharp lines, as well as a whopping stash of paperwork and some cracking period-correct Zender alloys. Hard to imagine this going anywhere but up so it makes sense to get in while it's still - reasonably - inexpensive.
There we have it, then, folks. Five cracking neo-classics, and not one of them costing more than £5k. Proof positive that while sky-high prices have pushed many classics out of reach, there are still some great cars out there to be had for affordable money, and lots for the next generation of enthusiasts to get their teeth into. You just need to know where to look.
Surely if that's the ethos looking to the 90's and early 2000's is the way to go?
The E46 is a stunning car, especially in coupe form. They're going for peanuts at the moment.
The last of the steel XJs represent quite a steal.
The plethora of small 2 seat sports cars (many at shed money) demonstrate in many respects this is the golden period for cheap fun cars.
MK3 MR2 anybody? MG TF? MK5 Golf GTI?
I think their lack of value relates to there still being a lot around and also that they appealed to the attention-deficit reality-TV folks who just HAVE to have the latest YAH - I'd put a couple into a barn if I had a barn, with a pile of electronics modules - I might even drive one from time-to-time ;0
p.s. the MGF/MGTF will never be a proper classic but there are some WEIRD folks who'll pay money for one anyway. We have 2-3 which visit for work from time-to-time - the later 'shipped from China' ones, mint nick, almost never used - I'd imagine they're IMPOSSIBLE to sell for anything like their owners concept of value.
My wife had a MK1 TT. A very stylish car but when it came to fun the MG ran rings around it.
If you count the TT Coupe as a mini GT it's an awesome car. We did a couple of thousand miles around Scotland a few summers back and it was good to drive. 7 10ths on unknown roads, sometimes wet, the Quattro worked pretty well.
The Audi has also been round Cadwell Park where it wasn't so good, conversely up Prescot the little TF was very good indeed.
We test drove a convertible TT; it was an awful wobbly thing...
I forgot the BMW Zs - with a six under the bonnet they make a lot of future classic sense...
p.s. a TT and and MGF aren't remotely comparable - they may have overlapped (as the 405 and Mondeo did) but they are cars from different eras aimed at different people (coupe against sportscar)
p.p.s. which reminds me - TT COUPEs - not the MUCH less desireable Roadsters...
I'm sure you're aware the MG TF and MGF while looking similar have a number of significant differences which makes them very different in character. Also they have many bushes which wear, if not in good condition you feel it. When it comes to the chassis the little Audi is quite a bit cruder but tougher.
CAR mag put it top of the affordable cars they reviewed in 99 and got very good write-ups in the other big mags.
They modded it in response to some customer complaints and it lost its edge
It is in all other respects an excellent car, well built, easy to live with and lovely to look at or sit in. They really do feel expensive and well built, putting stuff like the BMWs, Mercs etc in the shade.
In a few years MK1 TTs will be full on classics and people will find it amazing that good ones were so cheap...
The original Focus is 20 years old this year and like all Fords eventually destined for classic status, so a £1000 ST MK1 is a shrewd purchase right now. I think the ST is quite a looker, in blue or grey on those pretty alloy wheels. It might not be fast, but lack of pace hasn't stopped XR3 values climbing into the stratosphere.
Also, the Puma, if you can get one that's rust free. One day soon we'll look back and say "did people really pick those up for £4-£500?" - just like we do now with the Peugeot 205s
I wonder if there will ever be any love for late '90s-2000s S-Type Jags? The retro look impressed me in 1998 but it quickly became something i dislked. I saw a late model S-Type the other day. A dechromed performance model. (R or something?). It didnt look half bad and i wondered lke the poster above, if putting a couple away in a barn for a decade might bring rewards.
Frankly a barn full of genuine spares for cars we think will go for heaps will probably pull the premium - mostly trim and stuff which can end up on the market very cheap when the dealers don't have to support them anymore but need the space.
I needed wheel centres for one of my cars. They weren't a common size, or a common wheel, and even crappy originals sold for daft money. I bought a new set off a bloke online for a fractiion of the price. I think they are 3D printed.
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