Rising Stars – Five Future Classics You Should Buy Now
February 8, 2021
There is nothing more frustrating than browsing through the cars on Car & Classic only to be greeted by the sight of a model that you sold for peanuts, but it is now worth a considerable chunk of change. We’ve all done it. We’ve all seen that ten grand Capri, or that seven grand Vauxhall only to immediately remember the time we let one go for £150 (I sold a running, driving 1976 3.0S Capri for a grand. It still haunts me – Ed). If only there was something we could do to make it not happen again.
Well, there is. The days of the aforementioned examples being cheap may be gone, but don’t fret. There is a world of cars out there, and looking at the data we have here at Car & Classic, we can see that they are on the rise. However, while they are going the right way, they are not yet beyond the reaches of enthusiasts like us. Instead, they can be bought for a song. All you need is drive them, enjoy them, look after them and of course, keep hold of them. If you do, you’ll be sitting on an appreciating asset. One that could be a springboard to another, more expensive classic in the future.
But what should you buy? Don’t worry, we’ve come up with five sure things. Or at least, the data suggests they’re going to be sure things. But only if you get in there now.
The Ford Mondeo
Don’t overthink it. The Mondeo is a car that is starting to climb in value. Of course, we’re not talking about a 2016 Titanium X – that’s just a used car. No, what we’re talking about is the Mk1 Mondeo. The original, and arguably best Mondeo. It was launched in 1993, making it nearly thirty years old, and as such, well on its way to becoming a classic. Of course, a 1.8LX isn’t going to set pulses racing. A 2.0Si 4×4 though, or a fluorescent yellow Hendy special, or even a fully-loaded V6 Ghia, oof. That said, any Mk1 Mondeo in good condition has potential. Think about it – when did you last see one?
The Porsche Boxster
The legendary Porsche Boxster will forever be seen as the car that brought the Porsche brand back to the masses. It had all the looks of the 996, but came in at a fraction of the cost. Not only that, it was mid, not rear-engine, and it was smaller. The chassis was near perfect, and even a ‘standard’ 2.7 model could put a grin-to-grin smile on your face. Now though, the early Boxsters are getting thin on the ground. Of those that are left, plenty have been modified, or given facelifts to make them look newer. But we say buy one, embrace the ‘fried egg’ lights, keep it standard and well maintained and in a few years, you’ll be laughing. And don’t stress about IMS issues – if an early Boxster is on the road today, it’s been addressed.
The MG ZS
This might be here because the Editor is a bit of an addict when it comes to cars built in the Midlands (what, so I have an 800? – Ed) but that being said, he’s onto something here. The MG ZS is the forgotten Z car in many respects. Executives flocked to the 75-based ZT, while ‘da kids’ went for the 23-based ZR. The ZS was in the middle, and like a middle child, was often overlooked. More fool those that did, though. The MG ZS was and still is a brilliant car to drive, especially in 180bhp V6 form. Early cars look great in bright blue or even yellow, while the later cars with the angry X Power body-kit still look mean today. It might be based on a Rover 45, but there is nothing Rover about it. It’s a proper performance saloon.
The Fiat Panda 100HP
To have 100bhp is not a lot these days. However, put that power in a tiny Fiat and it makes for a giggle-inducing recipe. The Fiat Panda 100HP is the hot hatch nobody was expecting, but is the hot hatch we are so very thankful for. For starters, it looked ace with its flared arches, bespoke alloys and lowered suspension. Then you have the engine, a giddy, revvy, terrier of a 1.4, 16-valve four-cylinder. It’s not a car that will ever win any land speed records, but it doesn’t need to. Throw it around and you will fall for its charms. It’s the kind of car that makes driving truly fun, and people are always going to want that. Buy one now before they’re really rare, and really expensive.
The MINI Cooper S R53
The MINI Cooper S is one of those cars that was everywhere, and then all of a sudden it seemed to be absent. There are still plenty out there in general terms, but very few of them are of the original, R53 guise. The first truly hot version of the new MINI, the R53 was a thrilling little pocket rocket with go-kart-like handling, excellent looks and an Eaton supercharged four-cylinder with an impressive 168bhp. It still holds up today, but only if you can find a good one. That supercharger needs fresh oil on the regular, the car needs to be maintained and serviced regularly to keep it tight, and it needs to live a life free of modifications. Find one that has all that going for it, look after it, and you’ll surely turn a handsome profit in years to come. People are going to want to revisit this car when it becomes a bona fide modern classic.
