We’ve written at length before about how investing in cars usually isn’t the quick-win money maker you might think it is, but we’ve also previously detailed how, if you know what you’re doing, you can make money 'flipping' future classics.
Two of the most critical rules to bear in mind is to always buy cheap and to always be aware of how to pick the right car. Something like a Ferrari 250 GTO is far out of the budget of the vast majority of drivers, but there are several cars out there right now going through something of a boom in value.
Take late 90s Japanese turbo cars like the Mk4 Toyota Supra and the R33/R34 gen Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, both of which are now going through the roof in value, as the generation which grew up loving them is now coming into money for the first time.
They mightn’t make you as much money as a 250 GTO, but whether it’s to sell or just to own, here’s our list of 10 future classics you can still score for a decent price. But you’d better score quick…
BMW E36 M3
It seems strange that the E36-generation M3 is now more than two decades old and it’s swiftly becoming a fairly rare car too, despite the fact that only a few years ago it was a relatively common sight on the roads.
The E36 mightn’t have the appeal of the original E30 or the power of later M3 generations, but all the same it’s arguably the best M3 to date and packed full of cutting-edge technology for its time.
A lot of E36s have fallen victim to amateur drifters, being one of the most affordable rear-wheel drive performance cars when drifting hit the mainstream and many of them have met their makers after being stuffed into a wall by some Ken Block wannabe.
All the same, clean and affordable examples are still out there if you’re willing to pay a bit, but make sure you snap them up quickly as they’re rapidly becoming rarer and more appreciable.
Porsche 944
Somewhat like the E36 M3, the 944 was in its time considered something of the runt of Porsche’s litter; the front-engined, front-wheel drive antithesis to the 911.
All the same they’re now getting rarer and more sought after among car fans, particularly the 944 Turbo which is wickedly quick and deliciously 80s with its low, sloping bonnet and pepper pot wheels.
Sure, it doesn’t have the heritage or the wow factor of something like an old 911, but it’s still old-school Porsche and for the time being at least it’s still very affordable for someone looking for an easy way to get their hands on that iconic Stuttgart shield.
Nissan 300ZX
Otherwise known as the Fairlady Z in its domestic market, Nissan’s multi award-winning 90s supercar can still be bought for a mere few thousand pounds if you look hard enough.
Depending on which engine and transmission choice you go for prices can fluctuate wildly, with the most sought-after turbocharged V6 with a manual gearbox being hard to find and therefore more expensive.
All the same, decent examples of the JDM tuners’ darling are still out there if you’re not too fussy about engine options, but just be aware that you’ll probably want to factor servicing and repair costs into your overall budget.
Volkswagen Golf R32
While the Mk1 Golf was revolutionary, some of the models which followed it were decidedly less so. Take the Mk4 for example which, despite being a lot better than the previous Mk3, still wasn’t much to shout about.
Don’t let that put you off, though, as time heals all wounds. Despite the Mk4’s lukewarm reception it still yielded the R32 model, complete with its 3.2-litre V6 engine and which will undoubtedly make a decent future investment.
Even the lowly Mk3, which was given a harsh beating by the motoring press for its lack of power and generally uninspiring nature, has aged better than most cars, is still dirt cheap and a relatively easy find for Golf nuts.
Skoda Octavia vRS Mk1
It’s not that long ago that the idea of a hot Skoda would have seen you laughed at, but then along came the first Octavia vRS and the laughter quickly faded.
With strong performance from its turbocharged engine, squared off rally car looks and a bargain price, the Mk1 vRS was also extremely tuneable, able to break the 300bhp barrier with a decent remap and new induction system.
Models with a few miles on them can be had for £1,000 or less while even pristine cars shouldn’t set you back more than £3,000 at the very most. Do keep an eye on the car’s condition though, as it’s getting increasingly hard to find one that hasn’t been modified by a previous owner.
Volkswagen Lupo GTi
Before the Up! was the entry point to the Volkswagen’s range, there was the little Lupo, a small three-door city car made by VW between 1998 and 2005.
The best model was always the GTi, which was hailed by many at the time as the true successor to the original Mk1 Golf GTi with its compact dimensions, chuckable handling and buzzy 1.6-litre engine.
It might come as something of a surprise that the Lupo would be a desirable car, but anything that gets compared to the legendary Mk1 GTi is worth a look, and considering prices for the Lupo GTi are still sensible enough it could well make a worthwhile investment.
Mazda MX-5 Mk1
Compared against some of the cars in this list, the original MX-5 is hardly rare, but considering that when it first rolled off the production line shoulder pads and George Michael were still in fashion it won’t stay that way for long.
The oldest Mk1s are now pushing 30 years old and their numbers are starting to swiftly dwindle, but that’s good news if you act now and bag yourself one of the greatest ever Japanese sports cars.
Even now, OEM parts for the Mk1 MX-5 are relatively easy to come by, so given the currently reasonable prices of the first-gen car it shouldn’t be too expensive to spruce it up with new bits and bobs either.
Subaru Impreza Mk2
Unfortunately, the days of the classic Impreza WRX STi being found for peanuts are probably long gone, but there are still plenty of examples of the second-gen ‘bugeye’ model still around for relatively little.
The second-gen Impreza mightn’t be all that much of a looker but it’s still got all the classic components that made the Impreza WRX models such a force to be reckoned with on the rally stages.
You can spend a bit more on one of the more recent cars, but given the current surge in value for 90s Japanese cars it’s hard not to argue that any Impreza would make a good investment in a few years’ time.
Ford Focus RS Mk1
It says a lot about the popularity and appeal of the first-gen RS that the majority of them still seem to sell for slightly over the £10,000-mark despite being well over a decade old at this point.
There’s a lot to love though, with the looks of the Sainz/McRae rally cars, that thrashy performance and the same perma-desirability as virtually every other RS-badged Ford.
Given that the Mk3 Focus RS is only recently out the Mk2 is rising in value as well, the whole Focus RS family is understandably in the limelight right now, so it’s worth hunting out a bargain while they still exist.
Renault Clio 182 Cup
Judging by the recent Renaultsport Megane and Clio models, not least by its racing history, Renault really does know a thing or two about making a ruddy good hot hatch.
For a decent price you could get modern icons like the special-edition Clio Williams or the Clio 197, both of which are decent purchases in their own right and will only increase in value in the next few years.
However, given that it’s a bit cheaper we’d be tempted to search for a good Clio 182 Cup instead, arguably the last truly hardcore Renault hot hatch with a raucous and uncompromising drive that’s sure to appeal to drivers in the same way the old Porsche 930 still does.
If you've got a bit more to spend, or if you'd rather have something a bit better equipped, then the Clio 182 Trophy is the one to go for. Less harsh than the Cup and limited to only 500 models, the Trophy's exclusive paintjob and trick suspension is sure to see its value rise.
