[Closed] Current cars that'll be future classics

GT86 has to be a winner because it's not very popular.

RX8, because the RX7 is, and because even though they were popular, most of them will be worn out so good ones are worth more.

S2000, less of them about than BMW Z's, and they're Honda so they'll last.

BMW Z3 Coupe.

Nissan GTR

I'm not sure any will. Anybody can tinker with an old car. The new ones need computers and electronics to work. When they stop working I can't see old fellas sorting them out in their garages.

I'll get laughed out of town for this, but I don't care!

Dacia. They have an extremely loyal and enthusiastic customer base (there's a club and everything!).

I think they'll attract the same type of enthusiast that has been keeping their 2CV or Austin Allegro going since 1975.

I think a lot of modern cars will struggle to be classics in the driveable sense in 40 or 50 years time.

Firstly because I'm not sure fossil fueled cars will even be allowed by then.

Secondly because the electronics and other systems will become impossible to maintain or source parts for. 60's cars are already having to be modified because the plastics in loom connectors are beginning to break down and replacements are not available. Extend that to the sort of complexity that modern vehicles have inside them and even NOS becomes of limited use as age related degradation starts to creep in.

BMW M3/5
Boxster

very few cars from the 2000 and later will be classics in 20 years time - thats the equivilent of mid-90s cars now (and other than exotica I can't think of anything that's a classic there) - they're just old and cheap, not classics. 30+ years old is probably the window to look for, so I'd agree with the s2000 and maybe the Z3 coupe (only in this country, in other markets they sold it with crappy engines). The mk1 boxster, posher 911 porsches (gt2, gt3, turbo), clio v6, mk1 mx5, integra type r

alpin - Member

BMW Z3 Coupe.

Not exactly current though, went out of production 14 years ago.

Would imagine that Teslas could be, but who knows what (very) long term ownership of electic cars will be like.

BMW 135m

The z3 isn't that good a car though. It is almost just a bit bland. Classics tend to be either special like the GT86 is, or quirky.

For me it would be the Alfa 4C

Note that everyone's mentioning the Z3 Coupe though, very different best

For people saying BMW, yes I get that they are good looking cars and nice to drive, but are 20 year old BMWs considered "classics" now? Or are they just utility cars driven by people who don't have loads of cash but fancy a Beemer anyway?

Same with Boxsters IMO. Nice to have, but "classic"?

S2000s, GT86. Cayman GT4 RS. Fiesta STs might be the next RS2000.

I think specific models will become classics, large petrol engines in things like 3 serieses rather than a 318d, Focus RSs that haven't been modded etc.

I'm hopeful that mine will but that's based on it being the only one in its colour of only 3,000 in the country. Not because it's especially good or sought after, and I think it's wishful thinking.

very few cars from the 2000 and later will be classics in 20 years time - thats the equivilent of mid-90s cars now (and other than exotica I can't think of anything that's a classic there) - they're just old and cheap, not classics. 30+ years old is probably the window to look for, so I'd agree with the s2000 and maybe the Z3 coupe (only in this country, in other markets they sold it with crappy engines). The mk1 boxster, posher 911 porsches (gt2, gt3, turbo), clio v6, mk1 mx5, integra type r

Going through your list, the MX5 was '89 (so a 90's car), the Clio V6 was 2001, Integra type R was '95, there's a lot of 90's/2000's potential classics.

Also things like the renault Williams cars, Mk1 BMW Mini Cooper S with the supercharger, anything fast and small numbers.

Volvo T-5R, a friend had one, always reminded me of the Churchill dog setting off form the traffic lights wheel spinning OHHHHHHHHH (redline) yes-yes-yes-yes (wheels/clutch slipping).

I'm not sure any will. Anybody can tinker with an old car. The new ones need computers and electronics to work. When they stop working I can't see old fellas sorting them out in their garages.

People who say modern car electrics are too complicated, probably never had to deal with points distributors every 1500 miles!

Fairly recent stuff that will do well IMHO

BMW M3 last model N/A V8
Porsche 997 911

BMW M2 - in production now, I reckon will be a classic

Bedford rascal camper.

MX5

Untampered Scooby WRXs, quick Legacys and Mitsi Evos.

Those Mitsubishi bus things with off-road suspension that look like moon buggies

^ just beat me to it. MX-5

Those Mitsubishi bus things with off-road suspension that look like moon buggies

😆

I'm holding out hope for our Bongo becoming classic, but with a name like 'Bongo' I'm not convinced...

I'm not sure any will. Anybody can tinker with an old car. The new ones need computers and electronics to work. When they stop working I can't see old fellas sorting them out in their garages.

what load of old cobblers, engine swap these days is much simpler, plug it all back in and your good to go, you don't even need to tune them any more EMU does that for you. As for the computers and electronics it's a standard socket and protocols so you can download the analysing software and the car will tell you whats wrong and even if you don't have a lap top they'll be a connector under the dash that will make the car flash/display any logged error codes.

Anything where the values have already bottomed, and are on their way back up again. So...

Honda S2000
E36 BMW M3
MK1 Ford Focus RS
Z3 M Coupe
8L Audi S3

To name a few more "reasonably priced" (take that as you will, but I'm excluding supercars here) cars that are only going to go up in value (some of the above have already gone up significantly).

what load of old cobblers, engine swap these days is much simpler, plug it all back in and your good to go, you don't even need to tune them any more EMU does that for you. As for the computers and electronics it's a standard socket and protocols so you can download the analysing software and the car will tell you whats wrong and even if you don't have a lap top they'll be a connector under the dash that will make the car flash/display any logged error codes.

Need a part for an old car now and you can't buy it, you can make it.

Actually, pretty much any sporty version of a car that is the last generation without turbos, so the last C63 AMG, last bog spec 911, last M3 and M5, last Type R, perhaps even the current Suzuki Swift Sport. With the shift away from NA and customers wanting the noise and rawness of the old cars these have got to go up in value.

Same probably goes for the previous generation of anything now available only with an auto box.

[i]People who say modern car electrics are too complicated, probably never had to deal with points distributors every 1500 miles! [/i]

I drove a Triumph Herald convertible for 35000 miles. Owned a Morris Minor for 5 years and had a Volvo Amazon. Currently own a classic mini.

I could fix all of them with hand tools.

The iDrive on my 2006 530D is currently not working. It needs a laptop to even diagnose what the fault might be and fixing it is likely to involve significant expense. If it's the LCD screen then it can be replaced but not 'fixed' - who's going to be supplying replacement 2006 BMW LCD's in 20 years time?

There's even a completely separate ECU just to control the active power steering and also the amount that the headlamps swivel to help you see round corners, it's not just the engine management systems that will fail and make a car undriveable.

[edit] also just read that the anti roll bars have their own ECU and motor control system that controls how much they affect body roll based on road, engine speed and lateral g.

Fabia VRX petrol. Swift Sport. These sort of cars will appeal to folk who now look at XR2's as classics. Simple (ish) cars that go (fairly) rapidly.

Fabia VRS petrol.

Oooo, maybe mine will be worth something then...

[img] [/img]

Give it 20 years. If you can't buy the parts you're screwed.
Need a part for an old car now and you can't buy it, you can make it.

Se my post, above, if the ECU dies, just fit a megasquirt one.

The iDrive on my 2006 530D is currently not working. It needs a laptop to even diagnose what the fault might be and fixing it is likely to involve significant expense. If it's the LCD screen then it can be replaced but not 'fixed' - who's going to be supplying replacement 2006 BMW LCD's in 20 years time?

There's even a completely separate ECU just to control the active power steering and also the amount that the headlamps swivel to help you see round corners, it's not just the engine management systems that will fail and make a car undriveable.

True, but then the cigarette lighter doesn't work in my Midget. In 20 years time we'll be wearing google contact lenses and the LCD screen will be about as superfluous as a lighter.

BUT, to eb a classic a car has to be intrinsically a bit special, the 530D is probably a good car, but the next 530D will be incrementally better. Old 3 series and 5 series might become classics because they were significantly lighter and a bit more 'special', bigger luxury barges tend not to fare so well as classics because there's always better ones. so yes, why would you replace the LCD in a '16 plate 530D in 20 years time, you could keep a Bentley continental on the road for similar money.

I could fix all of them with hand tools.

The strobe gun for testing the timing on my Midget still cost more than the dongle that reads the ECU on the Focus (not that the timing ever needs checking, but it tells me what it is anyway).

Defender

MK1 Ford Focus RS

Yes.

but TINAS - all BMW's use the same equipment so it doesn't matter if ti's an M5 or a Diesel the underlying technology is the same.I was trying to illustrate how the intrinsic equipment of the car - steering, roll bars is the subject to the same problems as the stereo - if it breaks you can't fix it and there's no generic solution available (nor will there be)

Current Focus RS.

Current car..surely a Tesla!

I've always wanted a Ford RS either Cosworth, Fiesta etc and never had enough money to own one.

Having kept my eye on the prices on E Bay, they have gone up a few thousand in the last 2-3 years.

A Fiesta RS Turbo a few years ago were about £4-5 k going for £6-8 k now. Cosworths have now gone up to the same money that they were 20 odd years ago when they were brand new for good mint examples.

thats the equivilent of mid-90s cars now (and other than exotica I can't think of anything that's a classic there)

If any Alfa is still on the road after 20 years it's automatically a classic.

I am hoping this will so MrsWCA will stop moaning when I spend money on stupid cars

[img] http://goo.gl/atswgK [/img]

Mid nineties wasn't a great time for BMWs but the E46 M3 CSL (from 2004) is already a classic, prices are very strong.

The 996 911 is looking promising, as the ones that are left turn out to be quite reliable, the message only a few years ago was the complete opposite.

Pug 106 Rallye ?

As for current cars, I dunno. Anything Ford RS will maintain a strong following just because of fanboi. AMG & BMW "M" will be nice / interesting old cars but there's too many of them so maybe not really *classic*.

Defender, surely.

[i]AMG & BMW "M" will be nice / interesting old cars but there's too many of them so maybe not really *classic*. [/i]

Some people take the basic AMG and tune them a bit with extra superchargers and things right up to the point that the engine and VIN plate say Kleemann instead of Mercedes

[img] https://goo.gl/7yxqtb [/img]

Tech in current cars is still current. So still heavily protected by manufacturers. When they move on to the next big thing the market will move in and hack /sort the older kit.

Classics tend to be either what people had when they were young or what they aspired to. "I had an MG BGT, but I always wanted a E type.

In 20 years lots of people will say look a mk1 mondeo 1.8 lx. I always liked the mk2 st200.

Good condition examples of the BMW 130i are starting to appreciate; not sure if that make it a classic though.

Pug 106 Rallye

Another yes.

I'll get laughed out of town for this, but I don't care!

Dacia. They have an extremely loyal and enthusiastic customer base (there's a club and everything!).

Probably not far off the mark to be honest. Would be the, ahem, classic type of car for people to keep going.

All the high performance versions of cars are always fairly close to being classics. There aren't many these days that jump out as obvious candidates, they are all to boring and generic. The Toyota/Subaru GT85 thingy is possibly a candidate, maybe the mental stuff like Audi S1 or Golf R.

It's a very good question, and I'm struggling to think of any current cars that really will become 'classics'. A true classic will need to be instantly recognisable to anyone, including people who know nothing about cars. Perhaps the Fiat 500, as it's a successful re-imagining of the old classic. The Smart car. Maybe the Toyota Prius, as it was a pioneer. Beyond that, I'm struggling. Modern cars are interminably boring.

didn't we do this extensively very recently?

I struggle to see the current crop of M3/M5s being considered classics, particularly now that there's also the 1M, M2, M4, M6. It's all just to formulaic. The classics are the ones that were a bit different at the time e.g. E30 M3, E46 M3 CSL, Z3 M Coupe.

I wonder if the E61 M5 Touring might get there thanks to very low numbers, and lack of a touring version of other Ms. Maybe the 1M too for being small and RWD.

Pug 106 Rallye ?

16 years almost to the day since I sold mine and I wish I still had it! Great little car that was...

They're like hens teeth now though, you've more chance of finding an unmodified Saxo VTS which will give you similar thrills in a slightly more usable package.

Hmmmm... Off to Autotrader I trot!

There's even a completely separate ECU just to control the active power steering and also the amount that the headlamps swivel to help you see round corners, it's not just the engine management systems that will fail and make a car undriveable.

Tech in current cars is still current. So still heavily protected by manufacturers. When they move on to the next big thing the market will move in and hack /sort the older kit.

So this. In 10 years time the awesumz ECU in a BMW will be easily replaced by the latest generation Raspberry Pi and quickly prgrammed by any 11 year old.

Regarding electronics, if it s a popular car there will be a community and people remanufacturing, replacement parts, hacking etc. OEM support is not needed.

GF has a good condition 2002 Mx5.

Friend has recently bought an E34 M5 estate.... only 891 were ever built. About 400 still running world wide.

I've got a mk5 R32. Everything is now 2.0 turbo so hopefully because of the V6 it'll be a classic.

Isn't the definition of a "classic" the first car you had sex in?

pictonroad - Member
didn't we do this extensively very recently?

Nah, this ones about current cars. Don't let the fact that everyone's suggesting things from 15+ years ago fool you!

if it lasts im hoping my 1998 supercharged x308 will be a desirable
classic

I'm hoping we come to our senses and start scrapping all vehicles over 10yrs old.

I'm hoping we come to our senses and start scrapping all vehicles over 10yrs old.

Why? Environmental reasons? As a diehard greenist type it's far better for the environment to run a car into the ground over 20 years than build new ones with the associated pollution caused by mining ore, smelting, producing metal, running a car factory etc.

[i]start scrapping all vehicles over 10yrs old[/i]

although from an environmental point of view it's possibly the worst approach - far more energy goes into building the things than using them.

Isn't the definition of a "classic" the first car you had sex in?

Oooh. Nissan Bluebird. My Dad's. Although he wasn't in it at the time.

Untinkered with and unhedgebound imprezas are already going up in price. Sold mine 3 years ago and would now cost me 2k more to get it back.

16 years almost to the day since I sold mine and I wish I still had it! Great little car that was...

I seriously considered one about 10 years ago after realising I shouldn't have sold my 205GTi. Then I had a common sense attack and bought a Focus with crumple zones and all that safety malarkey, which conveniently saved my life.

Oooh. Nissan Bluebird. My Dad's. Although he wasn't in it at the time.

You do realise he was watching from the hedgerow, don't you?

although from an environmental point of view it's possibly the worst approach - far more energy goes into building the things than using them.

Only whilst they unnecessarily large and complex. When private ownership is minimal and most vehicles are just on on monthly contracts like mobile phones or just on a pay as you use basis we'll be making them quickly and efficiently and then recycling them into new stuff after a few years.

Car idolatry will be the preserve of the sort of people who bang on about sega mega drives now.

Is the Toyota GT86 that good then ?

I sat in one at the garage as the guy was expecting me to be impressed with the cockpit, but it was pretty bland compared to my Alfas.

But interesting if it is that good as the styling is certainly nice.

Any of those BMWs won't be as their image will soon be tarnished by watching even more oiks driving them around as they get older and cheaper.

Hebdencyclist, glad to hear that 😆

If you could find & dry store a rust free, low mileage, unmolested Subaru Impreza Mk1 Turbo for 40 years I bet it will be worth a fortune.

I sat in one at the garage as the guy was expecting me to be impressed with the cockpit, but it was pretty bland compared to my Alfas.

Would you rather sit in a car or a tart's boudoir?

Tart's boudoir. Every time.

Is the Toyota GT86 that good then ?

Would you rather sit in a car or a tart's boudoir?

I'll stay with the Alfas then...

Sticking with completely-ignoring-the-biref-from-the-OP and so a car that's been out of production for ten years, the Alfa Romeo 156. Specifically an early one.

Aesthetically pleasing, but a design cul-de-sac since they used more of the 147 look for later cars (including the facelift of the 156).

Dropping in value in the second hand market to such low levels that idiots now own them, with the attendant ruination of most of them through what little is spent on them being on dodgy rear light replacements rather than regular maintenance, plus they're Alfa Romeos so most of them will die regardless.

My specific tip is to buy an early V6, in red (not metallic, plain "rosso") with black leather interior - if it's an early one the front seats should have the full colour embroidered Alfa badges. Veloce wheels (the 16" alloys with the 5 circles). No bodykits (including, imho, the factory skirts, the car looks better without)

Already getting rare - there are only 3 V6s on Autotrader at the moment, and none of them are red.

The GTA is the more obvious choice and probably objectively a better one, but to my eye the bodykit and over-large wheels spoil the looks, and it's the looks that make the thing a bit special in the first place - GTA or not the floorpan started life as a Fiat Tipo.

One word - scirocco

^^Good call that

8L Audi S3

I know people find them bland and very boring, but I loved mine!

Clio V6 - The price of these has rocketed over the last 2 - 3 years. Wish I had bought one at the time, the same car would probably be 10 grand more now and near the price it was when new.

I seen a Clio V6 last week - first time i'd seen one in at least 5 years!

Not "current" but still fairly recent - in fact, anything Porsche shaped that say RUF on it

[img] [/img]

Sorry - I take back that last comment, anything except this thing that looks like a VW toureg pumped kermit the frog 😐

[img] http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/stormster-grn--copy.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/stormster-grn--copy.jp g"/> [/img]

I'll get laughed out of town for this, but I don't care!

Dacia.

I'll probably get laughed at too.... not a current model but still currently common on the roads - the MK1 Seat Leon. I think its one of the best looking and best proportioned cars from the last 10 years

start scrapping all vehicles over 10yrs old

although from an environmental point of view it's possibly the worst approach - far more energy goes into building the things than using them.

I've read that factoid so many time in the last 20 year that it can't possibly be true 🙂

I worked out my van had gone through 46 tons of diesel in its lifetime - it was still a going concern when I sold it so maybe its chugged through a few more. It doesn't seem like that a product that would consume that much energy to make could be sold for £16,000.