10 Future classics to buy NOW 

Peugeot 306 is one definitely worth considering, values are rising steadily, great looking cars, fun to drive, very reliable & there's almost a timeless look to the styling. I sometimes look at my 2000 306 cab & forget it's 24 years old. Big range of engines & body styles, still accessible at under £1000 for a rough & ready one, some of the cabriolets & hot ones (S16, GTi-6 & Rallye) fetching over £4000 now in the right condition. Electrics can be a weak point on them & the rear seatbelt mounts but overall, a solid daily come modern classic

I was given one piece of advice from a long time classic car trader. "Never buy a car as an investment, buy a car you like and enjoy it." I took his advice and I enjoy my cars a lot more now I'm not constantly worrying about their value. A car tucked away in a garage is an ornament. Get it out and drive it. On your deathbed you'll wish you did!!

Peogeot 406 coupe in nice condition now shooting up here in Spain Including the 2.2 D

When did I last see an Audi A2? About 20 minutes ago when I parked it!

Definitely agree with an earlier post about the Renault Wind, as a 2 seater with a folding hardtop, they look sporting but feel like a modern hatchback. They are already starting to appear at car shows and the owners club are very active and supportive. Still available for around two thousand pounds, they represent very good value for money.

In terms of regular cars Alfa GT, Brera, Hyundai Coupe all MKs, Mazda RX8, Nissan Cube, Rover 75, SAAB 93/95, Skoda Octavia Fabia vRS/Roomster/Yeti Mk1, Toyota Prius, VW Eos and Passat CC, Volvo C30 and xc70 Ocean Race, only because I own one!

Frank Stephenson's opinion on future classic cars also included the Alfa Romeo Brera and the Honda CR-Z.

Anything small and Italian guarantees future classic status so Punto MK1 and 2 and Mito.

I'd add the first-generation Audi TT: purest design, great build quality. Quattros and 3.2 V6 models technically interesting too.

The original SLK should be in there. Especially in a manual, the 230 komp or the rare 320 six speed, and rarer AMG 32- which only came with an auto but still a beast.

The New Beetles that will be collectable is the fairly rare 2.3 V5 Sport Edition and the normal V5, and the not particularly rare, but best engine by far 1.8T versions. Look out for sill rot on all of them, and roof rot on early pre 03 cars. Also all Ford KA's were 1.3's, (except the Sport/Street Ka) up to late 02 was the 1.3 OHV Endura-E engine, it then changed to the 1.3 Duratec engine which was basically the old Endura with an OHC head, hydraulic tappets and more power.

The MG Zeds (ZR, ZS, ZT) are getting rare, and good examples are starting to fetch serious money.

The Mk 1 Aygo is my sleeper bet for a future classic. Will be 19 years this July since it was first sold. Great fun little cars with simple mechanics and construction. A throw back to 60's/70's cars really in terms of comforts and gizmos but it puts a smile on your face and is a practical daily driver.

Renault scenic MK1, used to be everywhere but don't see many these days. So many people had them for lugging the family around, there's bound to be nostalgia for them from the now adults that got ferried around in them,the advert sticks in my mind!.

My 1990 Volvo 480 Turbo is my sleeper ( it literally is a sleeper) which has been dry stored for 22 years. Going to get it recommissioned this year so that I can take this rare car to shows.

Great review on the R50/R53 mins, you knocked the nail straight on the head there matt, i have a mint 2003 cooper S and the amount of people that have tried to buy the car from me is shocking, i had classic minis for 30 years but this one is in a league of its own.

Renault Wind - Never owned one or driven one but I think these fit the criteria as welcome at a show in the future. Fiat Seicento Sporting or (Schumacher if you can find one) Rover 200 brm - with the bottom feeder orange mouth. Astra F Estate (Not hatchback)

Thumbs up for you Matt! Vauxhall Tigra B. I got one a few years ago and really enjoy cheap top down motoring and its easy to fix myself (except maybe the folding roof part)! 👍🏻

All I can say is, Alfa Romeo 156 and 147 pre facelift will go up in value

Rover 75. Seraph Alloys. Just lovely. Correct on being a little dead on steering. But as solid as well. A BM. 5 series 540i or M5 please. That’s more me. As a Cappu owner , just sold an XL1. I only like mega charactor.

Really enjoyed that video Matt , almost made you sound and seem very knowledgeable about car’s 😁 Who knew !!! Mk5 Cortina Ghia would definitely make it onto my list, had one back in the day and loved it.

Great video. I agree with the P1 V70 I nearly bought a lovely example a few years back and wish I did now. But do think the P2 is the last real Volvo out there so maybe worth holding onto mine who knows.

P38 Range Rover (London Taxi). I worked for LR when these came out and they were loathed. I always remember you couldn’t have fog lights if you had a diesel auto because of the gearbox cooler airflow lol. My boss had a 4.0 Rioja Red Vogue 👌

Some of my previous cars would be a classic now. Mini 1275gt, RR classic, MG Metro, Volvo 340gle, Renault 5, Mini Jet Black... But they were everday cars back in the day.

Nice summary Matt, though I'm interested by you picking the E82 (1 series coupe) over the E46. Having previously looked at replacing my previous 320ci with a 125i, and decided against it on the basis of it feeling much more cheaply built. Unless of course, you think that aspect is going to make them die off quicker?

I remember the cheap cars my Dad bought when I was growing up which he scrapped when they reached end of life. For example a Ford Anglia 105E van, Hillman Imp, Mk1 Escort . If only we knew then what we know now we could have locked them away for the future! 🤔

The mini and beetle i agree i also think Fiat coupe 20v turbo The toyota mr2 mk2 and mk3 The mk1 and mk2 focus st The Fiesta st And maybe the mk4 golf and some of the Peugeot 306 406 407

IMO I like the Z3 styling, it was quirky but cool. I agree on the Tigra kind of for the same reasons as the Z3 - quirky styling but it does have a following and people love them as cheap drop tops. I think the MK4 Astra will be become a classic soon (esp estate & GSi) as nice, well looked after ones are getting rare now - my brother has owned a 2001 estate version for 15 years and its still going strong - its only just crept over 100k miles with full history.

My mum had a Renault Scenic 4x4 in olive green for a company car years ago! Loved it and I’ve never seen another one! I think the MK5 Ford fiesta zetec s would be another good one!

Good list. A clever design is, as you said, memorable. Loved the Multipler and the Audi

Had my TDI A2 for 4 years. 173000 miles and still going strong. Just bought a 2016 bmw i3 as they look somewhat similar. I’m supposed to get rid of the A2 but after seeing this I might just keep it!

Thank you Matt, as an owner of an A2 and Rover 75, it’s nice to know the hours spent underneath them will pay off one day. Also own a P38 (Diesel though), maybe one for the future

Nice one Matt. I’m still lusting for a V70 P2 as they are simply gorgeous. Would love to have a focus St170 as they are still very cheap. The others? All great choices too.

I agree with most of those, for the UK market at least. To embrace some of the new era of tech with cars that stand out, maybe consider the 1st Gen Honda Insight (a car I own but maybe too obscure, but was sold new in the UK) and for something a bit more modern, the BMW i3, an electric car that resembles what I thought a new gen of automotive design might look like, instead of just SUVs with no grills.

916 Alfa Spider and GTV for me. Bought a Spider couple of years ago and love it.

Good list of potentials there Matt, the Rover 75, and R50 Mini and Citroen C6 I’d definately agree with. What about the Citroen C2 VTR, Peugeot 206 GTI, Mazda RX8, the early Ford Fiesta ST150? Good Video Matt, thanks.👍

Got my R50 Mini, 2002 Cooper, and I love it! It shares daily driver duties with my Mondeo, depending on how many of us I need to transport. I need to repair the baggy headliner and a couple of small dings that it came with to make it perfect but I can enjoy it in the mean time

I currently own 6 A2’s. Wonderful things.

I bought my 75 Estate between lockdowns simply because it was for sale at a garage I could walk to when I had no car on the road. At the time I think the dealership would have been happy with a sale too! It was deliberately just a junk get-about car too cheap to worry about. May start to be getting genuine classic status now coming up to 4 years of ownership. It seems ordinary to me because it is unusually modern by my standards and also very common. The cars I've had are often built only in their hundreds, one I had was the only one left on the road! I'd nominate the X100 Jag XK in the same category. Pretty, powerful and still cheap for what they are. About to climb?

i wish i'd kept my Nissan 200 S13 crazy prices now . Great vid Matt

The first Twingo and the Saxo - 106 in mint condition.

With you on most of them esp the C6 but not the Z3, want a german rwd open top, get a Boxster. On the fence with the R75. Due to Festival of the Unexceptional, and Rustival of course, any bottom of the range mainstream bread and butter stodge are holding their own instead of simply disappearing like their predecessors when only the sporty fast and/or top of the range version ever got saved.

MG F, especially the MK1 cars and the SE like Trophy 160 , missed the boat on that one , Abingdon, Wedgewood and Anniversary models and TFs in 160 spec and anything in the monogram colours. Good examples are getting harder to find and prices definitely on the up. Saab 9-3 and 9-5 especially the hot estates, yummy!

Great little video. I still think the Ford Puma has to be in there too although I suspect they might already be getting collectable. I still think the K11 Micra will be too. So many people cut their teeth on them

We’re taking the Audi A2 to Rustival! See you there 😃

Raising the subject of when you are going to finish some. Once you do get the Merc W123 on the road, you will be transported to stress free world of your own, whilst the world rushes by. You will sit back and cruise at 60 mph knowing that your destination is assured.

We have 5 New Beetles in our family, definitely a future classic. Thanks for including in you top 10.

I own an Audi A2 in the higher performance diesel TDi90 flavour. It has been tuned to 130BHP, it now has a six speed gearbox from a later VAG car, it has heated leather seats and a whole host of other luxuries inside so feels nice and premium to drive with plenty of interior space to stretch out, yet it’s extremely small footprint makes it ideal for urban or rural roads and with my upgrades motorways are a hushed / refined joy (70mph is now 2000RPM). It costs £35 a year to tax and does 70mpg on a run. A superb commuter or second vehicle in our family, as long as you can get past the styling - something I really couldn’t care less about! I’m glad good ones are getting sought after - as you say £5k will get you one of the best examples - you can buy an excellent one through the club (which is amazingly thriving in a way online one-make forums typically don’t these days) for around £3500. The diesels (3 cylinder PD 75 or 90) in particular are extremely long-lived: as well as economical - Mine is on 170k miles and still going strong - the club actually has a mileage leaderboard, the current leader is on over half a million miles!! I maintain both our family vehicles myself and the A2 shares many parts (and is upgradable using parts) with other VAG cars). It’s nice that it’s pretty fun to drive too. Highly recommended if you don’t need 3 proper seats in the back (a result of the narrow body).

I do think the Range Rover p38 values seems to be shooting up for good ones

I reckon a safe bet maybe could be a 2000-2002 Ford Fiesta Zetec-S. I'm sitting on two at the moment and have watched the values increase over the last few years. Likewise with the Ford Puma Coupe which is another awesome retro ford

I bought a 2001 Ford Puma last summer in the hope that it will become a classic. Not as an investment, as I wanted it for me, but I thought that the prices for good ones is likely to start going up soon, if they haven't already, and thought I'd grab one before that happens.

Didn't see the Mazda 2 DE (2007-2014) They shed the pounds off a fiesta and gave it a sleek fun chassis.

Wow! I totally agree with this list. And that’s coming from a car fanatic from 1970s onwards.❤

Very difficult to say what cars could become classics in the future, I'd say the Mk3 Mondeo ST220 would be a should even if the standard mk3 isn't, creamy smooth 3L v6, very good chassis, looks great and full leather Recaro seats all for a very reasonable price. I think a preface L322 Range Rover is a good shout too with the 4.2 v8, again, a lot of car for a reasonable price and not really too bad with reliability unlike the P38

Mk2 Mondeo is going to be a future classic. We've got a W reg 2.0 GLX Auto. It's only got just over 40K Miles on it. We are doing bits to it when we can afford it.

I don't think you can disregard the Mk3 Mondeo, not in St220 form. Great cars with a 24v V6 petrol engine. The oldest ones are now over 20 years old and sure to be a future classic.

Hi Matt great video definitely some future classics in there, but what about the Ford Fiesta between 1999 and 2002 they have just disappeared and low milage examples like i have are shooting up in value

I loved my old X Type but rust was the end of it. But I'll stop and look at any old car what ever it is. I seen a P reg Lexus in Asda's carpark yesterday in tidy used condition.

I went an bought my first car a month ago. Wouldn't say it's a future classic, but there's not a lot of them about nowadays. I got an 2003 Astra MK4 Bertone hard top, Breeze Blue, Irmscher kit for £580. Lexus style rail lights which im debating whether to replace with standard ones, or keep them. My plan B however was a 53 1.8 MK1 Focus Estate in that maroon red. Me and my ex had a T Reg Ka years ago but I'm assuming that rotted away over time. It was hanging when we had it. When I was in college, my dad ended up with a Y reg Fiat Seicento in dark blue just like most of them were, which we were going to keep for me to do my lessons in, but told him to sell it as everyone took the piss, and I couldn't fit a mountain bike in it. Regret letting it go now. 899cc! Whaaaahhhh! One car I wish I could have kept was my granddads J reg MK2 Reliant Robbin in the typical blue with the black and orange along the side. I think that was the sportier 850cc. Spent my whole childhood clinging onto dear life round the country lanes as you can hear it revving it nuts off while my 83 year old granddad gives it beans, Our first family car was also a J reg, MK3 Golf. Then a W reg MK1 Megane, PX'ed that for 2004 MK3 Mondeo Zetec petrol 2.0l automatic. That was rapid! ECU fried in that I think. He asked if I wanted it before he scrapped it but I had nowhere to keep it. He know I wanted to put an ST bodykit on it as his bumpers were typically for an old Mondeo, held on with tape. Out of all these cars, the only one left in existence is my Astra. Call me mad, but it was always a dream car of mine. 27 now and can recall exactly 20 years ago having a Max Power poster on my bedroom wall, woman with tits almost hanging out, cleaning a tripped out 888 Bertone. My mum took it down in the end. Binned it! Ultimate dream car is a Monaro VXR, but for now, I'll stick with my 1.8 coupe. That's one car I'll never own sadly. I do plan on eventually getting a MK2 Robbin though, no matter how long it takes, or how much they go up.

Good condition Jaguar S-Types seem to be on the up price wise. Both pre and post facelifts

I loved my W Reg Ford Ka.... However it didn't like structural integrity as it dissolved itself with great vigour! Lee from Cars UK seems to be getting some nice examples

I would suggest the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ twins. Last of the true sports coupe line. I think they will appreciate once the GR86 is discontinued later this year. There is a very active Japanese sports/GT car scene which is helping them to hold their value at the moment.

Most of my cars I’ve sold before the prices went up (SAAB 900 T8 and 9000 2.3T), but my 850 T-5 I bought for £1200 and sold for £1,900 after having an £1,800 total loss payout. Keeping hold of my 9-5 partly because of the potential price rise, but mainly just because I love it. Just invested in a second car to keep the mileage down on the SAAB (and the children away from it!)

Loved my E46 bmw 320D just rust let it down currently have a Titanium X mondeo mk3 as my runabout

Totally with you on the Citroen C6 Matt, one very chic, stylish car, but the complexity and array of computers is too scary to contemplate. I'm sure the Ford Focus must have a following for the reasons you mention, but it just completely passed me by, I'm sure it must be a good car but it just doesn't register on my radar. Nice run down of top ten, very relaxed sat in cosy comfort with the heater blasting, but where's the mug of hot tea and the requisite digestive? 😎

I would say the M3 E46 is one to get low mileage etc , I had an Alfa 156 in red with the cloverleaf alloys and black leather interior with the Alfa sign in bossed in the front seats , that was a Y plate , very unreliable but a lovely car

Interesting choices, Cars I never would have suspected.....Well done

Try - first generation MX5, MGF/MGTF, Skoda Yeti, first generation Audi TT, last generation MR2, any Saab.......

Had 3 Audi A2 and 2 Rover 75 about 4-5 years ago.Sold them all and bought a very sensible Alfa Romeo

Agreed with the (standard) Ford Mondeo Mk3 - however the ST220 version is different. It is currently at rock bottom. A good one can be had for £3k. But they were never built in massive numbers and only exist in the hundreds today. My estate is one of just 57 built in 2006. It's definitely a car for the cognoscenti that knows their stuff and the Duratec 3.0 V6 is definitely the one to go for. Pootles along at 30mph in 5th but also capable of making serious progress up to 150mph if you wanted it to. And handles very well for a nose-heavy front wheel drive car.

I think the mk4 astra may especially the gsi variant I think should go up then last good astra in my eyes

What I learnt is that I sold a few too soon. I've had an Audi A2, a Mk1 Focus and was given a VW Beetle. All of which I no longer have. If only I had. I would say a MK1 Nissan Leaf as a future EV classic. First mass market EV? I only say as I've had a couple of them in the past too! 😅

I'd go Chrysler PT Crusier...and maybe do a pickup conversion!

Good list. I wish I had kept all my old rust buckets, I could have been a millionaire, well, maybe. One I would add is the Audi 100 Avant. Great looking an d very nice to drive.

I looked at an E82 a few years ago, thought it was a great little car! That was a chipped 120 diesel, but I didn't buy it. I really liked the look of it and thought it was quite rare

Mazda MX-5 mk3 NC 1 definitely on the up if you find a good one with a rust free underside .

Pretty sure Merc 190 has bottomed out and beginning to be worth money as they get harder to find. They will also keep running forever if looked after. Whereas the Audi A2 seems to have had a lot of issues, and I'm not really sure who is going to want one in the short to medium term. But who knows?

Bug-eyed Scorpio is another good shout. I’d love one!

Citroen C6 defo a future classic and another car I would want to own, through watching Rich's Videos they scare me. Ka is a future classic to me as you say finding a good one is the key, yet again another car to own at some point. Totally agree with the Focus as a classic, it's a car still looks good today, had one and after watching your review, want another one, there is a tidy S Reg one near to me. Again agree with the Multipla but avoid a pink one with green interior 😂😂 I bought a 75 with the potential of having it as a future classic, issues otherwise made me sell it for a modern, realible car! Agree with the Beetle as well, I was never a fan at launch, but they have aged really well. And also agree the R50 Mini is a classic already, had a R56 Mini a great car and I would say the last of the Mini Mini's anything onwards is not a Mini in my eyes. Going to be biased but going to say a Mark 5 and 6 Escort, values on these are starting to creep up, a few rotters like the Ka at cheap prices, but have seen Mark 6 Escorts going for nearly £4k. I bought my Escort for £2K, and I done the usual joke with the wife it's a future classic.... She laughed😂😂 it's a classic in my eyes and I avoided Ford Tax....

I drive an A2. Some four year ago here in Baltics in Eastern Europe they were very rare, near impossible to buy. Now they are a lot more common since their owners in Western Europe are finally getting rid of them. The price hasn't changed much at all still around 2000 to 3000 euros. I expect it will take quite a few more years before any potential price increase. They're expensive to repair unless you're capable of doing repairs yourself and know when to improvise instead of using all original spare parts. Like how I swapped the actual electrical switch part of the headlight switch from a cheap golf part and just kept the old front cover plastic bits. I spent 14 euros instead of 140 euros.

Ah, that Z3 was at Mullion Cove , beautiful place 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍

What u recon to the zafira b vxr ? The astra gsi's are going up slowly in decent nick

Excellent list, how about the Renault Modus great packaging, a small car with plenty of interior space and there was the longer wheelbase Grand Modus.

What do you think about the Volvo 740 estate 1988 2.3 carburettor car? I've got one that's fairly tidy. I'm contemplating keeping it and making it mint

What you needed to say about the 600 or 700 smart fortwo models is they need a engine rebuild after 50k, so any car for sale that hasn't had a rebuild or a recon engine is due to go bang or burn oil at a huge rate Also best advice is to fit a aftermarket sump with a sump plug as that's partly why the original engines don't last

i agree with multipla, 75 ,volvo, and r50 mini (still prefer the original mini) shame the rover r8 didnt make the list in all its guises

I had a t reg ford ka they use to always rot by the petrol cap

Been looking at a Z3 as a second car, they are cheap as chips, well worth the money.

I came here to check the Smart four two was on your list. It is. Good. Carry on…

What about the mk3 MR 2 , or the T Sport mk 1 Yaris, both going up in value and now gaining a good following

BMW e39 have a lot going for them!

Skoda Yeti Springs to mind

Suzuki Jimmy and also Mk3 Scirocco are my prediction.

Got a Puma 1.7, can't use cause of ulez but want to keep it . Need somewhere though (cheap).😀😀

W211 e55. Only made for 3 years, only about 10,000 in total. They MUST go up soon.

'Youngtimers' I think have more headroom that you didn't mention, 'New' Fiat Panda, Original unrestored late 2CVs, Citroen AX (they're on the move), Ford Probe (yeah, really), Vauxhall Calibra (undervalued), 'Sporting' Corsa B's (look at Novas)

Solid Vid. Wonder how close I’ll be ahead of your top 10. Ka MK1. Forget the rust woe. They’re great. Drive insanely well. Even the 50s engine was fine. Suited the car. Yes Kent engine. As basic as it is. What a great car. And Focus MK1 mega solid cabin. Just great again and yes. Ford. Ford Tax. Keep it nice. It’ll love you back. Ghia when Ghia meant something. Black or charcoal velour. Digital climate. Even as a saloon. Just good.

Still have the 2003 ST170 I bought in 2010.

Late 2000's. Got a lift in a BMW 1 series. He said it was slow as...And felt it... It couldn't run the feds he meant! ;)

Viewer from Finland, thinks that the Peugeot 406 Coupe (and to some extent the sedan and wagon) will be a future classic, especially since people have always liked the way they look, it's just they've never really gone up in price. I owned a 2002 Ford Ka which I bought for 300€ and it was not as dynamic as you claimed, for a small car it surprisingly handled like a big car, which is not something I wanted, I currently have a 1995 Renault Twingo ragtop, which does everything the Ka does and does it better. I also have a 91 Caprice Classic, a 74 Sunbeam Avenger and a 97 Peugeot 605 (another Pug that will become a classic, if any survive.) Also, I cant see the V70 becoming a classic here in Finland since theyre still everywhere.