20 funky future classics to bag now

20 fun future classics to buy now

Think of the noughties and the 2010s, and it only seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?

However, it is more than a decade ago, and as we slide into a (probable) electric-only future, the sheer breadth of engine options, body styles and general cool stuff on sale seems like a different world.

Some cars have already accelerated into classic status from this era. However, there are some cars with what we feel still have some way to go in terms of ascending values.

Low production numbers and low survival rates, as well as a mixture of attributes we’re simply not going to get in newer cars, are starting to make these models more desirable.

Of course, some cars are already pretty pricey, but here we’re also taking into account new markets opening up as the cars become older; you need only look at the prices of Ford Escort RS Cosworths and BMW M3 E30s from the ’80s and ’90s to see how the US market can affect prices.

So read on to see our selection of 20 cars we feel have room for upward growth.

1. Mercury Marauder


We start in America, with a car that looks somewhat older.

Based on the Panther platform, which dates back to 1979, the Marauder arrived for the 2003 model year as a high-performance version of the Grand Marquis.

It featured rack-and-pinion steering, upgraded brakes and Crown Victoria Police Interceptor-specification suspension, and a limited-slip differential.

The full treat was under the bonnet, with a 4.6-litre V8, derived from the Lincoln MkVIII and shared with the Ford Mustang Mach 1.

In the end 11,000 were built, which may sound a lot, but these cars are rarely for sale.
 

2. Porsche Cayman R


Compared to more modern versions of the Cayman, which are significantly more hardcore, the 2011 Cayman R’s changes might seem modest on paper.

Porsche shaved 55kg of weight courtesy of lightweight wheels, 911 GT2-sourced door cards and handles, carbon seats, no air-con and other slimming techniques.

The 3.4-litre straight-six coughs up an extra 9bhp, and it rides on short and stiffer springs, ditching the PASM active suspension system; a limited-slip diff came as standard.

The way the car drives is notably different from the Cayman S, with extra bite to the turn-in – it all feels so much more vivid.

It’s believed that Porsche built only 1421 cars worldwide, and as a result the car has barely depreciated in more than 10 years, which means there may be room for growth.

3. BMW M3 CSL

You might be surprised to see this car here – after all, prices have already rocketed over the years.

However, there’s something that’s perhaps brushed under the carpet that indicates further price rises are somewhat likely.

This model, launched in 2004, was never officially imported to the USA, which makes 2029 a key date for your diaries.

That’s when the ever-growing USA BMW fanbase will be able to get their hands on one under 25-year show-and-display rules.

We’ve already seen big price rises for the E30 M3, and this – arguably one of the finest BMWs ever made – will likely follow suit, even from the lofty heights they’re currently valued at.

4. Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar is soon to wave goodbye to sports-car production, cutting the F-type to focus on electric propulsion and general survival.

Although the F-type is a fine car, the XKR X150 was arguably Jaguar’s last GT – 2+2 seating, a massive V8 up front and effortless torque.

Hardcore GT models aside, the XKR-S of 2011 injected sporting dynamism into the X150, refreshing the programme with a mighty supercharged V8.

You also got a redesigned suspension system with a retuned active dynamics programme, 20in wheels and an upgraded braking system

The result was a car that offered Aston Martin DBS performance, at a significantly lower price. Despite this – and some entertainingly lairy paint schemes – relatively few were sold.

Values are currently holding steady, but as cars start to disappear with time, it’s expected prices will rise.

5. Maserati GranSport MC Victory

The standard Maserati GranSport has to be a bit of a bargain, with its 395bhp naturally aspirated V8, Giugiaro/Stephenson styling and a truly exotic interior.

However, 2007’s MC Victory version represents what the car should have been from the start. In short, Maserati engineers made the GranSport so good, then owners Ferrari told them to tone it down lest it took sales away from the Prancing Horse.

However, the MC Victory was a limited run that offered a tantalising glimpse of what could have been.

Aside from further styling revisions from Frank Stephenson, it featured Maserati MC12-spec seats and other trim details.

The key thing, however, was the revised, quicker steering rack that fundamentally changed the nature of the car from a GT to something more sporty. Just 181 were made.
 

6. HSV W427

Upsetting your fans is never a good idea.

Holden made the HRT 427 Monaro-based concept car in 2002, but it didn’t reach production, much to the disappointment of its loyal fanbase.

Fast-forward to 2008 and the dream of an LS7-powered, 7-litre Holden came true, becoming the fastest and most powerful Australian muscle car of all time.

The project was rather more than dumping a crate engine into a Commodore – adapting the brakes, suspension and tuning the performance took a mighty effort – but sadly world events got in the way.

Originally, just 427 were due to be made, but this was throttled back to 200. In the end, only 137 were produced.

7. BMW 1 Series M

There are those that say this isn’t a proper M car – its engine doesn’t carry the sacred S prefix in the name – and it does drive in a completely different manner to pretty much most M cars that came before it.

Launched in 2011, it’s a brute to look at and drive, and has developed a keen cult following that’s meant the car hasn’t really depreciated from its original purchase price.

It’s still potent today, but what’s more potent still is the story of its creation.

This was a true passion project from the team that built it, a ‘what if?’ exercise that soon developed into a line of small, fast, rear-wheel-drive BMWs.

Worldwide production was around 6300 but, such is the passion for the 1M, prices are currently static. With its heir, the M2, moving to four-wheel drive and manuals on the way out, the love for the 1M will only increase.

8. Ford Focus RS Mk1

We’re now rewinding to 2002 when this model was launched. This manic Fast Ford has already gone up in price, but we believe it has room to appreciate further.

There are a few reasons for this.

Firstly, the cars that followed became increasingly sanitised. The Mk1’s limited-slip diff made it a challenge to drive quickly on uneven tarmac, something that counted against it as an everyday car, but which as a collector car makes it an engaging and exciting weekend driver.

The Blue Oval cult has cottoned on to this, but with many cars being used, abused and crashed, really good examples can be harder to find.

You can expect prices to grow as this becomes apparent, so it’s worth dipping in while you can if this takes your fancy.

9. RenaultSport Megane R26 F1 Team

Renault’s 2006 Megane R26R has already seen large price rises – it is the ultimate expression of the breed, with a stripped-out interior and a truly hardcore edge.

It’s already expensive, but the car that it’s based on is a comparative bargain.

It took a while for RenaultSport to finesse the Mk1 Megane, but the lengthily named F1 Team finally got the formula right when it arrived in 2006 – and you don’t have to wear a harness like you do in the R26R.

This model blended the Cup chassis package with a limited-slip differential, plus 227bhp, to create a hot-hatch great.

It’s nowhere near as hardcore as the R26R, but the changes, plus the revised steering, pushed it to the top of the hot-hatch class.

While newer, sporty Meganes are not much more expensive, the Mk1 Megane has a love-it/hate-it look that adds extra allure for its fans.

Prices are currently a fraction of the R26R’s – we can’t see that remaining so for too long.

10. Honda Civic Type R FN2 Mugen 20

The FN2 version of the Civic Type R formula from 2011 often gets a bad press – despite the sales success – for being tamer than the EP3 version it replaced.

However, there’s nothing tame about the Mugen 20 (not to be confused with the less hardcore Mugen 200).

The cylinder bore and stroke were increased to provide more torque and power, while the suspension is stiffer and runs 10mm lower. It also has a limited-slip differential, to help control all the power.

If anything, it’s more hardcore than the ideologically similar Megane R26R but, critically, much rarer – just 20 were built.

They seldom come up for sale, and we can see interest growing as the call for a screaming 8000rpm engine only grows stronger, with teenagers of 2008 starting to browse the classifieds in earnest…

11. Alfa Romeo 156 GTA

Some will immediately discount this car because it is front-wheel drive – indeed, initial press reports were mixed.

However, the efforts of owners and specialists have rectified most of the car’s inherent issues, meaning that many 156 GTAs you’ll find for sale will go as well as they look.

And they do look great, with a sensuous coupé-like shape thanks to the hidden doorhandles.

These 2001-’05 Alfas sound great, too, thanks to a 3.2-litre V6 that growls beautifully.

Many will still dismiss the model for the lack of rear-wheel drive, but the torquey engine, sharp steering and rarity (just 1973 saloons and 1678 Sportwagons were made) has led to the 156 GTA becoming a cult car.

12. Volkswagen Golf R32

Volkswagen may have dropped the ball in the ’90s with the GTI, but the Corrado VR6 had shown there was still something wolf-ish in Wolfsburg, thanks to its sonorous engine and sharp steering.

The Mk4 R32 introduced in 2002 developed the engine into one of the first hyper hatches, blending more than 200bhp with a four-wheel-drive system and a luxurious interior. 

The car also looks the business. The pumped-up bodykit really gives the R32 presence, something that was lost on the sober-suited Mk5 version.

While newer R versions of the Golf are invariably faster, the original R32 has a special look that we think is only going to get more appealing over time.

13. Audi RS4 B7

There’s a familiar refrain to Audis – powerful, grippy, slightly numb to drive.

The RS4 B7 of 2006 is certainly not numb. Its looks are certainly the opposite, too, with wider arches and a general thuggish vibe not really seen since the original quattro.

The heart of it all was the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 that was similar to that used in the R8 supercar, yet in RS4 guise could be specified in convertible, saloon or estate form.

We’ve plumped for the RS4 over the R8 simply because finding a good RS4 is extremely challenging.

Though 10,000 were built worldwide, many have been thrashed, crashed or neglected, which means that good examples are especially coveted.

And the best bit? It handles magnificently, too…

14. FPV GT Cobra

The Blue Oval was in its Bathurst-winning pomp when it announced the Cobra special edition of 2006.

The run-out for the BF-series Falcon, it featured more power from its 5.4-litre, 32-valve Boss V8, with more power and torque further up the rev range.

This meant a new cam profile and higher compression ratio, as well as an upgraded exhaust system. The dampers were also retuned as part of the R-Spec suspension package launched earlier. 

Just 400 were built, and they are already prized collectibles.

However, as the V8 Supercar series moves to American imports, the nostalgia for the last great age of Australian-built V8 beasts will only grow, thus pushing prices higher. 

15. Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C Type RA-R + RA + WR1

We’re all well aware of the tastiest Imprezas going for top money – a 22B is a hundreds of thousands of pounds nowadays, while P1s can hit £50,000.

However, the noughties cars are yet to inflate to the same amount, though the signs are already there.

The WRX STI Spec C Type RA-R (phew!) is regularly a £75,000 car, and we feel that it has some way to grow. However, take that final R off and it’ll cost you around a third of that.

Now is certainly the time if you want one of these rare homologation-special Imprezas from the 2000s, as the increasing price of the RA-R will drag up those of the RA (300 built of either).

You can expect further price hikes for special editions such as the WR1 – and it’s all down to rarity.

16. Aston Martin DBS manual

This is another already-expensive car, but its position in Aston Martin history means that we could well see prices increase.

Launched in 2007, it’s the last manual, big GT Aston Martin made, though in the end very few people selected the three-pedal option.

The naturally aspirated V12 is a delight, too, but there’s another factor that will help to boost prices – it’s an Aston Martin with a genuine James Bond connection.

We’re not expecting DB5-style pricing, but with shifting demographics there should be gentle appreciation for all DBSs, particularly the manuals.

17. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

The third of the early hyper-hatch trilogy along with the aforementioned Ford Focus RS and VW Golf R32, Alfa took the base materials of the 156 GTA supersaloon and transported it into its smallest car.

The result was the 147 GTA of 2002, a zippy little car that blitzed the Ford and VW in a straight line – less so in the corners.

However, since then, owners and specialists have refined the cars, transforming them dynamically over the factory set-up.

Alfa sold very few originally and now good-quality survivors are hard to find.

Values have swollen a little of late, but they lag behind the 156 GTA. Hot hatches will never be like this again, and that’s what’s driving interest now – and will continue to do so.

18. Porsche 996 GT2

The 2001 Porsche 996 GT2 may have lacked the singular track vision of the 993 GT2 that preceded it, but this was not a model that lacked performance or bite.

The formula was similar: take the 911 turbo of the day and make it rear-drive only – with 456bhp and, from the 2003 model year, 476bhp to play with.

The result was a car nicknamed the widow maker – Porsche engineered in a bit of understeer, to which owners countered with power oversteer, then physics trumped both, usually ending in a ditch.

Already a rare car, such stories have made GT2s rarer still.

Despite the exclusivity, performance and heritage, GT2 prices have failed to ignite in a serious manner. It can’t remain that way forever…

19. Aston Martin Vantage V12 manual

Small car, big engine. It is a winning combination, and blended with one of the most beautiful shapes to adorn a British badge, simply irresistible.

The 2009 V12 Vantage put the biggest engine in the base-model car and, rather than create an unwieldy beast, made one of the most memorable sports GTs of the post-2000 era.

The later models had more power and more gears, but the original manuals are arguably the most collectible.

Manuals already hold a premium over the Touchtronic models, and you can expect this gap to grow over time.

20. Cadillac XLR-V

We know this might be a controversial choice.

Not only was the use of Corvette underpinnings on a Cadillac product deeply divisive at the time, but the Northstar V8 the XLR of 2004 uses does not have the greatest reputation for reliability.

However, the XLR is definitely a stylish statement, a wonderfully theatrical car – and that’s just looking at it.

Choose the rare, supercharged XLR-V and you’ve got a very potent, exclusive model, too.

While some may scoff at this selection, it’s a car that you simply don’t see any more, and that provides an irresistible allure. Especially when the XLR-V produces 443bhp and rips to 60mph in 4.6 secs…