Top 10 Best Classic Cars To Buy Right Now (2022 Updated)

Last updated on June 2nd, 2023 at 02:41 am

Purchasing a vintage automobile requires more investigation than does buy a new car. If you believe an automobile is in high demand, you may be able to sell it for a profit when the time comes. Fortunately, historic automobiles for sale in 2022 are abounding in intriguing, enjoyment, and practicality. Because the market is constantly shifting, the value of a vintage car might vary at any time.

In recent years, the value of many historic automobiles has increased significantly. For example, a 1984 Ford Escort RS Turbo could be purchased for less than $5,000 a decade ago. It is now possible to pay over £25,000 for a vehicle with less mileage. The E30 BMW 3 Series, another apparently ‘regular’ car from the same period, may sell for around the same price, if not more.

Cars from the 1990s and 2000s are included in this list to prevent price increases. There hasn’t been a significant increase in the price of these vehicles. These automobiles may or may not be worth a fortune in the future, but we can see that prices are rising, and now is the best time to purchase before they’re out of your reach.

You can’t blame us for following our feelings as much as our intellect regarding some of these recommendations. You’d get a newer, more efficient vehicle if you were making your purchase based on your brain! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite best classic cars.

10 Best Classic Cars To Buy Now

#1. Porsche Boxter 986

In the eyes of some, the mid-engined Boxster that debuted in 1996 is not only a legitimate Porsche, but it also rescued the firm from financial collapse, much like its spiritual front-engined predecessor, the 924. In its way, it was a fantastic sports vehicle. It has become a tremendous value in recent years, with the lowest models costing less than £7,000. We’d be inclined to pay a few thousand dollars more on a wonderful one with a long service history from a diligent vendor rather than hunting this low.

Even pristine models are available for less than £12,000, making it difficult to find a better sports car for that price. Service may be costly, but Boxsters are pretty helpful because they have baggage compartments at both ends. There is no replacement for the unique six-cylinder engine and the car’s finely balanced handling, which makes them a joy to drive.

Also Check: Top 10 Best Luxury Sport Sedans Under $30k

#2. Honda Insight

Is it possible to find a hybrid in a historic car purchasing guide? Absolutely – not only is Honda’s first hybrid vehicle more than two decades old, having been introduced in 1999, but considering how the industry has evolved since its debut, it is just as vital to automotive culture as any hot hatch or sports car today. Even if Insight’s look is outdated, its technology is still cutting-edge, enabling you to earn more than 70mpg with minimal effort – contemporary classics don’t come much more affordable to operate than this one.

The automobile is very dependable, and early battery concerns were mainly unjustified; many vehicles are still working quite well with their original batteries. You should budget roughly £7,000 for a nice one, and you shouldn’t expect to lose much money if you decide to sell it.

#3. Alfa Romeo GTV

The Alfa Romeo GTV from 1995 is a compelling example of a well-rounded package. The Pininfarina-designed wedge is one of the decade’s most recognizable designs, and it’s jam-packed with gorgeous detailing. Though the model has certain unique flaws, it is simple to maintain and does not suffer from rust like many of its predecessors or even modern competitors. Moreover, the model was well-received, typically winning group testing when it first came out.

If you’re watching for a great car at an affordable price, look no further than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, which can be had for as little as a few thousand pounds. The third row of seats and the trunk is useless, so drive it like a 2+2. Still, the fast steering makes it exciting to drive. Although the V6 engine sounds terrific, serious drivers frequently prefer the lighter 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (which is still fun).

Also Check: Top 10 Best Performance Cars Under $20k

#4. BMW M5 Series- E39

A BMW 5-Series should satisfy your need for refinement in a vintage automobile. We’ve included the E39 generation on this list because of the examples still on the road, which helps keep prices down. Naturally, the M5 version is more expensive than the other models.

Many of these vehicles have accumulated a lot of high mileage. Hence, they need some TLC, but as the more highly used specimens begin to show their age, the less-used examples will attract collectors and enthusiasts’ attention.

E39s are still relatively simple to come by. Many engines choose from straight-six or V8 petrol or four or six-cylinder diesel. The 525i is an excellent choice since it has many features and a six-cylinder engine that is less thirsty than the V8 but still provides a lot of fun. Low-mileage examples of the E39 525i are available at roughly £9,000, with some E39s with more than 100,000 kilometers going for much less.

#5. Lexus LS400

In some ways, the “greatest automobile in the world” is subjective. Still, in the early 1990s, you might have made a compelling argument for the Lexus LS400 as worthy of distinction and the best classic car to buy. The car was impeccably built, astonishingly quiet, supremely comfortable, and surprisingly enjoyable to drive; the only things that some reviewers could find to criticize were the car’s safe styling and an interior that didn’t feel quite special enough when compared to the Mercedes and Jaguar it was competing against, according to some. Three decades later, you can guarantee that a lot more of it is still in working order than those Mercedes and Jaguars, contributing to the LS400’s ongoing appeal.

Also Check: Top 10 New Cheapest Cars With Self-Parking To Buy

Even the design has improved; previously, drab has become a pleasingly modest combination of elegance and simplicity. The cost of running a 4.0-liter petrol V8 has never been cheap. Hence, rising gasoline costs go some way toward explaining why you can now buy an LS400 for as low as £3,000, with outstanding specimens selling for less than £7,000 in the majority of instances.

#6. Mazda RX-8

You might well have noted that Japanese sports cars have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and this is not surprising. The first-generation Subaru Impreza WRX is usually available online for roughly £30,000. In comparison, Nissan R34 Skyline vehicles have been known to sell for more than £100,000 when sold at auctions in the past. The Mazda RX-8 is one vehicle that has (at least for the time being) escaped such price increases. With its distinctive rear-hinged back doors, the RX-8, which was produced from the early to late 2000s, manages to combine the attractive appearance with the utility of a four-door saloon.

Its rotary engine was carried over from its predecessor, the RX-7, and was used in the RX-8. This one-of-a-kind engine is naturally lightweight and small. It does away with conventional pistons in favor of a design that combines a triangle ‘rotor’ to induce combustion. In this instance, it generated 228bhp with the six-speed manual transmission, while other configurations produced power in a similar range. It is possible to find good mid-production versions with the six-speed manual transmission for roughly £4,000. To prevent paying out for any ugly (and costly) repairs, make sure the automobile you are considering has recently had a compression test for the rotary engine before purchasing it. Keep in mind that the RX-8 is also notorious for having a high oil consumption rate, so keep that in mind.

#7. Citroen XM

Citroen’s perseverance is something to be admired. Even though sales of the CX were dwindling in the face of competition from the E-Class and the 5 Series, the French brand continued to work on its successor, the XM, which debuted in 1989 and replaced the CX in 1992, respectively. We’re pleased they did since the huge Citroen designed by Bertone is looking lovely these days and provides a driving sensation that you won’t get anywhere else save in other Citroens.

The XM was equipped with a computer-controlled version of the brand’s legendary hydropneumatic suspension, which allowed it to remain level in corners while handling bumps wonderfully. The engine selection was extensive. We’d choose the V6 if you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury. Still, the types of diesel are serviceable and surprisingly dependable daily classics. Prices are still starting at less than £2,000, as well.

Also Check: 5 Top-Notch Cars That Look Like Range Rover But Cheaper

#8. Land Rover Freelander

Toyota’s RAV4 may have been the vehicle that started the “soft-roader” craze in the 1990s. Still, Land Rover’s original Freelander was possibly its most successful proponent, having sold more than half a million vehicles by the time it was replaced in 2006. It is the best classic car to buy. It was introduced in 1997, and it combined the road-going capabilities of the RAV4 with true off-road capability – after all, it was a Land Rover.

That remains true today due to a diverse selection of engines initially available (including 1.8-liter petrol, a 2-liter diesel, and 2.5-liter V6 petrol), as well as three- and five-door body designs, allowing you to choose the Freelander that best suits your requirements. The hefty style has also stood the test of time — we can even detect a glimmer of the Freelander in the all-new Defender. A very basic Freelander begins at roughly £1,000. Still, if you quadruple that much, you may locate a nice one that avoids some of the more usual Freelander problems, such as 4×4 system problems and worn engines.

#9. Audi TT

When the Audi TT originally appeared as a concept car in 1995, it took the world by storm. Although it was designed to be different from the boxy automobiles that dominated the 1990s, it seems reasonably current now. More than two decades have passed. Audi TT is available as a fixed-roof coupe and a convertible. Both of which have a quality interior and a sports car driving experience in a vehicle that is simple to live with daily.

TTs equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates either 176 or 225bhp is available in the first generation from under their hoods is the best classic cars to buy now. These vehicles are available with either front-wheel drive or Audi’s patented ‘Quattro’ all-wheel-drive technology. There is also a more powerful 3.2-liter V6 petrol engine that generates 244bhp. However, these vehicles are far more challenging to find and use more fuel. Audi TT models start at a little over £3,000, but we suggest spending a little more to get a model with the more powerful 1.8-liter engine and four-wheel drive. It will set you back around £6,000.

#10. Saab 9-3

Although no longer around, Saab was a Swedish automobile manufacturer that went out of business in 2011. The 9-3 is primarily regarded as the brand’s last hurrah before its demise in the twenty-first century. The Saab 9-3 was the brand’s response to the wide range of small executive vehicles on the market at the time, such as the Lexus IS and the BMW 1 Series. However, being a Saab, the 9-3 was brimming with one-of-a-kind baubles and quirks, such as the ‘night panel’ instrument cluster, which was inspired by fighter jets.

Despite this, if you peel back all of the Saab-ness, you’ll discover that the 9-3 shares many of its mechanisms with the Vauxhall Vectra. Power is provided by various four-cylinder petrol engines that produce between 125 and 225bhp, depending on the model and engine specification chosen. There was also a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine from the larger Saab 9-5 that could be ordered.

Saabs are not renowned for having mechanical problems, so look for vehicles that have been well-cared for and have undergone regular maintenance. These may be purchased for roughly £3,000 on the open market. Furthermore, even though the company has been out of business for many years, several websites specialize in Saab spare parts. So acquiring replacements should not be a problem if anything goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

We most likely envision exclusive and expensive automobiles when we think of the best classic cars to buy. It includes some of the most expensive sports cars ever sold at auction, such as the $26.4 million 964 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale, the $38 million 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta, and the $29.6 million 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 Silver Arrow, all of which were sold at auction in recent years. You may not be alert of the fact that in 2021, you can get a decent deal on a vintage automobile for less than $15,000! Yes, it is possible.

January 20, 2022: This page has been updated. There is good news for those wishing to add some old automobiles to their collection, or even just a neat little runabout, as we have a selection of classic cars for sale. Surprisingly, the range of inexpensive historic automobiles available for purchase for less than $15,000 is far more extensive and more diverse than you may anticipate. It turns out that just because a car is uncommon or a classic, it does not always mean that it is as pricey as most people would expect. It is still feasible for prospective collectors to locate rare masterpieces that are visually appealing and functionally effective without going too far into their budgets. Here are 17 historic automobiles you can buy for less than $15,000 in 2022, but you’ll want to move quickly since the value of some of these inexpensive classic cars is increasing at a rapid pace.