These Fun, Affordable 21st-Century Cars Aren’t Classics…Yet
Every so often, I engage in a particularly futile and depressing ritual—I shop for cars that I’ve foolishly let go. They’re cars that could have been feasible 10 years ago, but not today. I’ve been priced out of the market for virtually all of them. And while the market might be settling down at the moment, there are few signs of an out-and-out retreat to pre-pandemic pricing. Among cars from the 1970s through the early 1990s, there are precious few bargains. But go a little bit newer, where there’s even some depreciation yet to be done, and the picture gets more enticing. I’m talking cars from the 2000s to 2010s that are getting older, but still aren’t considered any kind of “classic” or “collectible” yet. Here are some highlights.
Fiat 500 Abarth
The 500 Abarth is the closest thing to a real hot hatch that Fiat has ever offered in the U.S., a market that is sadly short on real hot hatches. There were more interesting varieties of the Punto and Ritmo, but those were Euro-only cars that frankly weren’t very good compared to competition from Renault, Peugeot, VW, and Ford. As for the 500 Abarth, although it first arrived here in the early 2010s, the 160-hp pocket rocket feels more like a 1990s hot hatch. It’s crude, the ride is choppy, and a 10 year-old Fiat probably wears more like a 20 year-old VW. But it’s loud, analog-feeling, and fun. Most importantly, it’s cheap. Around $8000 to $10,000 buys one with under 50,000 miles. That’s tons of fun per dollar in a package that offers an old school driving experience in something that’s new enough to have most contemporary features and conveniences.
MazdaSpeed3
Back in the days of the Zoom Zoom tagline, Mazda fielded the incredibly entertaining MazdaSpeed3. Offered from 2007-13, it’s a four-door hatch with 263 hp and 280 lb. ft. of torque. It’s exactly the kind of car enthusiasts and auto journalists beg manufacturers for, but rarely head to a dealership and actually buy. Everyone who tested a Speed3 back in the day found the car fun, especially those of us who were entertained by the torque-steer. Car and Driver wasn’t, comparing driving the car to a game of tug-of-war. But, affordability and perfection don’t often go hand-in-hand, so for $10,000 to $12,000 at current prices you could do far worse than the powerful and practical Speed3.
C5 Corvette
If hot hatches aren’t your jam, there’s always the bargain Corvette of the moment, the 1997-2004 C5. While some variants, most notably the Z06, sailed beyond true affordability in the last several years, a base manual C5 with somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 miles can still be had in the $13,000 to $15,000 range. That’s a huge bargain for what was an utterly clean sheet design, one of the few in Corvette history, and more performance than almost anything in this price point. Interiors are standard 2000s GM, but livable. And the styling, over a quarter-century after it was introduced, is aging quite nicely.
2003-08 BMW Z4
The 2003-08 Z4 is a bit like the C5 Corvette in that it wasn’t universally loved when new, but is aging well. Available in 2.5- and 3.0-liter six-cylinder forms, the Z4 was larger and more practical than its predecessor, the Z3. Its odd surface detailing and Kamm-tail also look better now than they did 20 years ago. The Z4’s list of maladies is well-known at this point—the VANOS variable valve-timing system can give trouble (it’s often the solenoids), as can the cooling system. These are pricy repairs, but with nice cars available in the $9000 to $12,000 range, if you budget $2000-$3000 to sort things out, these can still be a compelling deal in semi-modern convertible German sports car.
2005-2014 Ford Mustang
You could argue that the 2005 Mustang was the first one to really look like a Mustang since maybe 1973. The brilliant Sid Ramnarace-designed S197 Mustang managed to look the part without being foolishly retro, a hard balance to achieve. Special editions, and certainly the Shelby versions of the S197 are not cheap, but a lightly optioned V-8 coupe or convertible is still one of the best cheap V-8 pony cars out there. Being a Mustang, there are always plenty on the market to choose from at any given time, and a decent manual transmission car can be had in the $12,000 to $14,000 range.
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I find the Mustang and C5 here are both higher priced for good examples. As much as $10K more. these are models with 20K-30K. miles and these prices are going up a bit each year,
The BMW has not been doing as well as some of the mechanical costs issues. Fiat they hardly sold in the first place.
This is a bit early to call these classics. They just to be over 20 years old and the prices are just coming back from bottoming out.
It takes a bit more time 35 years to really be able to call something a classic or special.
Many people want instant classics anymore but that is earned with time.
The 60’s cars in the 80’s were nothing. They were cheap and just old cars. Then in the 90’s they began to take off and slowly appreciate. Some faster than others.
None of these cars are going to be get rich cars. The Vette and Mustang had too many made but they will appreciate to the point most will not lose money on them. The rest well Time will tell if they will be worth what they sold for new.
I’ll argue the 1987 Buick Grand National is one of the best looking cars ever built by GM. Clean lines, ample interior room, and a sinister power plant combine to make it a true legend.
Here here!
but this is an article about affordable future classics
Agreed, but does not fit the “affordable” criteria.
I agree. Not to mention a ton of interchangeable parts. The Grand National was one of the 78′ to late 80’s GM A/G body (mid-size, rear wheel drive) cars that were wildly popular. I have a 1980 El Camino, and even now most brake, suspension, powertrain and engine parts are reasonably priced and easy to get. I just got done with an engine swap: 1991 4.3L TBI V-6 from a 91′ Chevy S-10 in place of the original carbureted 229 Cu. In. V-6. One sweet ride!
They are a GM G body clone. Not sure how the Buick is ant different than the Monte Carlo/Pontiac or Oldsmobile. Different taillight panel and front facia. Interior. The Buick got the turbo V6. Wow OK. The one I had needed rebuilt at 49,000 miles. I didn’t beat on it. The article says AFFORDABLE future classics. No Grand National is affordable.
How about a Toyota Matrix XRS 2Z six speed manual?
May I also respectfully add the 1987 MC SS to that list. While not as powerful as the BGN still a head turner as I still own mine.
In the early 80’s I sold muscle cars at a small dealership in Boulder CO that specialized in them. We had everything from tri-power GTO’s to Camaro Indy pace cars to Shelby’s etc… I can confirm these cars weren’t just used cars at a low price. There was an active market for nice condition cars like we sold and the prices were anything but cheap. What a fun way to work my way through college!
The VANOS on BMW’s are extremely easy to repair and doesnt cause any damage, located on the front of the engine, and took me about 30 mins to replace both of them and im not even a mechanic! The OEM VANOS solenoids are cheap to buy online from a reputable source like FCP, but dont by the super cheap $30 ones off amazon, they dont work lol.
Unfortunately I’d call out a lot of more expensive problems – early model steering problems , convertible issues, etc. Had an 03 – 3.0. Classic hairdresser car.
“Affordable 21st-Century Cars Aren’t Classics…Yet” – Nothing like correcting the writer when no mistake has been made.
Have enjoyed my 08′ S197 since it was a year old. Seems like it is holding up well with 55k miles. Helps longevity (and the magnetic attraction to spectators/telephone poles very similar to late 60’s Mopar B-bodies) to not do burnouts at Cars and Coffee…
What? No Boxster? I paid $14k for a 61k-mile S version a couple years ago, and it has been a hugely fun car with amazing mid-engined reflexes. They are easy to find, and most owners install improved IMS bearings when changing the clutch. I drove my down the Oregon and California coasts in 2022, and the car proved to be an excellent road tripper as well.
Right on with the Boxster. Our 2001 S has 206k miles and still going strong. My wife walks past our 2010 C4S to drive the Boxster.
Excellent choice. Infinitely better than most on the Rob Sass list. But the content still outpaces the ads, but not by too much.
I had a 2011 Cayman S. Drove it for a year or so and when it had the 30,000 service at $1800 I decided that Porsche servicing is too expensive for me. Loved the car but just couldn’t keep it.
+1
The dealership told me it would be $ 1,600.00 to change the oil and plugs. 2008 Cayenne S. I did both plus the air and cabin filters for $ 356.00
I had a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 for 10 years as my year around driver. Fabulous car, gobs of power when needed and extremely reliable. I sold it (in bone stock condition) at 215,000 km at a very reasonable price to a 17 year old apprentice mechanic at my local garage. As you can imagine, he is thrilled.
I find it difficult to imagine any vehicle of the past 15 years or so ever becoming a collectable classic. So many plastic components and multiple computers to support of countless vehicles. The plastics readily degrade and computers/firmware reach end of life. They are expensive, short lived and essentially disposable.
I’m with you.
Fix
It
Again
Tony
I like better Fix or Repair Daily lol. I have one now and several years ago their ok
I totally agree, older cars have survived due to their lack of plastics and electronics. I work for a manufacture and support for flashes and programming ends and some of our really old stuff 30+years old tools doesn’t even function. The hell cat has so many electronics park it for 50years there is little to no chance of it powering up. Even if well stored. I still see model a fords cruising around town but I never see an 80s Mercedes doing the same.
Agreed. My 68 Cougar XR7 resides with us in Florida. VINYL padded dash and all seats still perfect. Wood steering wheel and padded vinyl…56 years. Vinyl roof is over 30 years old and might be original. Perfect. No electronics and almost no plastic. Interior is better looking and will outlast those put in most new cars.
Had 2 of them, had been stored inside for 10 years, battery tenders and such. Fired up every single time. They just don’t make them like they used to. Good old points and magnetos for me !!!
My ’64 Corvair runs much better with an electronic ignition than with its original points-and-condenser system.
RE Cougars: Back in the day I had a ’69 XR7 convertible (medium blue metallic, white top, blue leather-trimmed interior), 390 ci with a 4-speed; quick and not bad on gas, 15 mpg around town or 80-mph cruising on the highway. I should have it today.
My hei module died tow blocks from the house in my 65 elcamino, only powertrain electronics in the car. It did last 100k though.
Amen Edward. I have one too. Big block with AC. Great interior design
The pre 198os Mercedes diesels are extremely durable with many on the road with over 300k miles. Will outlast most other cars on the road not matter what era.
Yes, but are they fun to drive?
Not really.
My brother got one just after he graduated from law school. 40 years later, he’s still driving it. Granted, he’s babied it, and for the first..oh, say 10 years…he didn’t let anyone else drive it. I don’t think he’ll ever part with it.
Disagree. I have had a couple Lancia Delta Integrales, definitely a classic these days, and it is full of plastic bits. And a bunch of them have had 3D models made of them (I did a few myself) that can be 3D printed on demand from services like Shapeways. In addition to cars, I collect and rescue vintage computers. The most common issue is capacitors failing and is straightforward to fix. Built-in battery failure is less common but can be harder to fix (because they can leave a mess that damages other stuff). And then there is failed solder joints that can be fixed by heating the board to reflow the solder. But I haven’t seen an Weber-Marelli IAW from the 80s ever “just” fail.
Your editorials are getting dumber every month
Yet you are still reading…
That’s nonsense. Cars stopped being primarily steel years ago. All the beloved muscle cars had molded dashboards, as coes a ’59 Cadillac. And what’s hot right now? Restomods, where all of that ‘impossible’ technology is crammed into a classic body. What I suspect IS dead is people interested in stock antiques that are undrivable, and to which they cannot relate, since most were never exposed to them. Here in the Northeast, the ‘Radwood movement is very much a thing, with young people seeking out the cars they grew up with. What I see going by the wayside is ‘year cutoffs’ where shows will only admit cars of a certain age. Those aew m ostly ACCA, NSRA and Good Guys shows, and the target audience there is, well, old.
Eventually soon, 3d scanning and printing technology will make the current issue with plastic/composite degradation a nonissue.
It took 15 years to go from Super Mario to Halo, I think 3d printing resolution improvement will follow a similar slope and they’re printing better than “SNES” at the moment.
I remember an article in Motor Trend in the early seventies saying Tri-Five Chevies and early Mustangs would never be true collectibles because too many were made…
Look what’s happened with Malaise Era cars…
Who ever thought there’d be such a thing as a collectible Corolla?
So much of the collectible experience is about recapturing one’s youth. As long as youths continue to age, the era of collectibles will continue to move forward.
Absolutely. My 1999 Lincoln Town Car had an anti lock brake module go out. Ford made a million of these on Lincolns, Mercurys, and Fords. No longer available. Good luck on the second one from a junkyard. Lower production old cars are going to be impossible to get parts.
+1
Truer words were never spoken brother
i think the volvo c30 should be on the list especially in the R,SE,or polestar models one other plus on these models is the ease of conversion to four wheel drive
Collectible status isn’t bounded by date. Significance (what makes it a disruptive presence) makes it collectible (or not).
Cars that define a category are always collectible and considered classic when they (or their category) cease production.
Pony cars are a great example. So are roadsters. Some sports cars (especially high end) are a class of 1 (Porsche 911) that nothing else can fully replace.
Good luck on the MazdaSpeed3. They were great little hatchbacks and fun to drive and they had at least at the time a big aftermarket market. Most I knew got very modified, so like other imports of the day do your research on the “unmodified” car you are looking at which was likely modded back in the day,
Yes, hard to find one that hasn’t been backwards baseball captized.
Regarding the Fiat and Mazda, beauty must be in the eyes of the beholder. The Mazda is another unattractive box but I just don’t understand why anybody would buy a Fiat in the first place. They got run out of the US in the 80s due to their poor quality but returned only because Chrysler and their dealer network was handed over to Fiat. But given their sales numbers, they’re about to be run out again. But Fiats might become collectible about the same time as Yugos.
Have you DRIVEN a 500 Abarth? I just bought a second one because they are so much fun to drive. The road is your track! A huge bonus is that they are easy to get in and out of and when running errands, easy to park.
Huge cult following for these in Japan & England, and parts of the USA … east & west coast. Mainland USA with their mega-cars just hasn’t caught onto the secret … and we like it that way!
they are not classics nor will they ever be . they way haggerty uses the word classic makes me cringe .
Cool, 2 potentials on my later-life fun list–a Fiat 500 Abarth (an eventual affordable handoff to my grandson, who really wants a Lamborghini) and a 2005-14 Mustang (a next step up from my old Fox body).
The Fiat and Mazda aren’t my cup of tea and they are cheap built cars. The BMW is fun but the reliability and cost of parts and repairs can (and likely will) ruin the ownership experience for a budget minded buyer. The C5 Corvette is so much quality and performance for the money it is my first pick out of this litter. In addition, the cars are very reliable, get good gas mileage and can be repaired at most any Chevy dealer. Parts are readily available and for the most part, reasonable. The Aformentioned Mustangs are a close second for many of the same reasons outlined for the Corvette. The trick with both is to find one that hasn’t been beat to death or loaded with stupid performance modifications. Some tasteful, well designed and properly installed mods, like upgraded suspension, brakes, reversible ECM mods and so on can make them safer, faster, and more spirited.
lots of people use the term cheap, what’s cheap it’s a relative term…
We ordered a 2010 Mustang GT red convertible, new from the factory, in the fall of 2009. We still have it, and it is my wife’s “daily driver”. Three years ago, we found an almost matching 2010 Shelby GT500 red convertible, and bought it as well. Now, we have the option to drive both to local car shows and park together with our “his and hers” versions of 2010 red convertibles…
Now that is cool.
You ordered it at an Authorized Dealer, it was built at the same factory every other Mustang that ordered in that Dealers zone was built that year. Why do people always make “I ordered it from the factory” sound like something special. All regular production vehicles are built by order to a factory to be delivered by the authorized dealer to the purchaser. (with few exceptions) Everyone makes out like their “special ordered” car (which I have had a handful of myself) are something special. When most of the time they were just “package” cars or trucks with some slight variation to what would be found on the lots. Color me “unimpressed”.
Not necessarily. Back in the day we ordered a new 85 Buick Century from the dealer by going down the RPO list in the catalog. I’m fairly sure there were few if any other Centuries with quite that option list, as these were individual options, not option “packages”–what we’re stuck with today. So you could say that our Century was “factory ordered” via the dealer.
I don’t think Steve F was trying to impress, just telling a sweet story about him and his wife owning matching cars. Ordering direct from factory doesn’t make the car super special or magic, true, but it does mean that you’re the very first owner of the car and it didn’t get test driven all over town. That kind of primacy is important to some folks, nothing wrong with that.
Nice. I believe the 2010 GT (or GT500) are the sweet spot in the S197 generation as far as value and style. They have improved handling and power over the prior years despite the same drivetrain, and much improved styling that became a hallmark of the later cars.
Not a bad list. Still I’d wager some now overlooked, less than desirable, 2000 and, will be all the rage someday. What that is I haven’t a clue but it’s happened before and history does have a way of repeating itself.
C5 and mustang are likely the most fun for the maintenance dollar in the list.
97 c5, 139k miles. Loads of fun. Easy to wrench in unless you need to get under neath it. Lots of aftermarket parts…does not look 27 years old. 30 mpg on highway……still looks relevant….best of the list…..and no causalities at cars and coffee