Dipping a toe in to European Classic Cars has gotten easier. At 20 years of age these classics are cheaper, and more desirable than you might suspect.
While age is not an issue, how cheap is affordable to you does limit what you can get. Sorry, but Porsche 930 Turbos, and Ferraris are a no-go. But, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with cars no one wanted. All but one of the cars included here are mass-produced cars.
Fast sports cars are the obvious choice. You can choose any number of European cars for less than a base Ford Mustang and still hold your head high. And we’re not talking only of small four-cylinder cars either. Sixes, eights and the odd V12 make a welcome appearance.
At the other end of the scale European carmakers are adept at luxury cars, and off-roaders too. In some cases, blurring the lines between the two with some stunning results. Here, the Range Rover rules the roost. But if you’re seeking better build quality then Mercedes G-Wgaon will stand you in good stead.
Tempted by one of these classics, you can be sure gearheads will respect your choice.
10 Jaguar XK8 Convertible (1996 $8K)
A modern classic for wafting between home, work, and the golf club, Jaguar’s XK8 goes unnoticed. Despite Jaguar’s claims, the XK8 was more luxury GT than true sports car, but you can’t argue it doesn’t look the part.
A new model for 1996 Jaguar went the whole nine yards with its newly designed XJ-V8 engine line-up. At 4.0-liter, the all-alloy 32-valve V8 engine cranked out 290 hp driving the rear wheels. All Jaguars suffer from high depreciation, which is good news for used car buyers, with prices kicking off under $10,000.
9 Porsche 986 Boxster S (2000 $18k)
Mid-engined Porsche thrills on a budget makes the Boxster 986 a good choice. But, gearheads should be wary before taking the plunge. While the 986 goes and handles well, earlier cars aren’t without their issues. The Boxster shipped with differing engine specs based on the troublesome M96 engine. To their credit, Porsche remedied the problem under warranty.
Engine issues aside, you’ll struggle to find anything not to like about the 986. From the mid-engine handling, to the wail of Porsche’s flat-six, the Boxster in any trim level is hard to ignore. Due diligence of the car’s warranty history and $18,000 makes the Boxster S a compelling choice.
8 Lotus Elise S1 (1996 $23k)
At a little over 25 years young, the Elise is one of the newer classics featured. Thanks to a minimal design, everything you get in the small Lotus adds to the driving experience. Inside, the carpets, electric windows, and mod-cons never left the drawing board.
What you do get is the finest handling sports car of the last two decades. Aluminum, glass-fiber, and glue hold this thing together with a small 1.8-liter engine rated at 118 hp. Every gearhead should own an Elise, let alone putting one through its paces.
7 Daimler Double Six (1988 $10k)
Jaguar origins with a touch of more class, Daimlers did everything better and quieter. While the Series III XJ face and body might be a familiar one, the Daimler oozes that extra bit of style. Under the hood of this luxury express, you’ll find Jaguar’s 5.3-liter V12 putting out a silky smooth 291 hp.
Sporty credentials aside, the Daimler is a stylish cruiser capable of 400 miles between pit stops. Regarded as the best looking XJ series Daimler/Jaguar, production continued until 1992.
6 AC 3000 ME (1981 $20K)
AC Car’s rise to fame and failure is a well known story. Famous for creating basics of what would become the Cobra, success hasn’t always been a given. In 1979, along came the 3000 ME, a mid-engined sports car based around a 3.0-liter Ford Essex engine.
Production never reached AC Car’s planned 20 cars per week, with a final tally of 100 AC 3000 MEs finding buyers. A higher sticker price, and the oil crisis put paid to AC Car’s ambitious plans. Despite the rarity factor, used prices are lower than you might think, at $20,000 the AC 3000 ME is a bargain.
5 Land Rover/Range Rover (1980 – $11k)
Landie or Rangie? Both are dependable 4×4 mud-pluggers sharing a similar body on frame design. But, it all depends, as the profession you’re in might be the deciding factor. Armed forces, farmers, and explorer types will be more at home in the Land Rover with its back to basic interior.
Opting for the Range Rover brought more luxury, refinement, and class. It was a clever marketing campaign that paid huge dividends. The first cars sported little more than hose down rubber mats. Yet, wealthier gearheads loved the idea of a posh 4×4, one that Land Rover cashed in on. On the used market, both are cheap.
4 Citroën DS21 (1968 $25k)
Quirky to look at and innovative, the DS became an overnight success story. Unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, the DS secured orders of more than 80,000 curious gearheads. Weird for sure, but innovative, the bold DS influenced car design ever since.
How? Hydropneumatic suspension, power steering, and a semi-automatic transmission all played a role. Hugely popular, over 1.4 million units of the DS rolled off the assembly line until its demise in 1975. Finding a clean example should be easy.
3 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34 (1963 $24k)
Volkswagen Beetle, Porsche 356, Karmann Ghia, and the Samba Bus are all close relatives. But, if we had to pick one, the Type 34 Karmann Ghia would be our choice. Under a less familiar Ghia styled body lays a Type 3 chassis fitted with “pancake” 1.5-liter engine.
A longer chassis and flat engine makes the Type 34 a practical classic with a trunk front and rear. However, a low production run of 2000 cars ensures exclusivity over its predecessor.
2 BMW Z3M Coupe (1999 $26k)
BMW M branding is all it takes to send gearheads in to a buying frenzy jacking up prices. Yet, choose more carefully and all the glory of Bavaria’s finest “hot” cars can be had for a lot less. Skipping over the niche creating M3 E30, and coming more up to date is where the best bargains are to be had.
On the cusp of classic status comes the 1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe. While the odd two-seater styling might not be to everyone’s taste, the rear hatch does play a part in used prices. Made available with two engines from 1998 onwards, the better 3.2-liter S50 motor cranking out 316 hp.
1 Alfa Romeo GTV (1996 $6k)
Forget cheap Ferraris and Lamborghinis, the classic Italian you want is an Alfa Romeo. Yes, we know every gearhead knows Alfa ownership is fraught with reliability woes. But, once you hear the GTVs iconic Busso V6 burst into life, we guarantee you’ll want one.
Built under Fiats ownership, the GTV is better bolted together than older Alfa Romeos. As a result, reliability is better than you might think. Despite a Pininfarina body and soulful engine line-up the GTV is a forgotten classic
