There are many ways to invest your money, but few offer the same level of enjoyment as owning a classic car.
As with any investment, the classic car market comes with a significant level of financial risk, so it’s always wise to choose a collector’s car that you genuinely love. If it retains its value or even appreciates when it’s time to sell, then that’s an added bonus.
To improve your chances of turning a profit, the key is to identify future classic cars and purchase them at the right time.
This can be challenging, but as once-common vehicles start disappearing from the roads, the rarity of the remaining examples often makes them more desirable to collectors.
Additionally, some cars were never particularly common to begin with, and models with low production numbers can fetch high prices from buyers looking for something even more exclusive.
Our experts have compiled a list of cars from the past two or three decades that have strong potential to become future classics.
Some are at the stage where their values are beginning to rise, while others are newer models that could prove to be smart long-term investments.
1. Alpine A110
- Price new: from £54,490
- Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Power: 252bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 4.2 sec / 171 mph
Trends shape the automotive industry just as they do fashion, film, and politics.
They can elevate or ruin automotive icons in an instant, but when a car is truly exceptional, it can transcend these shifts. One such car is the Alpine A110 a stunning example of automotive brilliance.
Introduced in 2018 after a rocky development process including a scrapped partnership and the lack of U.S. type approval the A110 overcame these obstacles to become a revolutionary sports car that continues to thrill enthusiasts.
Over the years, Alpine has introduced several variants, including the S, GT, and the high-performance yet pricey R. While each version has its merits, the original base model remains refreshingly pure in its appeal.
Alpine also introduced an Atelier personalisation program, allowing for an extensive selection of colours and styling options, making the search for the perfect model a rewarding experience.
With no other car quite like the A110 on the horizon, it’s a model that will remain timeless.
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2. Rover 75
- Price new: £23,000
- Price now: £5,000
- Powertrain: 2.5-litre V6 petrol, five-speed manual
- Power: 174bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 8.2 sec / 137 mph
Nearly two decades have passed since MG Rover ceased operations, but the brand went out on a high note.
The Rover 75 was a luxury car designed for the everyday driver, and I still have fond memories of long, comfortable journeys as a passenger in my dad’s old one.
All models exude an upmarket look, but the Connoisseur SE trim represents peak 75 luxury, featuring an abundance of leather and wood trim.
The Rover 75 came with several powertrain options, but the 2.5-litre KV6 engine paired with a manual gearbox stands out as the best choice.
There’s also a Ford-sourced V8, though these models can command prices of up to £20,000 in today’s market.
Regardless of which variant you choose, the golden rule is “the earlier, the better,” as later models suffered from budget constraints and declining build quality.
3. Mercedes A-Class (W168)
- Price new: £11,379
- Price now: from £1,000
- Powertrain: 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, five-speed manual
- Power: 81bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 12.9 sec / 106 mph
Mercedes-Benz typically adheres to conventional design philosophies, but its first-ever supermini the innovative A-Class was anything but traditional.
This pioneering model was designed to provide the spaciousness of a family car within a compact footprint, making it a benchmark in smart packaging.
Key innovations included a sandwich-floor chassis and a forward-tilted engine designed to slide beneath the cabin in the event of a frontal collision.
Renowned designer Steve Mattin was behind its exterior styling, and the more you study its design, the more impressive it becomes.
While the infamous ‘Elk Test’ incident in Sweden cast a shadow over its launch, the A-Class still achieved strong sales before being succeeded by a less inventive second-generation model.
Though a challenging project for Mercedes, the car’s compelling backstory only adds to its potential as a future classic.
4. Alfa Romeo 156 GTA
- Price new: £26,230
- Price now: from £9,000
- Powertrain: 3.2-litre V6 petrol, six-speed manual
- Power: 250bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 6.1 sec / 155 mph
A decade ago, I set myself a challenge: find the best-looking and best-sounding car possible within a modest £2,500 budget. The answer was clear the Alfa Romeo 156. No other car even came close.
In my opinion, it remains the most beautifully proportioned four-door saloon ever made. The design is elegant yet distinctive, unmistakably Alfa Romeo without being overstyled.
But its aesthetics aren’t the only highlight the legendary Busso V6 engine, particularly in its 2.5-litre configuration, delivers what I believe to be the finest sound ever produced by a mass-production engine.
However, it’s the high-performance GTA version that holds the greatest promise as a future classic. While some rivals may offer sharper handling, few match the 156 GTA’s sheer character and charm.
With values already climbing, now is the time to act before prices rise even further.
5. Vauxhall VXR8
- Price new: £30,000
- Price now: from £16,000
- Powertrain: 6.0-litre V8, six-speed automatic
- Power: 411bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 5.0 sec / 155 mph
I have a soft spot for cars that manage to be both practical and utterly ridiculous, so an Australian saloon with a burbling V8, oversized exhaust pipes, an outlandish spoiler, and an enormous 500-litre boot ticks all the right boxes.
The Vauxhall VXR8 is as subtle as Australian humour bold, brash, and impossible to ignore. With a 411bhp 6.0-litre V8 under the bonnet (later upgraded to 425bhp with a 6.2-litre version), it can rocket from 0-62 mph in just five seconds.
While it never achieved the same cult status as its predecessor, the Monaro, I love the VXR8 for its underdog appeal and, of course, for the glorious noise it makes.
At a time when the industry is shifting towards efficiency and restraint, the VXR8 stands out as a true brute, offering an unapologetically old-school driving experience. It’s a huge amount of car for the money, and that alone makes it something special.
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6. Jaguar F-Type
- Price new: £63,060
- Price now: £23,000
- Powertrain: 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol, six-speed manual
- Power: 375bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 4.9 sec / 171 mph
The Jaguar F-Type was a long time coming the rumour mill had been churning ever since the E-Type ended production in 1975 so it feels strange that, after such an extended wait, the F-Type is no longer available to order.
From the moment it was launched, it was clear Jaguar had nailed the design. Whether you opt for the 2013 roadster or the coupe that followed a year later, both versions look fantastic.
That said, my pick would be the coupe, which carries an added touch of elegance. Plus, the tailgate design means it offers a surprisingly practical boot something not often found in sports cars.
However, what truly sets the F-Type apart is what’s under the bonnet. While I have a personal fondness for V8s, my choice here would actually be the supercharged V6.
It’s lighter than the V8, making the handling sharper, yet it still delivers an intoxicating soundtrack and plenty of power for pure driving enjoyment.
7. Abarth 124 Spider
- Price new: £29,850
- Price now: £15,000
- Powertrain: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol, six-speed manual or automatic
- Power: 168bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 6.8 sec / 141 mph
A few years ago, while living on the Isle of Man, I was on the hunt for the ideal sports car something that could handle the mountain roads and keep pace with colleagues in their BMWs and hot hatchbacks.
After plenty of consideration, the choice became obvious: the Abarth 124 Spider.
It has everything you’d want in a true sports car a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup, stunning good looks, and an incredible ability to tackle corners with precision.
And the sound? It’s like waking a furious bear, adding to its thrilling character.
Abarth didn’t produce many 124 Spiders, which makes them a rare and desirable find today. If you’re in the market for one, aim for a model with Bose speakers built into the seats they make a huge difference to sound quality on long drives.
However, be sure to check the service history carefully skipping the belt service could lead to serious problems.
8. Lexus LC
It may seem a bit early to include the Lexus LC on a list of future classics, considering it only recently went out of production. But there are plenty of reasons it belongs here starting with its breathtaking design.
When Toyota brought back the Supra, some enthusiasts were disappointed that it didn’t resemble the FT-1 Concept from 2014.
That certainly wasn’t the case with the LC, which arrived in 2016 looking nearly identical to the LF-LC Concept unveiled four years earlier.
Beyond its striking appearance, the LC is powered by a beautifully refined 5.0-litre V8, offering both smooth performance and a comfortable ride making it a sports car you could easily use every day (provided you can live with the tiny 197-litre boot).
With prices now dipping below £50,000, the LC is shaping up to be a highly appealing modern classic.
9. Lotus Elise S1
- Price new: £18,950
- Price now: From £15,000
- Powertrain: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol, five-speed manual
- Power: 118bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 6.1 sec / 126 mph
With Lotus transitioning into an electric vehicle manufacturer in the coming years, with a focus on large SUVs, now is the perfect time to secure a lightweight Elise S1.
One of the key reasons it’s such an outstanding driver’s car is its incredibly low weight the original tips the scales at just 731kg, significantly lighter than the Mazda MX-5, which now exceeds a tonne.
This remarkable weight-saving is made possible by the Elise’s revolutionary bonded, extruded-aluminium chassis.
While the 1.8-litre Rover K-Series engine isn’t the most exotic, it delivers impressive performance, with the Elise S1 offering a power-to-weight ratio of 164bhp per tonne.
Pair that with precise, communicative steering, and it’s hard to find a better car for a spirited drive along a British B-road.
10. BMW i3
- Price new: £33,085
- Price now: £10,000
- Powertrain: 42.2kWh battery, single electric motor, single-speed automatic
- Power: 170bhp
- 0-62 mph / Top speed: 7.3 sec / 93 mph
As modern cars grow larger and heavier, they tend to become less efficient and often lose some of their sharpness and driving appeal.
This issue is becoming even more pronounced as the EV market expands, making it even more remarkable that BMW introduced the pioneering i3 supermini over a decade ago.
Measuring just four metres long and offering four seats, the i3 was years ahead of its time in terms of design and innovation.
Of course, its bold styling won’t appeal to everyone, and its range, even in later models, remains modest, with charging speeds that lag behind modern EVs.
However, if you’re in the market for a compact, low-cost urban runaround, the carbon-fibre-tubbed i3 is a guaranteed future classic.
Its light, airy cabin, constructed with sustainable materials, still feels fresh and modern, while BMW’s iDrive infotainment system continues to hold its own against newer tech.
For those considering one, it’s best to steer clear of the range-extending hybrid model, which has a history of issues.
Stick with the pure EV version, and you’ll have an efficient, fun-to-drive electric car that never fails to put a smile on your face.
How to Spot a Future Classic
Identifying a future classic is all about recognizing a few key traits. Some are fairly straightforward, such as eye-catching design, desirability, and rarity all of which naturally make a car more collectible.
Other factors can be harder to define, but vehicles featuring groundbreaking technology or a revolutionary design also have a higher chance of appreciating in value over time.
The classic car market is thriving right now, making it a great time to explore automotive investment.
However, you don’t need to spend hundreds of thousands on a rare Italian supercar to turn a profit there are plenty of accessible future classics that could prove to be smart investments in the years to come.
Future Classic Buying Advice
While there are no absolute guarantees when it comes to predicting which cars will become future classics, following a few key guidelines can put you in a strong position.
Take a look at the cars we’ve highlighted and see if any of these potential classics catch your eye.
If the cars below spark your interest, and you’re considering adding something older and more unique to your driveway, there are a few essential checks you should carry out.
Many of these steps are no different from buying any other used car, starting with a vehicle history check to ensure everything is in order.
Next, review the car’s service history ideally, you want to find one with a comprehensive record of maintenance, including invoices, bills, and receipts for past work.
Additionally, conducting an MOT history check will provide details of all tests carried out since 2005, helping you verify whether the car’s mileage is genuine.
Checking for Accident Damage
When buying a classic or older vehicle, assessing accident history is crucial. As a car ages, it accumulates more miles, increasing the likelihood that it has sustained some form of damage.
While finding a completely untouched example is rare, it’s essential to carefully inspect any repairs. Look for welded panels, mismatched paint, or dulled finishes, as these can indicate lower-quality fixes rather than meticulous, money-no-object restorations.
The front and rear sections are the most common problem areas, but when considering high-performance models, it’s important to examine the entire car from every angle to ensure structural integrity.
Rust and Owner Communities
Rust is a common issue for many of the cars featured on our list, so it’s always a good idea to bring a magnet. If it doesn’t stick to steel bodywork, there’s a high chance that filler has been used a telltale sign of previous rust repairs.
However, don’t let rust concerns deter you entirely. Many of these models have dedicated enthusiast communities, from owners’ clubs and Facebook groups to specialist forums.
These platforms can be invaluable resources, providing detailed insights, documented issues, and even photographic examples of common trouble areas. Never hesitate to ask questions fellow enthusiasts are often more than happy to share their knowledge.