My future classic suggestions for under £5k that should be possible are:

Audi A4 convertible
Mk1 4 door Range Rover
Mk 1 2/dr LR Discovery
Land Rover Defender Td5
Triumph TR7
Golf GTi Mk1 & 2
Golf Mk3 VR6
Vw Corrado (any)
Ford Cosworth Sierra Sapphire
Peugeot 205 Gti 1.6 & 1.9
Jaguar XJS
Jaguar XJ6 Mk3 or later
XR2 Mk 1 & 2
XR3(i)
Alfa 156
Alfa Coupe
Saab 900 3 dr (9-3) Aero/Viggen/ hatch or convertible
BMW 8 series coupe

These are a combination of cars I either fancied as a school lad or subsequently owned or aspired to own.
Some sadly only made the Matchbox garage!

For me, all of them would need to be restored to as near to original condition, (to eliminate anything the boy racers may have done to them). I think any of them would probably stop me in the street if I happened to walk by.
My brother had a brand new Renault 5 GT turbo (which he subsequently rolled!) but it never did anything for me?
Maybe there should be a place for a MR2, Celica or Supra? Not 100% sure though?
Others future classics I fancied, are actually now classics and way over the 5k budget now!!

If I had to pick one which would have to the widest universal appeal in say 40 years time I probably would say the Audi A4 convertible??? Availble in different engines, petrol and diesel, all for around £5k, you can take your pick!

Toyota supra.
I doubt there will be many left in 40 years though.

bmw e36 m3 evo cabrio or coupe you can get them for under £5000 can only go up in value prices do seem to be increasing

Patch how about the posh cousin of the Fiat Coupe?

How about the Pug 205 1.9 GTi, one with the spec incl leather and sunroof...

? Ferrari

Pug must make the list. I have been looking at the Mk1 and Mk2 XR's recently. I think that thing about what you used to own plays a huge part. Unfortunately, to make a good investment on a soon to be/near classic you need to have some sort of 6th sense as I cannot figure out why some cars fetch a small fortune and others don't?

There must be some sort of criteria? But what is it?

Why is that car expensive?
Because people collect them.
Why do they collect them?
Because they think it will be/is a classic.
Why do they think it's a classic?
Because it costs lots more than other cars of its age...

Surely it'd be the original 1600?

Great little cars with go-kart handling and a fair turn of speed

Nissan Silvia/ 200 SX Turbo with manual gearbox.

You think any standard Silvia / 200's exist??? Hard enough finding a UK case these days!

I'm sure this chap used to have one in his stable, no idea if that's still the case though, haven't spoken to him in quite some time.

http://www.driftmatsuri.com/david-waterworth/

All the Alfa V6s look like going up.
I've noticed that 147 and 156 GTA prices have hardened over the last few months, no doubt helped by being included in a few 'what to buy for £XXX' articles in the likes of EVO and CAR.

My brother had a completely standard 200sx about 4 years ago. Sold it for about £2k

I think (or should that be hope?) the GTAs are a good call, limited production, rare, different enough from the standard cars, amongst the last cars with the "proper" Alfa V6 all adds up be a likely classic.

The GT v6 and GTV v6 (especially the Cups) will also be likely candidates.

A Clio Williams is a good bet also.

I see that Veloces in London have an 04 plate GT V6 on for £7,000.
Optimistic pricing IMO but if you can get in and buy a decent one now at a more sensible price that could be a sign of things to come.

Veloces are always over priced.

Alfa GTV!

That's not posh!!!

I know but they might do existing owners a favour by pushing prices up.

Anyway, if you want to see overpriced have a look at Hexagon or 4 Star Classics

What a bout the smart roadster. Article about them on Autocar - looking to increase in value, especially the Brabus versions. Sounds like they are great fun yet very cheap to run (55+MPG). Normal ones can be had for under £2k, Brabus under £4K currently.

I'd love a Barchetta especially with their current prices.... Summer toy?

Yes I will go with a Porsche 944 as a usable classic for under £5k....

[IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c232/jonjeffryes/20140130_1615192_zpse62e37bc.jpg[/IMG]

This is my one...30 years old yesterday, 78k miles and costs about £1500 a year for about 3k miles per year! To get one like this, you'd be looking at £4 - £5k now as it is the 2.5ltr na model...wait 6 months and £5k + for a proper one will be the norm'.

944's seem to be at the stage where the good ones are gaining vlalue really quickly....but there are still a lot of cheap snotters on E-Bay but buy at your peril...

That last paragraph may seem strangely familiar on this forum

That looks really nice. What's it like to drive? I remember people putting posters of them on their walls when they were launched.

Thanks, I think they fantastic looking cars....one of the last real rwd GT cars that are still affordable..for now anyway.

You have to remember it's a dinosaur. This design was born in the early 70's and it feels like it for all the right reasons. The weight distribution is perfect and it handles superbly. A properly set up 944 will out handle many modern cars, let alone contempory sports cars.

It is a great GT in a traditional 70's Playboy heading off into the continental sunset sort of way. I used mine to scoot to Germany several time last year and it was brilliant. The engine is really smooth for a big four pot (twin balance shafts) it is really tourqey but also revvy...quite an unusual combination.

So grab one whilst you still can, look after it and you'll not loose any money!

Great cars. I've had 3 including a '89 SE Turbo with 340bhp.
My only criticism is the noise they make. The exhaust note was always dissapointing for me.

I had a 1991 s2 hated it got rid after 3 months handling terrible in wet straight line a lot slower than a coupe 20vt look good though

The noise is the downside of a big four pot. I have Dansk rear box which pep's it up a bit...no V12 soundtrack though!

Strange Baz...on of the key attributes of a 944 is its precise balance and handling...in a 1980's better than everthing else way. Did you have your suspension aligned...if they do not understand 944's when they set it up, they can really screw the handling.

.....and speed, a lot of contemporary hot hatches could catch the 944 with ease....however, I doubt they would stay with it on a long run.....it's all about pace rather than speed.

and 20vt...well in my experience not much will keep up with a well driven 16v n/a....add in the dynamics of the 20vt and you have one of the most understed mini-supercars in the world...now if it had an Alfa badge people would be raving about it and values double....but that's another thread I expect

atvb

Jon

If it handled badly then it had issues.
As Jon said they need setting up correctly due to the torsion bar rear suspension.