Best classic cars under £10,000
It's no longer possible to buy a new car for £10,000. In fact, aside from a few exceptions, you'll need to find at least £15,000 for a new set of wheels. But there's good news if you're in the market for a classic, because ten grand is more than enough for something old or retro.
Remember that hot hatch you fancied as a young driver but couldn't afford due to the cost of insurance? The chances are it's now within reach. Or maybe you fancy reliving your childhood in the estate car your parents used for the school run. There are plenty of classic wagons available for £10,000.
Whether you're after something fun for high days and holidays, a modern classic you can use every day, or a fixer-upper in need of restoration, there are thousands of classics to choose from. Whatever you fancy, make sure you do your homework. Read classic car mags, check out online forums or join an owners' club – it's never been easier to get the lowdown on the car you want.
To get you started, here are 10 cars you can buy for less than £10,000.
Best classic cars under £10,000
|
Rover 3500 P6
In many ways, the Rover P6 was Britain’s answer to the Citroen DS. Its ‘safety frame’ construction, in which outer panels were bolted to a steel monocoque, was inspired by the DS, while the all-round disc brakes, advanced suspension system and ergonomically designed interior made it one of the most trailblazing cars of the 1960s. Little wonder it was named Car of the Year in 1964. The 2000 and 2200 models are ideal first-time classics, but we’d recommend splashing out on a 3500 V8. The ex-Buick pushrod engine makes all the right noises and gives the P6 the power it deserves.
Mercedes-Benz W123
Mercedes-Benz began working on the W123 in 1968, a full eight years ahead of the car’s launch in 1976. The company was obsessed with building the best family car in the world, agonising over tiny details and engineering quality. The result was a car that lived on until 1986, by which time some 2.8 million had been built in Germany, South Africa and China. It spawned the company’s first production estate car and a stylish coupe, but the saloon represents the best value in today’s market. A good W123 should run and run.
Porsche 924S
The 924 remains the entry-level classic Porsche, but prices have been on the rise for a while. Often unfairly dismissed as a ‘poor man’s Porsche’, it’s fair to say the original 2.0-litre cars were lacking in performance, but everything changed with the arrival of the 924S. A detuned 2.5-litre engine from the 944 and improved handling make this the best affordable sports car from Stuttgart, aside from buying a budget Boxster. The 924S will sprint to 60mph in 7.9 seconds, a full 1.6 seconds faster than the standard 924, before hitting a top speed of 136mph.
MGB GT
The MGB is the archetypal classic roadster and coupe. Affordable prices, a high survival rate and excellent parts availability combine to make this British sports car many people’s first port of call when searching for summer fun. The best examples sell for significantly more than £10,000, but it’s still possible to find a GT within budget, especially if you don’t mind the later rubber bumper version. The handsome Pininfarina styling of the GT makes it look like a miniature Aston Martin, but check carefully for rot – corrosion is not the best way to add lightness to your classic car.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Although you're unlikely to find a good Mk1 for this budget, life with a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 GTI is within reach. It might have lacked the purity and playfulness of the original, but the second-generation Golf GTI was roomier, easier to live with and faster. This is especially true of the 16V version, which arrived in 1986, three years after the 8V. Back in the 1980s, the Golf GTI was the car to be seen in and nostalgia means that prices won't stay low forever. After all, the GTI lost its mojo after the Mk2 and wouldn't find it again until 2004 with the launch of the Mk5.
Lotus Elan
The Elan M100 is the most affordable Lotus and the only model you can buy for our £10,000 budget. Sure, the fact that it’s front-wheel-drive will deter some people from taking the plunge, but let’s look at the positives. A total of 3855 Elans were built before General Motors pulled the plug on this expensive gamble, although a further 800 were built under Bugatti ownership. A naturally aspirated Elan is fun, but the more powerful Turbo SE would be our choice. Parts are cheap and the car should be easy to live with. Fancy something different? How about importing the Kia version?
Triumph Vitesse
The Triumph Vitesse is so much more than a Herald with a six-cylinder engine. That said, the sonorous six-pot engine – initially a 1.6-litre from the Triumph 2000, but later upgraded to a beefier 2.0-litre – is a major attraction, as it turned the car into a capable long-distance cruiser. Then there's the styling, which was transformed from humdrum to heroic by a pair of twin headlights. The Mk2 Vitesse, introduced in 1968, is the best of the breed – and prices reflect this. However, a good 1.6-litre will be within budget.
Citroen CX
How do you follow a car as innovative and otherworldly as the Citroen DS? An impossible task, but the CX felt like a DS for a new generation. Launched in 1974, the CX featured hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, speed-sensitive steering and a unique dashboard design. To many people, this was the last truly great Citroen, so it’s surprising that it remains affordable, with only the remarkable GTi Turbo likely to blow the budget. Your biggest challenge will be finding one, but make sure you also locate a Citroen specialist to take care of this aerodynamic gem.
Reliant Scimitar GTE
The Reliant Scimitar GTE was styled by the Austrian-born British industrial designer, Tom Karen, who also penned the Bond Bug and Raleigh Chopper. It’s a car with real character, combining a classic ‘shooting brake’ look with power sourced from a range of Ford V6 engines. The 3.0-litre Essex V6 was used at launch, followed by the 2.8-litre unit, before bowing out with the 2.9-litre Scorpio engine in the Middlebridge era. The Scimitar’s glass-fibre body can be costly to repair, which might explain why the cars remain criminally cheap. Buy one before values increase.
Land Rover Discovery
If a Defender is too expensive and you don't fancy the complexity of an old Range Rover, a Land Rover Discovery Series 1 is a very good option. It's like a halfway house between the two, with the off-road capabilities of a Defender and some of the creature comforts of a Range Rover. You get a choice of three or five doors, five or seven seats, plus a range of engines, from rugged diesels to 3.5 and 3.9-litre V8s. Build quality wasn't a strong point and corrosion is another worry, but prices have been on the rise for a while. The Discovery 2, introduced in 1998, is cheaper and more readily available.
Where’s the best place to look for a classic car for £10,000?
Online classic car auctions are growing in popularity, not least because they allow a car to find its market. In other words, rather than listing a car for sale at a fixed price, the sale price will be dictated by actual demand. This means you’re unlikely to grab a bargain. Classic car shows are a good place to start, but take a look at websites such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree for potential bargains.
What’s the best classic fast Ford for £10,000?
Fast Fords tend to fetch top dollar, with the likes of the Sierra RS Cosworth, Escort RS Cosworth and Capri 2.8i out of reach for most buyers. Even the Racing Puma is now climbing towards £15,000. Hot hatches like the Escort XR3i, Fiesta XR2i and Escort RS2000 (1991-1996) are still within budget, and you could also consider some future classic Fords, such as the (non-Racing) Puma, the Probe and the Sportka.
Can I buy a future classic for £10,000?
Predicting which cars will gain classic status is a risky business, so we’d advise buying something because you want to own and drive it. As for future classics, we’d look at modern cars such as the original Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3 and Z4, Mercedes-Benz W201 and Audi A2. Take care of these cars and you’ll almost certainly recoup what you paid for them, although don’t forget the higher cost of servicing and maintenance for an older vehicle.
What is the future of classic cars?
