The ‘future traditional vehicles’ you should purchase immediately
Do you have a future classic car sitting on your driveway? Most new cars have a shelf-life of around 15 to 20 years of declining value before being sent to the scrap yard.
But a select few emerge as cherished classics or sought-after collectibles. So how do you know whether the trusty steed on your driveway is a keeper?
We’ve spoken to leading motoring experts and classic car enthusiasts to bring you the ultimate guide to the future modern classics that could make very worthwhile investments.
Volkswagen ID Buzz
This futuristic take on retro design harks back to the much loved VW campervan. It was an instant classic, even before launching in 2022, thanks to its all-electric, zero-emissions status.
If that doesn’t make it worthy of becoming a future classic, then its fun, retro look with a 21st Century twist is sure to draw the attention of enthusiasts.
Also alluring is its practical design with flexible seating, boot space and ability to perform tight turns like a black cab.
It’s not cheap, from £58,915, but it could be worth it if it gains classic status, as experts predict by 2053.
Veteran motoring expert and editor of Auto Express Steve Fowler was so impressed that he’s just taken delivery of his very own 24-plate ID Buzz. ‘It really does bring a smile to your face,’ he said. ‘And when I drive it, people seem to smile at me more.’
Price new: from £58,915
Launched: 2022
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2053
Mercedes-Benz SL (5.5 SL63 V8 AMG)
An attractive, powerful car from one of the world’s top car brands and with a six-figure price tag means it is ‘when’ not ‘if’ this tourer becomes a classic. That’s because it combines engineering rigour, quality and exclusivity with panache and luxury for open-topped wind-in-the-hair motoring. In fact, every Mercedes SL becomes a collectable as AutoTrader car expert Dan Trent points out.
‘A Mercedes institution since the mid 1950s, the SL has evolved through many different guises over the decades before staking its claim on the mid-ground between luxury open-top tourer and sporting two-seat soft top,’ he told the Daily Mail.
Price new: From £108,250
Launched: 2022
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2040
Tesla Model S
A ground-breaking electric car all-round, the top performing Tesla S (assuming battery tech has been upgraded along the way) will be very collectable, experts believe.
After more than five years of development, Tesla’s first Model S became a ‘historical’ one when it made its debut in 2012 during the early days of electric vehicle (EV) take-up, before they moved into the mainstream.
It was the first eletcric car to top the monthly new-car-sales ranking in any country, leading twice in Norway in 2013, then in Denmark in 2015, before becoming the top-selling plug-in electric car worldwide in 2015 and 2016. Upgraded and revamped, it remains in production, prime for becoming a classic in the coming decade.
Price new: From £46,500
Launched: 2012
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2037
Ariel Nomad
How’s this for a radical off-roader? There’s nothing quite like the two-seater Ariel Nomad, except perhaps its more road-focused sibling the Atom.
What makes the Nomad a worthy future collectible classic is its unique minimalist design with an exposed frame – described as ‘exo-skeleton tubular’ – and mechanical innards which bring a mix of fun and extreme performance. Hand-built and sold in small numbers, it is already catching the attention of enthusiasts. The first generation off-roader made a huge impact when first seen a decade ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and will now be on people’s wishlists in future thanks to its uncompromising looks and driving experience.
And it’s timely as a new second generation Nomad2, from £65,000, is being launched at this year’s festival which runs until Sunday.
Price new: From £30,000
Launched: 2015
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2036
Porsche 718 Cayman S
The flawless design of the Porsche Cayman alone could make it a big five-star hit among classic car hunters in the next decade. On top of that, rare spec and colours – such as crayon, ruby star neo, shark blue, carmine red and ice-grey metallic – will likely become most collectable.
Price new: From £48,348
Launched: 2016
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2037
Mazda MX-5
Behold the affordable Japanese convertible that reinvented the British open-top sports car – with a nod to the Lotus Elan and MGB roadster. These historic moments are partly why the Mazda MX-5 is likely to become a classic within the next 10 years.
Now in its fourth generation and this year celebrating its 35th anniversary, it’s still going strong with a superb reputation.
The original model, produced from 1989 to 1997, is so far the most collectable. It was also considered a classic after just 18 years of its launch, which is decades ahead of many classic competitors.
All good indicators that this latest generation could follow in its footsteps. Plus it’s stylish, sporty and reliable.
Price new: From £16,383
Launched: 1989
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2033
Citroen Ami
Costing well under £10,000 with an extraordinarily clever design and bone-shaking performance, the Ami is a real testament to Citroen’s boldness. Not strictly a car (technically it’s a quadricycle), the urban commuter makes a strong design statement.
In an era when motors are becoming bigger and faster, the Ami takes the opposite route. Just 19 years to go before experts say it could become a classic for all these reasons.
Price new: From £7,695
Launched: 2020
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2043
Ford Focus RS (2nd generation facelift)
What makes it a likely future classic? This awesome looking hot-hatch Ford appeals to the latent boy racer in drivers of all ages who, when they are older, will have more pennies to satisfy that yearning from their youth. Or as experts at specialist motor magazine Evo characterise it: ‘Few hatchbacks have made a bigger impact than the second Ford Focus RS did when it burst into our world in January 2009.
‘Here was a powerful, high-speed Ford with the visual clout to put many mid-engined sports cars in the shade. Any lingering regrets that it didn’t have four-wheel drive were soon blown away by the character and delivery of the turbocharged five-cylinder engine and a chassis that did a remarkably fine job of channelling those rampaging horses through the front axle.’
Price new: From £31,000
Launched: 2004
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2037
Jaguar F-Type
British brand Jaguar has always excelled at making sporty coupes and the roaring leaping-cat F-Type is from the same mould. Having been designed during reign of former Jaguar design boss Ian Callum could help it earn classic car status. On top of this, its glamorous Hollywood-style global launch took place on the eve of the 2013 LA Motor Show. It was deemed so attractive, it was declared World Car Design of the Year. The following year, Jaguar brand ambassador David Beckham launched it in China.
Since then, the last 2024 run-out models were priced from £104,700 as Jaguar prepares to go fully electric. The 200mph SVR models are very special and are likely to be particularly sought-after simply because of their added exclusivity and power.
Price new: From £32,350
Launched: 2013
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2035
Seat Leon Cupra (3rd Generation)
A superb hot hatch, and less common than its relative the Golf GTI, Seat’s Leon Cupra is likely on youngsters’ wishlist today, especially the most powerful ‘R’ trim.
When they have the money and the garage space in a few years’ time, it may well be a passion buy. The petrol-powered hatchback exudes old school charm on the tarmac thanks to its clean lines, sporty look, powerful performance and manual transmission option for a nostalgic driving experience.
Used car experts at Parkers noted: ‘The Leon Cupra has always been known for its sportiness but the Cupra R version is even more powerful.’
Price new: From £25,550
Launched: 2020
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2033
VW Golf GTI Mk 7
With much improved styling from the previous two iterations of the venerable Golf GTI, this may not be the classic of its first generation ancestors, but it still a very capable car. Launched in 2013 with a facelift in 2017 and phased out from 2019, there’s even one among Volkswagen’s official heritage fleet.
Expert enthusiasts at Pistonheads said: ‘The chief joy of getting back in the Mk7 Golf GTI is just sitting in it, gleefully operating the major controls.’
‘The car exudes purposefulness and proficiency and it is no coincidence that those aspects are front of mind when you’re behind the wheel.
‘As a Swiss Army Knife solution to modern motoring, with all its status-affirming peccadilloes, the Golf stands apart.’
Price new: From £24,495
Launched: 2020
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2036
Ford Puma ST
Fast Ford prices almost always go up eventually, with top models in great condition finding buyers who will pay top money.
One example is the increasing value of the Sierra Cosworth RS500 over the past 10 years. Looking forward, Ford’s Puma ST stands a good chance of appealing to classic car enthusiasts too thanks to its rally heritage, instantly recognisable design and existing following of passionate enthusiasts. Think of it as the equivalent of the classic and much sought-after 1980s Escort Mk III RS Turbo.
Price new: From £27,345
Launched: 2019
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2041
Alpine A110
This retro revival of an earlier classic is already gaining cult and classic status because of how it cleverly maintains the feisty spirit of Alpine’s original racing and road cars – with the advantages of present day technical and safety standards.
Launched as a modern reincarnation of the A110s built from 1963 to 1977, this two-seater rear-engined pocket rocket boasts a glorious retro design in all-aluminium with an engaging Go Kart-like performance which owners love. This back to basics feisty but fun car combines a glorious retro design and engaging go-kart like performance which owners love. It’s a promising sign that it will only be more desirable in the future once its circulation has dwindled.
Price new: From £42,000
Launched: 2017
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2042
Cupra Formentor
A hot new car from the performance offshoot of Spain’s Seat, the aggressively named Formentor has made a big impact since launch.
With mean and moody looks, it’s a cross between a sports car (it has a sports car chassis) and a family SUV. But it also has a great look and performance that takes it from zero to 62mph with a throaty roar in just 4.9 seconds, up to a top speed, where legal, restricted to 155 mph.
Price new: From £33,125
Launched: 2020
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2045
Range Rover Evoque Series 1 (two-door)
Designed by JLR design boss Gerry McGovern, the official launch of the Evoque Series 1 in 2010 was aided by Victoria Beckham in the grounds of Kensington Palace. The award-winning car put Range Rover luxury into a compact car package, making history – another fact that could work in its favour in future. It’s probable that early, two-door models will become the most collectable, just as the two-door Range Rover did a few years ago.
Price new: From £27,955
Launched: 2010
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2042
Audi Q7 (1st generation)
With roads now filled with massive SUVs, it’s hard to remember the impact the Audi Q7 had when launched two decades ago. Sold new from 2006 to 2015, the first generation Q7 was a ground-breaking ‘softroader’ and good second-hand ones are already sought as reasonably priced but stylish and upmarket family load-luggers.
Used car experts at consumer magazine What Car noted: ‘The Audi Q7 was the company’s first attempt at a seven-seat luxury SUV. It combined a desirable badge on the front with seven seats and a solid build quality, and it could tackle a muddy field or ferry the family around without breaking a sweat. If you’re in the market for a prestige badge on a large car that can carry seven people, at a pinch, and you can afford to pay for the fuel and servicing costs, then a used Q7 might make a lot of sense.’
All this puts the 2006 model in good stead for becoming a future classic.
Price new: From £37,775
Launched: 2006
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2036
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
This car is almost certainly going to become a classic. That’s thanks to its fantastic looks, superb performance and it being developed by an independent team. What’s more, this Italian car redefined the Alfa Romeo brand. Rare GTA variants are already selling for more than the list price, making this model one to watch. Its top level ‘Quadrifoglio’ badge, meaning ‘four-leafed clover, is reserved for highest-performance Alfas and also adds to its classic credentials.
Price new: From £59,000
Launched: 2015
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2033
Audi TTS Roadster
Appearing alongside Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr. in the 2015 Marvel superheroes movie ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ the Audi TTS Roadster certainly has a star quality. And its well on its way to classic status, with earlier TTs – dubbed ‘Bauhaus Bullets’ after its minimalist modernist styling – already making ‘collectable car’ lists in car magazine. It has a big enthusiast following and it’s no wonder thanks to its great looks, good performance and Audi’s strong reputation. The two-door sports convertible was manufactured until all TT production ended in 2023 – another nod towards becoming a future classic.
It has a fully automatic acoustic and lightweight soft top hood that can open or close at speeds of up to 30 mph. And at higher speeds, you can reduce the air turbulence in the interior using the optional electrically operated wind deflector.
Price new: From £27,702
Launched: 2008
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2027
Fiat 124 Spider
This stylish car combines the mechanical underpinnings of one of the most competent modern roadsters, the Mazda MX-5, with stunning Italian looks.
What’s not to love? Add in that it was sold in much smaller numbers over a shorter period than it’s Mazda relative, and you get all the ticks in the classic box.
Price new: From £19,545
Launched: 2019
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2035
MG 4 EV Xpower
With great design and performance, this MG already has a cult following. MG has seen a huge resurgence in its brand identity over the last few years. They may not be the cool British roadsters of times past, but this car has some really interesting styling and performance that an MGB could only dream of with 0-60mph acceleration in under four seconds.
Price new: From £37,190
Launched: 2022
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2047
Toyota Supra J29
Japanese performance cars have soared in popularity over the last 20 years and Toyota’s Supra is leading the charge. It is on track to become a future classic because it combines high performance and sporty aerodynamic styling with Japanese engineering and reliability.
What’s more, it is relatively rare, desirable, and has a cult-like following in Japan and beyond – even featuring in Japanese Manga comics. The first production model was auctioned for charity fetching US $2.1 million (£1.63m).
Price new: From £52,695
Launched: 2019
Predicted Year it will be a classic: 2040
