Don’t despair if you can’t afford that E-type or Aston you’ve been dreaming of. Classic car prices may have been going up quicker than gold values but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any bargains left – in fact, there are plenty of cars out there for less than the cost of a package holiday or a high end stereo system.
Here are ten cars for sale right now that you can pick up for under a grand, which shows you don’t have to be an Apple shareholder to play the classic car game. Which would you go for?
1990 Saab 9000
Yours for: £450
The Saab 900 – the Eighties road rocket, not the sanitised GM version of the Nineties – is rightly recognised as a Swedish classic. Its more spacious 9000 sibling, however, is still a bit on the fringes of the classic world, which is why cars like this 25-year-old example they still represent tremendous value for money. Pub fact: you might think of it as the 900’s bigger brother but it’s actually three inches shorter.
1979 Austin Maxi
Yours for: £1000
Not convinced of the Saab’s classic-ness? Then take a look at this symphony of chrome detailing and Sandglow paintwork – the Maxi might not have the cuteness of the Mini or the Austin 1100, but it’s fun to drive, family friendly and will attract plenty of attention from the I-used-to-own-one brigade. This particular car’s only covered 52,000 miles and has an MoT until October.
1983 Renault 9
Yours for: £800
The ten-spoke alloys are a bit of a giveaway – this car’s been treated to a bit of modernisation, so while it’ll upset the purists you do get luxuries like a Bluetooth-ready sound system and an aftermarket roof rack for all your clobber. It’s also had plenty of newly-fitted parts, including tyres and shock absorbers, and is low mileage. Besides, when was the last time you saw one?
1991 Volkswagen Golf GTi
Yours for: £995
Proof that not all hot hatches have soared into the classic car price stratosphere. While this MkII GTi has five doors rather than the more desirable three and a mileage that’s a little on the high side, it still represents great value and the chance to get one of the Eighties’ best pocket rockets on your driveway. Cool car.
1974 MGB GT
Yours for: £625
Finally – a classic you won’t be able to drive away, but a great one if you’re the sort of hands-on enthusiast who loves nothing more than reviving an old car. This is one of the last of the more desirable chrome-bumper models and has been in the same ownership for the last 23 years. Unfortunately, its intended restoration never got finished. Do you reckon you could save it?