Modern cars that could become classics

Wondering which modern cars are destined to be future classics? We take a look at some of today’s most impressive designs that could stand the test of time.

Getting ahead of the car buying competition and bagging yourself a future classic is a dream for any classic car enthusiast.

Read on for our selection of the best modern cars that could be set for the classic car fan treatment. And some great tips on spotting future classics before the prices start to soar.

Remember, when we’re talking about classics, it’s not just all about age. How much you drive it, how you store it, and how you look after your vehicle is also important in defining its classic status.

Just remember, you’ll need to protect your growing investment portfolio. The team at Lancaster can help you with that, too!

Audi R8

Price range: £30,000 to £90,000

Date of manufacture: 2006-2015

What makes it a classic of the future?

If you’re in the market for a supercar that’s usable, comfortable and not too difficult to drive then it’s fair to say that Audi’s first generation R8 is a real winner. This hand-built two-seater with quattro four-wheel drive, looks stunning, sounds great in both the standard V8 and flagship V10 model, and handles beautifully (particularly if you choose the manual version).

What to look out for?

15 years after its debut, the Audi R8 has lost none of its appeal and is surprisingly easy to live with. However, two particular problems worth looking out for are the magnetic ride suspension and the AC compressor, so set some money aside.

BMW Z4

Price range: £2,000 to £30,000

Date of manufacture: 2002-2008

What makes it a classic of the future?

With its heady mixture of swooping curves and road-hugging stance, the first-generation BMW Z4 caused quite a stir when it launched back in 2004. In many ways a worthy rival to the Porsche Boxster, the sharp handling and sophisticated looks of this two-seater will bring you a fair share of admiring glances.

With a decent choice of engines available this is a great all-round sports car, whichever one you choose you’re bound to have a lot of fun. And at a potentially very low price indeed!

What to look out for?

In general owners are very happy with the BMW Z4, however if there’s a problem with the hood or it gets damaged by vandals, it can be very expensive to replace. Insurance for classic cars in the UK is the perfect way to ensure protection for your beloved classic.

Ford Focus RS

Price range: £22,000 to £29,000

Date of manufacture: 2016-2018

What makes it a classic of the future?

Described by Top Gear as a 345bhp hot hatch that’s as usable as a diesel and drives like a rally car, Ford knocked it out the park with the third-generation Ford Focus RS. Bright, sexy and very fast it was met with widespread acclaim.

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on one, then hang on to it and wait for prices to surely rise. If the upwards trajectory or the first and second generation Focus RS are anything to go by you won’t have long to wait.

What to look out for?

Many owners’ forums seem to point to head gaskets as a major issue. A plume of white smoke on start-up is a tell-tale sign that something is amiss, with even low-mileage cars experiencing problems. According to Autocar, Ford is offering free inspections and repairs on affected cars.

Ford has produced some incredible cars over the years and many of these have fan clubs and owner communities of their own. Membership of a classic car club can bring a wealth of benefits, with likely discounts on your insurance for classic cars in the UK being just one of them.

Mazda RX8

Price range: £1,350 to £12,000

Date of manufacture: 2003-2012

What makes it a classic of the future?

When it comes to breaking with convention, few mid-sized coupés get close to the rather exotic RX-8. Powered by a rotary engine with iconic rear-hinged back doors, the RX8 is super stylish and fun to drive.

What to look out for?

Reliability is a concern so you’ll want to be cautious when buying. But it is still possible to grab a well looked after example with full history and under 60,000 miles for less than £3,000.

That said, you’ll still need to set aside some cash to look after it properly.

Having someone you trust repair your cherished classic is something that many enthusiasts swear by. Check that you have your own choice of repairer when arranging insurance for classic cars in the UK.

Mercedes C63 AMG

Price range: £16,500 to £150,000

Date of manufacture: 2008-2015

What makes it a classic of the future?

With gas-guzzling increasingly frowned upon, this high-performance Mercedes-AMG model with its naturally aspirated 451bhp 6.2-litre V8 engine is a sure-fire future classic. It also looks great and offers beautifully balanced and adjustable handling. If you’re looking for a bargain, then you’d better act soon!

What to look out for?

This really is an extremely reliable car, but with so much power it’s probably wise to check for crash damage.

Mini Cooper R50

Price range: £1,500 to £5,000

Date of manufacture: 2001-2006

What makes it a classic of the future?

BMW’s rebirth of the Mini Cooper marque was one of the most eagerly awaited car launches in British automotive history and provoked a frenzied buying rush. The earliest R50 model led to ridiculously long waiting lists and the birth of a new generation of Mini fans.

While the unique retro styling paid appropriate homage to the original Mini, it had a reassuring modern build and was an instant global hit with enthusiasts. The earliest R50s and those that came after have built up a cult following, which assures its place as an entirely usable future classic in our eyes.

When it comes to Mini Coopers there’s a lively band of enthusiasts who enjoy showing their cars off at rallies and shows. With insurance for classic cars in the UK from Lancaster you can join them, safe in the knowledge that you're protected against any mishaps along the way!

What to look out for?

First generation R50s automatic transmission problems are notorious. Power steering pump failures are also a common complaint.

Volkswagen Phaeton W12

Price range: £2,400 to £15,000

Date of manufacture: 2003-2016

What makes it a classic of the future?

Despite dismal sales at the time, this flagship VW offers top-notch refinement, a lavishly equipped interior and serious engineering. If you’re looking for a Bentley on a VW budget then this is it.

Look out for the gloriously extravagant 414bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine and you’ll have a car that’s seriously powerful, too.

What to look out for?

Superbly built and reliable, we’ve heard of no major problems. Knowing you can rely on your car is a big part of stress-free classic car ownership, alongside arranging insurance for classic cars in the UK.

How to spot future classics

As the years pass by, people born in the 1980s, 1990s and noughties get older and end up with a bit more disposable income in their pockets. And that gives them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For kids that dreamed of owning that supercar they had pinned for years to their bedroom wall, the possibility of one day owning one gets ever closer. Unless, it was a McLaren F1!

And what’s even better is that not only can you own and enjoy it, but you might even be able to make money from it, too. But before you invest, you’ll want to be sure to pick the right car.

So, what questions should you ask yourself when trying to spot the next hot classic car that’s sure to take the market by storm? Let’s take a look.

Does the car or marque have a cult following?

Certain models or marques have developed substantial cult followings over the years. And if this is the case with your target car then the chances of its value skyrocketing are greatly increased.

For example, fast Fords like the Ford Escort RS Cosworth have been soaring in value in recent years. With their own dedicated magazines and internet forums, popular presence at car shows and rallies, and an enormous online following there’s simply not enough to go round!

If you spot one of these cars for a bargain price, then it could prove to be a nice little earner provided you’ve done your research.

Was the car ground breaking?

Throughout motoring history, car manufacturers have constantly innovated to try to get ahead of the competition and provide something new and exciting to the market. Sometimes these developments prove unsuccessful, but sometimes they end up changing the automotive industry forever.

For example, Audi’s 1980s Quattro was one of the first all-wheel drive, turbocharged rally cars and are today incredibly valuable for collectors, especially those in the Sport class.

Or perhaps the original Mazda MX-5 Roadster that had a huge impact on an entire generation of motorists with its blend of sportiness and affordability.

What was its price when new?

If the current value of the car is still well below where it was when it was new then there’s a good chance it could be a wise investment. While it’s not always the case, if a car didn’t sell well the first time round because of a hefty price tag, then it could be good news for you when it comes to picking out a future classic!

How many were produced and how many are still on the roads?

When determining the potential for a car to rise in value, one of the most important things to find out is how many were originally produced. You’ll want to know the worldwide figures as well as for your home country, and over what time period they were produced.

Another important question is to find out how many are left on the road today. After all, there may have been many thousands of cars produced, but if there are only a handful left then your car could soon become more valuable.

To find out how many are on the UK’s roads today go to a website like ‘How Many Left’ and enter your car model into the online checker. In general, the lower the number the better it is as a future investment.

You’ll see the gradual decline over the years along with the number of vehicles that are registered as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). For example, the chart for the Ford Escort Cosworth RS shows there were 487 SORN and 741 still on the road in 2007. However, by 2022 there were 907 SORN and just 285 licensed for use of the road.

What is the condition of the car?

Low mileage and a complete service history are both signs the car has been well looked after. But even these won’t tell you the whole story.

Every make and model of car will have its own particular list of common problems. But from minor cosmetic inconveniences to major mechanical flaws, when cars are getting on in years it’s absolutely essential to check every last detail.

A good idea is to search internet forums and car clubs beforehand and find out the common problems to look out for. Make a note of them and add them to your list of questions to ask the seller.

If you’re not 100% happy with the answers then think twice before making the investment. A big repair bill could put a big dent in any potential profits – if you ever sell it on, that is!

Has the car been modified?

The aim of many classic car enthusiasts is to find an example of their dream car that’s as close to factory condition as possible. So, while a previous owner may have thought their modifications would work wonders for the car’s performance and looks, in most cases it won’t have done the value any favours.

If you’re looking for long-term investment potential, you need to keep your modern soon-to-be-classic in as unmodified a condition as possible. Trust us, originality is something that future classic car investors will be looking for.

Got an unmolested classic and you’re not sure of its worth? Lancaster can help arrange a two-year agreed valuation. Ask the team for more details when you’re looking for insurance for classic cars in the UK.

Will it be expensive to maintain?

While many modern cars have come on in leaps and bounds when it comes to capability and safety, this has made it trickier to repair yourself without expert knowledge. Something worth looking into when weighing up the potential for a modern car to become a classic, is to consider what the repair and spare part costs will be.

Of course, if we had the secret to spotting a future classic amongst the many cars produced every year then we’d be very rich indeed. Unfortunately, there’s no absolute secret for success in this game – it’s often more about passion than profit – but hopefully answering these questions will help you work out which modern car could be right for you.

Six top tips when buying a future classic

When you’ve decided on which modern car you think will be a future classic then here are six top tips to help you with the purchase.

1. Research prices

Visiting auctions, studying car adverts and visiting online portals are a great way to get an idea of how much your target car should be worth. Don’t be seduced by low mileage and fancy specs, condition and history are often more important.

2. Find out parts availability

Keeping your car original and on the road is a whole lot harder if there’s a limited parts supply for the car. Is there an established support network out there if something does go wrong? If not, it could get stressful.

3. Check the paperwork

Knowing what kind of life the car has had should help you work out if you’re going to get a good deal or not. If the car has been serviced regularly by a specialist, then that’s a good sign for the future.

4. Get to know your model – both the good and the bad

When you fall in love with a particular model of car it can be all too easy to be blind to its faults. Unless money’s no object then you really need to be honest with yourself about whether this is the best car for you.

5. Join an owners’ club

As well as offering great social events and support, owners’ clubs are a useful place to find great examples of the car you’re after. You never know, someone may be looking to sell!

They’re generally cheap to join. And if something does go wrong, then an owners’ club will be an invaluable resource. You may also get a discount on your classic car insurance, too.

6. Consider how you will store and insure it

Protecting your investment is key. You’ll want a safe place to store your potential classic and the right insurance for classic cars in the UK. For that you’ll want to give Lancaster a call.

Find insurance for classic cars in the UK today at Lancaster

We've singled out a few of the best modern cars that we think will soon receive the classic car treatment. The truth is, though, that many other cars would also make great candidates for specialised classic car insurance.

Our decades of experience and extensive contacts in the sector mean we can arrange insurance for a huge variety of vehicles from both the recent and distant past.

To find the right insurance for classic cars in the UK, why not contact us today for a quote?