Five bargain motors set to become classics in 20 years
As the car industry pivots toward electric power and autonomous tech, enthusiasts are already eyeing future classics that won’t break the bank. William Fletcher, CEO of car.co.uk, believes that affordability today can translate into iconic status tomorrow. He highlights five models that are reasonably priced now but have the potential to be coveted in two decades’ time thanks to design, rarity, and cultural significance. In a market increasingly defined by electrification, these cars anchor a nostalgia for mechanical engineering, manual gearboxes, and distinctive styling.
Jaguar F-Type
The F-Type embodies British sports car heritage with a dramatic silhouette, a long bonnet, and, most famously, a throat-latching V8 soundtrack. Fletcher notes that with the industry moving away from petrol power, the F-Type’s petrol heart and its rarity will boost its appeal. Currently available through approved Jaguar channels for around £30,000, the F-Type offers a blend of performance and classic styling that may become increasingly scarce as manufacturers push toward electrification. Expect collectors to remember the F-Type for its emotive roar and its role in reviving driver-focused grand touring.
Suzuki Jimny
Described by Fletcher as a “retro-styled” and highly capable off-roader, the Suzuki Jimny stands out for its simplicity and off-road prowess. Its European discontinuation due to emissions rules has made good examples scarce, adding to its desirability among future collectors. With used models often around £15,000, the Jimny is the kind of affordable, essentials-first car that can age gracefully as a cultural icon of rugged, no-nonsense motoring. Its boxy, unmistakable design and go-anywhere ability are likely to be highly prized when retro-styling becomes rarer on today’s streets.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris is a rally-bred hatch that rose to fame for its WRC-inspired performance in a compact form. Its production numbers are limited, which helps keep residual values buoyant as a future classic proposition. Fletcher notes that this car exists with a single purpose: to win on the rally stage, a purity that may become increasingly rare in an era of more mainstream, electrified hot hatches. While prices can sit around £45,000 and above, the GR Yaris represents a rare blend of purposeful design and motorsport DNA that could be highly sought after as tastes and regulations evolve.
Honda Civic Type R
Among the most talked-about modern hot hatches, the Civic Type R is celebrated for its raw, unfiltered performance, front-wheel-drive dynamics, and manual gearbox—traits that are increasingly scarce as automatics and electrification spread. Fletcher describes this car as “the last of its kind,” underscoring its potential as a future classic. While new models start higher in price, enthusiasts view the Type R as a peak example of the naturally aspirated, driver-centric hot hatch that may become a nostalgic benchmark in twenty years’ time.
Caterham Seven
With a lineage tracing back to the iconic Lotus Seven, the Caterham Seven remains the archetype of lightweight, focused driving. It’s one of the most affordable ways to own a pure driving experience, often available for under £30,000. The Seven’s emphasis on minimalism, precision handling, and a direct connection to the road makes it a living classic—an ever-more valuable counterpoint to cars growing heavier and more automated. For purists, the Caterham Seven is a reminder of what makes cars fun to drive in the first place.
Beyond individual models, Fletcher’s forecast reflects a broader trend: value-driven classics that combine heritage, rarity, and driving joy will endure even as the automotive world accelerates toward electrification. For collectors and casual enthusiasts alike, the five bargains above illustrate how today’s affordable buys can become tomorrow’s revered icons, anchored not by price tags but by their enduring character and cultural resonance.
