Five used cars on AutoTrader that are future classics
Spotting a good investment when it comes to cars can be tricky. One needs to consider many factors when selecting a future classic. In this article we look a five future classics that can be found on our website right now.
While it’s always difficult to make a case for cars as investments, there are most certainly vehicles out there that will not only give you a wonderful ownership experience but will also provide wonderful residual values when it comes time to sell them. We take a look at five cars that we have spotted on AutoTrader that we feel will be future classics and, more importantly, won’t lose you a ton of money when it comes time to sell.
Related: Selling a classic car
Alfa Romeo 4C (2014-2019) Examples found here
The Alfa Romeo 4C has been available in South Africa since 2014 in coupe form and since 2017 in Spider guise. Production of this two-seater, carbon-tub sportscars was stopped in 2019 meaning that the limited number of units that eventually made it to local shores way prove rather valuable to the various Alfisti (Alfa Romeo fans) in the future. The lightweight Cayman rival features a 1.75-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 177 kW and 350 N.m mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Examples seen on AutoTrader appear to have come down is value slightly, however, we don’t foresee such a rare, specialised product depreciating all that much more in future.
BMW 1M (2011-2012) Examples found here
When BMW launched its ‘baby’ M car to South Africa in 2011, enthusiasts were immediately smitten with the car. Its specs on paper are still appetising to this day, 250 kW and 450 N.m (500 N.m on overboost) from a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six dubbed the N54. This potent powertrain was paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear suspension bits and differential from the E92 BMW M3. The fact that just 64 of these made their way to local shores has ensured that resale values for these have remained way above their original list price. The highest-mileage example listed on AutoTrader still retails for more than R100 000 above its initial retail price nearly a decade ago.
Related: BMW M2 – driving toxins come in this small intoxicating performance bottle
Honda S2000 (2004-2009) Examples found here
The two-seater convertible S2000 has already cemented itself as a future classic. First introduced in 1999, the first iteration of the AP1 S2000 was produced until 2003. The models seen on AutoTrader are all the facelift AP1 variants which were in production from 2004 until 2009. As a rear-wheel drive sportscar, the S2000 has gained notoriety as a result of its potent naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine which produces 177 kW and 208 N.m and revs to 9 000rpm. With a rifle-bolt-action six-speed manual gearbox and a beautifully balanced chassis, this is one of the most exciting and indeed, reliable roadsters available in the used market. Since cars like this aren’t produced anymore, expect clean examples to retain their values, and even appreciate in future.
Related: Hot, Hotter, Honda Civic Type R
Porsche Cayman GT4 (2015-2016) Examples found here
With the new generation 982 Cayman GT4 now on sale in South Africa, the first generation GT4 values have dipped a bit, making the original 981 GT4 an attainable, limited-run Porsche. When the GT4 was announced in 2015, its spec sheet looked like something from the dreams of a Porsche aficionado. Porsche placed a de-tuned version of the then 911 Carrera S motor into the mid-engine car, added various GT3 bits, bigger brakes, a six-speed manual gearbox and a fixed rear wing, creating the ultimate road-going Cayman at the time. The 3.8-litre naturally aspirated motor produces 283 kW and 420 N.m, allowing for a 4.3 second 0-100km/h sprint time and a top speed of 295 km/h.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S Examples found here
The Golf GTI is a relatively sound investment already from a local automotive perspective, these cars tend to hold their values very well for a performance machine. Some 13 000 seventh-generation Golf GTI models have been sold in South Africa since 2013, however, just 47 examples of the Clubsport S version made their way to local shores, making this a sought after GTI. What separates the Clubsport S from other models locally is the fact that it is a two-door, two-seat, track-focussed version of the GTI that is lighter and more powerful, with 228 kW and 380 N.m going through the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Despite some frankly ridiculous second-hand market prices in the first few years of its existence, it would appear that Clubsport S values have levelled-out and should remain consistent.
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