Affordable classics for 2023: We have four youngtimers and vintage cars from 2,800 to 18,200 euros with purchase advice.
Nobody knows what the market for classic cars will look like in 2023. There are forecasts, but they are known to be particularly difficult when they concern the future. However, anyone who deals with old cars has learned to draw conclusions from the past.
Cars with potential for value appreciation
Based on years of observation of the market, general market developments, price trends and a bit of gut feeling, our evaluation partner Classic-Analytics has selected a dozen youngtimers and vintage cars whose price curve is pointing upwards. Nobody knows how steep. It is also unclear whether you will earn money with our tips. First of all, cars cost money, especially when it comes to maintenance. But if you shop wisely, you can at least get the investment back and hopefully have had a little fun by then.
Because first of all, cars are there to be driven. Everything else is irrelevant. And the cars from our "Bull market list" are definitely a pleasure - because they are real guys among them. None is run-of-the-mill, they are cars for connoisseurs. The first of three episodes deals with four cars up to 25,000 euros.
Audi TT Quattro Sport
Shortly before the end of the first TT generation 8N , Audi launched a special model whose name is reminiscent of a legendary model from history: The Quattro Sport only rolled off the assembly line 1,168 times in 2005. The most powerful four-cylinder TT 8N is lighter than all other versions. Among other things, the coupe does without a rear seat and air conditioning. Instead of the standard seats, Audi fitted slim Recaro shells. This makes the sport 75 kilograms lighter than the 224 hp version. Compared to the 3.2 V6, which is only 10 HP stronger, the Sport-TT is even 175 kg lighter. As with this one, the battery sits in the trunk.
The 1.8-liter five-valve four-cylinder turbo delivers 240 hp instead of 224 hp. The torque increases from 280 to 320 Newton meters. Included in the new price of 41,300 euros: multi-spoke wheels, tighter chassis, black-painted roof. Incidentally, those who wanted could order air conditioning and standard seats – at no extra charge. If you buy one today, you should make sure that the oil in the Haldex clutch is changed after 60,000 kilometers and the timing belt after 180,000 kilometers. In the engine, mass air flow meters and ignition coils can cause trouble. The fuel gauge in the instrument cluster should display correctly and the pixels should be complete.
BMW E36 318is Clas II
It continues with the sports version of a sedan. The 318is Class II danced through the program of the diverse E36 3-series at BMW for just one summer and was the only sedan with the is engine.That means: four-valve head on the 1.8-liter four-cylinder and with 140 hp almost as much power as in the 320i. However, with less front axle load and biting grip. He is forgiven for the fact that the four-cylinder runs rougher than the in-line six. After all, the Class II is a homologation model for touring car motorsport, which BMW built 2,500 times. As standard, the sedan is equipped with the front apron and the rear spoiler of the M3 GT, which makes it look a little half-strong. Customers could choose from six paint colors: Alaska Blue, Alpine White, Boston Green, Cosmos Black, Dakar Yellow and Light Red. Almost half of the cars (1197) were painted in black, the fewest (17) in white. The interior is always black.
If you want to be sure that you have a Class II in front of you, you have to pay attention to the chassis number: According to the Class II Register , the homologation series ranges from FK03771 to FK06696. The cylinder head of the M42 four-cylinder tends to leak. In old age, the axles can cause trouble: If the E36 drives spongy, this can be due to worn out joints or bearings. Rust can always appear on cars of this age. It is important for value retention that the car was not tampered with, burned or neglected by the few previous owners.
Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
If you find a very early Cinquecento Sporting, you can register it for the H-certificate the year after next. The sports version of the successor to the Fiat 126 was a popular second car in the late 1990s, or the first car for new drivers to gain experience with. They were able to do this thanks to their brisk driving performance - 12.8 to 100 km/h, 150 top - without obstructing road traffic. The offspring with 54 hp couldn't really do much either. Which is also better, because it wasn't until 1997 that there was a driver's airbag. The chassis of the front-wheel drive strives for driving pleasure with a stabilizer on the front axle, tighter tuned shock absorbers and a lowered body.
With a standard consumption of 6.2 liters and a Euro 2 exhaust gas classification with a displacement of 1.1 liters, the dwarf, which is available in yellow, black and red, doesn't rip a deep hole in the till. Sports seats, leather steering wheel, rev counter and red seat belts spice up the interior. Buy the best you can find. Even a new first-hand copy should not cost more than 5,000 euros. The new price was the equivalent of 7664 euros. Incidentally, the 3.23 meter dwarf is most commonly found in Italy – it was built in Poland.
VW Phaeton 6.0 W12
The VW Phaeton has no predecessor and no successor. A strong argument for a career as a classic. Another: Technically and hierarchically, the sedan was the top model from Volkswagen. Timeless line and safe-like workmanship seem made for eternity.But not the electronics: malaise can cost money. Especially with the W12, the most complex and powerful version. But none cared for its passengers like the big VW, while being pleasantly inconspicuous and ostentatious. A car for fast, long distances. Motorized with 450 hp, but not really economical on the road.
The brave who don't want to drive in low-emission zones grab the V10 TDI, the reasonable V6 TDI. The biggest problem are quirks of the many comfort functions: automatic transmission, infotainment, air suspension, air conditioning, steering wheel and seat adjustment should work perfectly. A well-maintained checkbook is a good argument, but it is no guarantee that expensive repairs will not follow. Tires and brakes wear out quite quickly because of the high weight.
Conclusion
From the smallest Fiat at the time to the VW Phaeton, the short list offers a wide variety: A BMW with a four-cylinder, of which there were only 2,500 times and an even rarer version of the Audi TT, as well as the Cinquecento show what classic car buyers can look out for , if you are looking for a youngtimer with potential: sporty models are more in demand than the standard versions, limited or only short series of course even more so.
The Phaeton is a special case: the luxury sedan had no predecessor and no successor. That alone makes them a classic. In addition, there is the timeless shape, the special production in the transparent factory in Dresden and the seemingly unshakable processing.
