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Market Finds – Climb into the classics of tomorrow

If you’re looking for a reliable everyday sports car or a low-mileage luxury limousine at an attractive price, the Classic Driver Market currently holds more than 2,000 cars built between 2000 and 2016, including these ‘future classics’…

As appealing as new luxury vehicles are, the unbearable truth is that after a year of ownership and the first 10,000 miles, the car is often worth half of what you paid for it. Alternatively, models built by the big brands over the last 10-15 years – many of which boast low mileage and all the creature comforts you could possibly wish for – can be snapped up at quite affordable prices. For the same cost as a new executive saloon or an entry-level sports car, for example, one can buy into the Olympus of the iconic marques. Who wouldn’t like to be greeted by an Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati or Porsche when you leave your house every morning? 

Porsche 911 GT2

Each generation of the Porsche 911 has its favourites among enthusiasts and collectors, and in the 997 series of models the GT2 is certainly one of them. The unusual combination of high-pressure turbocharging, lightweight construction, rear-wheel drive and manual transmission make the GT2 one of the most exhilarating cars to leave Zuffenhausen between 2008 and 2012. At the Nürburgring Nordschleife, for example, it was just half-a-second slower than the V10-engined Carrera GT. This ultra-low-mileage example was owned by the royal family of Dubai, and will be sold by Silverstone Auctions on 15 October, estimated at £130,000-150,000. Given the current exchange rate, this alternative to a new Porsche 991 Turbo could be a potentially lucrative investment. 

Maserati Quattroporte

It’s been almost 15 years since Maserati revealed the fifth generation of its sporty and elegant Quattroporte, and we’re sure you won’t disagree that the Pininfarina-designed saloon was actually rather good. Those sultry lines are accompanied by a soul-stirring V8 purr that the sports car giant can only dream of now. In the Classic Driver Market, the earliest examples can be bought for around 20,000 euros. For double that – or the equivalent of a well-equipped Mercedes A-Class – you could buy a low-mileage Quattroporte from 2009 in an understated black-over-black colour combination

Ferrari 599 GTB

Above all, Ferrari owes its mythical reputation to its vast 12-cylinder, front-engined Grand Tourers. If the current F12 is still a little out of your budget, examples of the 599 GTB Fiorano are currently valued at a little over 100,000 euros – around a third of the original price, for what is a 10-year-old 600bhp V12 supercar. While 599s are more often spied in tasteful dark colours, this virginal ‘Giallo Modena’ example would be our pick. 

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin finally completed the transition to mass production with the V8 Vantage in 2005. By 2014, it had sold almost 20,000 cars. In light of the inflationary production numbers, used examples can be bought at bargain prices. And we forget what an interesting sports car the V8 Vantage was (and still is), with its elegant, understated lines drawn by Henrik Fisker. This Tungsten Silver over Iron Ore Red example from 2006 is listed for 39,000 euros, and there are few contemporary sports cars we’d choose over this one at that price. 

Bentley Arnage

Remember a time before every celebrity hairdresser or football player drove a Bentley? Prior to the success of the Continental GT, its saloons, coupés and convertibles – produced in ultra-low numbers – were reserved for a highly exclusive clientele. The last witness to this era was the Arnage, built from 1998 to 2010 with that legendary 6.75-litre V8. Handcrafted and equipped with the finest leathers and woods, the saloon is still very impressive to drive, and surprisingly cheap, too. Just 36,000 euros will grant your admission to the Bentley Owners’ Club, with this model from 2000

There are currently more than 2,000 cars built between 2000 and 2016 listed for sale in the Classic Driver Market.