Humble Heroes: Five Future Classic First Cars

Humble ‘first’ cars are becoming sought-after, with cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio and smaller Peugeots all beginning to become Cult Classics for the next generation.

That’s according to the experts at Europe’s largest online marketplace for classic and niche vehicles, Car & Classic, where values of cars from the 80s, 90s and 00s are rising, with over 10,000 models being listed.

“The eighties gave us some great cars that are now as much fun to drive as they were back then; they have a raw energy and connection to the road that you don’t get with many modern cars,” says Dale Vinten, head of editorial at Car & Classic.

Vinten claims that cars from this era, so-called ‘modern classics’, are in many ways much easier to live with than their older, more traditional classic cars and have sufficient comforts to enable them to be used every day.

Here are five picks that could be future classics to grab now.

Renault Clio 172

The Clio 172, introduced in 2000, left a lasting impression on its owners. In 2002, the Cup variant was launched, followed by the 182 in 2004, which brought even more power. Despite the desirability of the 182, it’s the Clio 172 that’s generating the most interest at Car & Classic. Searches for the earlier model surged by 38% between August 2022 and 2023, with a 20% increase in searches during the summer. Throughout the summer, search volumes for both models collectively rose by 20%.

“As hot hatches have gotten bigger and heavier, the Clio 172/182 lies in that sweet spot, providing an old-school feel with enough modernity to be enjoyed properly. Cup cars are particularly coveted, pairing a lightweight chassis with enough power for a rewarding drive on the road or track. In fact, so many have been tracked or converted to race cars that survivor numbers of good, clean road cars are low, further increasing demand,” says Car & Classic’s Dale Vinten.

Ford Fiesta

When production of the Fiesta ended this summer, there was a 206% spike in searches on its online platform, compared to average Fiesta searches in the four weeks before the announcement. It’s the sporting XRs and RSs from the 80s and 90s that have soared in value in recent times.

“Even without taking into account the initial reaction to the news of the last Fiesta ever produced, interest in the model continues to be strong, up 14% in the period 9–16 July, compared to 25 June–2 July,” says Vinten. “It shows how the end of the line for a much-loved model in the UK may not necessarily mean the end of its presence on the roads.”

Citroen ZX

The ZX was the French marque’s answer to the popular Vauxhall Astra and Ford Escort. They are now very rare, but demand is rising for the survivors. In the past year, Citroën ZXs have seen an increase in searches by 43%.

“It’s great that more buyers looking for a modern classic are considering a ZX,” says Vinten. “Until now, it lived in the shadow of the Ford Escort and other French hatches, but searches on our site suggest there is growing interest in this more affordable alternative.”

Fiat Panda

Perhaps unexpected, but the 100bhp Fiat Panda is a surprising car. Charming and fun to drive, they are starting to increase in rarity, and that means prices are rising.

“Few cars at this price point can offer the dynamic thrills it can,” says Vinten. “Now’s a good time to find one with well-looked-after cars still out there. Faults tend to be minor, and they aren’t just fun to drive but also really practical with over 200 litres of boot space and over 800 litres with the seats folded.”

Ford Puma

Classic Fords such as Capris and Escorts can easily achieve over £40,000, and it’s expected that this 90s coupe from the popular manufacturer could follow suit over the coming years. With rust killing thousands of examples of a car that was a common sight on our roads, great condition survivors, especially the Racing Edition, are exceeding £12,000.

“This is another fantastic car to drive, and the Ford badge is usually a sure-fire way to identify a future classic,” suggests Vinten. “Our site has an increasing number of top, low mileage cars being offered for over £5,000 as enthusiasts remember just how much fun a Puma is.”