It’s Not Just 80s and 90s Fashion Making a Comeback, So Are the Cars

If you’ve been thinking that the local high streets, shopping centres and parks have been looking a lot like the 80s and 90s, you’re not alone. The trend for double denim is back, and it doesn’t just stop at fashion — cars from that era are also rising in popularity and price.

With exclusive access to sales data from Europe’s number one site for classic and specialist cars, Car & Classic, we can delve a little deeper into some of the hottest and most appreciating cars of the 80s and 90s. And being over 30 is no guarantee for success as we also check out what’s not doing so well on the open market.

Car & Classic’s CEO Tom Wood explains, “Over the course of a year, we have seen an astonishing increase in people buying classic cars across all decades, but in particular the 80s and 90s. In such a turbulent year, it seems that everyone has been bitten by the nostalgia bug. With buyers perhaps looking to purchase the first car they ever owned, the car their parents had, or even the car they wish they could afford back then, demand is strong for cars from that period. Then again, with things that go up, they also can come down, so we’ve also had a look at the top depreciating cars of those eras too.”

Cars From the 80s That Have Gone up in Value:

#1 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124)

Presented in 1984, this was the first mid-size Mercedes convertible and was also offered in coupe and estate styles. Keen fans will know that this era of Mercedes-Benz is known for its better quality of build materials, which are less prone to rust compared to the 90s equivalents, and perhaps that and its collectability has driven it to increase in value by 200% from 2020 to 2021.

#2 Volkswagen Beetle

Most recognisable as the speedy and mischievous car ‘Herbie’ from the popular film franchise, the South American Volkswagen Beetle era has seen a price increase of 110% from 2020 to 2021, potentially due to its warmer climate and easier-to-maintain metal.

#3 Ford Capri (Mk 3)

Back in its day, the Ford Capri Mk 3 was the most popular sporting model in Britain, which is perhaps why it was one of the most stolen cars during the 80s and 90s. This could give you an idea of its popularity and rarity now and why it’s increased in value by 57% in a year.

#4 Volkswagen Golf (Mk 1)

The successor to the Beetle (ranked #2 in our list), the Golf was the first generation of a small family cars manufactured by Volkswagen, and an icon of the 80s. Although the Golf model is still going strong all these years later, it has seen a price increase of 47%, according to Car & Classic.

#5 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Our most expensive model on the list (when new, at least), the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, was a showcase of wealth, luxury and British elegance. It went on to pave the way for the Flying Spur and Silver Dawn models, and due to its rarity and iconic status, it’s fifth on our list with a price increase of 42% from 2020 to 2021.

Cars From the 80s That Have Gone Down in Value:

#1 Toyota Corolla (E80)

Manufactured from 1983 to 1987, the Toyota Corolla, or E80, was the fifth generation of cars under the Corolla and Toyota Sprinter nameplates. With a total production of 3.3 million, this model was popular globally. Despite its popularity, over the past year, it has seen a decrease in price of 58%.

#2 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126)

The full-size luxury sedans and limousines of the second-generation S-Class were in production from 1980 to 1991 and were offered in both short and long wheelbases. In the last year, it has seen an overall price decrease of 47%, according to Car & Classic.

#3 Aston Martin V8

Entirely hand built, with each car requiring 1,200 person-hours to complete, the Aston Martin V8 was a replacement for the DB6 model. The V8 was a larger, more modern-looking car, with production ceasing in 1989. Although still an appreciated and recognisable model, it has seen a price decrease of 29% over the last year.

#4 Ford Fiesta (Mk 2)

Initially introduced in 1976, the Ford Fiesta was Ford Europe’s first multi-national front-wheel drive car. In 1983, it was updated, and the Mk 2 was launched. It was very well received across Europe, particularly in the UK, where, in 1981, it was the third best-selling car. Alas, over the year, the standard Fiestas (not special or sporting editions) have seen a price decrease of 26%, according to the data provided by Car & Classic.

#5 Ford Escort (Mk 3)

Another Ford that has dropped in popularity is the standard Escort, excluding the ‘hot’ XR3 and RS versions. Back in the day, it was often the best-selling car in the UK, with more than 4.1 million models of all generations sold over 33 years. The Escort Mk 3 featured both a three- and five-door hatchback and estate, as well as a three-door cabriolet. Although hugely popular in its day, unfortunately, from 2020 to 2021, this particular Escort has seen a price decrease of 22%.

Cars From the 90s That Have Gone up in Value:

#1 Saab 900

In the early 90s, Saab was struggling with an ageing product range. Then came the Saab 900, easily one of the most cost-effective entries into classic car ownership. According to data from Car & Classic, the 900 has increased by 500% — or five times its price — from 2020 to 2021.

#2 Lotus Elan (M100)

Codenamed M100, the Elan was the first front-wheel drive produced by Lotus. Although it received rave reviews from automotive journalists for its great driving experience, it wasn’t a commercial success for the company. That being said, from 2020 to 2021, Car & Classic has seen a staggering 200% increase in price for this model, maybe due to Lotus announcing its future range is going electric.

#3 Honda HR-V

Launched in 1999 after receiving fantastic feedback as a show car, the Honda HR-V was offered in two- and four-wheel drive. However, it wasn’t marketed as a 4×4 or even a conventional estate. That didn’t matter, though, as many people residing in cities saw the car’s usability and fun factor, which seems to have made a comeback as there has been a resurgence of desire for this model, with just over an 80% price increase in a year.

#4 MG F 

In 1995, the MG F was one of the earliest cars to be launched following BMW’s takeover of the Rover Group. It was one of the most affordable sports cars in Britain at the time and seems to be coming back in popularity with a price increase of 79% from 2020 to 2021.

#5 Mazda MX-5 (NB)

Another roadster with a price increase this year is the Mazda MX-5 Mk 2 or NB-era model. Inspired by the post-war era British sports car, this model has won numerous automotive awards and has become the world’s best-selling sports car. It is no surprise to hear that the price increase from 2020 to 2021 has been 75%, according to Car & Classic.

Cars From the 90s That Have Gone Down in Value:

#1 Peugeot 205

Declared “Car of the Decade” by Car Magazine in 1990, this model is credited as the car that turned Peugeot’s fortunes around. Alas, over the past year, non-sporting versions of the car (like the GTi pictured above) have experienced a decrease in value of 60%.

#2 Porsche 944

With over 163,000 cars produced, the 944 was Porsche’s most successful sports car during the 90s, at least until the introduction of the 987 Boxster and 997 Carrera. However, between 2020 and 2021, this particular model has seen a price decrease of 53%.

#3 BMW M3 (E36)

Released as a coupe in 1992, the E36 M3 received facelifts in both 1995 and 1998 and gained a further two body types; saloon and convertible options filled gaps in the market. This past year has shown that the 90s M3 models have decreased in price by 45%.

#4 Renault Clio

Now on its fifth generation, the Renault Clio was launched in 1990 and has received both critical and commercial success as one of Europe’s top-selling cars consistently over the years. That being said, the data Car & Classic has provided shows that the standard models produced in the 90s have decreased in price by 40%.

#5 Toyota Yaris

Launched in 1999, the Yaris was offered as a hatchback in the UK — and as a sedan and coupe in other territories — and is still a very popular model today. This is evident with nearly nine million units sold as of March 2020. However, in the last year, the first-generation Yaris has seen a price decrease of 31%, perhaps due to the popularity of the newer generation.

If you’re feeling a touch of nostalgia and a desire to buy a car that means something to you from the 80s and 90s, we hope this report proves helpful. Of course, there are many more where these cars came from on Car & Classic, on both its online-only auction platform and its popular classifieds site. Happy car shopping!