Some of the classic car market’s mainstays take a hit, with iconic stars of the 60s falling to recent lows, whilst cars of the 80s and 90s continue to rise. As 2024 draws to close, much like our article for 2024, we take a look into some iconic motoring at bargain price points to wet your appetite for 2025.
Rover 200 BRM
We’re now at a time in our lives where anything with a Rover badge is at least modern classic status. Makes you feel old doesn’t it? Last year we were looking into the SD1 Vitesse for a classic car under £20,000. Earlier this month a late Vitesse sold for £24,750 plus fees at auction, and it didn’t even have any rubbing strips!
A great modern classic and a budget buy is the Rover 200 hatchback. We’re not talking about the kind you 90s babies might have had as your first car though… we’re talking about the top-of-the-range BRM model. Unveiled at the 1997 Motor Show in Frankfurt, the Rover 200 BRM takes its inspiration (and name) from the Rover-BRM gas turbine Le Mans car from the 1960s.
The exterior dons the iconic British Racing Green, accented by the bright orange lower valance insert. The front grille was styled on the woven mesh grilles used by Bentley at the time, heavily leaning on British luxury and craftsmanship as the idea behind the kitted-up 1990s family hatchback. The contrasting, somewhat “lairy” exterior almost falls into the styling category of Halford’s modified first-cars but with an element of professionalism.
The interior is very much a rhapsody of red leather and aluminium. Perhaps another styling cue borrowed from Bentley, the classic shade of red is complimented by quilted leather – long before the likes of Audi were doing it. An aluminium gear shifter and gaiter surround amplifies the fact that you are in no regular 200, instead giving the feel of a Le Mans special.
These homage hot hatches were powered by the infamous Rover K-Series with variable valve timing, producing 145 horsepower. Sounds rather mundane by todays standards but in the late 90s that was a rather tasty prospect. These engines are great units too, proving popular by not only their manufacturer but also used in the Lotus Elise of the same era and in Lotus inspired Caterhams.
At the time of writing their are only three Rover BRMs for sale: one at £800.00, one at £1,800.00 and one at £9,990.00. What does that tell you? That indicates these cars are few and far between, with the better examples commanding a much higher price tag. Say you grab yourself the middle car, that gives you a fair bit of leeway for maintenance, restoration and modification.
Porsche 924
We said is last year, we’re saying it again this year, the Porsche 924 remains a classic automotive bargain… for now. As with everything with the Stuttgart badge, they are still creeping up in value but you can still get the budget Porsche on a budget.
Originally intended to be badged as Volkswagen’s flagship sports car, Porsche ultimately spearheaded the 924 after Volkswagen dropped out of the joint project in favour of their cheaper, more practical Golf-based Scirocco coupe. Fortunately for prospect owners, this meant early 924 models share many components with Volkswagen and Audi models making for cheaper maintenance costs in 2025.
The exterior us undeniably of its era – with its pop-up headlights and greenhouse rear hatch. Not as sexy as the later 944 but certainly still an attractive German coupe. Guards Red is the classic Porsche colour to have, but expect to find more bargains of the Gold and Bronze variety.
From tartan cloth to checkered velour, the interior of the Porsche 924 is also very much of its time in history. You can find full leather examples but truthfully they’re no fun, so if you’re going to do it then you might as well do it properly!
Now that a good chunk of the 924s production falls under the UK’s tax and MOT exemption, prices have almost doubled since 2023. What was previously a £4,000.00 car is now a £7,000.00 car at the time of writing. I personally wouldn’t want to go much higher than this, as a few grand more will get you into Turbo territory. I suspect more bargains will pop up in the next year but this goes to show that the Porsche 924 won’t stay a bargain too much longer.