It’s many a car lover’s dream to own a true classic of automobile history. However, like many dreams, the fantasy can often turn out starkly different from the reality.
That sentiment is by no means intended to put you off buying a classic car. Far from it, in fact, as owning and operating a vintage vehicle is right up there with the best experiences a driver can have. It’s simply to highlight the fact that owning a classic car comes with a set of inherent risks – namely that you’ve bought an old car and that old cars can break – and when those risks come to light, they can be absurdly costly (and sometimes extremely difficult) to correct.
With that in mind, it makes sense to pick a classic auto that won’t require multiple trips to a specialist repairer each year or have your classic car insurance premium through the roof. The good news is there are multiple options out there that are not only relatively reliable to run, but also fairly cheap to buy and maintain while still demanding respect in the classic car community. We’ve picked three of them for your perusal.
Mazda MX5
For many classic car nuts, the MX5 is the poster child of 90s roadsters, and its combination of iconic design, super-fun driveability and, most importantly, impressive reliability have made it the most successful roadster of all time.
Still very much in production today and in its fourth generation, the original MX5’s success was built on its ability to combine the fun of classic roadsters with the reliability of Japanese manufacturing. That reliability factor makes it one of the better classic cars to own on a functional basis, but there’s also no denying its status in the grander scheme of its motoring alumni.
VW Golf GTI Mk1
While the MX5 has enjoyed decades of success off of the production line, its longevity in the market cowers to that of the Volkswagen Golf, now on its eight generation with additional electric models also available. The original Golf GTI Mk1, now 47 years old, still commands massive respect as a classic hot hatch that birthed the concept of sports hatchbacks, but it also happens to be great to drive and remarkably cheap to maintain.
Because the Golfs of today still feature many components based off of the original, parts are fairly cheap and easy to source and fit, while the vehicle’s mass production makes buying one highly accessible. It’s also worth bearing in mind the Golf was introduced as a long-term, low-cost option for customers, meaning the Mk1 was built to last.
Honda Civic Type R
Is the Civic Type R considered a classic car? While it has only been around since the late 90s, the answer is yes. The original model, and many of its aspirated VTEC successors, are revered as some of the finest hot hatches ever to be created – to the point where the latest iteration of the Type R, while not a bad car by any means, has some question marks surrounding it as it doesn’t appear to quite match the engineering brilliance of its predecessors.
Known for its infallible engine and general hard-wearing brilliance despite being a performance hatchback, the relative modernity of the older Type Rs, coupled with their original build quality, make them a fantastic option for those looking for a stress-free entry into classic car ownership.
Three modern classics, three trouble-free cars. If you want to get into the world of vintage cars without having to worry about time spent in the garage or the state of your bank balance, we’d strongly recommended any of the above as a starter point.
Image: Hagerty International
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