Forgotten gems: 5 modern classics for under £10,000

Don’t have six figures to blow on a bona fide classic? These oft-overlooked, younger alternatives offer similar thrills for a fraction of the price. Just don’t come crying to us when they break down…

Any petrol head worth their salt knows the true classic icons: your Jaguar E-Types, Porsche 911 Turbos, Aston Martin DB5s… and so on. However, today we’re more interested in the ageing machines that fell by the wayside.

To appreciate their strengths you’ll need to overlook their foibles — they’ll be costly to run, ruinous to repair, and will probably leave you stranded at the side of the road more than once — but where else could you bag more car for less cash?

Get your AA membership cards and rainy-day funds at the ready, here’s our top five modern classics for under £10,000.

Maserati Coupe

Diving straight into the deep end, our first pick is the epitome of high risk, high reward. While many will marvel at the fact you can purchase a genuine Italian thoroughbred with a Ferrari-derived V8 engine for less than £10,000, others will be rightfully wary of the associated eye-watering running costs and propensity to throw up massive repair bills.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained though, eh? For those willing to roll the dice, the fantastic 4200 Coupe pairs timeless Giugiaro lines with sub-5 second 0-60 mph performance, all for the price of a 6-year-old  (now retired) Ford Fiesta.

Subaru SVX

It’s fair to say Subaru’s SVX (sports/special vehicle experimental) wasn’t a roaring success when it debuted in the early 1990s. Selling just 2,000 units in the whole of Europe, as commercial experiments go, it’s up there with the goldfish walker and the smart umbrella. And that’s a pity, because it’s actually rather excellent.

Promising four-wheel drive, swoopy, space-ship styling, and a charismatic six-cylinder boxer engine, the SVX was (and still is) unlike anything on the market. However, an automatic-only range and a lofty asking price were the coupe’s undoing.

Now, just 25 UK-registered examples remain. But if you can find one, expect to pay less than £10,000 for this oft-forgotten slice of ‘90s nostalgia.

Alfa Romeo GTV V6

We’ve already covered the original GTV6’s meteoric price rise in 5 cars everyone should own once, but this noughties alternative will scratch that Busso engine itch for a whole lot less.

Whether you love or loath its choppy lines, Alfa’s GTV V6 has undeniable Italian flare – and its engine, a soundtrack to rival Hans Zimmer. It’s pretty quick, too: 60 mph appears in 6.7 seconds and flat out you’ll be touching 150 mph.

If you can tolerate a slightly inert, front-wheel-drive-only chassis and Alfa’s notoriously flaky fit and finish, a GTV V6 could be yours for as little as little as £5,000.

Ford Sierra XR4x4

With the finest examples of Ford’s legendary Cosworth model now fetching an outrageous £300,000, you probably think a high-performance Sierra is off the table. You're wrong: meet the XR4x4.

Offering an (admittedly small) taste of Sierra Cosworth ownership for a tiny fraction of the cost, the XR4x4 was one of Ford’s first forays into the world of fast four-wheel drive family cars.

It’s 150-bhp, 2.8-litre V6 doesn’t impress by modern standards, but the combination of 5-speed manual gearbox and rear-biased handling will surely raise a smile or two. Plus, with all-wheel drive and a decent set of all-season tyres like Michelin’s CrossClimate 2, you’ll be able to use it year-round.

Jaguar XKR (X150)

Want to feel like James Bond but can’t afford an Aston Martin? Jaguar’s XK and XKR (x150) look just like Gaydon’s DB9, only for half the price.

The cosmetic similarities are hardly surprising given both cars were styled by Ian Callum. Things are a little different under the skin, though. Where the Aston uses a 5.9-litre V12, the Jag makes do with a 4.2-litre V8 – albeit one with a fabulous growl. However, if you’re looking for more grunt, the supercharged XKR will match the DB9 for outright acceleration.

And the best bit? The XK is surprisingly reliable for a car of this ilk. Sure, most are plagued with the odd electrical gremlin, but well-maintained examples are generally dependable. Oh, and the all-aluminum body means rust isn’t a concern. Interested? Prices start from just £7,000.

Which of our top five affordable modern classics has got you racing to the classifieds? Let us know if you’d take a chance on a depreciated performance machine.

Hero image credit: Stellantis