Bargain Basement – Five Cool, Retro Motors

Some classic cars are eye-wateringly expensive. Some are so costly that even a lottery win wouldn’t cover the purchase price. Others, a little further down the scale can still run into six figures, while it’s not even slightly taxing to try and find classics that have five-figure price tags. But if you’re short on cash, don’t fret. There are thousands of bargain cars out there that are cool, that have a bit of a following and that will hopefully bring you a lot of joy. Just like the classic car world isn’t exclusively for the wealthy, the bargain cars aren’t exclusively junk. Some are very cool indeed, as you’re about to find out.

Maybe you have a modern car for your daily duties and you want a cool project to tinker with? Maybe you want a car for weekend jaunts, but one that won’t cost the earth to keep running on the side? Perhaps you’re looking for a gateway classic or retro car to see what this world is all about? Or, maybe like us, you just can’t resist a good bargain. It’s a good job, then, that the shallower end of the budget pool is populated by all manner of wonderful vehicles. So, with an arbitrary budget of, let’s say, £2,500, let’s have a look at five fun retro motors you can buy today…

1) E36 BMW

The E36 BMW is, much to the chagrin of our metal calendar, officially retro. It came out, let us not forget, in the 1990s. But, like any good BMW, it has become no less popular with age. Though sadly, due to rust and people in baseball caps fitting silly wheels to them, good E36s are getting hard to find. Logic would dictate that diminishing numbers would mean high prices. And yes, this is the case for those low-mileage, one owner survivors. but for more ‘run of the mill’ models, you can still get them for a couple of grand. Really, you’re going to be looking at a four-door or a Touring (estate) at this price point. Coupes are the most desirable and as such, the most expensive. Cheap ones will appear, but you need to act fast. Same with convertible versions. The 1.6 is best avoided, it’s dull. What you want is a six-cylinder car, which starts with the 2.0.

The E36 is well worth considering because it’s the kind of retro car you can use every day should you wish. There is a huge support network of specialists and groups, and there is even pretty solid main dealer support, too. Prices for parts and upkeep aren’t as expensive as you might think, and maintaining an E36 is something you can easily do at home. It’s the perfect all-rounder. Our money would be on a 320i SE saloon with manual transmission. Perfection.

2) Volvo 480

If you want a whole lot of funk in your trunk, you need a Volvo 480. It was, and to some extent still is, a somewhat misunderstood beast. The world wasn’t ready for it when it launched in 1986. Nobody thought a sharp, pointy, sporty Volvo with pop-up headlights was coming. So when it did, nobody really knew what to do! It was, however, a great car. John de Vries knocked it out of the park when he penned this snazzy coupe. It managed to be like no Volvo before it, while also still being instantly recognisable as, well, a Volvo. That’s impressive. What’s also impressive is the fact they made a Turbo version. Though interestingly, all 480 models used a Renault F3N engine, either in 1.7 or 2.0 displacement. The 480 was also front wheel-drive, and could be ordered with a five-speed manual transmission, again from Renault, or a four-speed ZF auto.

Today, the Volvo 480 is something of a bargain cult classic, and while the number of surviving examples is low, there is no denying the passion and enthusiasm of those who do own them. Upkeep of the mechanical side of things is no more expensive than any other Volvo, though be warned the body and trim parts can be near impossible to find. Rear lights, especially. The 480 wasn’t the most dynamic or powerful car (the Turbo didn’t even have 120bhp) but it was and still is fun, different and characterful.

3) Vauxhall Calibra

Oh yes, we’re seriously suggesting you buy an old Vauxhall. And when it’s one as good-looking as the mighty Calibra, can you really blame us? The Calibra is one of those cars that still looks fresh today. Clean lines, those wide, thin headlights, the Kamm-tail design – oof, it’s stunning. Sure, as an owner you will be descended upon by nerds desperate to tell you the drag coefficient is Cd0.26, but that’s a small price to pay. Plus, you’ll be in a car with a drag coefficient of Cd0.26, so you can get away from them quickly, cutting through the air like a salmon through margarine. And as you drive away, you’ll do so safe in the knowledge that you have bought a design classic. Good ones can still be had for under £2,500. Bargain! You might even get a 2.5 V6 version. But you need to act fast, as prices are on the rise.

When it comes to running a Calibra, well, it’s just a Cavalier underneath. It’s no more difficult or expensive than keeping a pushbike going. Parts are cheap and readily available, clubs and enthusiast groups are plentiful and brimming with information and help, and there is always the endless parts store that is that big online auction site. The only thing you really need to watch out for is rust, as the Calibra was extremely prone to it. Boot floors, sills, rear arches, bonnets and door bottoms would all gladly dissolve at the mere mention of moisture.

4) MG ZR

Look, it’s easy to mock the latter efforts of Rover and MG, but trust us when we say that to do so is a fool’s game. While Rover never managed to fully shake its elderly image, the resurgence of the MG brand did. The MG ZR was just a Rover 25 underneath, but it had bright paint, sporty suspension, big alloy wheels, spoilers and bucket seats. And it was so, so good. Even the boggo 1.4 105bhp model was fun. It was and still is a cheery, fun, happy little car. Especially if you get one in yellow. And the Rover 25 on which it was based was a decent enough car. Good ride, plenty of space, good visibility and comfortable. The MG ZR had good bones thanks to the 25, and as such, it’s still a good car today. There is a passionate following for them, the world of club level motorsport loves them, and the enthusiast market is buzzing.

Your £2,500 bargain budget will get you an absolute minter. Trust us when we say it is criminal just how overlooked these cars are. They are an unfair victim of badge snobbery, generated by people who have never even sat in one, let alone drive one. Ignore the nay sayers and buy yourself one. Get a 160 model with 158bhp and you will be giggling every time you jump in it. Fast, sharp and deeply involving to drive, the MG ZR is perhaps one of the finest examples of just how far a small budget can go. And as for the head gasket in the room, don’t worry. If an MG ZR is still running in 2022, it’s already been replaced.

5) Jaguar XJ

If there is one thing that really makes a bargain feel like a proper bargain, it’s got to be when you get something expensive for not a lot of cash. This feeling translates into cars with a great deal of ease. There are myriad cars out there that were once big ticket purchases, but are now bargains. Cars like the might Jaguar XJ6 for example. The X300 and X308 models especially. Taking over luxury duties from the XJ40 version of the XJ6 in the mid ’90s, the X300 and V8 powered X308 were a return to glory for Jaguar. A long, low and sleek car that had a more than distinct flavour of the Series III XJ6 to it. Trimmed with leather, laden with equipment and built to a good standard, the X300 and X308 were and still are hugely popular. And they have ‘future classic’ written all over them.

As with any big, executive car, you need to try and get one with good service history. With £2,500 to play with, that won’t be too hard. The V8 ones are excellent, but don’t dismiss the straight-six cars, as they were incredibly smooth and still had plenty of power. Rust can be a big issue for these cars, especially on the rings, arches, sills and floors, so be vigilant. Check for water ingress into the cabin, and check the condition of the headlining, too, as it will almost certainly have been pinned up. Shop around though, and you’ll get a good one. And when you do, you’ll thank us. It, like the others here, is a lot of car for not a lot of money.