Iconic throwback 90s cars you MUST buy now before costs spiral out of reach – from iconic BMW to £4k Toyota
THE price of a fleet of iconic throwback 90s motors are set to spike in the coming months.
Motorheads are urged to nab their pick from an eye-catching line up before costs spiral out of reach.
The shortlist features a sport Mazda, elegant BMWs, and a Toyota which will only set you back £4,000.
BMW 5 Series (E34) (1988-1996) – £2,000
The second-generation M5, known as the E34, was built between 1988 and 1995, and was made available as a four-door saloon and a five-door estate – although the wagon iteration was unavailable in the US.
The E34 M5 featured a beefy 3.5-litre straight-six engine, capable of 310 bhp and a limited top speed of 155 mph.
Volkswagen Corrado (1988-1995) – £5,700
The very cool Volkswagen Corrado was built by the German manufacturer and is a seriously underrated motor.
It was endorsed by broadcaster Richard Hammond, who described it as “really rather special” when he took one for a spin on an episode of Top Gear.
He said: “What you need is a car that’s not yet a classic but that one day will be; a kind of classic waiting in the wings, if you will.
“This scheme has the whiff of genius about it, what you’re looking for is a car that’s young enough to still be good to drive and reliable but old enough to have been forgotten.”
BMW 8 Series (1990-1999) – from £11,000
The iconic fleet which featured the V8 and V12 is eye-candy for petrolheads.
It comes complete with an elegant leather interior and has cemented its status as a future classic.
For this price point, this motor is a steal.
Lexus LS400 (1990-2000) – from £4,000
Car-buying guru JB describes Lexus as builders of “some of the most underrated luxury cars in the world” with the LS400 “absolutely one of them”.
“A cult classic”, according to JB, this gentle giant comes with a 4-litre V8 engine boasting 280bhp and is the “luxury car equivalent of cars like the [Toyota] Supra built to cause trouble for German and British luxury car makers” with its interior modelled on first-class plane seats.
Vauxhall Calibra (1990-1997) – from £5,000
The Calibra was Vauxhall’s answer to the rise of Japanese sports cars that hit the market in the early 1990s.
The futuristic coupe was famously the most aerodynamic production car on its release in 1989.
Nowadays though they are extremely rare, with fewer than 500 of all types left on the road.
That rarity, combined with a low price, has led to a huge percentage rise, which is equivalent though to just a few hundred pounds in real terms.
Toyota MR2 Mk2 (1990-1999) – from £4,000
This vehicle is perfect for long road trips with the family.
More in the traditional sports car mould in terms of styling, it has a bit of retro charm about it as it dates back to 1990s.
Production ended back in 2007 but there are still plenty of mid to high-mileage examples around for very cheap.
There are even rumours that the model could make a comeback so now’s a great time to try out the original at a bargain rate.
BMW 3 Series (E36) (1990-2000) – from £1,000
The E36 was the first 3 Series to be offered in a hatchback body style.
It was also the first 3 Series to be available with a six-speed manual transmission, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder diesel engine.
The E36 was named in Car and Driver magazine’s 10Best list for every year it was on sale.
Mazda MX-5 Mk1 (1990-1997) – from £2,000
The humble Mazda MX-5, the low-powered terrier snapping at the heels of cars with larger, more computery engines.
Under the bonnet of this delightful machine, you’ll find an engine that packs a 1.5 or 2.0-litre engine that musters up a mere 132 to 181 horsepower, depending on the year and model.
The steering is razor-sharp, responding to your slightest input with an eagerness that makes you wonder if the car is reading your mind.
The weight distribution is spot on, and the lightweight chassis allows you to fling it around corners with abandon.
An all-round great pick.
Citroën ZX (1990-1998) – from £2,000
The ZX held its own in a European market dominated by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra.
This was thanks to its superb blend of assured handling and comfortable ride.
And for a paltry two grand, it’s a great pick for motorists.
Lamborghini Diablo (1990-2001) – from £200,000
This Diablo is powered by a mid-mounted 5.7-liter 48-valve V12 engine that channels 492hp at 7,000 rpm and 430 ft/lbs of torque through a 5-speed manual transmission and all-wheel-drive system.
The Viscous Traction (VT) system redirects torque to the front wheels when needed, resulting in superior traction and enabling the car to rocket to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 202 mph.
Tennis legend Thomas Muster once had the keys to the model, as did President-elect Donald Trump.