BMW E36 VOTED BEST 1990S CAR

One-time king of the fast lane and darling of the company car park, the BMW 3-Series E36 has been named the top affordable car of the 1990s by readers of Car Mechanics Bargain Cars. The bargain Beemer was voted into the top slot by followers of Bargain Cars on Facebook and Instagram, narrowly pipping the Mazda MX-5 into top spot. The MX-5’s arch-rival, the MGF, took third, ahead of the Jaguar XJ saloon.

Other 1990s icons on the list included the Ford Mondeo, BMW 5-Series E39 and Alfa Romeo 156, along with the boy racers’ favourite – the Citroën Saxo. But more unusual cars also got a look in, with the quirky Fiat Bravo and Brava twins putting in an appearance in the final top 10, proving that enthusiasm for 1990s cars of all shapes and sizes is out there and being celebrated by enthusiasts.

Bargain Cars editor Peter Simpson said: 'Bargain Cars is about iconic models that represent the best value they ever will. It is cars of the 1990s that offer the most in terms of future classic appeal and investment potential, yet they’re still capable of being maintained at home and being used daily. There’s a huge groundswell of enthusiasm for cars of this era, and the diversity of the top models voted for by our readers and followers shows that the passion is very real for all types of 1990s classic.'

The complete top 10 was: 1. BMW E36

2. Mazda MX-5

3. MGF

4. Jaguar XJ

5. Ford Mondeo

6. BMW E39

7. Alfa Romeo 156

8. Citroën Saxo

9. Peugeot 306

10. Fiat Bravo/ Brava

Bargain Cars is a new monthly publication from Kelsey Media, publishers of Britain’s oldest hands-on car magazine – Car Mechanics. It focuses on the buying and owning experience of high quality used cars and modern classics from 1990 onwards. The launch issue is in newsagents now, and also online at https://shop.kelsey.co.uk