We consult our automotive crystal ball to reveal cars we’d put our money on to become the new classics in years to come

Our sister title Classic Car Buyer asked a bunch of auctioneers to pick cars to watch in 2024 – and the overwhelming response was emerging classics from the early 2000s. As one interviewee pointed out, enthusiasts are generational, so when they find themselves in a position to buy the cars they hankered after but perhaps couldn’t afford when they were young, they jump at the chance. And what is considered ‘classic’ or ‘collectable’ will move forward in time as new old car enthusiasts enter the marketplace.

So, the burning question we know you’ll be on the edge of your seat waiting to hear the answer to is which modern classics got a mention? Well, the long list includes sporty Fords from the 1990s and 2000s like the Focus RS and Racing Puma, six- and eight-cylinder BMWS from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, MINI R53 Cooper S, Mk1 Audi TT, R32 Golfs, the Clio Renaultsport 172 and anything with a racing pedigree such as the Sierra RS500, Mercedes 190E Cosworth and Lancia Delta Integrale Evo, as well as the Impreza P1, Mitsubishi Evo special editions and the Clio Williams. Hot hatches like the Ford XR2 and Citroën Saxo VTR/S also got the nod, as did the BMW E46 M3 and Porsche 997. These two, confirmed one auctioneer, were still undervalued, so don’t say you weren’t warned!

The general opinion was that anything built in smaller numbers, limited runs or special editions would become a star of the future, with the best of breed cars in high quality condition and with genuine provenance sure to become the high achievers. Interestingly, one of the experts who was consulted felt that in an ever increasingly digital/hybrid/ electric world, the last of the late analogue cars will become prized possessions.

And you know what, we think they’ve got a point!