SIX OF THE BEST

Roadster, reinvention or off-road thoroughbred? We put three pairs through their paces

CARS that were deadly rivals when they were new will still compete for your affections when they’re considered modern classics. But in addition to all the usual factors such as handling, performance and fuel consumption, which were important issues on brand new models, there are other elements to consider on an older car – such as the vehicle’s reliability record, its ability to resist corrosion, and the back-up of a good owners’ club.

With this in mind, we brought together three pairs of perpetually popular rivals to see how they have fared in the decades since they first went on sale.

If you fancy a fun but practical retro car, then the first MINI and ‘new’ Volkswagen Beetle will never be cheaper than they are now. Both are very different to drive and have their compromises, but interest in both is starting to pick up and values of good-quality examples are rising.

If you drive an SUV or dull family car every day, then a two-seat roadster for the weekends can be a real antidote and remind you why you love driving. The MGF and Mazda MX-5 were the best sellers when they were new and there are still plenty around now, making them both surprisingly affordable. But each can suffer issues that can make your pride and joy test your patience to the extreme.

Finally, the Land Rover Defender flies the flag for British off-roaders, and prices have gone through the roof since the model was discontinued a few years ago. Is it still worth saving up to buy one, or should lovers of classic 4x4s look across the Atlantic for Jeep’s rarer Wrangler?