Future Classic Cars to Buy in the UK
These are some of the used cars quietly turning into future classics – from the Honda S2000 to the Alfa Romeo Giulia – and how to spot one before prices climb.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 15 September 2026 | 9 mins read
Trying to spot a future classic car can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. But don’t worry, we’ve done the digging for you. We’ve looked through some amazing cars to pick out a few stars in the making that we think have got what it takes.
When you're looking for future classic cars to buy now, there are a few things to keep in mind. We're on the lookout for models that might not have been superstars when they first launched but are now starting to get the attention they deserve. Having a limited production run always helps, as rarity often boosts demand. While there's no secret recipe, the cars we've picked out here should see their popularity grow as time goes on.
We've built this list by looking at used values across Cazoo's own listings, keeping tabs on manufacturer production numbers, and checking long-term reliability, rather than just going on gut feeling.
The Best Potential Future Classic Cars
So, if you’re hoping to find one of the best cars to invest in, take a look at this list of potential big-hitters.
- BMW Z4 (2009-2017)
- Honda S2000 (1999-2009)
- Mazda RX-8 (2003-2010)
- Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ (2012-2021)
- Honda e (2020-2024)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia (2016-present)
- Citroen Ami (2020-present)
- Jaguar F-Type (2013-present)
- Ford Fiesta ST (2013-2017)
- Range Rover Evoque Convertible (2016-2019)
1. BMW Z4 (2009-2017)
The BMW Z4 carried on a long tradition of sporty soft-tops for the brand. While the curvy first-gen car is an icon, we're actually shining a light on the often-overlooked second-generation model. Built between 2009 and 2017, it may not have had the same eye-catching looks as the original, but it offered a brilliant driving experience that focused more on comfort and refinement than pure sportiness.
It also comes with a great selection of engines, from a starter 2.0-litre unit all the way up to a punchy 3.0-litre straight-six. Plus, the folding metal roof makes the Z4 quieter and comfier than a traditional soft-top when the British weather does its thing. A well-looked-after Z4 should run for years to come.
- Best bits: Refined to drive, plenty of engine choices, and a folding hard-top for extra comfort.
- Heads up: Running costs can be higher, it’s not quite as sharp as a Porsche Boxster of the same era, and the boot is tiny when the roof is down.
2. Honda S2000 (1999-2009)
The Honda S2000 is a bit of a legend in motoring circles. It’s a performance-focused convertible known for its reliability and exciting drive, with a high-revving engine that’s central to its charm. It’s the kind of car that just begs you to take the scenic route.
Like most Hondas, a well-serviced S2000 should run forever. It did get a bit of a reputation for being tricky to handle in the wet, but on a sunny day, it’s a joy. Prices for the S2000 are already on the rise, so this is definitely one to watch.
- Best bits: An engine with loads of character, rock-solid reliability, and fantastic handling.
- Heads up: Needs regular maintenance to stay at its best, can be a handful in slippery conditions, and it does like its oil.
3. Mazda RX-8 (2003-2010)
Next up on our list of future classics is another Japanese icon: the Mazda RX-8. This sports car, famous for its rotary engine, set a new tone for Mazda and served as a flagship for the brand.
The rotary engine continued a long line of Mazda models with the same unique powertrain. You’ll even find nods to it in the styling – the headrests are designed to look like the engine’s rotor. The RX-8 is known for using a lot of oil, so it needs consistent servicing to keep it running sweetly.
- Best bits: Its innovative design still looks fresh, it’s great fun to drive, and surprisingly practical thanks to its ‘hidden’ rear doors.
- Heads up: It’s thirsty for oil, the engine needs to be worked hard, and it often requires a specialist garage for maintenance.
4. Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ (2012-2021)
These two are effectively the same car wearing different badges. Toyota and Subaru co-developed a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe built around a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat-four ‘boxer’ engine producing around 197bhp, and built the pair together on the same line at Subaru's Gunma plant in Japan. Toyota called its version the GT86, Subaru's is the BRZ, and either one gets you the same honest, old-school driving experience: it's not about outright pace (0-62mph takes a leisurely 7.6 seconds or so), but about a chassis that rewards smooth, well-judged inputs more than almost anything else on sale at the time.
What makes both genuinely rare future classics, rather than just ageing sports cars, is what happened next. Toyota eventually replaced the GT86 with the GR86, and Subaru brought out a second-generation BRZ, but neither successor ever sold in big numbers in the UK or the rest of Europe, largely down to tightening emissions and cybersecurity regulations. That makes this first-generation pair the only Toyota/Subaru boxer-engined coupe most UK buyers will ever get the chance to own, and it shows in how few come up for sale: at the time of writing, Cazoo has only a handful of each in stock across the whole country.
Best bits: A brilliantly balanced, rear-wheel-drive chassis, a naturally aspirated engine that loves to rev, and an honest, analogue driving experience that's increasingly hard to find new.
Heads up: It's not quick by modern hot hatch standards, low-down torque is lacking, and a full service history is essential given how many have seen track use.
5. Honda e (2020-2024)
Honda’s tiny e is one of the most recognisable electric cars of recent times. It blended futuristic in-car tech with a cool retro design that really captured people's imaginations. Although its range is a bit limited, the e’s character is what sells it – and it’s what we think will make it a future classic. Honda pulled the plug on the e in early 2024, ending UK and European sales for good, so what’s already on the road is all there’ll ever be.
It's a fantastic car for city driving, and it’s easy to imagine the little e being a star at future car shows. Inside, there's an amazing full-width screen that can even display a digital aquarium. How cool is that?
If you fancy comparing it against its modern rivals, our guide to the best small electric cars rounds up how it stacks up today.
- Best bits: The head-turning design, nippy handling for the city, and a well-packaged interior.
- Heads up: A range of around 137 miles means it’s not great for long trips, and the interior is quite small.
6. Alfa Romeo Giulia (2015-present)
Alfa Romeo has produced some all-time classics, and many of them command high prices today. The Giulia was actually expected to bow out of production around 2025, which is partly why it made our future classic list in the first place – but Alfa Romeo has since confirmed it's extending the run, with the flagship Quadrifoglio version now pencilled in to keep being built until 2027 while its electric successor is delayed. While the modern Giulia is a fairly common sight right now, we predict that its current good value in the used market could lead to big increases down the line.
No matter which model you choose, you’re in for a treat. All versions of the Giulia offer a fantastic driving experience, and the top-spec Quadrifoglio model remains one of our all-time favourite performance saloons. That reprieve doesn’t kill the future classic case, it just delays it: the Quadrifoglio’s twin-turbo, Ferrari-derived V6 is an increasingly rare thing in a market that’s rapidly going electric and turbo-four, and once Alfa does finally retire it, we think it’ll be remembered as one of the last great characterful performance saloons. It’s that QV version we can see becoming a true great.
- Best bits: Superb to drive, all the classic Alfa styling you’d want, and a practical interior.
- Heads up: Some reliability issues have been reported, some interior materials feel a bit cheap, and rear seat space is tight for taller people.
7. Citroen Ami (2020-present)
The Citroen Ami was never really meant for the UK. It was originally a France-only model, but demand for the tiny electric quadricycle was so huge that Citroen decided to bring it over here.
With a range of just 46 miles and a top speed of 28mph, the Ami is strictly for town use. But its lovable design and no-nonsense build give it a character much bigger than its tiny size. It's a rare sight in the UK, and we can see it becoming a very quirky future classic. It’s still in production and on sale in the UK today, priced from around £7,500 new, so for now it’s as much an everyday runaround as it is a future classic – which is arguably part of the appeal.
- Best bits: It’s tiny so you can park it anywhere, it’s great fun to drive, and it has loads of personality.
- Heads up: The tiny range is very restrictive, and the ride is quite shaky over rough ground.
8. Jaguar F-Type (2013-2024)
The Jaguar F-Type will no doubt go down as one of the brand's most successful performance cars. The convertible arrived first in 2013, with the coupe following a year later, and it marked a fresh start for Jaguar, with styling that drew inspiration from the past while feeling thoroughly modern. Available as both a coupe and a convertible, the F-Type is a brilliant performance car you can use every day.
Classic Jaguar models are always in demand, and we expect the same for the F-Type as it gets older. The V6 model will be sought-after, but we think the full-fat V8 version will be the one drawing crowds at future classic car shows. Production finally ended in June 2024 with a 75th-anniversary special edition, so there’s now a hard limit on supply. If performance bargains like this are your thing, our guide to affordable second-hand supercars has more in the same spirit.
- Best bits: Classic-inspired styling, proper cross-continent performance, and a luxurious cabin.
- Heads up: Running costs will be high, especially on V8 models, and the infotainment system felt a bit dated even when new.
9. Ford Fiesta ST (2013-2017)
The Ford Fiesta ST continued a long line of fantastic Ford hot hatches when it burst onto the scene in 2013. We'd had Fiesta STs before, but none came close to the sheer brilliance of this generation.
It's a blast to drive, and the 1.5-litre engine is full of character. Its compact size makes it ideal for daily use, and with a decent boot, it’s even pretty practical. This could be a future classic you can enjoy every day. It’s also worth remembering that Ford stopped building Fiestas of any kind in July 2023, ending a 47-year, 20-million-plus-selling nameplate outright – so unless Ford brings back the Fiesta, there’ll never be another ST to replace this one.
- Best bits: A sublime chassis makes it brilliant fun, it’s still usable as a daily driver, and running costs are reasonable.
- Heads up: Used models may have been driven hard, so check for a full service history. The ride is very firm at low speeds.
10. Range Rover Evoque Convertible (2016-2019)
Okay, bear with us on this one. It's definitely quirky, but the Range Rover Evoque Convertible has all the makings of a future classic. It got people talking when it went on sale and, due to limited demand, it was only available for a couple of years. As a result, there aren't many around, which can often lead to prices soaring later on.
Sure, it might have been a bit of a flop at the time, but it’s a very interesting car. It even keeps all of Land Rover's clever off-road tech, so you can go off the beaten track with the roof down.
- Best bits: A genuinely quirky and unique choice, decent to drive, and a clever, easy-to-use roof mechanism.
- Heads up: Evoque reliability has been known to be patchy, and the roof mechanism will need servicing over the years.
Classic Car Buying Tips
Finding your perfect future classic is exciting, but there are a few things to look out for. Here are our top classic car buying tips:
- Check the history: We’d always recommend looking for a car with a sparkling service and maintenance history, with plenty of receipts for any work done. Our full guide on how to buy a used car walks through exactly what to check before you hand over any money.
- Ask questions: Don't be shy! Asking lots of questions can give you a better idea of how a car has been looked after.
- Look for rust: Even on newer models, keep an eye out for rust, especially around the wheel arches.
- Test everything: On cars with more features, like heated seats or infotainment systems, make sure you give everything a good test to ensure it’s working as it should be.
- Budget for the right cover: Future classics with a bit of performance, like the Jaguar F-Type or Alfa Romeo Giulia, can sit in higher insurance groups, and a specialist classic or agreed-value policy is often worth exploring once a car starts appreciating. Our guide to cutting the cost of your car insurance has practical ways to keep that bill down.
What makes a car a ‘future classic’?
Spotting a future classic isn't an exact science, but there are clues. Uniqueness helps. Cars that perhaps didn’t quite hit the mark when new might get a second wind decades later. Models that drew a lot of attention from the start could also go on to be classics.
Ultimately, you’ll be hoping for your future classic to increase in value. While we can’t predict the future, many of the cars on this list are at prices that don't look like they can go much lower. That means they might only have one way to go: up.
None of this is guaranteed, of course – plenty of cars tipped as future classics never quite make it, and the ones that do can take a decade or more to show it. But if you’d rather buy something with genuine future classic potential than watch one from the sidelines, Cazoo’s used car search is a good place to start browsing the cars on this list today.