Top 10 Retro Cars to Buy Now
Looking for a car that turns heads and brings a smile to your face? From the sporty Toyota MR2 to the iconic Classic Mini, this guide explores the top 10 retro cars you can buy today. Whether you're after timeless style, driving fun, or a slice of nostalgia, these classics have something special to offer.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 24 November 2025 | 10 mins read
Looking for the best retro cars to buy right now? You’re in the right spot! Whether you’ve been around classic cars for years, you’re new to the scene, or you just love that old-school vibe, retro cars pack in plenty of charm, fun and head-turning looks. From legendary Japanese sports cars to cheeky British classics, these picks aren’t just about getting from A to B – they’re about enjoying the ride and making great memories along the way.
In this guide, we’ve pulled together our top 10 retro cars you can actually buy today, with tips on what makes each one special and why they might earn a spot in your driveway. If you want a car that stands out, holds its value and brings a grin to your face every time you drive it, keep reading – you might just find your new favourite. If none of these takes your fancy, take a look at what cars we have for sale on Cazoo from before the millennium – maybe one of those will scratch that retro itch!
1. Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 is sporty and very of its time, which makes it an ideal pick. The first and second-generation cars have pop-up headlights and a T-bar removable roof, which make them effortlessly cool. The third-generation car is a very different beast, with a conventional soft-top roof, but it's also the cheapest to buy on the used market. The core ingredient of all MR2s is that they're mid-engined, which is something you'll only find on hardcore sports and supercars, making them incredibly nimble and fun to drive.
In our opinion, the second-generation 2.0-litre turbocharged GT models from Japan are the best buy, producing 222bhp (or 245bhp on models from 1994 onwards)—those power figures weren't far off other hardcore sports cars of the time from premium brands. This generation also had a surprising amount of storage space in the rear and front boots, making them easier to live with than the first and third-generation cars. If you can't afford a turbo, the naturally aspirated models are still great fun for a much lower price, and they're just as striking to look at.
2. Classic Mini
Who doesn't love a Mini? The classic Mini was produced from 1959 until 2000, and for good reason: it's cute, fun to drive and instantly recognisable by everyone—even if they're not into cars. For that reason, it's quite a fashion statement. They're simple to work on, too, and the community is so active that you're bound to find someone to help you if something does go wrong.
As with any classic, check for rust, because classic Minis tend to dissolve very quickly when exposed to the rain and salty roads!
3. Mazda MX-5
It might be boring to hear constantly, but there are plenty of good reasons the Mazda MX-5 is consistently recommended for retro car buyers. It was designed to be a back-to-basics convertible sports car in the early '90s that paid homage to classic British roadsters—just without the unpredictable reliability.
Nowadays, the Mazda MX-5 has become a classic in itself and has stayed relatively affordable, even if first-generation cars are starting to creep up in price. If you decide to go with the original MX-5, you'll benefit from retro pop-up headlights that give the car a cute, endearing look that will make you fall in love.
Mk2 cars gained fixed headlamps, but underneath, the recipe was largely the same as the original car, and examples are a great deal cheaper on the used market. The Mk3 might be a bit too new to be considered retro (having launched in 2005), but they're very affordable and worth your consideration, too.
4. Nissan 300ZX
While lots of Japanese cars have shot up in value thanks to the popularity of films like The Fast and The Furious, TV shows like Initial D, and games like Gran Turismo, the Nissan 300ZX has largely been overlooked. It never really featured prominently in any of that media, so it slipped under the radar somewhat.
When it first launched, it was a highly advanced car—and therefore complicated to work on. If you're brave and can put away some savings to get necessary bits sorted that might—or likely will—go wrong, then the 300ZX (also known in Japan as the Fairlady Z) is a lot of car for the money. It comes with a 3.0-litre V6 engine with or without twin turbos, and either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual transmission.
This car can also be had with T-tops, meaning you can have the roof off in the summer, although the fixed hard-top version (known as a 'slick top') is more popular with enthusiasts as it makes the whole car feel more rigid and therefore better to drive. It was also sold with either two seats or a slightly longer 2+2 layout—the latter being slightly more practical if you want to transport an extra couple of people in a pinch. It's certainly not a true four-seater though, because your passengers won't thank you for sitting in the cramped rear seats for too long.
5. Volkswagen Corrado
The Volkswagen Corrado is a striking-looking thing that dates back to the early '90s when it seemed like every car manufacturer was in on the sports car market. It was billed as a slightly more upmarket replacement for the discontinued Volkswagen Scirocco (itself a classic), but its hefty price tag meant it was a hard sell at the time. For that reason, it's quite a rare car to see in the wild.
VR6 models are the holy grail of the Corrado lineup, with an intoxicating engine note and the most power of the range, but preceding G60 models got a four-cylinder engine with a supercharger and have a completely different character of their own. If you're just after the retro look and feel of the Corrado, 16v versions with less power can also be had, and cost a lot less.
6. Rover 200 / Rover Coupe
If you're looking for something retro, British and affordable, the Rover 200 could be the car for you. It's the sort of car that will get you plenty of admirers at shows such as Festival of the Unexceptional. The appeal here isn't power or driving prowess, but nostalgia for a time when the British car industry still had a presence.
If you can get a 200 Coupe Rover Tomcat, you'll get a cool removable T-top roof, and there was even a turbocharged version. The Rover 200 is a very cheap way into retro car ownership, and Rovers are becoming few and far between on UK roads, so it will be rare.
7. Ford Fiesta
Yes, the Ford Fiesta has long been a household name, but since the Fiesta's over 46-year run came to an end in 2023, it's been resigned to the history books. Ford is a manufacturer that's close to many people's hearts in the UK because of its long history of family-car nameplates, and the Fiesta was for many the first car they ever owned or learned to drive in.
There were many sporty models over the years, such as the XR2 and Si—those command a hefty price tag now, but the more pedestrian variants are still accessible, even if they are going up in price. This is another car that would shine in a car show like Festival of the Unexceptional, and any pre-2000 Fiesta just oozes nostalgic appeal.
8. Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was produced from the late '70s until 2001 and spanned five generations. While it's not the sportiest of sports cars, it definitely oozes character on modern SUV-filled UK roads thanks to its sleek coupe body shape.
It was always meant as a showcase for Honda's latest technology, and features things like four-wheel steering for better agility and manoeuvrability, and—in the case of the fourth-generation model sold from 1991 to 1996—a very futuristic digital dashboard that was ahead of its time.
Car enthusiasts tend to prefer rear-wheel drive cars for their driving prowess, and for that reason, the front-wheel drive Prelude has yet to balloon in price. It's still a great car to drive and we don't think it should be overlooked, and it shouldn't be too difficult to live with, given Honda's famed reliability. Get in there quick, though, because Honda recently brought back the Prelude name for a new modern coupe in its line-up, which is bound to drive a spike in popularity of the classic version.
9. Ford Puma
Before the name 'Puma' was sacrilegiously given to Ford's small SUV in 2019, it belonged to a sports car produced in the 1990s. It was based on the Fiesta of the time, but was given a sleek and striking coupe body.
It's a car that handles brilliantly and is great fun for the price. You can get a good one for under £4,000 and it's considered a modern classic worth investing in before prices go up.
10. BMW 3 Series
The classic BMW 3 Series E36 (sold from 1990 until 2000) is on the verge of becoming unobtainable as prices have been rising steadily in recent years. While its '80s predecessor (known as the E30) has already left the station in terms of outrageous price tags, the E36 can still be had for a reasonable price, though those can vary massively depending on the model, whether it's manual or automatic, and the condition.
You will have to have your wits about you buying one, because many have succumbed to rust and were driven hard before they became classics. Do your research and bring along an E36 expert, and you've got the potential of owning a great rear-wheel drive sports car with a great retro design that sticks out on modern roads for all the right reasons.
Owning one might cost you, because parts can be expensive and they require a fair amount of upkeep, but if you're prepared for that, values should continue to slowly increase with time.
