Future classics: ten affordable used convertible cars set to rise in value

The original Audi TT is already revered as a design classic. Throw in a 3.2-litre V6 engine and you’ve got a sharply-dressed threat to cars twice its original price. 

Convertibles are less sought-after than coupés and DSG-equipped cars are less sought after than manuals, so there’s potential for a bargain investment once the stick-shift coupés are silly money. 

What’s more, they start from less than £4000 on the PistonHeads classifieds. Grab one while you can. 

Read more: Audi TT | Used Car Buying Guide

Alfa Romeo Spider 3.0 V6

The Alfa Romeo Spider has rarity on its side, especially in throaty 3.0-litre V6 guise.

Throw in its divisive, typically unique 1990s design and you’ve got a car that will attract grimaces from the uninformed and, soon, big bucks from enthusiasts. 

Prices start at less than £6000 on the PistonHeads classifieds but are already on the rise.

Read more: Used car buying guide: Alfa Romeo Spider

Jaguar XKR

Ford-era Jaguar may now be overshadowed by the brand's success under Tata ownership, but the 1996-2006 XKR is about to pick up value with the best of them. 

Powered by a supercharged 4.0-litre V8, it’s one of the faster, more grand tourer-like cars on the list, but prices don’t match…

…it’s currently available for as little as £8000 on the PistonHeads classifieds, and there’s no shortage of examples to choose from.

Read more: How to get 500bhp for £15,000 - buying guide

Mk3 Mazda MX-5

Well, we had to mention it, didn't we? The world’s best-selling sports car is an affordable investment, and Cap HPI says the third-generation model is the one to watch.

It could be a slower burn, because there are still numerous examples on the market, but that just means that supply is high and demand well-catered for. Tidier examples are worth the investment so long as they’re kept in good shape. 

£3490 buys you the cheapest on PistonHeads, and there are no less than 132 examples to choose from.

Read more: Used car buying guide: Mk3 Mazda MX-5

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

The term ‘pocket rocket’ just doesn’t seem quite strong enough for the teeny-tiny SLK with a 5.4-litre V8 stuffed under its bonnet. 

Mercedes’ maddest AMG car from the mid-2000s can hit 62mph in less than five seconds and harnesses the power of 355 horses. 

It's certainly one with scarcity keeping values high - just three are available in the PistonHeads classifieds, starting from £15,450. Cap HPI says that cheaper examples can scrape to £9000, though.

Read more: Mercedes-Benz SLK | Used Car Buying Guide

Honda CR-X del Sol VTi

The CR-X de Sol VTi, most sought after with its electric roof, was never a common car. Imports have clouded the market, but UK cars are the most valuable. 

It’s another driver’s Honda, albeit far less powerful than the S2000. 

Good luck finding one, though; while Cap HPI says to budget between £2000 and £8000, there currently aren’t any on PistonHeads. Keep tabs on what’s around for when one does pop up, though.

Read more: Used car buying guide: Honda CR-Z

Toyota MR-2 GT T-Bar

The second-generation MR2 gained something of a following in modifying circles, meaning clean, unaltered versions are hard to find, especially as the car will round off its third decade since launch next year.

The T-Bar is more sought than the standard coupé, but both are becoming a rare sight on UK roads, so the coupé shouldn’t be disregarded. 

£2700 gets you the cheapest clean T-Bar on PistonHeads, but low-mile examples and collectors’ cars can command far more. 

Read more: Toyota MR2 | Used Car Buying Guide

986 Porsche Boxster

Most can’t afford a collectable, investment Porsche, given that most command scary money to begin with. How does £4000 sound, then? Because that’s how little the 986-generation Boxster can be had for, and values are set to rise. 

Well-looked after examples will cost more, of course, so it’s worth sinking a little more into your investment to avoid tears later, but £12,000 will get you as good an example as you’ll ever find. 

£3500 gets the cheapest Boxster on PistonHeads, and there’s no shortage of examples to suit most budgets. Just get one that has been looked after.