Classics on trend

by Sebastian Reinhardt//

A new year has begun and you may be feeling like me and already catching yourself thinking about the warm days and rides to enjoy the weather.

If you don't already have the right car in your garage, we would like to show you a few classics in this section with which you can enjoy the warm season.

In this case, classic does not refer exclusively to vintage cars, but also to youngtimers and upcoming classics, at least from our point of view. Since the topic of value development is an additional incentive for many to buy a classic car, we take the opportunity to show you cars that also create an additional incentive through this point.

Please remember that a car should first and foremost be fun. We buy these dream cars for various reasons. Most of the time, however, it is to enjoy life, even if only for the brief moments of driving. Anyone speculating purely on an investment can also be successful, but you should always be aware that this is not something that happens overnight. We always look at the performance and a realistic return over a longer period of time. After all, even if this is perhaps the main reason why you buy your classic, it still needs to be looked after and maintained even when it is not moving.

But let's not get bogged down in that, let's take a look at the cars that can give you and us a lot of fun in the coming year.

In order to have something for everyone, the vehicles are listed in different price categories and are also suitable for different purposes.

Nowadays, it is not only sports cars and convertibles that are winning the classic car race and the passion for them; touring saloons and estate cars are also becoming increasingly popular.

Mercedes-Benz SL R129

The fourth generation of the all-time bestseller from the brand with the three-pointed star kicks things off.

The SL model series is a guarantee for pleasant travel and pure convertible enjoyment. The first two generations have long been heroes of the classic car scene and fetch corresponding prices. The first, more modern generation R107 also has a huge fan base and is rising enormously in price. In 2022, the R107 series accounted for more than 50% of new German "H registrations". As you can see, this is a strong trend. 

For a few years now, however, interest in the hero of the late 80s and 90s has also been on the rise. Gone are the days of the supposed dentist's showpiece Mercedes with which one has no associations. The SL R129 has its fan base and is also becoming increasingly popular with newcomers to this segment. Last year, many of its kind were to be found at auctions and the relevant classic car fairs. The prices for good models have a clear upward trend. 

There is a lot to know and a lot to consider with this model in particular. The car was built for a long time, it was available until the early 2000s and in a total of three body styles. Called MOPF (model update) at Mercedes.

The greatest enthusiasm is currently focused on the second series models (MOPF 1). Here, weak points have been optimized, the design slightly adapted and more modern engines have been introduced. 

If you want to call a good and well-maintained example with reasonable mileage your own, you still have to struggle through the agony of choosing an engine. In general, the SL500 is the most popular and also the most expensive. However, it should be noted that most of these models were not sold in our latitudes but in the USA. The price difference between a German and a US model is therefore considerable, but a significant one, especially in terms of value retention.

Our recommendation, the SL320. Maintenance costs, fuel consumption and driving pleasure are in perfect harmony with this variant, which impresses with its superior handling and very stable technology. 

The sturdy hardtop was still standard back then. Special models even came with a glass roof, which are highly sought-after items today. 

The topic of special models for the fourth generation would be enough for one article, perhaps we will return to this topic in more detail when the time comes. The prices for the R129 are also very mixed and for many people probably confusing at first. With a price range from €6,000 to €60,000, everything is represented on the market. There are few upper limits here either, but we are talking about very select collector's items with a rarity factor.

A good SL with a six-cylinder engine and a mileage of less than 150,000 km costs from €15,000 as a German car, while prices for a German SL500 with a V8 start at around €23,000.

If you would like specific purchasing advice for the R129 series, please give us your feedback. We will then be happy to provide you with the relevant information.

Saab 9-5 Aero

Unfortunately, the days of the Swedish car manufacturer are long gone, but not the fan community of these cars and just as little the cars themselves. Formerly often the car for alternative, teachers or intellectuals, the Saab as such has now become a cult object. The early models in particular are highly sought-after and fetch good prices, but are usually very hard to find.

Doch auch in den moderneren Zeiten  finden sich ausgesprochene Underdogs der „Phönix- Marke“. Unscheinbar für manche, gekonntes Understatement für viele und in manchen Fällen auch ein wirklicher Underdog, gerne auch Sleeper genannt. Wagen mit einem völlig unscheinbaren Auftreten, der Fahr- und Leistungsdaten, der aber so manchem Sportwagen das fürchten lehren.

In the case of the models from Trollhätten, these were precisely the models with the lettering "Aero". Driving safety, a special exterior, high build quality and, even back then, an incredibly important aspect for the Swedes, passenger protection - all this coupled with performance, which at the time was mostly reserved for sports cars - made these cars the ideal all-rounders.

Aero models are not easy to find these days. It is even more difficult if you are looking for a model with a mileage of less than 100,000 km. Realistically, it is already difficult to find models with less than 300,000 km on the clock. Another indication of the longevity of these cars. Only a few brands manage to achieve such high mileages in good condition and still not end up in the "only suitable for export" category on the used car market. Another issue from this area would be the Alpine company with its specially refined BMW models, which incidentally overlap to a large extent with the concept of the Saab Aero models, which have been reworked by the Hirsch company.

A good Saab 9-5 (model designation YS3E) Aero with the popular 2.3 Turbo engine today costs well under € 10,000 in acceptable condition, but with special models or even a Troll R we are already at prices above € 20,000. But it doesn't always have to be the most top-class to have fun. 

In the first 9-5 series and with regard to the clearly recommended sports estate, there was also only one series, but three different variants and two model updates. Our main focus is clearly on the original series and the first model update. The Aero models from these two eras have between 230 and 250 hp. Enough to amaze some people with this "old" station wagon. If it is a model from refiner Hirsch, around 290 hp can be found under the hood and ensure adequate forward motion. 

Do you want to drive safely and stylishly with your family or dog? Then take a closer look at this car. We think time has done it good and its design is still timeless and flattering today.

 Audi TT 8N

Die erste Generation des Audi TT (8N) war für den Ingolstädter Automobilbauer ein Meilenstein. Radikal. Neu. Jung. Sexy. Erinnern Sie sich noch an die Werbung? – „Motorradfahren auf vier Rädern“

With the handling of the small 2-seater - yes, theoretically there are 4 seats, but who would ever have taken a seat in the back - Audi has definitely let a small sports car off the leash that really has what it takes to be a cornering predator, especially in relation to modern cars. Initially still completely rounded at the front and rear, it soon became clear that the excessively rounded rear end was not particularly stable in bends due to the lack of downforce. As a result, the very first TTs that had already been delivered were recalled to Audi without the rear spoiler in order to have it fitted free of charge. Only very few still have an original one; these are already worth their weight in gold today and are to be observed in the future, in the best case to be kept.

The compact sports car on the Golf 4 platform also benefited from the famous 1.8 turbo engine, which gave the small and light Audi a really fast driving experience. It was available in several versions, from 150 and 180 to 225 hp. The 180 hp version was available with Lui's famous Quattro all-wheel drive, the 225 hp version exclusively with this. The class leader, the 3.2 VR6 engine, known from the Golf 4 R32, migrated to the TT, also only with Quattro drive, but with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. 

In terms of performance, with 250PS it is at the top of the list of TTs built, at least on paper. However, the special model built between 2005 and 2006, the TT Quattro Sport, 1.8T with 240PS, Quattro drive and manual gearbox, should also be noted. For this model, the gentlemen in Ingolstadt subjected the TT to a slimming treatment, so that in the end it was 75 kg lighter than its counterparts. For better weight distribution, the body of the VR6 TT was generally used, which meant that the heavy battery automatically moved into the trunk. In addition, the rear seat bench was removed and replaced by a beautifully designed shelf and a partition net to the trunk. The sporty TT came with Recaro full bucket seats as standard, the standard seats could be purchased at no extra cost if you felt the strong urge for heated seats. Automatic air conditioning could also be added at no extra cost. In addition, the interior was upgraded with Alcantara to emphasize the sporty appearance.

All QS were offered in a two-tone paint finish, with the roof including pillars and exterior mirrors in Phantom Black Metallic, which created a wonderful contrast with the sportier colors such as Misano Red. The Quattro Sport is still on the market today in small numbers, partly due to the limited production run of 1,168 units and partly due to the fact that the right-hand drive market in particular adored this model, with around 800 right-hand drive versions and only around 368 left-hand drive versions being produced. Anyone wanting one in a special color such as papaya will have to be patient and expect a larger investment.

Good first-generation Audi TTs are available from around €5,000, but if you want a little more power and a reasonable mileage, you should be prepared to pay between €10,000 and €15,000. The 3.2 models are already more expensive and even rarer as a manual transmission. You can find a good QS from around €25,000.

A broad price spectrum. But with a little patience, good specimens with a traceable history and maintenance can still be obtained for a good price from time to time.

Jaguar XJ8 

The first V8 generation of the British luxury sedan began in 1998 with the X308 series, which was visually a little more rounded in individual stylistic elements than its predecessor with a six-cylinder in-line engine (X300), but basically still quite identical in construction. In fact, both models are based on the first new "modern" XJ, the XJ40. Another car that definitely has its charm, but similar to the 996 at Porsche, it took and still takes some time to find its way into the hearts of the great Jaguar enthusiasts. 

The X308 series was built until 2003 before being replaced by the X350, for many the last Jaguar in classic form. However, we are devoting ourselves to the first V8 series. Its presence has definitely increased in recent years and it is becoming more and more of a classic. A large saloon for touring, offering every conceivable luxury you could have back then. Still truly outstanding today. 

Three different engines were offered, starting with the 3.2 liter V8. A pleasant touring cruiser, but one that struggles somewhat with the weight of the XJ. The bigger brother with a displacement of 4.0 liters is the more adequate solution and an all-round carefree package in terms of performance, usability, consumption and driving characteristics. The top of this series was also a 4.0 liter V8, but this time with the help of a supercharger. 363 hp was already a clear statement back then and still is today.

Today we are looking at the middle child, i.e. the 4.0, which is the best choice for this car to fully exploit its characteristics. With its 284 hp, it can glide along smoothly and, when the need arises, it can effortlessly drive forward. A chassis that meets the highest demands then and now, an automatic that really convinces. A customer said to me not so long ago "And I thought my Mercedes shifted superbly... not even as good as this Jaguar here". A statement that can be heard.

The XJ is also available in a wide range of variants and prices. The equipment ranges from Executive, Sovereign, Vanden Plas to Daimler, V8, XJR and Super V8. The choice is not infinite, but sooner or later everyone will find what they are looking for. For a reasonable Sovereign 4.0 in an attractive metallic color, beautiful leather interior and in good condition, I recommend looking from €10,000.

There are always temptingly cheap offers, but at the end of the day it is still a luxury car that people like to look after. Unfortunately, after years in the valley of tears, this does not apply to all cars on offer. You may be lucky and find a good first-hand car for a reasonable price. But of course the first owners in particular know about their treasures.

Good XJ8s with attractive equipment often cost upwards of DM 140,000 back then. Back then a sign of wealth and taste, today a sign of appreciation and excellent taste.

If you have already got the urge to drive your personal classic or vintage car while reading this and are still reading these lines, I recommend that you simply take a look around. Perhaps your time out in an automobile is just around the corner.

If you have any questions or suggestions on individual topics or cars, I am always happy to hear from you.