Cheap classic cars for less than 7,000 euros

If you have the necessary change, you can invest huge sums in classic cars. In times of low interest rates, sinfully expensive classic Porsche, Ferrari or Maserati models have become lucrative investment objects. Their prices have literally exploded in the past ten years.

For smaller budgets, cheap classic cars are a worthwhile investment. The vast majority of the currently registered 595,000 classic cars are not luxury sports cars. On the contrary: Models such as the Opel Omega or the Mercedes W123 are still suitable as daily drivers today because of their reliability and do not cost a fortune. We present seven classic cars that cost less than 7,000 euros to buy.

Cheap classic cars: The best models

From a legal point of view, any car that is older than 30 years can be a worthwhile classic car. Then, provided it is in good and original (or contemporary modified) condition, it is entitled to an H license plate. However, there is something more to it than just old age. The cult factor is important for value retention: the car should arouse nostalgia in people who grew up with it and represent something special. The Mercedes W123 is the last Mercedes in the classic chrome look, the Omega is the last standard drive Opel, and the BMW E30 is considered by many to be THE classic three-series. In everyday life, on the other hand, problem-free driving characteristics and a good supply of spare parts are what count. These are our top tips:

The Omega was an Opel revolution | Opel Omega (1986 to 1993)

The Omega immediately makes Opel fans nostalgic: It was the last large car of the traditional brand with classic rear-wheel drive. In 1986, the Omega replaces the somewhat old-fashioned record and delights with typical 80s design. The Omega is one of the first production cars to be developed on the computer. This can be seen, among other things, in the excellent aerodynamics. The drag coefficient is only 0.28 cw. This reduces fuel consumption. Nevertheless, the sedan's space is impressive. The absolute load master is the Omega Caravan, one of the largest station wagons on the market at the time.

The technology is also solid, the Omega is considered low-maintenance and easy to use. There are real gems among the engines. Among the four-cylinder engines, the 2.0i OHC is the most popular engine. With 115 hp, it drives quite quickly and is economical at the same time. The in-line six-cylinder engines are a delight. The 3.0i with 177 hp is a CIH cast engine of the old Opel school and extremely durable. The crowning glory is the 3.0i 24V with 204 hp. With it, the Omega Caravan became one of the fastest station wagons at the time (top speed of 230 km/h). Around 500 Omega are available for purchase on mobile.de, the majority cost less than 5,000 euros. What was it called in the Ruhr area in the best times of the brand with the lightning bolt? "Opel driving is like fleeing!" More about the Opel Omega 

The W123 is the most built Mercedes | Mercedes W123 (1975 to 1985)

If you can afford a 200 Mercedes, you made it back then. Yet probably no other Daimler stands for bourgeois values as much as the W123 series, introduced in 1975. With lavish chrome decoration and baroque shapes, the appearance is conservative. In addition, there is a technical reliability, thanks to which many W123s cannot be killed to this day. After the VW Beetle, the mid-range Benz is the most popular classic car in Germany.

However, with almost 2.7 million units, the W123 is also the most built Mercedes in history. This makes the search for a suitable model pleasingly uncomplicated today, even though the last examples rolled off the production line 35 years ago. The range extends from the lame but practically indestructible 200 diesel to the 280 top model with K-Jetronic injection and 185 hp. The limousines are unspectacular but loyal companions. An eye-catcher is the Estate, at the time the first lifestyle station wagon from Mercedes. By the way, the T stands for tourism and transport, not for turbo. Most W123s cost more than 5,000 euros - but up to 7,000 euros are some good, inexpensive classic cars in the price range.

Source: BMW

Six sells: If you like creamy in-line six-cylinder engines and classic BMW shapes, you can hardly avoid the BMW 3 Series E30

Despite its popularity, the prices are (still) surprisingly low even for good 3 Series E30s. Most models are convincing as four-cylinder sedans with low maintenance costs. But six-cylinder models can also still be found for little money. The investment is worth it: The in-line six-cylinder is one of the extinct species – even at BMW. Today, the Munich-based company also builds cars with three-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive. "Not a real BMW," some E30 drivers would say. Around 1,000 BMW E30s are for sale at mobile.de - a large offer. Around 100 cost less than 5,000 euros, and up to 7,000 euros there are also good E30s with interesting engines.

Alfa Romeo 164 convinces with wedge shape | Alfa Romeo 164 (1987 to 1997)

Die-hard Alfisti have to swallow in 1987: At that time, the traditional Alfa Romeo brand switches to contemporary front-wheel drive with its new 164 model. The platform is made common cause with Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and the Saab 9000. Only the body of the 164 is specially designed by Alfa Romeo at Pininfarina. A good decision: Today, the vintage Alfa delights with its chic wedge shape. Only the wheels and steering wheel are actually round on the sedan.

Source: Alfa Romeo

With its robust engines, the Alfa Romeo 164 is reminiscent of the glorious times of the traditional Italian brand

The engines are also a real treat. Even the TwinSpark four-cylinder engines with 150 hp are not quiet pedals, their sound is snotty and cheeky. The massive roar of the Arese V6 engines can even be addictive. The top-of-the-range QV (Quadrifoglio Verde) model was added in 1992: the 24-valve six-cylinder engine produced 232 hp and accelerated the 164 to up to 245 km/h. The Alfa is rare today, but relatively easy to find as a cheap classic car: Less than 40 Alfa 164s are for sale on mobile.de. Around half of them cost less than 5,000 euros.

Why the 924 wasn't a real Porsche for a long time | Porsche 924 (1975 to 1988)

You don't have to be a millionaire to be able to afford a Porsche classic. The cheapest classic car entry into the world of Zuffenhausen sports cars is called the 924. In 1976, the sports car was launched on the market and was often used as a second car in garages in better residential areas. Supposedly, women in particular like the two-door coupé.

Source: Porsche

The Porsche 924 is often underestimated with its relatively unknown but fine transaxle design

For some Porsche purists, however, the 924 is "not a real Porsche" because the car has a front engine, which also comes from VW. Only the 924 S, which was produced from 1986 onwards, received a genuine Porsche engine from the 944. What unites both models is the transaxle design. Thanks to the front engine and the gearbox installed in front of the rear axle, the weight distribution is very harmonious. The car lies on the road like the proverbial board. So the 924 gives you a real sports car feeling – and at a Volkswagen price. However, you have to look for something: Around 200 Porsche 924s are for sale on mobile.de, only a tenth is below the 5,000 euro mark. At 7,000 euros, it will be interesting in any case.

Citroën CX sparks political debate | Citroën CX (1974 to 1991)

If you like it extravagant, you should take a look at the Citroën CX. The Frenchman is more of a sculpture than just an automobile. The strange shape of the CX introduced in 1974 certainly makes sense. This is what the drag coefficient is called in French, and the Citroën trumped at the time with sensationally good aerodynamics. After the oil crisis, thriftiness is at the top of the engineers' agenda. That's why Citroën is leaving it with four-cylinder engines for the CX, although many customers are calling for a six-cylinder for the upscale sedan.

The four-cylinder engines actually offer enough power. The highlight was the 25 GTi Turbo with 168 hp in 1984. Suddenly, the CX reached a top speed of 222 km/h, triggering a political debate in France about the benefits of so much engine power. Nevertheless, the Turbo remains in the program. A delight on all models is the legendary hydro-pneumatic suspension, which turns the CX into an elegant asphalt sedan. And because hydro-pneumatics work purely mechanically, they can even be repaired relatively easily in the event of a defect. The Citroën CX has already seen its great loss of value: prices are rising. But there are still cheap ones. Almost 20 such vehicles can currently be found in the advertisements on mobile.de.

The Scirocco will be the first VW sports car | VW Scirocco (1974 to 1992)

With the speedy Scirocco, Volkswagen broke completely new ground in the mid-seventies. Suddenly, the rather conservative brand has a genuine sports car in its range, at least visually. The sleek sheet metal dress was designed by designer Giorgio Giugiaro. The Scirocco becomes a real eye-catcher. Here you can find detailed information about VW Scirocco and Corrado

Source: Volkswagen

Golf in sports dress: With a Scirocco you used to be the coolest in the parking lot in front of the disco

Under the body, VW's large-scale production technology works solidly, but not very spectacularly. Technically, the Scirocco is based on the Golf I. With the 1.1-liter engine and 50 hp, not much happens when you press the accelerator pedal. But even 85 hp on the 1.6 make the Scirocco, which weighs only 800 kilos, light-footed. In 1976, the GTI came with 110 hp and a top speed of 185 km/h. The most common today is the Scirocco II, built from 1981 onwards. Its body is softer, the interior modernized. In addition, the rust protection of the II-er is much better. If you find a 16V, you can even look forward to 139 hp. For a Golf in disguise, that was a lot of power 35 years ago. Around 140 classic Scirocco are for sale on mobile.de. For more than a third of them, the asking price is less than 5,000 euros, and there are already good Turbo models for 7,000 euros. So this classic car can still be found quite cheaply.