10 used cars that can be a good investment

It's not easy to make money in the used car market. In fact, you have to be an expert to choose the right purchase for a specific model, year, and engine that won't cause you any headaches in terms of reliability, and even then, these used vehicles have a high margin of uncertainty and error that we should never underestimate. However, in every car's price lifecycle, there are certain peaks that we could call valleys, which correspond to the lowest point in a model's price, right at the junction between what we consider and what we commonly call old car and what we already consider a classic or historic car that increases its market value.

Below, we propose ten of these models that are poised to become future classics. These models are currently trading at rock-bottom prices, which we can consider "valley" prices, and which, logically, should increase in value in the not-too-distant future. Many of these vehicles were underappreciated and undervalued at the time, and few units were sold. This reality is precisely an added value for these cars, since the fact that they are original and rare models will increase their value over the coming years. Along with each model, there is also a guideline price indicating its approximate current value, but it's worth remembering that this price may fluctuate depending on the vehicle's actual condition, mileage, and the existence of a duly stamped maintenance booklet accompanied by invoices for the necessary repairs or spare parts.

Audi A2 (2,000 euros)

In 1999, Audi surprised the world with the introduction of the A2, an aspirational utility vehicle that was a departure from the Audi A3 and A4 that the Ingolstadt brand was selling at the time. The Audi A2 was a sales failure, and in 2005 it disappeared from the brand's commercial range. Curiously, the A2 is one of those cars that has aged well (or very well), and a quarter of a century later still maintains a current and modern image. In fact, it was an innovative car that used many aluminum elements, such as the chassis and body, which reduced overall weight and benefited from moderate fuel consumption. It was also the first model in the German brand's history to use three-cylinder diesel engines.

It's currently possible to find A2s in the 2,000 to 4,000 euro price range, although it will be difficult to find one with low mileage. Overall, this is a reliable vehicle, but if you find one with the 1.6 FSI naturally aspirated gasoline engine, you can rest assured that this configuration will never let you down and will prove to be a good investment.

Lancia Thesis (3,000 euros)

The Lancia Thesis was Italy's big bid to compete in the luxury or large sedan segment, in the so-called E segment, where it had to compete with the best of the German manufacturers. Manufactured between 2001 and 2009, the Thesis never managed to gain a foothold in the European market., and Lancia only produced around 20,000 units. Available with four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines, and a five-cylinder diesel (the best-selling engine at the time), the Thesis stood out for its exceptional equipment, very high perceived quality, and remarkable comfort.

Its aesthetics (some claim this is an ugly car, although this is a personal assessment that cannot be objectively assessed) have led to this car currently being valued at historic lows, with prices around €3,000 or €4,000. As for the mechanics, you shouldn't worry too much, as the 2.4 JTD diesel engine and the 3.2 V6 gasoline engine are true gems, reliable, and bound to appreciate significantly over the years. The Thesis is, therefore, a more than safe bet for investing in a future classic and possibly one of the most profitable in the not-too-distant future.

Renault Vel Satis (3,500 euros)

Another rare or unusual car, both for its aesthetics and for the volume of units manufactured, is the Renault Vel Satis. Vel Satis was an aspirational sedan with a raised body (what we would call today crossover) that Renault produced between 2001 and 2009, using the Laguna platform and structural elements of the Espace. The Vel Satis used the aesthetic language pioneered by the Avantime (a true unicorn that will appreciate even more than the Vel Satis and is currently trading at a premium) and used four- and six-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines.

We can find well-preserved Vel Satis models in the 2,000 to 5,000 euro range. This is a reliable and durable vehicle, and many spare parts will be available in the future thanks to the mechanical, technological, and modular components shared with the Mégane, Laguna, and Espace models of its time.

Mini Cooper S R50/53 (6,500 euros)

The Mini is always a safe bet, thanks to everything surrounding the legendary English city car. The Cooper S model was the most powerful variant of the modern, first-generation Mini, internally called the R50/R53. This is a model with reliable and proven mechanics, which, if accompanied by a good service and maintenance history, shouldn't pose any mechanical risks.

Currently, units can be found at prices between 5,000 and 8,000 euros, and the fact that it's the most powerful version of the contemporary Mini and the availability of sufficient spare parts seem to be sufficient arguments for its future revaluation.

Land Rover Discovery Series I (7,000 euros)

The Land Rover Discovery is a symbol of 1990s off-road vehicles, a vehicle sold between 1989 and 1998 and becoming one of the benchmarks in the segment. It was available in gasoline and diesel engines, but the possibly most interesting version was the one with a Rover-sourced V8 engine, a configuration difficult to find on the second-hand market since most first-generation Discovery sales were powered by the 2.5 TDI diesel engine. It's worth focusing on the models manufactured from 1994 onwards, when the Discovery received mechanical and technological improvements to compensate for some of its youthful flaws and reliability issues.

The first-generation Land Rover Discovery has yet to suffer the same craze as other models, and it's possible to find units (with high mileage, of course) in the range of €7,000 to €12,000. It's worth noting that most of these units come from rural areas, where they have served as work tools, and although these models are durable, they may not have been preserved with the utmost care. If you find a well-preserved unit with gasoline engines, don't hesitate: you've found the Holy Grail of off-road vehicles.

Mazda RX-8 (8,000 euros)

Between 2002 and 2012, Mazda produced a sports coupe with a 1.3-liter rotary engine delivering either 192 or 231 hp and a fanciful body that gave it a spectacular aesthetic. That RX-8 became a symbol for the most passionate drivers of the early 20th century, and time has gradually relegated it to obscurity, turning it into a model unfairly undervalued in the market.

It's possible to buy a Mazda RX-8 for just over €6,000 or €7,000, although this vehicle is known for its reliability issues, and it's hard to find well-preserved models that haven't been subjected to racing use on racetracks or mountain roads. In this case, a thorough inspection accompanied by a properly stamped maintenance booklet would be essential to ensure the model has been properly cared for and maintained.

Volkswagen Phaeton (11,000 euros)

At the beginning of the 21st century, Volkswagen decided to produce a luxury or executive sedan capable of competing with the Mercedes S-Class or the BMW 7 Series. The result was the Phaeton, a fantastic sedan manufactured between 2002 and 2016 that shared its platform and engines with the (pay attention!) Bentley Continental. It was available with V-six diesel and gasoline engines, and eight- and twelve-cylinder gasoline engines, with a power range of 241 to 450 hp, always paired with a 4Drive all-wheel drive system.

It's truly surprising to see how this luxury model, which sold few units, can currently be purchased for a price range between €7,000 and €10,000, a ridiculous price considering that at its peak it cost between €66,000 and €136,000. Most vehicles on sale are diesel, and the 3.2 TDI six-cylinder engine is a robust engine that shouldn't cause any problems. The Phaeton was a tough car built to last, but it's worth keeping in mind that in the event of a breakdown, spare parts for this car are few and expensive.

Toyota MR2 W30 (13,000 euros)

Although the Toyota MR2 had been sold in Japan for many years, it wasn't until the third generation that this two-seater sports car began to be sold in Europe. Between 1999 and 2007, Toyota only sold around 25,000 units of this model in Europe, and in our country it was always a true unicorn, a rare elderly Hard to spot, it has become a prized collector's item. The 140 hp of its 1.8-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine guaranteed a certain agility and enjoyment to a vehicle that was different, unique, and, surprisingly, still underappreciated today.

Units in good condition can be found in a price range between 9,000 and 15,000 euros. Although this is an absolutely reliable model, we must consider that in the future it will become difficult to find some spare parts, so it is essential to try to ensure its good condition as much as possible.

Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 (20,000 euros)

In 2011, Subaru and Toyota surprised us with the launch of a sports car with a coupe body, a 200 hp four-cylinder boxer engine, and rear-wheel drive. This first-generation sports car was manufactured until 2020 at the Subaru plant in Gunma, Japan, and combined the best of both brands: Subaru's signature boxer engines and Toyota's suspension tuning and steering feel. The resulting vehicle, popularly called Toyobaru, was sold as the GT86 by Toyota and as the BRZ by Subaru, despite being exactly the same car.

It's possible to find some of the few Subaru BRZs priced around €25,000 or €30,000, while the Toyota GT86 can be found in a slightly lower price range, between €18,000 and €23,300. This price difference is due to the fact that the model with the Subaru logo sold less and is therefore somewhat more exclusive than the car with the Toyota logo. Given the choice, a Subaru BRZ in good condition and maintenance would be an optimal investment, as this model is less common and its value has already begun to rise and will continue to do so.

BMW M3 E92 (45,000 euros)

The BMW 3 Series is always a safe bet in the automotive world, although the fifth-generation model, released in 2005 and known by the internal code E90, wasn't exactly a highly regarded model by experts, especially the diesel versions, which were considered unreliable due to turbo problems. In 2007, BMW developed the high-performance M3, known by the code E92, which turned out to be the last M3 with a V8 engine, or, if you preferred, a V8 engine, delivering a fabulous 420 hp. The BMW M3 came in three-door coupe, sedan, and five-door sedan versions, and a convertible or cabriolet version that, due to its rarity (the roofless version was manufactured in significantly fewer units than the three- and five-door versions), would become the most sought-after variant in the future.

A BMW M3 is never a cheap car, neither in terms of purchase price nor maintenance. Currently, E92 M3s on the market range in price from €35,000 to €55,000, and this will continue to rise in the coming years, especially for convertible or cabriolet versions. Beyond the purchase price, it's worth checking its condition and history, as units with more daily use will always be more desirable than those that have been subjected to intensive track use.