5 Best Classic Cars

Our 5 Top Classic Cars To Buy In Japan

So this is not what you think. We decided upon starting this article that we needed to concentrate on a few specific points when it comes to the best classic cars to buy from Japan We are not providing reviews here. What we are providing is our opinion on what we see as the best classic cars to buy in Japan currently based on these points. Read on to see our pics for the 5 best classic cars.

The car does not need to be 70 years old to be knocking on the classic car door in our opinion. As long as it proves to be desirable by early classic car collectors we are there. In Europe, they call them Youngtimers. 

Our key points on the overall 5 best classic cars.

1. Value. The classic car in question must be of affordable value to the everyday Joe. If it’s outrageously expensive the car will not make the cut. Our reason for this key point is quite simple. We want everyone to enjoy classic cars and not just the wealthy.
2. Volume. We are excited if there is a decent volume of these classic cars available. Yes everyone wants a Lancia Delta Evo etc but they didn’t make that many in reality and the price is quite out of the ballpark these days. Volume is vital to entering our list.
3. Sexy. Yes, they must be sexy. Any of these classic cars we believe are sexy and this is one of the key reasons they are here. Sexy rules. These cars need to be in your garage as they deserve to be there next to your everyday car.
4. Reliability. Reliability is not part of the fun when owning a classic car so we don’t give a hoot about how reliable the car is. If you want reliable go and buy a Toyota Prius or something as you will never see one of those become a classic car anytime soon.

So Let’s Get On With It Then!

These Cars are in no particular order. Because it’s No1 does not mean we think that it’s any better than No4 or No2 etc. It’s simply the first one on the page lol.

Saab 900 Turbo

Value!

If it’s great value and bang for your buck the Saab 900 turbo is the car for you. Ugly yes and cool at the same time with honking great power and driveability to match. These 900 turbos are still affordable value here in Japan so come and get one.

Volume!

We sorta fall short here a little but overall they still appear in good numbers here at the auctions. We seem to stumble across them on a weekly basis either in the coupe form or Cabrio. It won’t be too hard to find one.

Sexy!

We have to let you determine this one. But in this writer’s honest opinion, the car is a dream. It wreaks of the late 70s and early 80s styling done on steroids. The Saab 900 has not yet reached the popularity it rightly deserves but it’s coming soon.

Reliability!

Hey, come on it’s a car designed in the 80s. Reliability was not high on the design list at that time. But yes the Saab 900 is quite a reliable car even in turbo form. We would not hesitate to recommend a classic Saab 900 turbo to anyone.  School teachers love them.

BMW M5 E60/E61

Value!

Well, they are still of affordable value at the time of writing this article. Maybe it’s the reliability that makes them still affordable. Check that out later. You may not rate this as a classic but at some point or another as time goes by it grows into one as the years go fly away.

Volume!

BMW made enough of the E60 M5 to qualify easily for this page. We see them every week at auction here in Japan and very few in the damaged section. 

Sexy!

What’s not to like about this BMW 5 series? At least the grill is the correct size and it has huge fat rear tires and that boot lip spoiler. When you start it you think that it’s a tractor at idle until you hammer it and everyone can hear you coming.

Reliability!

When they made this car and it was the first car at the time to have a V10 engine it actually won engine of the year for some reason. But soon enough it started running bearings and blowing up and it needed to be towed by a tractor. We get asked for these cars more than ever before. Figure that one out. 

Mercedes Benz C63 AMG

Value!

Before we say it’s not a classic it will be ok, so move on. Currently, they are great value for money. How long this lasts we don’t know. The demand grows weekly for this pocket rocket so don’t muck about.

Volume!

We see up to 5 a week at USS Tokyo alone which means the volume and price are plentiful. They are readily available in both left-hand and right-hand drives here in Japan. Something for everyone.

Sexy!

Does this car wreak muscle does it not? fat everything on the outside with huge AMG ventilated brakes around. The seats are firm as well as the ride. One look at the lumps on that bonnet is a mere indication of what’s lurking below

Reliability!

The engine and transmission are well suited and fit together like a glove with fast changes and huge amounts of torque. Some high klm ones can get a little rattly in the engine and the Germans will shy away from the slightest engine noise which means you should also.

Renault Clio Sport V6

Value!

When these hit the market in the 90s we were aghast at the look and styling plus the price. The Clio sport seemed to drift away in the 2oos and nobody cared. In the new Youngtimer age popularity has hugely increased and prices are firming up.

Volume!

These were not made in huge volume but there is certainly enough to make the grade. As prices firm volume will dwindle so do not dilly dally about.

Sexy!

Renault made two of these models. One was done in conjunction with Walkinshaw motorsports and looks and drives like it wants to kill you. The 2nd generation was designed by Porsche. It looks great and is far more refined. Plus it doesn’t want to kill you in the wet like series one.

Reliability!

This car comes with a common slow-revving great sounding V6 engine that was used a fair bit at the time. It’s reliable and will serve you very well.

Jaguar XJS V12

Value!

If you have ever driven one of these fabulous cars you will remember just how smooth and comfortable they are. If you have ever owned one you will remember that drive and the repair bills. Not the best value but a heck of a good-looking car.

Volume!

The amount made was moderately plentiful and I never seem to not see them. Jaguar churned out a fair few of these V12s over the years which give you the potential to own one at some point

Sexy!

The designer of this car should have received an Oscar but instead, more than likely only got a beer at the pub. Classic lines with soft sculptured curves and not too many angels from each side and that bonnet that simply goes on forever.

Reliability!

This can is simply not reliable and will cost you a fortune at some point or another. If you don’t drive it and look at it you’re going to suffer financially. If you do drive it you will suffer the same. So drive it while you can as it’s simply hard to beat.

Don’t take this too seriously.

The object of this short review was simply to identify a few cars that I like. In my position as an auction agent, I have bought many cars. Every car above I have owned and enjoyed. This is what my review is based upon.