Driving your pension: 5 classic cars that could actually make you money

Let's be honest, the word 'pension' doesn't exactly get the heart racing. It conjures up images of sensible spreadsheets, dreary financial advisors, and a vague, distant future where you might finally have time to sort out the shed. But what if I told you that your pension could be a lot more exciting? What if it had four wheels, a glorious soundtrack, and could be polished on a Sunday morning? Welcome, my friends, to the wonderful world of the investment classic car.

Now, before your sensible side starts screaming, this isn't about recklessly spaffing your life savings on a rusty old motor. This is about making a shrewd, calculated decision. The classic car market is booming, with auction and online sales hitting a massive $4.8 billion in 2025, a 10 percent jump from the year before. A new generation of collectors, us Gen X and Millennials, are now in the driving seat, and we're shaking things up. We're buying the cars we grew up dreaming about, the poster cars from our bedroom walls. And according to the clever folks at Hagerty and their annual Bull Market list, some of these cars are not just holding their value, they're appreciating faster than a politician's principles. So, here are five cars that could be a much more thrilling home for your money than a standard savings account.

The one you thought you hated: Porsche 911 (996)

I know what you're thinking. The 996? The one with the 'fried egg' headlights? The one that caused outrage by swapping air for water cooling? For years, the 996 was the unloved middle child of the 911 family, the one that got picked last for the football team. But look who's laughing now. Time has been incredibly kind to the 996. Its once controversial headlights now look distinctive, and its smaller, purer shape seems elegant compared to its modern, supersized descendants.

Most importantly, it's an absolute bargain. With good, early 3.4 litre Carrera 2 models available for around £18,000, it's the most accessible 911 by a country mile. And the market is waking up. Hagerty gives it the highest 'Collectability' score of any car on their 2026 list, a whopping 88.3, meaning its days in the bargain basement are numbered. The mechanical gremlins like the infamous IMS bearing are well known and, in most cars, have been sorted by now. What's left is a brilliant, 300bhp sports car with a pedigree that's second to none. It's a 911 for the price of a new Ford Focus. That can't last forever.

The movie star: Toyota Supra A80

For a whole generation, the Toyota Supra A80 isn't just a car, it's a cultural icon. It's the star of Gran Turismo, the hero car from The Fast and the Furious, and the digital poster on a million teenage bedroom walls. That kind of cultural cachet is priceless, and it's now translating into serious financial clout. Values for the A80 Supra have shot up by an incredible 41.8 percent over the last five years, and the momentum is still building.

This isn't just nostalgia though. The Supra has the performance to back up the hype. The UK models, with their twin turbo 3.0 litre straight six engines, packed a mighty 326bhp from the factory. They are now so sought after that American collectors are importing right hand drive cars from the UK to get their hands on them. With 64 percent of owners born since 1981, the people who grew up idolising this car are now reaching their peak earning potential. That's a perfect storm for rising values. At around £40,000 for a good one, it's not cheap, but it's a legend, and the price of legendary status only ever goes one way.

The original hot hatch hero: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk II

The hot hatchback market is, well, hot. And while the original Mk I Golf GTI gets all the headlines and the big prices, its younger brother, the Mk II, has been quietly waiting in the wings. For a long time, the Mk II was seen as a bit softer, a bit heavier, a bit less pure than the original. But now, it's having its moment. It's a more usable, more modern car than the Mk I, but it still has that classic, analogue driving feel that makes these cars so special.

And the value proposition is impossible to ignore. While a top condition Mk I will set you back over £21,000, a fantastic Mk II can be yours for around £15,000 to £16,000. That's a huge saving for a car that many argue is just as much fun to drive. The ownership demographic tells you everything you need to know. A massive 92 percent of Hagerty's Mk II GTI owners were born after 1965, making it the car with the youngest following on their entire Bull Market list. As these owners get older and have more disposable income, the demand for good, original cars is only going to increase. It's the smart choice in a booming market.

The aspirational Italian: Ferrari F430

Alright, we're moving into the serious money now, but it's all relative. The Ferrari F430, the successor to the 360, has seen its value climb by a very healthy 19 percent over the last five years. It's a car that's moving from being a 'used exotic' to a proper 'modern classic'. And when you compare it to its successor, the 458, it looks like a bit of a bargain. A beautiful F430 Spider with the desirable manual gearbox can be found for around £95,000, which is a lot of car for the money in the world of prancing horses.

What's more, the F430 is attracting a younger crowd than you might think. 65 percent of owners are Gen X or Millennials, which is a great sign for the future health of the market. This isn't a car for the traditional, older Ferrari collector. It's for people who want a modern, usable supercar that still has that classic, naturally aspirated V8 scream. It's a car you can actually drive and enjoy, and if the experts are right, it could also be a very savvy place to park your cash. It's an investment you can hear from three streets away.

The stylish summer cruiser: Alfa Romeo Spider

There's a rule in the classic car world: every convertible Mercedes eventually becomes collectable. I'd argue the same is true for Alfa Romeo Spiders. For years, the 105 series Spider, the one made famous in The Graduate, was one of the most affordable ways into classic Italian motoring. Then, inevitably, the collectors noticed, and prices for the early 'round tail' cars went stratospheric. But the later 'Kammtail' cars, like the 2000 Veloce from the 1970s, still offer incredible style for the money.

After a few years of climbing, prices have settled down, and at around £21,000 for an excellent example, they look like fantastic value again. You get a gorgeous Pininfarina designed body, a zingy twin cam engine, a five speed gearbox, and a driving experience that's pure, unfiltered Italian charm. It's a car that makes you want to put on your sunglasses, find a winding coast road, and forget about everything else. It's practical enough for a weekend away, easy to work on, and has a brilliant community of owners. It's not just a car, it's a lifestyle, and it's one that's unlikely to get any cheaper.

So there you have it. Five cars that prove your pension doesn't have to be boring. As with any investment, there are risks, and you should always buy the best car you can afford with a solid history. But unlike stocks and shares, you can't take your ISA for a blast on a sunny Sunday morning. And for that, the investment is priceless.