OV9

I passed a Z4 on the motorway this morning. Private plate but it was post-LCI (not that much changed). What struck me was that it's quite an old car now; been out of production for over a decade and was launched 20 years ago. Yet it still looked fresh. I bet a Z4 M (coupe or roadster) would be quite a nice modern classic and go up in value over time.

Obvs this is beyond any objection But there must be plenty of other 20-ish year old cars which don't feel all that old and have similar potential.

The first Ford Focus looks better than any of the subsequent ones. Even if it's probably Fiesta sized now

S1 Elises don't look 25 years old... but then I would say that.

Mk4 Supra's when not bastardised

ZedLeg wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:50 pm The first Ford Focus looks better than any of the subsequent ones. Even if it's probably Fiesta sized now

You're right, but I don't remember the last time I saw one that had been cared for.

987s came out in 2005 and dont really seem that ancient yet imo.

z4ms do still look good.

The Mk1 Puma still looks good for a 25 year old car


On the other hand, Nissan Micra from the same era is not, it looks like a Postman Pat car.

PS this thread needs more images

I agree about the Z4. I think it's the absence of fussy trim that helps. Even comparing it to a similar era , well loved e46 - the e46 has lots of rubbing strips/window trims/odd bits of bodywork under the headlights/etc... that relate to an older way of building cars.

Putting The wrong wheels on them quickly undoes this though.

The pre facelift L322 is the high point for RR design.

Honda Element Launched 2002.

Z4 and Z4 (M) Coupe do look very good but are quite sensitive to alloys & colour - or maybe its just that first-gen/poverty spec thing that seems to afflict BMWs particularly badly.

Puma does look very good.

I have never seen a Honda Element before! Will have to google them... 2002 though?!

S1 Elise, totally agree, they've not aged at all and everything about them was spot on from the start.

duncs500 wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:55 pm S1 Elises don't look 25 years old... but then I would say that.

This.

scotta wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 2:04 pm Honda Element Launched 2002.

That is a decade ahead of it's time

Puma looks like it has comically small wheels these days. There was a photo of a silver one on here the other day and it looked like a roller skate.

E39 in sport trim is another BMW highpoint in terms of styling.

In terms of reliability, not a highpoint.

Jimmy Choo wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 2:20 pm E39 in sport trim is another BMW highpoint in terms of styling.

In terms of reliability, not a highpoint.

nice looking car, but clearly it's age.

Yeah the E39 looks like a classic now.
Dan's Honda S2000 looks like a new car which could still be for sale in a showroom today.
S1 Elise is a good call, only dated by the non LED lights.

Ascender wrote: Thu Mar 02, 2023 2:10 pm
I have never seen a Honda Element before! Will have to google them... 2002 though?!

They are cool, only ever sold in the US though iirc.

Not bad for an almost 50 year old design.