996, Z3 but especially a lot of Golf, 3 and 5 series and V70
The youngtimer is still doing well among enthusiasts. For many people, purchasing a youngtimer is the portal to a car that – in a younger form – would have remained out of reach. At the same time, youngtimers may be cars that can still be found relatively easily now, while at a later stage they may become rarer and therefore more desirable. But which youngtimers are doing well on the used car market and which ‘special’ cars are popular? In any case, one conclusion can be drawn: an older Porsche 911 has not disappeared from the streets any time soon.
Youngtimer versus oldtimer
Before we start with the figures, let’s make a clear distinction: a youngtimer is a car that is at least fifteen years old, with a maximum age of 25 years. They are, so to speak, vintage cars in the making. Since January 1, 2014, a classic car is a car that is at least forty years old. The attractive thing about youngtimers is the fact that you can have a car with a relatively high level of luxury for an interesting price. A fifteen year old BMW 5 Series is infinitely cheaper than one Funfer which rolled off the production line just two years ago. And for many people, the luxury of an old 5-series is more than sufficient for their daily journeys.
No surprises with the most popular youngtimers
Anyone who expected that the list of most popular youngtimers would contain a fine collection of forgotten exotics would be somewhat disappointed. The most popular youngtimers are, according to the data from Gaspedal.nl, particularly safe choices. The Volkswagen Golf, the BMW 3-series and the Volkswagen Polo occupy places one, two and three when it comes to the most sought-after youngtimers from the period 1999-2009. Not surprising, because these sales cannons have been among the best-selling used cars for many years.
Exciting performances from established names are doing well
Nice to mention: although the Golf and the 3-series are at the top, the average youngtimer enthusiast is looking for the best versions. For the Golf, ‘GTI’ is the most popular search term. For the 3-series this is ‘325i’ and there is also a very enthusiastic search for six-cylinder versions.
There is room for exotics
Fortunately, there is also some fun to be had and the youngtimer market is not completely dominated by solid choices. For example, consider the Porsche 911 and especially the 996, which was built between 1997 and 2006. This variant is considered the most accessible 911 and is therefore well liked by enthusiasts. For cars built in 1999, the 911 is even the fourth most searched for model. The 996 is not too popular with Porsche enthusiasts, partly thanks to the special shaped headlights, but don’t be fooled: this is a real 911, which – if in good condition – feels very tight.
A ‘Bond Car’ as a youngtimer
If we stick to the year of manufacture of 1999, then there is a real Bond Car among them. The BMW Z3 ranks fifth among the most sought-after used cars from that year. Admittedly, it is not the most inspiring car that 007 ever drove, but this funny convertible was certainly an icon in the 90s. Just like the Audi TT, by the way. This coupe from Ingolstad, at that time just a Golf with a Hans Kazà n blazer on its shoulders, is in the sixth place of most sought-after cars from 1999.
The newer, the more solid
If you look at the most sought-after youngtimers of more recent years, the reliability takes over. The 911 will stick around for a while, but people are increasingly looking for models such as the Honda Civic, the Ford Focus, the Opel Astra and Corsa, the Mercedes-Benz C-class, the BMW 5-series and the Volvo V70. The latter models still offer a considerable level of luxury, but the rest is relatively boring and, above all, extremely cheap. You also get that with youngtimers: the less exciting models nowadays sell for next to nothing. And no matter how nice that 911 is, it will never be a cheap car.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl