Here are some classic cars under £5k that *might* appreciate in value

And no standard GTV either: this is a 220bhp V6 Lusso Coupe with Alfa’s Teledial alloys, a subtle rear wing and a metallic grey jacket. There’s a manual stick in there that’ll help dictate the sports exhaust’s throaty burble too. Want, want, want.

There was a time when Porsche 944s were abundantly available for under £5k. Oh, how the tables have turned. Here’s one of the few examples left remaining for that amount, which should tell you something about the opportunity at hand.

You can take a 205 GTI to Tolman for an expensive makeover, or you can just… take it home? This is perhaps the most sensible gamble you can make from any of the cars on this list too, since the steady price increase over the last few years is well documented.

How well the Mk1 S3 has matured over the years. From the taut physique and the boxy light signatures to the straight-spoked alloys, this is simple, enduring design in all its glory. Better still, said glory will set you back just £2.6k here.

The history of this E36 stretches back a long old way - 168,000 miles and no less than 18 owners - but it’s one of the cleanest ‘affordable’ examples currently on the market. Surely worth a punt at £4k?

The new Ford Puma is a good car, but it's not an old Ford Puma. Testament to how high that car set the bar, and if you’ve got one of those in good nick we’d suggest holding on to it. Even more so if it’s a Racing Puma.

Even if you can’t sweet talk the price of this M100 Elan down, what a fabulous vehicle for £6,000. It’s a turbocharged version too with the adorable inward-spoked wheels, pop-up headlights and a British Racing Green-ified silhouette. Look after it well, and expect a big return* within the next few years.

*TopGear.com cannot be held responsible for any lack of a big return for any of the above mentioned motors.