Top cars from the 90s to buy now

Slide of For some of us, the 1990s were only yesterday. They were simpler, Britpoppy times with dial-up internet (1p-per-minute? Bargain - Yes really). The cars were brilliant, too. Not just characterful and entertaining, they were also safer than cars had ever been. The widespread adoption of ABS and crumple zones, along with power steering and air-con made them easier to live with – and today they remain eminently fixable, rather than being chip-based life forms. But when you wander around a car park, how many ’90s survivors do you find? They seem to be disappearing fast and are now owned by only the eccentric or impoverished. But now, the recent arrival of E10 petrol has condemned cars that can’t drink it to obsolescence, pricing frugal motorists out of cars mostly made before 2002. But if you’re happy to pay the extra for super-unleaded fuel, which ’90s models should you save for posterity? Example prices correct at the time of writing. As with all older cars, keep an eye on their ULEZ status and how that might affect your usage where you live and work Slide of Lotus Elise Guide Price: 1999, 46,000 miles, £25,250: Lotus’s stunning return to its lightweight roots and one of the very best back-to-basics performance roadsters. Getting into the tub is not unlike climbing aboard a racing car. It’s that focused. Slide of Lotus Elise Despite the prosaic MG 1.8 engine, the Elise managed so much with 118bhp. Endless spin-off performance models proved just how good the original concept was. Slide of Porsche Boxster Guide Price: 1998, 95,000 miles, £5200: Affordable roadster has rather a lot of 911 in its DNA. Its mechanical issues are well known but this is a no-compromise package that looks sensational and is great to drive. Slide of Porsche Boxster The years have been kind to what is one of the best routes into serious sports car ownership. The 2.5 engine later increased to 2.7 and a 3.2 S is also available. Slide of Honda Integra Guide Price: DC2 Type R, 1998, 93,000 miles, £17,000: Car makers once knew that less (it weighs 1140kg) is so much more. Available in black, red or white. Just 500 UK cars, plus private imports. Slide of Honda Integra Virtually hand-built with an uprated VTEC, thinner windscreen glass and no creature comforts. It was all about the performance. Slide of Peugeot 106 GTi Guide Price: 1998, 83,000 miles, £8000: The French had this market sewn up and this is one of the best of the breed. Tiny, light and purposeful. The Rallye costs a bomb now, but the GTi is still a reasonable-money hottie. Slide of Peugeot 106 GTi Also consider an XSi. The range was revised from 1996. Great handling, steering and gearshift, with lots of grip and half-decent front seats. Slide of Seat Ibiza GTI Guide Price: GTI 16v, 1999, 95,000 miles, £1700: At a time when the Golf GTI wasn’t great, the VW Group was making a lighter, faster, better-value, Polo-based quick hatch. Choose between a 2.0 8v or 16v. Slide of Seat Ibiza GTI There are the better-equipped and wider-wheeled Cupra models, too. Close to extinction now. Many have been over-modified. Slide of Renault Clio Williams Guide Price: Williams 2, 1994, 85,000 miles, £26,000: A Clio 16v with more power and F1 badgework could have been ordinaire but this homologation special was anything but.  Slide of Renault Clio Williams There were 390 originals, but making do with the almost identical 2 won’t spoil the fun. Rightly lauded. Slide of Peugeot 406 Estate Guide Price: 2.2 petrol, 2002, 80,000 miles, £3000: A great hard-working saloon, but best enjoyed as an estate. It’s supremely comfortable and has a great ride. There’s also a huge rear area when the back seats are folded out of the way. The 1.9 turbo diesel is very basic but brilliant and dependable. Slide of Peugeot 406 Estate Otherwise, the more modern 2.0 HDi diesel is excellent. Watch out for corroded radiators, rusty brake discs and worn suspension bushes. Slide of Ford Mondeo Guide Price: 1.8i Lx 5dr, 1993, 50,000 miles, £2500: The Mk1 Mondie was the best Ford in a generation. It was great at working hard during the week, running up and down the motorway. Then it did the all-important family stuff at the weekend. Seen one recently? Slide of Ford Mondeo Most were driven to destruction. Great handling. The 1.8 petrol is economical but lively. The V6 is rather fun. Slide of Citroën Synergie Guide Price: 1.9 TD SX 5 seats, 2000, 49,000 miles, £4500: People carriers were big in both senses back then. This one was also available with Fiat and Peugeot badges. Sliding doors, old-fashioned diesel engines and bags of room in that box that could seat up to eight. Beware leaking fluids, iffy clutch and potentially MOT-failing rust. Slide of Ford Ka Guide Pr