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Nostalgia for the 90s is in full swing at the moment – it’s enough to make those of us old enough to vividly remember the decade feel very old indeed.

It won’t be too long before classic car enthusiasts start looking back at the 90s for a motor to have a bit of fun with, if they haven’t done so already. Reflecting on the decade, there were some cracking cars made in the era – many of which can now be picked up fairly cheaply.

Perhaps you need a bit of a reminder? We’ve handpicked 10 affordable classics from the decade to act as a bit of inspiration – they might even prompt a memory or two along the way!

If you end up buying a car from the 90s, you might be able to insure it affordably, too, with a classic vehicle insurance policy. While HMRC may define a car as a classic when it reaches 15 years old, in practice, even younger cars can be insured as a classic car if they are used in the true classic sense.

Generally, classic car insurance is often cheaper due to the mileage being lower than that of a standard car and because the vehicle is more likely to be well looked after by its owners.

So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some classics from the 1990s in a new light...

 

1. Ford Puma

Target price: £500-2000

Ford recently unveiled the rebirth of the Puma, which sees the small coupé of the late 1990s morphing into a sporty compact crossover. While the new model looks impressive, for us, it won’t top the original.

Based on the Fiesta, the original Puma proved a big hit during the production years of 1997-2002, thanks to Ford’s rediscovered chassis-tuning skills – while an ahead-of-its-time CGI TV advert featuring Steve McQueen added to its appeal.

When on the lookout for this charming sports compact, make sure you inspect the wheel arches for rot, and try to find one with a Yamaha-engineered 1.7 litre engine as opposed to a 1.4.

 

2. Porsche Boxster

Target price: £5-9k

When the Boxster hit the forecourts, buyers and critics alike couldn’t get enough of it. Between 1996 and 2003 it was Porsche's best-selling model and is credited by many for saving the company. But since then, it has become criminally underappreciated.

The upside of it being largely forgotten is that you can pick one up in good condition for less than £10,000. Our advice would be to wait for a Boxster S, which comes complete with a 249bhp engine and six-speed gearbox.

 

3. Audi TT

Target price: £1.5-4k

Can you believe it’s been more than 20 years since Audi wheeled out the original TT? No, we can’t either. Even the first generation TT still looks eye catching out on the road today.

As you might expect, you’ll be hard pushed to find a TT that has done less than 100k miles – testament to how good it is to drive – but with an average price of less than £4,000, what do you expect?

Fun fact: the Audi TT was named after British Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) motorcycle race.

 

4. Renault Clio Williams

Target price: £6-16k

When was the last time you passed a Renault Clio Williams out on the road? Only 1,200 of these 148bph models were sold in the UK, with only half of that figure remaining – but back in the day, they were a real head turner.

As a result of the shortage, their value has gone up in recent years. But it could still prove money well spent, with some predicting the Williams will exchange hands for as much as £30k+ in years to come.

 

5. MGF

Target price: £500-4000

MG dominated the affordable sports car market – until the Mazda MX-5 came along to take its crown. MG’s response was the MGF, a mid-engined roadster with pliant hydragas suspension and a choice of 118 or 143bhp K-series power.

The MGF became the most popular affordable sports car in Britain  for a period of time, before the MG TF superseded it in 2002. MX-5 owners might have you believe the MGF is inferior to its rival, but they both had their merits; it comes down to personal preference at the end of the day.

 

6. Peugeot 406

Target price: £500-2000

Somewhat tongue in cheek, in 1997 Autocar asked its readers: ‘Still want that Ferrari?’ in response to Peugeot unveiling the 406 coupé.

This budget alternative to the Ferrari 456 certainly done its job, proving great to drive, with the V6 versions being the pick of the bunch.

The 406 might not be every car enthusiast’s first choice but with a bit of love, time and attention, you could turn a 406 into a head turner again. Anyone fancy the challenge?

 

7. Toyota Celica Gt-Four

Target price: £3-8k

Not many cars can say they are responsible for two WRC manufacturers’ championships and three drivers’ championships, but the Toyota Celica GT-Four can.

However, while the Lancia Delta Integrale – another rallying superstar of the 90s – is going for upwards of £50,000, you can pick a GT-Four up for as little as a few grand.

With 225bhp and four-wheel drive, the GT-Four is without doubt a performance car. There’s plenty of fun to be had with one, if you can find a good one.

 

8. Jaguar XJR

Target price: £3-6k

A rival to BMW’s M5 (we had to give it a mention in this list), the XJR was the first production car to feature supercharged power – originally a supercharged straight-six, and then a blown V8.

However, if you do fall for this Jag’s allure, carry out a thorough rust check before you put down any cash.

 

Choosing the right classic car insurance

Once you’ve made your choice and purchased your pride and joy from the 1990s, it’s time to get it insured.

We work with carefully selected underwriters to enable us to offer both comprehensive and bespoke insurance solutions, with our customers in mind.

Using our great experience and knowledge of the industry, we are able to quote for virtually every classic car available, even models that are hard to insure.

To get a classic car insurance quote, call our team on 01480 484826 today and you’ll be on the road in no time!