Classic car investor appraisal 2026: Sportscar picks from Mazda MX-5 to Ferrari 348

Each Spring, I am asked for buying recommendations for the coming year by a major national car magazine for potential investors. 

If you’re looking to put your money into metal, these are the sportscars to consider:

Mazda MX-5

Taken over the mantle earned by the MGB in its day. Highly satisfying front engine, rear drive two seater and great value for money.  Reliable and cheap to run with typical Japanese ‘Everything works’ as standard. From £5000.

Porsche Boxster

Long seen as fabulous value especially in 3.2S form. You are entering Porsche supercar territory for literally MGB money with German build quality. Prices now firming up reflecting this discovery. £7-9000.

TVR Griffith

At under £20000, these are a blast but need to be kept on a tight leash or they will bite you back if you lose concentration. No frills or luxuries such as power steering, ABS, airbags or AC to keep it light. Makes its own shock waves and its own sound system under your right foot. A total hoot to drive.

BMW Z3 M - Porsche 968

These are a useful alternative if the TVR is a bit too brutal for your personal comfort and style. Well engineered and refined with those fabulous free revving and balanced engines. Get the 3.0/3.2 engines as this is where the future money will be for minimal outlay now. Unlikely to drop much further so make your move now. Around £15000.

Ferrari 348

The time has come for this stunning classic to come out of the shadows of its replacement 355. The 348 received unfair handling criticism due to its engine layout and might be a few tenths slower on a track event than the 355, but only The Stig might notice.

This has the same styling cues of its larger Testarossa sibling. A true Enzo Era car with fabulous looks and perfect proportions. Find a Rosso/Crema combination and save £20000 on the 355 values. Half Testarossa money at £75000.

Alfa Romeo 916 Spider 2.0 Twinspark

Currently undervalued and only going one way. Excellent engine/gearbox but a certain fragility with peripheral engineering.  £5000. 

As always, buy the best you can afford.

Part two of the investor appraisal, focusing on grand tourers and coupés, will follow next week.