A CAR expert has urged petrolheads looking for a motor with a bit of style and class to seek out a handful of modern classics from the 1990s.
YouTube star Jonny Brighton has listed some of the most awesome retro cars of the decade that he’d dubbed “head turners” – and it includes a very cool Ford super saloon.
One motor he mentioned that might surprise some car fans is the classic Mini Cooper – which was actually produced in the 1990s by Rover.
The Rover Mini Cooper came with a 1.3-litre motor that hit just 64 bhp – meaning it could hit 60 mph in 12.2 seconds.
Of course, speed isn’t really what you’re after with a Mini – it’s all about the iconic styling and cult status.
Thankfully, the 90s Rover Mini has all the same charm as its many predecessors, but this Mk6 and Mk7 example also came with “a bunch of modern features” – including safety bits like the driver’s side airbag.
Jonny added: “What’s amazing about this car is that it ran on beyond the Metro, which was originally the car that was supposed to take its place – showing just how iconic this car really is.”
These can be bought for as little as £8,000 with as much as £15,000 enough to pick up a 1998 model with 40,000 miles on the clock.
Another classic 1990s motor with plenty of style is the Jaguar XJS – which Jonny described as “one of the best looking classic cars you can get into” within a low price-range.
Available as both a coupe or convertible, the luxury Jag came with multiple engine options – including a monstrous 6.0-litre V12.
While known as the motor that replaced the E-Type in 1975, the XJS ran as far as 1996
Jonny added: “Over 100,000 were built in total, that’s why prices have ended up pretty low.”
A 1990s model will be the final facelift version and came after the brand was taken over by Ford.
Jonny said the larger V12 Ford “helped make the car more aerodynamic and less complicated to build and work on” – even simplifying parts like the brakes.
The car guru added that these can be bought for today for as little as £7,000 – although £15,000 will be enough to buy an example that’s done 70,000 miles.
Sticking with Ford, the incredible Mondeo ST200 is perhaps one of the Blue Oval’s most iconic super saloons – and these can be picked up for less than £15,000.
Produced towards the end of the 1990s, Jonny describes the Mondeo ST200 as “an absolutely stunning fast Ford” with “proper touring car style pedigree.”
This deceptive-looking family motor boasted a 2.5-litre V6 engine that could hit 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds – and it sounds as good as you can imagine, too.
Jonny added: “The formula is not too dissimilar to the fast Fords of the modern era, with super stiff suspension, Ricaro bucket seats, and a racer exterior.”
We recently came across an estate version of one of these for less than £8,000 – which is a bargain considering how rare the model is today.
Interestingly, the estate version stands as one of the few motors Top Gear legends Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond all liked.
In an episode of the Grand Tour during a test drive, James said: “I like that it’s the fast version but it was still comfortable.
“Its seats were great, it still rides properly, doesn’t make a terrible racket; it’s just civilised.”
Richard added: “I like the way it was a proper practical estate, it had a massive boot and Ford had the sense to give it five doors.”
While Jeremy simply said: “I like its speed.”
This comes as a Vauxhall that’s one of just three in existence goes up for sale in pristine condition with original dealer stickers.
