10 youngtimers that will increase in value by 2026
The 205 GTI at €30,000, the M3 E30 at €80,000: too late. But the youngtimer market works in waves, and the next generation is shifting before our eyes. 306 GTI-6, Boxster 986, S2000, V6 Busso... Here are the 10 cars still accessible today that won't remain so for long. We see them passing through our sales every week, and the graphs don't lie. Now it's a matter of choosing the right example...
par TeamBenzin
1. Peugeot 306 S16 / GTI
The shadow of the 205 GTI kept it in anonymity for a long time. Market error: one of the finest chassis of its generation, 6-speed gearbox, and healthy examples now count on one hand. The shift of buyers who can no longer afford a clean 205 has begun.
2. Renault Clio 2 RS 182
The last true naturally aspirated compact RS that is accessible. Phase 3, 182 hp, Cup chassis for purists. Low mileages are disappearing, and prices are already twitching. The trajectory of the Clio Williams should serve as a lesson.
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3. BMW M3 e46
The last naturally aspirated inline-six in M3 history. The collector transition has been underway for two or three years, but it is far from over: healthy S54s, manual gearbox, complete history will continue to rise. This is the safest investment on this list.
4. Porsche Boxster 986
The same scenario as the 996, with a ten-year delay. Long mocked, despised, sold off. Except that it's a real Porsche with a naturally aspirated mid-engine, and the entry ticket remains ridiculous for what it is. Those who laughed at the 996 at €20,000 are no longer laughing.
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5. Honda S2000
9,000 rpm in naturally aspirated. No one will ever build that again. The value has been steadily rising for five years, driven by a global audience, and unmodified original examples are becoming hard to find.
6. Audi TT mk1 (8N)
An icon of design, simply put. Designed in the 90s, exhibited in museums today. The market is starting to distinguish between used TTs and collectible TTs: 225 hp, quattro, low mileage. Now is the time to choose the right example.
7. Alfa Romeo 147 / 156 GTA
The Busso V6, the last of its kind. An engine you listen to as much as you drive, in bodies that have become rare (especially well-maintained ones). Alfaism never dies; it just waits for its generation to have the means.
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8. Mazda MX-5 NB
The NA exploded, driven by the American market. The NB, mechanically better and stylistically underrated, follows the same path with a five-year delay. The 10AE and low-mileage examples are already selling above estimates.
9. Fiat Coupé 2.0 20v Turbo
Design signed by Chris Bangle and Pininfarina, 220 hp, a turbo five-cylinder with a strong character. Confidential production, rare survivors, loyal community. The typical profile of a car that doubles in value in general indifference.
10. Peugeot 106 S16 / Rallye
Less than a ton, short gearbox, fierce engine. The lightweight small French cars have become the favorite hunting ground for thirty-somethings, and unmodified, accident-free examples are a dwindling commodity. A clean 106 Rallye is already a gem.
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A word from the team
The common point of these ten cars: they are on the verge of their transition, not just after it. Buying them today means buying before auction records make headlines. Our advice remains the same as usual: the example makes all the difference. A complete history, a clear origin, and an honest mileage will always be worth more than the vague "good deal." And to know what these cars are really worth, not in theory but in reality: look at our sales results, everything is public.
FAQ
What is a youngtimer?
A car about 20 to 30 years old, too recent for the classic registration at its beginnings, old enough to become sought after. Typically the sports cars from the 90s to 2000s.
Which youngtimer to buy with a small budget in 2026?
The Clio 2 RS, 306 GTI-6, 106 S16, and MX-5 NB remain under €15,000 in good condition. They are also the ones with the clearest potential for appreciation.
Are youngtimers a good investment?
They are primarily cars to drive. But unlike a classic used car, a good example no longer depreciates: it appreciates. Condition, history, and originality make all the difference.
Do you have to pay a penalty on an imported youngtimer?
Not beyond 10 years: the 10% deduction per year of seniority brings the penalty down to zero. All the models on this list are affected.
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