Five Affordable Used Cars in Portugal with Classic Potential

Portugal is not an easy place to be an automotive enthusiast - whether you are looking at brand-new cars or second-hand ones.

With new cars, we sit among the countries with the heaviest taxation. With used cars, demand is so strong that it pushes prices upwards.

Worse still, when you start talking about cars that stir any kind of passion, it can feel as though “the sky is the limit” when it comes to appreciation.

Fortunately, a handful of models still fly under the radar and can realistically live in our garage without getting out of hand financially.

They are not cars for daily commuting - sorry, but for that nothing beats a modern vehicle. These are cars for your spare time. This is my list, though I am open to suggestions.

A completely personal list

The five models I have included here are purely my own picks. They are cars I admire and that mean something to me. This is not investment advice.

That is largely because the factors that shape used-car pricing are countless. Want an example? Our Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201).

In my saved searches on classifieds - PiscaPisca, for instance - there are cars that consistently show up among the most sought-after. Some already live in my garage; others might do one day.

Renault Twingo (1993–2001)

Reliable, roomy, practical and fun. It is still relatively straightforward to find the model that shook up the city-car segment for under €1,000.

Examples in the best condition can cost double or even triple that. In my view, it has everything it needs to become a cult classic.

Bright paintwork, a modular cabin, cheeky styling… in short, a breath of fresh air that has not gone stale with age.

It is full of character, and the most appealing versions are the ones with the fabric sunroof. The engines are dependable, and on cars built after 1996 there is already enough power for any journey you might reasonably plan.

Meanwhile, a trend for French cars has started in the United States. The Twingo is one of the models “making waves”, and there are already examples crossing the Atlantic.

FIAT Panda / SEAT Marbella (1989–2003)

Forget the 4x4 versions - I said inexpensive cars, and the Panda 4x4 stopped being one of those a long time ago.

In an increasingly complicated world, the little Panda’s appeal lies in how simple it is.

I would love to own a Panda/Marbella. It has not happened yet only because the Twingo refuses to give up its space. Still, I will admit I regret letting a Fiat Panda 750 CL slip away with 70,000 km on it. The asking price was €900, negotiable.

Some people will say it is not a particularly desirable model. I used to think the same. Then, on a trip to Italy, I saw a few in genuinely lovely colour combinations - and I started to warm to this friendly city car.

On top of that, under the bonnet it carries a small piece of automotive engineering history: Fiat’s legendary FIRE engine. Even for that reason alone, it deserves our attention.

Lada Niva (1977–present)

There is a real frenzy in the used off-road market.

Want proof? Search for the Mitsubishi Pajero. Cars with more than 400,000 km, with tired interiors and exteriors in the same shape, are still worth over €6,000.

The reality is that 4x4s are becoming less and less attainable. Even so, one model continues - as it always has - to remain relatively within reach: the Lada Niva.

Finding one in genuinely good condition is not easy. But the mechanicals are simple, the parts are tough, and a do-it-yourself restoration is fairly realistic.

If you come across one with a “straight” chassis, a healthy transmission and an engine that runs, do not be put off by dents in the bodywork. You will have a great project for 2023 on your hands.

Mercedes-Benz 190 (1982–1993)

This may well be the model’s “last stop” before it is kicked out of the “bargain club”.

When it debuted, it was a true technological compendium - I shared some of its story in a video. As we see every day, plenty are still on the road, which says a lot about the quality of its engineering and build.

I know this car very well. I have a soft spot and I fall for vehicles that, to anyone not into this sort of thing, are nothing more than “bangers”.

As you can see from an article I wrote in 2019, my affection for this Stuttgart-born model has been a long courtship. It took me two years to find the 190 I wanted, at the price I was willing to pay.

It is one of those cars I believe will appreciate. As examples that are “beyond saving” disappear from the market - the very cars that help keep prices at reasonable levels - tidy or even just decent cars will naturally rise.

Abroad, the climb has already started. I visited a classic-car fair in Germany last year, and this was the scene I found.

Audi TT (1998–2006)

For me, it is one of Audi’s most beautiful cars ever - unsurprising when it was designed by Freeman Thomas and, during its move into production, overseen by Peter Schreyer. There was a time when I felt it was not ageing gracefully, but with the years its design has regained its charm.

For a long while, used values fell sharply. Then it entered the familiar spiral: young, fearless buyers snapped them up, modified them in questionable ways, and the model started to be linked with less positive associations.

In roadster form, it remains one of the cheapest convertibles on the market. I do not expect any dramatic increase in value, but at least it should not lose money - and that is a very good thing.

Some cars on the market may well be overpriced. The Audi TT is not one of them.

It is also a fairly usable car. I drove a first-generation Audi TT for only about 30 minutes, but I enjoyed it. It is exactly the kind of second car I would like to have in the garage for weekend drives.

Price variation is enormous

It is not hard to find the models I have mentioned advertised with wildly different asking prices.

If you are hunting for a used car - one with the potential to become a classic - take your time. Sellers sometimes ask a lot. That is why some cars linger for sale without ever finding a new owner.

Look for examples in good condition, ideally unmodified. Any repair can be expensive. Depending on the car, the bill can even exceed its market value.

Advice from someone who has got it wrong more than once? Do not chase the cheapest. Aim for the fair price. Take your time and do not buy on impulse.

That last point matters: wait. It is not a car, it is a motorbike, but the logic is identical. I waited a year to find the right Honda NX 250. It was worth it.

If you stick to these rules, you should be able to find a car that can live in your garage on a controlled budget, give you great memories, and when you sell it you will probably not lose money.

There are more models I could add to this list. Shall I write another piece or not? I am waiting for your suggestions. Now, if you do not mind, I am off to look for a Lada Niva… see you soon.

---