10 Retro Rear-Drive Heroes You Can Buy For £3000

£3,000 is enough to get you a nice, sensible car; a second-hand diesel Golf or Focus, for example. Which is all good and well if you’re happy to spend your days so lacking in stimulation that your brain is slowly but surely reduced to a quivering mush. Fortunately, we’re lucky enough to live in an age when it isn’t hard to find something more interesting for the same sort of cash. Something, let’s say, rear-wheel-drive, because tail-happiness is happiness pure and simple. And, because we like that sort of thing, why not something with a little old-school flair, too? Yep, it’s perfectly possible. And to prove it, here are our top ten picks of retro rear-drivers that’ll have you ditching the dreaded diesel.

10. Opel Manta-B GT/E

“How do we make it sporty? I know, let’s colour code everything! Even the wheels? Especially the wheels!” So must have gone the development meeting for the Manta GT/E, distinctive in either fastback or notchback form with its body-coloured… erm… everything. Power came from a fuel-injected 110bhp 2.0-litre engine, and 60mph came up in 8.5 seconds. Gold only adds to the Manta’s period charm.

9. Ford Sierra XR4i

Ford’s bright idea to replace the Capri with an odd three-door Sierra didn’t really work. Although it was sleek, aerodynamic and futuristic, it was stuck in a nomansland between being a coupe and a family car, and most people didn’t really get it. Today, though, it’s seriously cool, laden with retro-futuristic design cues and powered by a raspy 150bhp 2.8-litre V6. This unmolested example just sneaks in below our budget.

8. Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000

Of course, the epic Lotus Carlton was the one to have, but the GSi 3000 was still a quick old beast, especially in later 24v form. That said, 12v models like this one are still reasonably pokey, with the 60mph sprint taking around 8.2 seconds, and they’re ideal if you want a big, cheap barge with a decent turn of speed. They’re pretty adept at going sideways, too.

7. Peugeot 505 GTi

Yes, that’s right, even Peugeot used to make big rear-drive saloons. The 505 was the last of them, though, and in GTi form made for an entertaining thing to chuck around, even if it wasn’t quite up there with its 205 and 309 stablemates. It was hardly fast, mind; a 2.2-litre four-pot with 128bhp gave it a 10.5-second 0-60mph time. But what it lacks in performance, it makes up for in rarity and Gallic cool. Snap this one up quick, because they don’t come along very often.

6. Toyota MR2 (Mk1)

With arrow-sharp looks, a well-sorted chassis and a natty little 122bhp 1.6-litre 16v engine, the MR2 was immense fun, and today it’s hard to think of a sportscar that looks more ’80s. T-bar models added roof-off appeal, and pop-up headlights made it an instant win for many. Today they’re sought after, but many are made of rust, so tread carefully. This one looks like it could be promising, if a little leggy.

5. Alfa Romeo 75 V6

Yes, it’s the Alfa that Clarkson bought.

Designed to be a driver’s car first and foremost, the 75 had a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox and inboard brake discs, all designed to give it good weight distribution. It was also rather flaky and an ergonomic nightmare, and its looks were an acquired taste. But boy, the idea of a well-kept one isn't half appealing. We’d be sorely tempted.

4. Ford Capri 2.8 Injection

Say the words ‘rear-wheel drive’ and ‘classic’ in the same sentence, and the Capri will probably be the first thing to spring to mind. And far from being a Del Boy special, the 2.8 Injection was actually a creditable GT, with the same lusty Cologne V6 that was later fitted to the XR4i giving it a 0-60mph time of 8.2 seconds. The LSD-equipped Special was the best bet for tail-out fun.

3. BMW 635CSi

Even your dad knows about the E30, but it’s not the only cheap BMW you can get. For our money, the E24 6-Series is cooler, faster and better-specced. Everyone wants the legendary M635CSi – or M6, as it was known in the USA – but the non-M E24s still look as sharp as an ’80s New York lawyer’s suit. They’re built solidly and come with plenty of toys, so they make great daily classics and don’t feel all that old to drive. What’s more, with 218bhp from a thumping great straight six, a 635CSi like this one is a right old hoot.

2. Jaguar XJR (X300)

Yes, it’s full of walnut and cream leather, but you’re showing your ignorance if you call this particular Jag an old man’s car. 325bhp from a supercharged straight six makes it the fastest car here by a long chalk, with a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds in manual form. And fantastic looks, acres of leather and plenty of toys make it hard to ignore. OK, we know it’ll cost a bomb to own and run, but it’ll be worth it, and a fully historied example like this one should be a reliable bet.

1. Rover Vitesse (SD1)

Go on. Admit it. It’s a Rover, and it’s stupendously cool. Yep, we promised to bring you retro and rear-drive; with this choice, we can even throw a V8 into the bargain. The SD1 Vitesse might have been built in the dark old days of British Leyland, but that doesn’t stop it being an awesome thing. As a touring car, it reigned supreme; only the turbocharged onslaught of the Sierra Cosworths could knock it off its perch. As a road car, meanwhile, it was a big, meaty lump of a car, endowed with sacks of torque and the sort of engine note that put hairs on your chest. Offer this guy your £3k budget and never look back.