In the market for a modern classic to keep as your weekend toy or are you even brave enough to daily drive it? Our Digital Editor Alex Shahini browses through the CARmag listings platform to find his Top 5 picks. 
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The task is simple, create a Top 5 list of some modern classics. Easy, right? Wrong. It is always tricky to whittle down a list of driver-oriented cars when searching without a budget, mileage or year restriction. Of course, I am not in the market to buy so concerns over maintenance records, vehicle condition and future servicing are not a contributing factor. I am sure we have all perused through the classifieds late at night thinking we could make it work despite the fact that the below-mentioned models would probably require a second mortgage to pay for maintenance costs.
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That being said, here are 5 modern classics that I would add to my garage right now… if there were space!
1. 2000 BMW Z3 M Coupe
Fast Facts
Engine: 3,2-litre inline-six
Power: 242 kW
Torque: 350 N.m
Transmission: 5-speed, manual
Mileage: 98 500 km
Price: R849 900
The Clownshoe as it has become affectionately known is one of BMW’s lesser-spotted models on selling platforms. Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Z3 M Roadster which had 15 322 examples produced, the Z3 M Coupe is the more lusted after with only 6 291 produced before production came to an end in May 2002. Have a look at it here.
2. 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S
Fast Facts
Engine: 4,7-litre naturally aspirated V8
Power: 328 kW
Torque: 490 N.m
Transmission: 6-speed semi-automatic transmission
Mileage: 58 000 km
Price: R589 980
Believe it or not, the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S may be the most affordable way of getting a Ferrari V8 under your right foot. The 4,7-litre motor in the GranTurismo S was designed and built by Ferrari as a torquier, cross-plane sibling to the Ferrari F430’s mid-mounted, flat-plane-crank V8.
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The result is one of the best-sounding V8s to ever come out of Italy or dare we say the world. Have a look at it here.
3. 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL 500
Fast Facts
Engine: 4,9-litre naturally aspirated V8
Power: 238 kW
Torque: 470 N.m
Transmission: 4-speed automatic transmission
Mileage: 95 000 km
Price: R499 990
Get your tapes out because we are diving straight back into the mid-90s when modern classics were being thrust into dealerships faster than we can count them today.
While oozing with classic style, this Mercedes model from yesteryear boasts impressive power and torque considering the SL 500’s size. Back then, the V8 under its bonnet wasn’t even the pinnacle since the SL 600 boasted a massive V12. We can imagine this would be the more affordable of the two at the pumps as well as when it comes to servicing. Have a look at it here.
4. 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo
Fast Facts
Engine: 3,6-litre turbocharged flat-six
Power: 313 kW
Torque: 560 N.m
Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission
Mileage: 112 000 km
Price: R769 900
Often considered the less desirable of all to wear the lucrative 911 nameplate, the 996 model affectionately known as ‘fried egg’ courtesy of its headlights has become one of the more affordable full-fat models from the Stuttgart stable. Just before an era dominated by automatics, this one includes a clutch pedal and a manual too. Have a look at it here.
5. 1998 Land Rover Defender 110 2.8i
Fast Facts
Engine: 2,8-litre naturally aspirated inline-six
Power: 142 kW
Torque: 280 N.m
Transmission: 5-speed manual with high & low range, full-time 4×4
Mileage: 38 000 km
Price: R499 995
Serving as an outlier on the list, there is indeed a modern classic out there for off-road wanderers. The 2.8i motor in the Defender being a rare combination of BMW and Land Rover. Combining the capable M52 motor with the capable Landy only had limited numbers produced. This specific model comes with some extra goodies making it the perfect weekend companion off of the beaten path. Have a look at it here.
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