OUR MODERN CLASSICS
Tackling the motoring issues that matter
TAKE a look at the driveways of the Auto Express staff on any given day, and you’ll see all manner of new cars. We adore the latest models, to the extent where we’ve been known to put our money where our mouths are, and lease or buy our own brand-new motors. But we also grew up in the era when the modern classics you’ll see over these pages were simply ‘modern’ or, if we didn’t, our parents certainly did. Either way, there’s undoubtedly a touch of automotive nostalgia at play in our hearts, and we’re suckers for a modern classic.
But the era we’re talking about has more than just nostalgia in its favour: there is a sense among many that automotive design and engineering reached a high point in the past two or three decades. Safety, comfort and convenience mean cars from this era can be easily used as daily drivers, and be depended upon to start when we fancy a track day or B-road blast.
It goes without saying that you should do your homework when choosing a modern classic. Some of our cars cost the equivalent of the deposit for a new family hatch, but we’re all-too aware that a biggish bill could effectively write off our pride and joy. That’s a gamble we’ve happily made, though, and like true enthusiasts, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about our cars.
Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Orvis
Approx value: £5,000
Steve Fowler Editor-in-chief
Year: 2000 Economy: 19.2mpg
Engine: 4.0l 6cyl Power/torque: 181bhp/300Nm
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, 4WD
9.5 seconds 112mph
