Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

For £2.5k!?

I think it has to be modern, safe and boring. Yes to airbags and fuel economy, no to appreciation (of any sort).

Probably a Civic 2.2 diesel or a Golf GT TDI.

Got to spend a bit on the Merc to make it saleable first though, but when I do I'm sure I'll get more than I paid.