I guess you will probably find a lot of the love for "old" cars is nostalgia for us oldies, fond memories of days gone by or maybe even cars that were out of reach as we were youths but we can now afford.
I am not sure i believe the hype of people wanting "drivers cars" either, i didnt see many of these people shouting about how great the gt86 was dipping into their pockets, i often think people get too swept up with thinking its cool to proclaim to be "purists" and "drivers".
But, Focus or Escort cossie........Escort in a heartbeat please or Sierra if i had a choice