Top 10 Collector Cars of Tomorrow

That brand new Audi S5, Lotus Exige S or Corvette Z06 you’re dying to own may seem a little expensive now but one day those very cars could be collector items that you could auction off for a couple of hundred thousand dollars at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale. Hagerty Insurance, an insurance company that specializes in protecting collector cars, has created a list of 10 new cars for sale in 2008 that it believes have the greatest potential to be collector items in 15-20 years.

And according to their list, even the frugal consumer can one day auction off his/her car for a couple of hundred thousand dollars – well, if you’re willing to wait 15-20 years. Prices of the cars on the list range from $12,000 to more than $70,000, while horsepower ranges from 70 to more than 500.

Click through for Hagerty’s list...
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EnnNorak - 2/4/2008 6:16:06 PM

-1 Boost

I would remove Pontiac, Honda and Lotus. I was almost temped to forget about the Smart as well until I realized that the tiny Isetta is now a collector car.

Auto_expert - 2/6/2008 2:04:10 PM

-1 Boost

Yeah, Cadillac, Saturn, and Honda S2000 (bland as you can get) have to go.

w209w114 - 2/4/2008 4:01:11 PM

+3 Boost

All the cars listed are great cars. And I do see them being future collectibles.
The only part im not too sure about is the "selling for a couple hundred thousand" in 15-20 years. I only see that happening with the Corvette (huge following of corvette fans) and the Cadillac.

pushrod27 - 2/4/2008 4:56:33 PM

-2 Boost

LOL! Nobody collects Lexus. It's a non-descript driving appliance.

EnnNorak - 2/4/2008 6:21:47 PM

+3 Boost

Who would want to collect a hybrid, especially an oxymoron like a Lexus hybrid. There is no luxury in owning a hybrid. I would accept a plug-in hybrid if the batteries had a 20-year life and if power companies can be persuaded to make cheap electricity available for customers who recharge batteries at home during off-peak hours. Even then, a hybrid is strictly for urban use.

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/4/2008 4:17:11 PM

-3 Boost

Ahh ha ha ha ha, LMAO, ROTFL, oh wait you not serious, right?

huntr - 2/4/2008 4:17:52 PM

-2 Boost

A WRX is going to be collectable? I guess if one can make it without being totalled by a teenager or if the sheetmetal does not rust away.

rocker - 2/4/2008 4:27:56 PM

+5 Boost

What about an EVO? If there is an WRX STi, shouldn't there be an EVO?

EnnNorak - 2/4/2008 6:23:06 PM

0 Boost

WRX STI was my number one choice even though I will likely end up driving a 2009 Forester.

JRobUSC - 2/4/2008 4:47:26 PM

+9 Boost

An R8 would be waaaaaaay more of a collector's item than an S5.

pushrod27 - 2/4/2008 5:12:51 PM

-3 Boost

for sure.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:04:30 PM

-2 Boost

But I think both should be here.

montyz81 - 2/4/2008 5:10:05 PM

+1 Boost

The GTR is where? What about the Z.

bmwfan1513 - 2/4/2008 5:12:55 PM

-18 Boost

I disagree with that list. This is my list
1. BMW X6
2. BMW 1 Series
3. Smart ForTwo
4. Tesla Roadster
5. Audi R8
6. Audi S5
7. Chevrolet Camaro
8. BMW M3 Coupe
9. -------
10. -------

bmwfan1513 - 2/4/2008 5:14:06 PM

+3 Boost

9. Nissan GTR
10. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

pushrod27 - 2/4/2008 5:15:14 PM

-7 Boost

I don't think the Cadillac XLR will be a collector's item. Nobody's interested in buying them now, when is this XLR enthusiasm going to materialize?

1970toyotamarc - 2/4/2008 5:17:50 PM

+4 Boost

This topic fascinates me. Are there any examples of any mass production cars from the 1980s or 1990s that would be considered collectible today? And I dont mean Testarossas or one-offs. I mean like ZR1s or Mustang SVOs or MR2s or M3s. I just dont know if there is, or will ever be a market for these older vehicles that pale next to today's cars. Not like the beauties of the more distant past, some of which have style or power that is still unsurpassed.

And having asked that question, my thoughts are that anyone buying most any car from Hagerty's list will likely be in for a rude awakening in 20 years.

Rupert - 2/4/2008 5:43:08 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes E class convertible.
In the UK they are worth more than equivalent CLKs despite being over 5 (and up to 10) years older than the oldest CLK.
It is such a stylish car, and achingly cool.
But really, no, there aren't too many collectible 80's cars as 80's cars were generally not great.
But...Audi quattro? M5? 1990-2003 SL?

olscuul - 2/4/2008 6:13:00 PM

+3 Boost

80's are tough. 86 mustang gt(first fuel injected), camaro iroc-z, buick regal t-type(gnx), rx-7(?), supra(?). gm had those 2 door awd turbo suv's. don't remember what they were named. i don't see many porsches going through b-j other than the speedsters.

colector car insurance is a very volunteer business from the owner perspective.

olscuul - 2/4/2008 6:14:31 PM

+2 Boost

spelling correction. collector.

EnnNorak - 2/4/2008 6:26:59 PM

0 Boost

The 1980s had awful boxy looking styling, making cars of that era too ugly to be collectible.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:06:24 PM

+1 Boost

Why was Rupert so de-boosted? He's correct. The E-Class convertible is a modern classic. The same is true of the UrQuattro.

Shredmo - 2/5/2008 12:58:51 PM

+2 Boost

I'll get laughed to death on this one...
Cars from the 80s, 90s that I still think about:
1989 Twin Turbo T/A
1991 GMC Syclone
1989-1991 Taurus SHO
Shelby GLHS
1987 GNX
1993 SVT Cobra

Htay7500 - 2/5/2008 6:18:51 PM

+1 Boost

I remember the GNX, the time when Buick didn't bore me out! potent I6 though.

drew630 - 2/4/2008 5:45:43 PM

0 Boost

Why isn't the ZR1 on the list?? It has already sold at $1,000,000 at auction.

budfrogS4 - 2/4/2008 5:52:05 PM

-4 Boost

Ok, so it's probably just because I really like my car but I feel that the B6 S4 ought to be a collectors car because of it's significance. It revived the V8 in the compact baunstormers. Mercedes did have the C43 in the late 90's but then went back to the C32.

It just seems that ever since it's introduction, the C55 came out with the 5.5L V8, BMW's M3 with the 4.0L V8, Audi's 4.2L FSI V8, Lexus 5.0L V8...

Feel free to shoot me down...I don't know enough history to know any better.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:05:23 PM

0 Boost

I have a B6 S4, and even I don't think it should be a collector's car.

Is it a great car? Absolutely. I love it.

But game-changing? I don't think so. And I knew that when I bought it.

henbmw - 2/4/2008 6:00:41 PM

-2 Boost

Isuzu Ascender

lexusis350 - 2/4/2008 6:01:55 PM

+1 Boost

I disagree with the Audi, the Subaru, and the Smart. Usually, the only collector cars are American made or European exotics.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:07:03 PM

-1 Boost

So?

This list is different.

lexusis350 - 2/4/2008 8:59:59 PM

+2 Boost

Korean cars don't last long enough to be classics, Rosko.

olscuul - 2/4/2008 6:34:48 PM

+2 Boost

i just thought of another car; ferrari testrossa.
last year i was driving though an industrial area near where i work.
there is a used car business which has a corrugated metal building and parks their cars on the grass out front.
on a rainy day, i see a red testrossa parked on the muddy grass next to a 10+ year old chrysler minvan.

definitley in my top 3 unexpected car encounters, not including the 'oh shit!' ones.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:15:49 PM

0 Boost

I like your entire list, but what is the Lada Niva doing there?

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 7:15:09 PM

+1 Boost

My list of '80s-00s instant classics:

1. Ferrari F50
2. Aston Martin DB7
3. Ferrari F355 (new age of drivable Ferraris)
4. Bugatti Veyron
5. Ferrari Testarossa
6. Audi R8
7. Bentley Continental family
8. Audi UrQuattro
9. Rolls-Royce Drophead
10. BMW M3 (either E30 or E46)
11. 2002 BMW 7 Series
12. 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
13. Mercedes-Benz 190E
14. Porsche Boxster/Cayman
15. Porsche 997
16. Lamborghini Countach
17. Lamborghini Revénton
18. Audi TT
19. Nissan GT-R
20. Acura NSX

Although the top half is roughly in order, the bottom half is just whatever popped into my head.

henbmw - 2/5/2008 12:01:29 AM

+1 Boost

I'd toss the ZR-1 on there as well just because theyre making another one.

atomicbri - 2/5/2008 9:49:15 AM

+1 Boost

Let me add Mercedes E Class (W124) Cause it was the last of the truly engineered, well built Mercedes Benz. Before their cost cutting tactics! It is the best feeling interior of any Benz... plastics even feel like metal in it!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:58:11 PM

+1 Boost

I've decided there's too many to list, even in the last twenty years.

I could put up a top 100 and it wouldn't even be complete.

vman1013 - 2/6/2008 10:53:16 AM

0 Boost

Take the TT off that list. In 20 years, no one will remember the TT.

vman1013 - 2/6/2008 10:54:22 AM

0 Boost

Where's the SLR Convertible, Buggati Veyron and Ferrari Enzo?

IhavearedS2000 - 2/4/2008 7:16:30 PM

+4 Boost

I was pleasantly surprised to see the S2000 on the list, for all you naysayers, even Jay Leno has a little Honda S model (from the '60's I think) and among all his collection of exotics he rates it among his top 5...

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/HondaSM600_shell.shtml

XYZZ - 2/7/2008 5:08:58 AM

+1 Boost

i recall buzzing along on a california freeway in a honda s600 coupe. heads swiveled as i zipped by at 75 mph. (limits were at 55 then, and even speedsters only went to 65-70)

not bad, for a car with a 600cc two cylinder!

speedmaster - 2/4/2008 7:35:49 PM

-1 Boost

Someone said :"Are there any examples of any mass production cars from the 1980s or 1990s that would be considered collectible today"

Sure, GMC Cyclone/Typhoon, Buick Grand National, BMW Z8, and a few more.

vitalichaconne - 2/4/2008 7:54:28 PM

+1 Boost

umm alfa 8c?

SVXXX - 2/4/2008 8:20:17 PM

+3 Boost

Subaru SVX Lsi 1997 should be on one of these lists! Less than 500 made.

lexusis350 - 2/4/2008 9:06:39 PM

+13 Boost

Here's my list:


From the United States:
-Chevy Corvette
-Pontiac Solstice

From Europe:
-Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
-Rolls-Royce Phantom
-Bentley Continental GT
-Aston Martin V8 Vanquish
-Audi R8
-BMW M3
-Jaguar XJ8

From Asia:
-Acura NSX

lexusis350 - 2/4/2008 9:36:58 PM

+5 Boost

I forgot the Dodge Viper SRT/10

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:55:35 PM

+3 Boost

Let's trade the SLR McLaren for the Nissan Skyline <insert year here> and the Aston V8 Vantage for the DB7 (started the Aston Martin design revolution)... and you have a perfect list.

Maserati should also get the credit it deserves. The Quattroporte should at least be in the top 50.

XYZZ - 2/7/2008 5:13:01 AM

0 Boost

you should add the 2nd generation toyota MR2

Lexus - 2/4/2008 11:52:21 PM

0 Boost

Here my list of collector cars of tommorrow:

1. Nissan GT-R
2. Lambo Gallardo
3. Ferrari F430
4. Lexus IS-F (Lexus first true sportcar)
5. F430
6. Lexus LF-A
7. Audi R8
8. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
9. Acura NSX
10. Bentley Continental GT

S4cabriofoxone - 2/5/2008 5:57:25 PM

0 Boost

Yes, and how could you possibly put the LF-A ahead of the R8, V8 Vantage, Conti GT and NSX when all of those cars have proven themselves to be amazing already?

JUGNU - 2/5/2008 5:13:25 AM

+4 Boost

My Top 10 List: (Not including the Ferraris, Lambos, Rolls...etc as it's understood they'll surely be collector's item One day)

Note: List including cars which are currentley available.

EVO
STI
GT-R
350Z
Murano(original)
Infinti FX
IS-F
XK
XF
R8

JUGNU

M35MT - 2/5/2008 8:15:45 AM

+8 Boost

Mazda RX-7
BMW 8-Series
Nissan R34 Skyline
Mercedes SL (03-08)
Audi R8
Toyota Supra
Acura NSX
Mitsubishi Evo IX
Jaguar XJ
Land Rover Range Rover

I did my best to pick ONE from each major manufacturer, American makes are a little obvious: Corvette, Ford GT, Viper.

Htay7500 - 2/5/2008 6:20:11 PM

0 Boost

I'll throw in the 1st gen M3, that can't be forgotten! that car was amazing!!

vman1013 - 2/6/2008 10:56:29 AM

+1 Boost

If they ever make the LF-A, then maybe. But only if it lives up to the hype. And if the manufacturer produces more than 5,000 of them per year just take it off the collectors list.

bs5000 - 2/5/2008 8:56:58 PM

+2 Boost

Here's my list:

Aston Martin DBS
Bugatti Veyron
Pagani Zonda F
Bentley Arnage T
Alfa Romeo 8C
Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren roadster
Jaguar XF
Audi TT
Ford GT
Ferrari Enzo

Denali - 2/6/2008 1:09:14 AM

-1 Boost

my frist 10 for now
NSX
V12 Vanquish
Continental GT
Maranello
XJ220
Skyline GT-R
S7
Supra
Lf-A
R8

ILikeLambo - 2/6/2008 1:30:23 AM

+2 Boost

anything from a high class italian automaker will be collectable because they are beautiful, fast and exotic

Lavic - 2/6/2008 9:36:23 AM

+1 Boost

Can't believe that only two persons put on the Alpha Romeo 8C on that list.

answer - 2/6/2008 11:36:50 AM

0 Boost

BMW Z8.

Star - 2/6/2008 1:13:31 PM

+3 Boost

1. VW R32
2.Mitsubishi EVO
3. Subaru STI
4. Bugatti Veyron
5. Ferrari Enzo
6. Ford GT
7. Audi R8
8. Porsche GT3
9. BMW M3
10. Audi RS4

Mclarenfan - 2/7/2008 8:18:23 PM

+1 Boost

I'm very suprised no one has mentioned the Mclaren F1 in any of their lists. Am I the only one that remembers that car? Just wondering why no one has listed it.