2016 saw some changes in the classic car market. Trends are shifting and collectors are starting to look at vehicles from more recent decades. It can be intimidating to buy a classic car as an investment.
Luckily for all of us, the experts at Hagerty have been paying very close attention to the market. They have come up with a list of vehicles that are both fun to own and are positioned to climb in value in the collector’s market.
A few on this list might be out of range for the average Joe, but not all of them. Listening to what Hagerty had to say was exciting. They see cars from the 80s and 90s really starting to find their place as collectables. Even some cars from the early 2000s are making the list as the next round of highly sought after classic cars.
Here is the list of the hottest classic cars to collect in 2017 according to Hagerty:
10. 1993-1998 Toyota Supra Turbo
This vehicle seems like an obvious choice to make the list. These cars became legends the moment they rolled off the production line. The Toyota Supra has become a star with many rolls in the movies and video games. One of the fastest production cars ever produced in the 90s, it is going to see a comeback in 2019 with the release of the all new Toyota Supra. This comeback should help regenerate interest in the A80 models of the early to mid 90s.
9. 2007-2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
OK… we have a small issue with Hagerty calling this a classic. The GTR RS they are talking about is only 10 years old at best. They are also really expensive averaging around $180,000. However, it is apparently becoming harder to get a hold of one. They’re just rare enough that high-end Porsche collectors are already scrambling to get their hands on one. Being an average Joe, I have better places to spend $180K.
This is what we expect to make the cut. Mopar is really gaining popularity in the classic car collector world. This Mopar in particular is extremely coveted due to its low production numbers. Chrysler memos from 1969 show that the sales staff was preparing to handle 1,920 winged Plymouths for 1970, but published figures say as many as 2,783 were built. The current figure generally accepted is 1,935 SuperBirds built and shipped to United States dealers. It is believed that over 1,000 Plymouth SuperBirds exist today. Expect to dish out well over $200K for one in pristine condition.
Here is another American classic that will make a comeback in 2020. The Ford Bronco has been an icon of American ruggedness and durability for decades. Vintage Broncos are becoming extremely popular amongst younger collectors. For less than $20K you can find one in perfect, showroom condition. Don’t expect these prices to stay this low for long.
If you have an extra $2.3 million you should definitely add this Ferrari hypercar to your collection. Hagerty is confident you will make a good return on the investment. The car is only 14 years old, but is already considered a classic. Being named after the boss himself, Enzo Ferrari, should also help the car keep its value.
Any year Dodge Viper will continue to gain value now that the Viper has been discontinued. The 3rd generation Vipers from 2003-2006 are highly sought after. Expect to shell out around $50K for one, but rest assured that there are still plenty to be had with really low mileage. Viper owners rarely used these vehicles as daily drivers. They were more like show pieces and trophies the moment they hit the garage. I personally like the end of production Dodge Viper SRT-10.
Honestly any of the first four generations of Dodge Charger are great collector vehicles in our opinion. Hagerty reports a five year high in the value of the second generation Chargers with no sign of slowing down. For around $25-$30 you can pick up one of these classic Mopar beauties and rest assured you will see a nice ROI if you can bring yourself to sell it.
Like its cousin the Dodge Challenger is also seeing a steady rise in value. You can still find Challengers in good condition for less than $20K. This is a really nice muscle car to have in any collection and we promise that you will get your monies worth out of the vehicle one way or the other. Mopar fans aren’t going anywhere.
2. 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Hagerty included this C5 Corvette because the earliest models have now fully depreciated and should start to see a rise in value. Its hard to believe that a 1997 Corvette is already considered a classic, but it is true. You can grab one of these Vettes for around $15K. You should see a nice increase in value over the next few years. Hagerty does admit that the Z06s are the best long-term prospects, with their lower production numbers and higher power output.
In many regards this is the best vehicle ever made. Many will argue this point to the very end. It is a perfect mix of power, performance and style all at a price tag that seems minimal when compared to other muscle cars and super cars that can compete with it. The E46 BMW M3 is certainly going to hailed as one of the greatest classic collectors in the coming years. You can get a 2000-2006 model for around $20,000. Be careful with shopping however as many of these vehicles have been driven hard. Understandable that owners pushed the limits considering that it can do 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Also make sure you buy the manual six speed transmission and not the SMG, paddle-shifting automatic. The automatic is clunky and extremely expensive to repair.