how do you know what a future classic car will be?

[7.5L_STX]

what about pontiacs? i mean they dont make em anymore so i think in maybe 15-20 years people will be looking for cars like the G8s. and theyll probably pay ridiculous amounts of money.


its kinda sad to think that the classics we all love now, mustangs, camaros, torinos etc.. are the REAL american cars that have held up through the years but in 30 years all of that generation is gonna be restoring these plastic turd cars, that are made of nothing more than a bunch of plastic, poor engineering (from a user friendly standpoint), and a bunch of pixy farts. and people will search for and buy them because they dont know any better as thats what theyve always been around and the 60's/70's mustangs will be more of an "antique" than a classic.

 

[JohnnyO]

what about pontiacs? i mean they dont make em anymore so i think in maybe 15-20 years people will be looking for cars like the G8s. and theyll probably pay ridiculous amounts of money.

Possibly. Again, the models that will likely be future collectibles will be the hi-perf ones. GTO, Grand Prix GXP, Solstice, hi-po G8, that sort of thing. In original condition with low miles. The garden variety G6 ex-rental fleet car, no.

 

[JohnnyO]

well the s/r package of the zx2 was only made in the year 2000 and only made 2000 units of that package. 1000 yellow 500 red and 500 black. i do have one of the yellow units. lowered 1 or 2 inches from stock. disc all the way around. b&m shorty shifter, ice man intake with hand laid glass. borla cat back, 150 mph speedo with a 150 h.p. computer.....how does that sound

The Focus just isn't that desirable a car. Ford only made about 1900 Boss 302 Mustangs in 1969 and I'd be willing to bet that they will always be worth a lot more than a 2000 Focus S/R. A limited edition like yours will bring more in ten years than a regular one. Mods aren't too bad as long as you have the original parts and it's easily returned to stock. Main thing is to keep the miles low, like an average of less than 5000 a year, and don't drive it in the winter if you live up north.

My cousin has a '67 Camaro that he bought about 25 years ago from the original owner. 327 two-barrel, Powerglide, nothing special as far as that goes, BUT except for paint it's all original with 34,000 miles on it (he bought it with 29,000). He's turned down $30,000 for it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Modern Desireable car in 20-30 years....only a couple come to mind....and for obvious reasons I would say a `11 Mustang GT or better.....(SMS, Roush, Cobra) Or a SVT Raptor...as for other brands, only the Caddy CTS-V......

Ryan

I have wondered about the '10 Mustang GT too. It was the only year for the 4.6 (which has made a pretty good name for itself) in the redesigned body.

I know dealers had a hard time moving them with the '11's coming down the pipe, but that is a package that you could only get for ONE year.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I think The SRT8 Challengers definatly will be also.

Some say the 92-96 F series trucks (in good shape with low mileage, espically loaded up XLT/XLT Lariats with 351's and 4wd) are already starting to apperciate value.

As for pontiac, ahh, maybe some G8's, and possibly the solstice (although i dont know why).

GM wise....as sad as it is to say i could maybe see H2's and for sure the civilian H1s going up in value in 20-30 years.

As for the late 60's classics that we have nowadays, they will forever be around, but well out of the reach of anyone who makes less then 300,000 bucks a year.

later,"
Dustin

 

[shane96ranger]

I think there are 4 American classics being made right now. The Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, and Challenger. Then there are possible classics like the new SHO, the Charger (High Performance versions). I really don't think it goes much beyond that. As far as European cars though, Porsche's, a BMW M3, etc. will all be collectible cars.

There is a common misconception that started years ago (mid 80's) that no electronically controlled car would be collectible. Look at prices of a 5.0 Mustang. They are shooting up right now. There are lots in the 8,000 plus range right now in the local classifieds - they are in great shape though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Look at prices of a 5.0 Mustang. They are shooting up right now. There are lots in the 8,000 plus range right now in the local classifieds - they are in great shape though.

That is the new cycle ramping up. People that had them in high school are starting to get to the point that they can get one again for a toy.

I will say though, that not many that are selling for that are worth it. Two guys that work with my brother (in sales) have been massivly burned on foxbody's. They paid a premium price for a premium car... and they got a car with a really straight body and hacked up everything else.

 

[Legend]

Clearly I don't have a clue about what will become valuable if you hang onto it......
My cars I wish I had kept:
1926 Model-T Roadster - pretty much a classic. Sold for $380 new (I got it used), no idea what they're going for now.
1926 Pontiac Roadster - Wood spoke wheels, 1st year for Pontiac, great car. Gave $100 for it - ran ok, but used a lot of gas. Now?
2 @ 1955 Fords - Better cars than 1955 Chevys, but not as valuable now?
1963 Mercury Meteor - probably the best car I ever had, but worthless now???
1965 Mustang 289 - $2342 cost new - present value?
1966 Corvette convertible, both tops, all options, 427CID, $3900 new. Traded the Mustang and $1900 for it. Now worth???
2003 Ranger XLT, my DD. $15000 new I'm going to keep it forever or $50,000 whichever comes first.

 

[shane96ranger]

That is the new cycle ramping up. People that had them in high school are starting to get to the point that they can get one again for a toy.

I will say though, that not many that are selling for that are worth it. Two guys that work with my brother (in sales) have been massivly burned on foxbody's. They paid a premium price for a premium car... and they got a car with a really straight body and hacked up everything else.

Yeah, buyer beware on these things. The drainage system is terrible on them. The leaves and dirt build up under the cowl cover, which traps the water and causes rust under there. The big problem showing up now is the unibody/framerail rotting up next to the firewall. I've been fortunate enough to have my 89 GT since January of 1995, so I know it very well. Check this link out as an example of what I mean.

http://www.mustanggt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51865

 

[Mark_88]

Hmmmm...all very interesting...but with fossil fuel running out in the next billion years, I'd say anything that doesn't run on that will be a valued possession...

But, in the case where we somehow discover huge amounts of gas (planet flatulence, perhaps) then some of the above suggestions might be helpful...but I'd definitely try to hang onto a Ranger...especially 2011 vintage...if you happen to have one...

 

[BigJohn76]

A few tips:
Limited production
High performance
First year of a model or bodystyle
Last year of a model or bodystyle
Desirable for whatever reason, fanbase, etc.

this. the only thing my mother loves more than me and her granddaughter is her 1996 Bronco. 351W auto 4x4. champain and white with decals that she designed. it has 120,000 miles on it with a few small holes in the seat and a little bit of rust just starting but runs better than any vehicle either of us have ever owned. she will never sell it, but she never drives it. we had people in Dearborn, MI a few years ago tell us it was the nicest bronco they had ever seen and said they would give us $10K for it.

it all depends on the person and what they like.

 

[backroad101]

I think The SRT8 Challengers definatly will be also.

Some say the 92-96 F series trucks (in good shape with low mileage, espically loaded up XLT/XLT Lariats with 351's and 4wd) are already starting to apperciate value.

As for pontiac, ahh, maybe some G8's, and possibly the solstice (although i dont know why).

The Solstice coupe will be a collectible. They are pretty rare.

.

 

[gwaii]

2012 boss 302 laguna seca.

buy that and park it in a garage for 40 years.you'll either have an investment or a cool car you're too old to enjoy.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Pontiac G8 LS3 6speed.... That car is $$$$ now, it'll be the 454 SS 70' chevelle 30 years from now.

A lot of people don't realize we are once again in the muscle car/truck era. Many vehicles are 400+ HP (6.2/6.1L powered anything, Chev/Ford/Dodge) and they have the handling to back it up. A new diesel pickup with a good tuner and a few add ons will put a hurt on 95% of the 'muscle cars' of old.

 

[82eye]

A few tips:
Limited production
High performance
First year of a model or bodystyle
Last year of a model or bodystyle
Desirable for whatever reason, fanbase, etc.

+1. that's the essential formula.

i have a couple friends that restore and mod cars as a living, their advice is simple: first, what is popular today, will be popular tomorrow.

the next largest influence cited is what is accessible to young driver's while they are impressionable.

the used market is incredibly important for developing this. ie : new $30,000 dollar retro styled north american muscle cars are never going to wind up in the hands of a 16 - 18 yr old (thank christ). the trouble is the rest of the north american stable offers little in the way of affordable fun or performance. $2000 - $3000 used toyotas, hondas and, mitsubishis, however do, and will hold sway when it comes to brand loyalty in the future.

mustangs, camaros, challengers, et al are all kind of a gimmee based on their past performance, and automotive and sales history, but really only appeal to an older customer, looking to recapture auto thrills of a dead era. i don't believe the newer versions will hold value compared to their original cousins in the future, as they are over-priced facsimiles.

aside from 60's and 70's era muscle cars, there are some 80's north american mustang being built, the odd camaro here and there, and there is interest in the small dodge turbo cars from that era. these are the cars that were accessible when the driver's were young, so that is what they are paying to get built now.

from the 90's forward most of the interest shifts to the "fast and furious" crowd. a bunch of nissan, some toyota, loads of honda, mitzu lancer and eclipse are incredibly popular. these will likely dominate the landscape in the future. loads of people here are garaging honda preludes for future builds as they were immensely popular over the previous decade before they were discontinued, and continue to rise in resale here too.

interest in 80's and 90's euro has skyrocketed here too. my "fun car" is now an old bmw. the local market was traditionally solidly cemented in mid-west values, and brutally loyal to domestic, so the shift is pretty dramatic.