TriShield

10 Future Collector Cars Priced Under $100,000



By Warren Clarke | January 29, 2012

If you're a classic car nut, you've probably heard of Hagerty; the company is a leader in classic-car insurance and hosts the world's largest database of classic cars. Each year, the company publishes its Hagerty Hot List, a list that spotlights 10 new vehicles that its valuations experts see as having the best future collectability.

These guys are classic-car experts, so they should know, right? Hagerty's full list follows (shown in alphabetical order), and each entry includes our comments along with the model's starting price.

1. Audi TT RS ($56,850)



Hagerty points out that the TT RS has global appeal, which should translate into global demand decades down the road. Offering frugal fuel economy and a gorgeous cabin, this Audi is both well-rounded and rare; it's available in limited quantities here in the U.S.

2. Buick Regal GS ($34,835)



Hmm -- we like the handling offered by the Regal GS but find its acceleration underwhelming. The folks at Hagerty like that it offers a real three-pedal manual transmission, among other things.

3. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ($54,095)



So the Camaro ZL1 has some things that compromise daily usability, like poor outward visibility and that tiny trunk. But no one can argue with the 580 hp wrought by its massive 6.2-liter V8.

4. Dodge Charger SRT8 ($45,795)



The people at Hagerty are impressed by this Charger's giant dash-mounted touch screen, which presents performance statistics such as available hp and torque. We love the car most for its ability to deliver visceral, affordable performance.

5. Fiat 500 Abarth ($22,000)



Ever since news of a US Fiat 500 was announced, enthusiasts have been waiting with bated breath for the Abarth version. This performance-oriented Fiat comes with a 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine stuffed into the 500 Abarth's tiny package.

6. Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition ($48,100)



With a V8 good for 444 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, this Mustang is a potent, track-tuned beast. A future collectible? Most definitely.

7. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($54,470)



The Grand Cherokee SRT8 does it all; its V8 doles out enough power to keep enthusiasts grinning, and it's capable of busting trails with the best of them. There's ample luxury inside the cabin and the ute also comes with a king-sized tow rating.

8. Nissan GT-R Black Edition ($95,100)



The GT-R achieved stateside notoriety via its presence in well-known video games long before it was available for purchase on U.S shores. Hagerty expects that this popularity will make it a model that buyers of a certain generation remember and lust for decades into the future.

9. Porsche 911 ($79,000)



The folks at Hagerty point out that 911 models have a strong history of eventually appreciating in value. As such, this is the kind of car that represents a solid investment.

10. Volkswagen Golf R ($33,990)



With more power than the much-loved GTI, the Golf R stands as the most powerful Golf ever. Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces an impressive 266 hp.

What do you think of these picks? Which models would you add to this list?

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Dodge and their Mitsu inspired front bumper

Nice list though.....

Wolfsblut

Except Regal and Golf, I'd agree with this list (for once).

01 ss vert

iTrader: (1)

I dont see this Buick being a collector, or having much following. I would have replaced it with the CTS-V (coupe, sedan, or wagon).

The Fiat? Please. It has no more following than the SCCA members have for a 1989 Honda civis SI....yes there are followers, but most people can't tell you why it's a collector.

I want to drive the Laguna Seca!

TriShield

The only CTS-V that may appreciate is the wagon, which is the rarest and most unique V. They make too many V sedans for that to be collectible and the coupe has polarzing styling.

The BOSS 302 and Laguna Seca are certainly going to be very valuable cars the moment Ford stops making them after 2013 production wraps up.

The ZL1 will probably be overproduced like the GT500 as well, diminishing it's future value. Unless of course GM keeps production very low or kills it after a year or two. Both are unlikely to happen.

SRT8 production is too high for those to be collectible.

I too don't see any future value to the Regal GS, they cut it's ***** off for the US compared to the V6 AWD turbo model Europe gets.

'WHEELS'

iTrader: (1)

the reasons for why they'll be collectors are kind of funny. the charger will be a collector because they like the giant touch screen?? the SRT jeep is a collector because it is fast AND good on the trail? hardly.

the fiat might be kind of cool later on. kind of like an old school bug.

and how is there no corvette in this list? ZR1???

ElkySS

iTrader: (6)

UNDER $100k. thats why theres no zr1

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

Not sure how a ZR1 or Z06 dont make the list. The Golf R is actually a nice little car. My buddy picked up one last week, it makes for a great all purpose daily driver that is fun to drive.

TriShield

Price, plus they overproduce Corvettes. They built far too many ZR1s and ZO6s, much more than the market absorbs at MSRP. Plus if there is a ZR1 of the next generation this generation won't likely be worth much in the long run.

Generally, the rarest, most desirable and extremely well executed models are the ones that retain their value or even appreciate. Cars like the Ford GT, 2012/2013 BOSS 302 Mustangs, Pontiac G8 GXP and Solstice GXP coupe, Viper ACR, etc.

justin455

These might be collector cars as in someone will buy one and never drive it, but I don't see anyone them ever being a good investment car (what they're trying to pass this article off as). The only cars I see being worth near the MSRP in 30-40 years would be the GTR (if they don't make a new model or eff up a new model, think 1st gen Tbird) and the Boss 302 LS. None of these are really "limited production" except the TT-RS and it's just exotic enough for anyone to really care in 30-40 years.