To help you answer that question, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency and a respected collector car valuation expert, McKeel Hagerty, has compiled his choices for Hagerty’s Hot List - Top 10 Future Collector Cars.
In a press release, Hagerty explains why he put together his "Hot List".
“Many consumers could be driving a future collector car right now. Our goal was to find cars that are currently on the road but may be considered nostalgic in 15 to 20 years. Each car on Hagerty’s Hot List possesses a ‘buzz,’ a Wow Factor that resonates with consumers of all ages, many cars being daily drivers that turn heads already.”In determining the Hot List, Hagerty analyzed the reasons today’s collector cars are such hot commodities - pop-culture popularity, limited production numbers and the style of the next generation of collectors. The company included a wide range of 2008 model year cars that span market segments and price ranges - cars that are more affordable, fun to drive and still enticing for future generations.
Hagerty’s Hot List:
- Cadillac XLR-V Roadster: Under the hood sits a hand-built 4.4-liter V8 that's been supercharged and puts out 443 horsepower. This is a serious domestic roadster that competes with the Mercedes SL-Class, Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Jaguar XKR, as well as the four-seat BMW M6 convertible.
- Lotus Exige S: Most practical people will find the Lotus Exige is a miserable little car—that is if you are shopping for a grocery getter! Research uncovered one anonymous review stating “Bottom Line…my heart beats faster when I think about this car…it is that rewarding.”
- Audi S5: A slick coupe with solid credentials. We chose this because it provides good looks, impressive all-wheel-drive handling, and an affordable price tag for this segment.
- Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR: The new GT500 KR (King of the Road) takes the bare bones of a GT500 and turns it into a 540 horse power muscle car that pays tribute to the legendary Carroll Shelby. Production is expected to be around 1000.
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06: The ferocious Z06 is a fixed-roof coupe with a 7.0-liter V8 that produces 505 horsepower. The past 50 years has proven that most Corvettes eventually become collectible…the Z06 will stand out at the top of the crowd as far as collectability.
- Smart: At first look, the Smart seems too small to be practical. It's not. Rather, it is a marvel of packaging efficiency. We chose the Smart car because it is the inaugural year where they will be available to the mass US population.
- Subaru Impreza WRX STi: Some Subaru enthusiasts may not like the idea of being spotted in a hatchback, but we think this will make it more collectible down the road. It has 305 horsepower and all-wheel drive…
- Honda S2000 CR: Less than 2000 of the “CR” editions will be built…this is a high-performance version of the stock S2000 that is regarded as Honda’s only true sports car.
- Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky: This pair of roadsters from GM have all the necessary ingredients: rear-wheel drive, a powerful engine, independent suspension and an impressive weight balance. We chose this because it is the first new and exciting sports car for Saturn and the first for Pontiac in many years.
- Dodge Charger Super Bee: It has a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 with 425 horsepower and 420 ft. lbs. of torque…need we say more for a family sedan?
We happen to think Hagerty has put together a good representation of what could be tomorrow's collectables. Now we would like to hear from you. What car do you think should've made the top ten, but didn't.
Chevy SSR by FAR should be on that list!!
I,m with Greg. My SSR(what does that stand for,Eh??)gets more looks than—-(you fill in the blanks). Only made for 4 years. All the fun of a two seater sports job but the utility of a small truck. i.e. I can get two sets of golf clubs and two over night bags inside -covered and secure. The retractable hard top is so great that 3 major manufacturers have come out with one this year. All the great looks of a retro early 50’s pick up but all the functions of a new car(disc brakes-corvette power train-heated leather seats-great stereo etc.etc.). I call it my economy car plus because it not only saves me money but I do believe that it is gaining in value. Since your readers missed all about it on your site have em go to “SSR Fanatics” Ta-Ta
The NSX should be on the list. It set new paradigms for sports/exotic cars, was made in small quantities, has just two-seats, mid-engine, very high-performance, attractive and competent design design, easy to live with…seems to meet all the criteria for a future collector car.
I find it interesting that a car with approx. 19,000 units total production, and less then 10,000 units imported into the US that the NSX is not on the list. Although by today’s standards the car may not exceed or compete with the “numbers”, the car revolutionized the definition of “exotic” in it’s day. For it’s performance level AND reliability combined, It hads no rival in the 90’s. The S2000CR is a fantastic creation of Uehara san, remembering it is an encore to the main event, the NSX. Larry Bastanza, President NSX Club of America
How can a car that had it’s chassis tuned by the great Ayrton Senna himself not be a collectible?? It was the first car to incorporate an All Aluminum chassis, titanium connecting rods, and variable valve timing. There are many great sports cars out there include Porsche, Lambo, etc., but it was THE NSX that made Ferrari RETHINK itself. That statement in itself is GOLDEN. The s2000 cr is Honda’s true sports car?? The NSX is the BLOOD, SWEAT, and TEARS of HONDA. F-1 derived I might also add.
The NSX is a glaring omission. Frankly, the list is far too biased to current-year production cars and the NSX and other obvious omissions are frankly laughable. A very disappointing effort from Hagerty.
With all this passion about the Chevy SSR and Honda/Acura NSX, we had to forward your comments on this post to the nice folks at Hagerty. They explained that the 2008 Hot List pertained to cars manufactured in
2008 only, meaning the NSX or SSR couldn’t be considered. We will be making changes to this post.
It also means that we should do a new post on ‘What Cars Produced in the
Year 2000 Will Be 2025’s Collector Cars”. If we do, the NSX and SSR will
definitely be on it.
Any others you would like to suggest?
Thank you for checking out our site and keep the comments coming.
All the best, Tony & Michele
Your Guides to Classic Cars.
nice photo of a smart, but, thats the former european model (notice the headlights?). would love to see a great new photo of the new 2008 usa smart, in the column. thanks.
Chrysler 300 should be on this list.
I think the 300 classification is general. 300 SRT8 is definitely a winner
I agree about the SHELBY, but don’t forget about muscle cars like the 2008 Mustang Roush Convertible SPEEDSTER, which they only made 100. These were all supercharged 4.6L V8. They all have Performance White exterior, organge racing stripes, black 18″ Roush racing wheels, and racing brakes. I get tired of only hearing about Shelby, when it comes to collector cars.
Thanks,
-Nick-
Are you guys forgetting one of the coolest front wheel drive cars. The 1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO, with its 3.0 DOHC Yamaha built racing engine with a 5 speed shifter. Underated at 220 Horse and 200 pounds of Torque. With a few simple bolt on mods you can get 400 easy, with a supercharger and new pistons 800 is easily attainable. I currently own a 1994 SHO and It dynos in at 420 horse and 401 pounds of torque. Not much is stock on it except the block and heads and the manifolds. its been ported and polished, and a lot of money on aftermarket toys. I have smoked, vettes, mustangs, RX7 & RX8, Angry Honda’s and all. I get 22 MPG and still have A/C, Leather seating and a killer sound system
The Toyota Supra and Acura NSX will make good collector cars because they’re rare
In Greensboro NC, we see one Supra every 4 months, and one NSX every 6 months
Collectible Automobile had 90’s collectible cars article a while back. Another great FWD car that was a trailblazer is the 1993-97 Cadillac STS with the 300HP Northstar V8. The 98’s were heavier and lost their performance edge. The first gen STS’s were real performance cars! Probably too much for most Caddy buyers LOL!!