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 2008 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.”
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. So what's in your garage? To find out what didn't make the Best Car List of 2008, visit About.com's expert on cars.
