Here are 11 Possible Future Collector Cars to Buy Now

• Hagerty publishes an annual list of enthusiast cars it expects to increase in value over the next few years.

• Many of the cars on this year’s list have seen their value decrease after the pandemic, but they seem to be picking back up.

• Interest from younger enthusiasts is a key element in determining which cars are likely to appreciate.

As a general rule, cars are a depreciating asset, meaning that under normal circumstances, you can expect to sell your car for much less than your initially bought it for.

Of course, there are quite a few exceptions to this rule, and a number of cars increase in value over time, becoming collector cars.

These vehicles, often rare cars that appeal to a significant portion of driving enthusiasts, can be a fairly safe investment if you know what you are doing and buy at the right time.

Since their values rely almost entirely on the interest they generate and the demand it creates, it can be difficult to predict which models will appreciate and which ones will continue to depreciate in the coming years.

In addition, cars that were very valuable a few years ago, such as 50s American classics, have seen their valuation revised downwards in the last few years, as more and more those interested in these models age out of the collecting hobby.

While not always true, car collectors are often interested in the cars of their youth, meaning the cars that their parents had, their first car, or models they dreamt about owning back in their teenage years.

This explains why muscle cars are so popular with baby boomers and why 40s and 50s cars have seen a gradual decline over the last decade, as the pre-boomer generation gets out of the buying market.

Every year, Hagerty, the world’s largest provider of insurance for classic and specialty vehicles, publishes a list of cars it believes will go up in value over the coming years, as a sort of buyer’s guide for those who want to have a fun vehicle which likely won’t turn into a financial black hole.

For 2026, this list features 11 cars for all sorts of budgets and interests.

If some of them are already well-established collector cars, their values are expected to climb further, making them a sound choice.

Here are those eleven picks in alphabetical order:

1- 1969-1972 Alfa Romeo GTV

Starting off the list is the 1969 to 1972 Alfa Romeo GTV, a small Italian coupe that is known for its attractive design (by Bertone) and the fun it can provide its driver on a twisty road. Offered in multiple versions with all-aluminium twin cam four-cylinder engines ranging in displacement from 1.3L to 2.0L and available with fuel injection, the most popular models are equipped with either the 1.8L or 2.0L variants. Interestingly, the smaller displacement 1750 GTV (1.8L) is more sought after, which is reflected in its price. Indeed, Hagerty values a good condition example at around $49,000 US, which is not too far off from its original $4,500 sale price when adjusted for inflation. Examples in excellent condition are worth closer to US $105,000, having recovered from a drop to about $90,000 earlier this year. For comparison, the 2000 GTV was never worth quite as much on the collector market, and its value hasn’t recovered, plateauing just under $85,000. Production of the coupe version of the Giulia totalled over 225,000 units, which means it isn’t as rare as some others on its list, but interest from drivers who want to experience a more connected driving experience is expected to raise prices in the coming years.

2- 2006-2010 BMW M5 (E60)

The second entry on this year’s list is the much more modern and easier to find BMW M5 from the E60 generation. Sold from 2006 to 2010, this mid-size performance sedan is among enthusiasts’ favourites thanks to its unusual engine and serious performance credentials. Indeed, this generation of the M5 is the only one to have received a 10-cylinder engine. Dubbed S85, this 5.0L naturally-aspirated V10 was used exclusively in the M5, where it delivered 500 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a 7-speed SMG single-clutch automated manual transmission inspired by F1 racing. Out of the 8,800 E60 M5s sold in North America; 1,366 units received a six-speed manual transmission which is highly coveted by enthusiasts. Since this transmission was not offered in other world markets, a significant number of these have since been shipped out of the continent, increasing their rarity. Hagerty places the value of an SMG-equipped M5 in good condition at about US $22,000, while a similar sedan with the manual transmission is worth pretty much double that amount. Values appear to have bottomed out earlier this year, and an increasing share of owners in their 30s and 40s is likely to push values up from now on.

3- 1990-1993 Chevrolet 454 SS

You would be forgiven for not knowing right away what the name “454 SS” refers to without looking at the picture. In the early 1990s, this name denoted a high-performance version of Chevrolet’s then fairly new C1500 pickup truck. Created using the original muscle car recipe (putting the largest engine available in the smallest body that will fit it), this truck was only offered in a regular cab/short bed configuration powered by a 7.4L (454 cu in) V8 engine borrowed from the brand’s 3500 pickups. At first, this engine generated 230 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque and was paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, making for a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of 7.7 seconds. All of these trucks were painted black and had a red velour interior. While straight-line speed is definitely where the 454 SS is most at ease, Chevrolet also gave it an uprated stabilizer bar, Bilstein shock absorbers, and a faster steering ratio. Only a year after release, a new generation of the Big-Block V8 and a four-speed automatic transmission were introduced, boosting output to 255 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, which made a 0 to 60 mph run of 7.1 seconds possible. This was quite impressive, considering that the 1991 Corvette was only 1.1 seconds quicker. More interior and exterior colours were added in 1992, and production ended in 1993, with 17,000 units having found a buyer. Since 80% of those were sold during the first model year, most of the trucks you’ll find on the collector market are painted black and feature the less powerful engine. A good condition example is currently valued at about US $33,000, and this is expected to grow since half of the registered owners are aged under 50, showing strong interest from younger buyers.

4- 2006-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6)

Taking us back to the mid-2000s, the C6 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 seems about to increase in value. The Z06 is the highest-performing version of the C6 Corvette, apart from the ZR1. This means that for about $39,000, you can get behind the wheel of a good-condition two-seater sports car powered by a hand-built 7.0L LS7 naturally-aspirated V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication that generates 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, enough to power the Z06 from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in only 3.5 seconds, still impressive today. Other changes compared to the regular Corvette include an aluminum frame, balsa wood and carbon fibre floors, and a magnesium engine cradle, all aimed at reducing the car’s weight. Wider tires and larger brakes are also included, making the Corvette Z06 quite adept on a track. A six-speed manual transmission was the only one offered in this version of the American sports car. On average, the Z06 is worth 57% more than other C6 Corvettes, and values are expected to climb further as 52% of owners are Gen X or younger, which is quite young for Corvette owners in general. Furthermore, the proportion of Millennial owners doubled over the last five years. If you set your sights on this future collector car, you probably won’t have trouble finding one, as production totalled just shy of 28,000 units over an eight-year run.

5- 1956-1957 Continental Mark II

The oldest car on the list is the 1956 and 1957 Continental Mark II, the most expensive car on the American market at the time. This full-size coupe is often referred to as a Lincoln Continental, but this is incorrect, as the Mark II was the only product of Ford Motor Company’s short-lived Continental division. Indeed, Ford wanted to have an even more luxurious brand that would sit above Lincoln in order to market this new flagship, which features quite a modern and distinctive design for the time. While the Continental Mark II sold reasonably well for a car of its price ($10,000, or about $120,000 today) and attracted such famous buyers as Elvis Presley, Elisabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra, the Continental Division was never profitable and was therefore axed before Ford entered the stock market in 1957. All 1956 and 1957 Continental Mark IIs are powered by a Lincoln-sourced 368 cubic inch (6.0L) V8 engine and a “Turbo-Drive” three-speed automatic transmission, a powertrain rated at the time at 285 horsepower (1956) or 300 horsepower (1957). Performance was not this model’s calling card, banking instead on its refinement, hand-built nature, and strict quality controls to justify its original asking price. Production of this Rolls-Royce and Bentley rival totalled fewer than 1,800 units, most of which were made during the first model year. A Continental Mark II in good condition is now worth about US $40,000, and while values for 50s cars in general are down, this model should escape this trend due to its exclusivity. Here again, Hagerty presents data that suggests younger buyers are showing more interest than they did a few years ago.

6- 1968-1970 Dodge Charger

Perhaps the most iconic muscle car (the original Mustang has a strong claim to this title, too), the second-generation Dodge Charger, sold from 1968 to 1970, saw its values drop slightly over the last few years. This is likely due to traditional muscle car buyers getting older, and would normally be a bad sign for a car’s collectible status, but not in this case. Indeed, there seems to be a strong interest from younger buyers, something that’s bound to push prices back up. Therefore, now seems like a good time to buy. You won’t be hurting for choice either, as the second-generation Charger was quite popular in its time, with over 230,000 units finding a home over its three model years. A significant number of these have survived to this day thanks to the Charger’s enduring popularity, fueled by movies such as Bullitt and Dukes of Hazzard. The 1968-1970 Charger is also popular for its own merit, with models powered by iconic engines such as the 383 and 440 cubic inch V8s, as well as the famous 426 cu in Hemi V8 that drove Dodge and Plymouth models to numerous NASCAR victories. Obviously, Chargers equipped with this engine are worth much more than those with smaller displacement V8s, pulling up the value of 1968-1970 Chargers in good condition to around U.S. $61,000.

7- 1981-1993 Dodge Ramcharger

While our next entry also hails from Dodge, it goes in an entirely different direction than the Charger that precedes it in our list. Indeed, the 1981 to 1993 Ramcharger is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV that is likely to benefit from the retro off-roader craze. Over the last few years, examples of the original Ford Bronco and the K5-generation Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy have seen their values climb significantly, while the more obscure Ramcharger continues to lag behind. Nevertheless, trucks in good condition currently change hands for about U.S. $18,400 and values are expected to rise, with a larger proportion of owners under 50 than Hagerty’s average for all cars, making it a good starter classic for someone with a smaller budget. Using a shortened version of the Dodge Ram pickup’s frame, the Ramcharger has significant off-road capabilities that are backed up by either the standard 318 cu in V9 or the optional 360 cu in unit. The Ramcharger was also sold by Plymouth as the Trail Duster.

8- 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Another option for smaller budgets is the second-generation (NB) Mazda MX-5 Miata, sold from 1999 to 2005. While all generations of the MX-5 stand in the shadow of the original NA, the NB is gaining its own following. Indeed, despite its lack of pop-up headlamps and a less iconic design, the NB Miata remained quite close to its predecessor in terms of philosophy and driving experience, thanks to a low weight, a free-revving 1.8L four-cylinder engine, and a slick manual transmission. The car’s reputation for reliability and ease of maintenance also makes it an attractive choice for those who can’t afford the repair bills that come with British or German roadsters. Now seems like a good time to buy a second-generation MX-5 as prices have started to go up, and the gap between this model and the original Miata has been closing over the last year or two. There are two groups of NB Miatas: the NB1 (1999-2000) and the NB2 (2001-2005). The latter gained a few improvements over the early cars, such as two more horsepower, variable valve timing, an optional six-speed manual transmission, standard 15-inch wheels, and a few cosmetic updates. This generation of the Miata is also the only one to offer a factory turbocharged powertrain, in the Mazdaspeed MX-5, but this one isn’t included in the Hagerty price guide, which lists an average price of $9,400 in the United States for a car in good condition.

9- 1995-1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33)

The next entry also comes from Japan, but it will require a larger budget than the Miata, although maybe not as much as you might expect. Indeed, the R33 generation of the Nissan Skyline GT-R (1995-1998) is overshadowed by both its predecessor and its successor, making it somewhat of a bargain for collectors who can recognize its potential. Acting as a technological showcase for Nissan, the Skyline GT-R has always been equipped with an impressive powertrain. In the R33, this means a 2.6L twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and an advanced all-wheel drive system with an active limited-slip center differential. While the reported output was only 276 horsepower due to a gentleman’s agreement between Japanese automakers, the actual figure is thought to be closer to 316 horsepower. While the later R34 GT-R saw its value explode over U.S. $350,000 in 2021 before coming back down earlier this year to about $210,000, the R33 remained mostly flat, with good condition examples selling for about $55,100. Of course, finding an R33 Skyline GT-R in North America is not the easiest task given that the model was never officially sold in this market, but the popularity of JDM cars over the last few years has led to the creation of multiple companies specialized in importing vehicles from Japan, which should make the process easier.

10- 2004-2007 Porsche Carrera GT

Having the Porsche Carrera GT on a list of “future collectible cars” might seem odd, but Hagerty has an explanation. Indeed, while this famous sports car still retails for about U.S. $1,350,000 in good condition, its value peaked in 2022 closer to 1.6 million and is now poised to climb even further. Viewed as one of the last analog supercars, the Carrera GT pairs a 5.7L short-stroke V10 engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and no electronic driving aids. While this means the Carrera GT is certainly not the easiest to drive, the experience it provides to the driver is difficult to match, being closest to supercars from the 80s and 90s than those of the early 2000s. While newer supercars are more powerful, faster, and more technologically advanced. the Carrera GT is a true driver’s car that requires skill to drive, both on the track and around town. With a surprisingly high production figure of 1,270 units (compared to only 500 Lexus LFAs, for example), finding one shouldn’t be too difficult for those who can afford it.

11-1995-1998 Volkswagen Golf GTI VR6 (mk3)

Ending the list is another affordable future classic: the mk3 Volkswagen Golf GTI VR6. Here again, this model is poised for growth as more and more buyers turn to it instead of its more expensive predecessor and successor. Indeed, the third generation of the Golf GTI has been generally less popular with enthusiasts than the Mk1, 2, and 4, leading to lower values. Nevertheless, this generation of the Golf GTI is significant in the history of the German hot hatch as it was the first to adopt a six-cylinder engine instead of the four-cylinder used previously. Not any six-cylinder either, as this model made use of the interesting VR6 engine, which features only a single cylinder head thanks to its narrow bank angle, which made possible its use in tight engine bays designed for inline engines. While its 172-horsepower output doesn’t sound so impressive today, the car’s light weight allowed it a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint of just 6.7 seconds, comparable to a Mustang GT from the same time period. The car’s handling and relative simplicity are also factors that appeal to driving enthusiasts. Finding an example in good condition can be more difficult than you might expect given the large production numbers, since many of them were extensively modified (and crashed) by their second and third owners in the 2000s and 2010s. If you do manage to find a nice original mk3 Golf GTI VR6, expect to pay about U.S. $13,000, a value that has climbed very slowly over the last five years.

It will be interesting to follow the values of these 11 cars over the next few years to see if Hagerty’s predictions come true, but looking at its “Bull lists” from previous years, it appears to have a pretty good track record.

Source: Hagerty