Future Collectibles?
10-14-2011, 01:50 AM
#1
Evil Mazda Driver
Thread Starter
Future Collectibles?
What cars do you think are overlooked today but might have future collectibility?
My vote is cast for the Honda Element. Most people laugh but trust me, there is a method to my madness:
> It was the very first of the 'box' cars and until the Scion xB hit a few years later, the only one.
> It is the only box car to have suicide doors and really the only car besides a Jeep Wrangler to offer the vinyl hose-out floor.
> It's very versatile and there's more space inside than there is in Montana.
> Honda made the classic error of marketing the car to the Gen-Y crowd and got aging baby boomers instead.
> Almost every single one is high-mileage, stinks like hell and is beat to shit and because of that, the low-mileage, good-condition cars will eventually be worth more. I suspect mint-condition SC models will go for big bucks because of their rarity.
> Finally and most importantly, it is unique. Cars don't have to be beautiful, fast or exotic to become collectibles. It certainly helps but odd or one-of-a-kind designs always tend to attract a following, especially as their numbers dwindle.
I've never really liked them but in its own way, the Element is quirky, fun little car and though I may be wrong, I sincerely believe they'll be worth a lot of money someday and I wish I could afford to buy one of the last new ones and put it away for later, only driving it on occasion.
My vote is cast for the Honda Element. Most people laugh but trust me, there is a method to my madness:
> It was the very first of the 'box' cars and until the Scion xB hit a few years later, the only one.
> It is the only box car to have suicide doors and really the only car besides a Jeep Wrangler to offer the vinyl hose-out floor.
> It's very versatile and there's more space inside than there is in Montana.
> Honda made the classic error of marketing the car to the Gen-Y crowd and got aging baby boomers instead.
> Almost every single one is high-mileage, stinks like hell and is beat to shit and because of that, the low-mileage, good-condition cars will eventually be worth more. I suspect mint-condition SC models will go for big bucks because of their rarity.
> Finally and most importantly, it is unique. Cars don't have to be beautiful, fast or exotic to become collectibles. It certainly helps but odd or one-of-a-kind designs always tend to attract a following, especially as their numbers dwindle.
I've never really liked them but in its own way, the Element is quirky, fun little car and though I may be wrong, I sincerely believe they'll be worth a lot of money someday and I wish I could afford to buy one of the last new ones and put it away for later, only driving it on occasion.
Last edited by PortlandRL; 10-14-2011 at 01:58 AM.
10-14-2011, 01:56 AM
#2
Any sort of semi-limited production Japanese sports car from the '80s and '90s. They were essentially killed off in NA in the late '90s/early '00s and compared to the '60s muscle car craze that has been prevalent for the past couple of decades or so, the production of these $40,000+ (20 years ago, mind you) cars was very limited. For similar reasons to yours for the Element, many of these cars are far from stock now or nowhere near showroom condition anymore.
People still go crazy for the NSX and Supra. In that same vein there's also the 300ZX, RX-7, 3000GT and even MR2, etc. Imagine the demand another 10 years from now.
At least for me, it's hard to narrow anything down these days because the most popular products these days are consumer electronics. But technology seems to leapfrog every year or two so a 10 year old phone or gadget is a relic by then. People are obsessed with the latest, greatest thing too so I don't see an OG iPod (for example) being all that special. I could be wrong.
People still go crazy for the NSX and Supra. In that same vein there's also the 300ZX, RX-7, 3000GT and even MR2, etc. Imagine the demand another 10 years from now.
At least for me, it's hard to narrow anything down these days because the most popular products these days are consumer electronics. But technology seems to leapfrog every year or two so a 10 year old phone or gadget is a relic by then. People are obsessed with the latest, greatest thing too so I don't see an OG iPod (for example) being all that special. I could be wrong.
Last edited by Costco; 10-14-2011 at 02:08 AM.
10-14-2011, 02:06 AM
#3
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,634
Received 2,328 Likes
on
1,308 Posts
+1 for Japanese sports cars/coupes
NSX, Supra, Integra and Prelude etc will be collectors items.
NSX, Supra, Integra and Prelude etc will be collectors items.
10-14-2011, 02:07 AM
#4
edit: oops. didn't realize this was in Car Talk 
I'll try to be less broad....
I'll try to be less broad....
Last edited by Costco; 10-14-2011 at 02:18 AM.
10-14-2011, 05:35 AM
#5
When I bought mine new, the dealer told be he heard of a guy who bought one and just drove home to store it in his garage without any intentions of ever driving it. Not sure if its true or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. It would be cool to find an unmolested ITR with no miles on it.
10-14-2011, 09:10 AM
#6
Not Registered
High horsepower rear wheel and all wheel drive cars. Advances will increase and if the hp continues to rise I don't see too many new collectibles out there. If there's a gas crisis or anything that starts to limit hp and lower performance (as the late 70's - early 90's) or prices on new cars just skyrocket, everyone will want the old high hp cars again. My 94 corvette was a fast car at 300hp at it's time, now every Honda, Hyundai, Kia... seems to have a 300 hp car.
Everyone said the 90's ZR1 would be a huge collectible, it still may be collectible in the future, but nobody really want's one when they can buy a new Vette and have so much better performance.
Everyone said the 90's ZR1 would be a huge collectible, it still may be collectible in the future, but nobody really want's one when they can buy a new Vette and have so much better performance.
10-14-2011, 09:16 AM
#7
Collectible as in value increases? Guess that is like picking lottery numbers. A car has to be very rare and limited in production.
So, my guess would be the CR version of the S2000. Don't think I've ever even seen one.
So, my guess would be the CR version of the S2000. Don't think I've ever even seen one.
Trending Topics
10-14-2011, 10:09 AM
#8
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
I collect emblems and nameplates. There is just something about a cars badges that appeal to me. I have a lot.
10-14-2011, 10:23 AM
#11
Moderator
10-14-2011, 10:39 AM
#12
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
Typically it comes down to three factors...
1. Limited Production
2. Desirabilty Factor
3. First to Market
For these reasons I'll vote Mazdaspeed6.
It does meet all the criteria...
1. Only produced 2 years
2. There's a decent following and unmolested examples are hard to come by
3. The first direct injection engine sold in the U.S. Market
Ok maybe I'm being a little biased. It probably won't be collectable. I agree with most everyone else, the high dollar collectables will be the Japanese sport coupes like the Supra, 3000GT VR4, MR2 Turbo, etc.
1. Limited Production
2. Desirabilty Factor
3. First to Market
For these reasons I'll vote Mazdaspeed6.
It does meet all the criteria...
1. Only produced 2 years
2. There's a decent following and unmolested examples are hard to come by
3. The first direct injection engine sold in the U.S. Market
Ok maybe I'm being a little biased. It probably won't be collectable. I agree with most everyone else, the high dollar collectables will be the Japanese sport coupes like the Supra, 3000GT VR4, MR2 Turbo, etc.
10-14-2011, 11:17 AM
#14
Any car can be considered a future collectible. From the most mundane offering to the most elaborate, anything will always appeal to various individuals. For the most part, however, there are generally three things that collectors agree generally make a collectible car:
1) Did it change the automotive landscape? Any car which brought forth technology or performance which moved automotive design and production in a distinct direction. Electric powered vehicles, hybrids, and vehicles with technological advancements will have some collectibility in the future.
2) Vehicles with a strong racing or competition background. Vehicles or those used with engines closely related to their commercial counterparts will have some future collectibility. Do not, however, think that anything high performance immediately means it has a racing heritage. There are many high performance cars which depreciate quickly. Any front engine Ferrari tends to drop like a stone. As do some of their mid-engine offerings. Ford GTs however still command prices exceeding their original MRSPs. Some of this can be attributed to their racing ancestry.
3) This is the most important. Whatever YOU lusted over as a child. As you become older, the cars you held dear to you will become increasingly desirable as the years pass by. And as you get older your financial situation improves and you're able to afford what you always wanted. Mustangs and Challengers (I don't know anyone that likes the new Camaro) and some specific Japanese/European models will once again occupy your thoughts and you'll soon want to purchase a part of your youth.
1) Did it change the automotive landscape? Any car which brought forth technology or performance which moved automotive design and production in a distinct direction. Electric powered vehicles, hybrids, and vehicles with technological advancements will have some collectibility in the future.
2) Vehicles with a strong racing or competition background. Vehicles or those used with engines closely related to their commercial counterparts will have some future collectibility. Do not, however, think that anything high performance immediately means it has a racing heritage. There are many high performance cars which depreciate quickly. Any front engine Ferrari tends to drop like a stone. As do some of their mid-engine offerings. Ford GTs however still command prices exceeding their original MRSPs. Some of this can be attributed to their racing ancestry.
3) This is the most important. Whatever YOU lusted over as a child. As you become older, the cars you held dear to you will become increasingly desirable as the years pass by. And as you get older your financial situation improves and you're able to afford what you always wanted. Mustangs and Challengers (I don't know anyone that likes the new Camaro) and some specific Japanese/European models will once again occupy your thoughts and you'll soon want to purchase a part of your youth.
10-14-2011, 11:25 AM
#15
Fahrvergnügen'd
Unless something radically changes, I don't think any of the cars listed above are going to become collector cars. There were too many made, there's nothing timeless about them, and they'll suffer for it.
There was a mention, generically, of Japanese sports cars. The only car no longer made that I can see being on the list is the NSX and that's tenuous because it's been out for 20 years and while it's holding steady, there's a lot more passion for an '89 Countach than a '92 NSX.
My guess of cars made right now (MY12) that aren't $250k+ supercars would be:
GT-R, Aston Vantage, the little Lotuses, maybe the Audi R8, the Vette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 and CTS-Vs, Jag XK-RS, Boss 302 Laguna Seca, and Fiat 500 (seriously).
If you use the desirability scale of A-F, most of those cars are going to end up being As and Bs ... But it's not a comprehensive list. 30 years from now the MY13 GT500 might be collectible but it might only rate a C ... No one knows.
But I think that if you think that in 15 years Bonham's is going to have an Acura Integra Type-R go across their stage, you're crazy.
It seems there are two distinct camps of collector auctions: Classic car domestics from the 50s to early 70s and then everything else like Ferraris, V16 Caddys, etc.
It'll be interesting to see if that changes.
But if I could assemble a list of classics that an everyman could afford that are at least 25 years old I would be surprised if Barrett or Mecum would be interested in them.
There was a mention, generically, of Japanese sports cars. The only car no longer made that I can see being on the list is the NSX and that's tenuous because it's been out for 20 years and while it's holding steady, there's a lot more passion for an '89 Countach than a '92 NSX.
My guess of cars made right now (MY12) that aren't $250k+ supercars would be:
GT-R, Aston Vantage, the little Lotuses, maybe the Audi R8, the Vette ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 and CTS-Vs, Jag XK-RS, Boss 302 Laguna Seca, and Fiat 500 (seriously).
If you use the desirability scale of A-F, most of those cars are going to end up being As and Bs ... But it's not a comprehensive list. 30 years from now the MY13 GT500 might be collectible but it might only rate a C ... No one knows.
But I think that if you think that in 15 years Bonham's is going to have an Acura Integra Type-R go across their stage, you're crazy.
It seems there are two distinct camps of collector auctions: Classic car domestics from the 50s to early 70s and then everything else like Ferraris, V16 Caddys, etc.
It'll be interesting to see if that changes.
But if I could assemble a list of classics that an everyman could afford that are at least 25 years old I would be surprised if Barrett or Mecum would be interested in them.
Last edited by charliemike; 10-14-2011 at 11:28 AM.
10-14-2011, 11:45 AM
#16
Three Wheelin'
3) This is the most important. Whatever YOU lusted over as a child. As you become older, the cars you held dear to you will become increasingly desirable as the years pass by. And as you get older your financial situation improves and you're able to afford what you always wanted. Mustangs and Challengers (I don't know anyone that likes the new Camaro) and some specific Japanese/European models will once again occupy your thoughts and you'll soon want to purchase a part of your youth.
10-14-2011, 03:45 PM
#18
Drifting
as for the Element, I see it (along w/ the xB) being kinda cult cars, more in the fashion of the beetle (but probably not even close to that extent). I'm not sure I can see them being true collectors (ie. at auction, pulling in tons of money)
Sadly, I almost feel like this generation of consumer cars will more be known for cheap build quality, plastics, and revolutionary safety features, haha. Maybe the exotic/semi-exotics will be collectable in 50 years, and will sound "cheap" because by then an accord will cost you 100k.
Sadly, I almost feel like this generation of consumer cars will more be known for cheap build quality, plastics, and revolutionary safety features, haha. Maybe the exotic/semi-exotics will be collectable in 50 years, and will sound "cheap" because by then an accord will cost you 100k.
10-14-2011, 05:02 PM
#19
10-14-2011, 06:03 PM
#20
'97-'98 USDM Championship White ITR imo.
When I bought mine new, the dealer told be he heard of a guy who bought one and just drove home to store it in his garage without any intentions of ever driving it. Not sure if its true or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. It would be cool to find an unmolested ITR with no miles on it.
When I bought mine new, the dealer told be he heard of a guy who bought one and just drove home to store it in his garage without any intentions of ever driving it. Not sure if its true or not, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. It would be cool to find an unmolested ITR with no miles on it.
http://www.insideline.com/features/1...-civic-si.html
You might have seen this article before, but I remember reading it thinking he's the luckiest bastard ever!
10-14-2011, 06:28 PM
#21
How badly do you want one? You could stalk this guy until he's ready to sell...
http://www.insideline.com/features/1...-civic-si.html
You might have seen this article before, but I remember reading it thinking he's the luckiest bastard ever!
http://www.insideline.com/features/1...-civic-si.html
You might have seen this article before, but I remember reading it thinking he's the luckiest bastard ever!
Not right now, but that is pretty cool. What's funny is, after I sold mine I kept the wheels with the purpose of doing a five lug swap on my civic. It never happened and I only just sold those wheels with the original Bridgestone Potenza RE010 tires about six years ago. Probably could have gotten more money had I known they didn't make those tires anymore.
Last edited by madcaps; 10-14-2011 at 06:38 PM.
10-14-2011, 07:01 PM
#22
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
2G CTS-V 
10-14-2011, 08:13 PM
#24
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Considering how quickly new technology is being released within the car industry, I don't think the Volt will be much to look at later down the road. Just like the Honda Insight, it caused a huge stir when it was released, but has been somewhat forgotten about ever since.
10-14-2011, 09:33 PM
#26
Acura ZDX and Honda Crosstour
2nd gen Toyota MR2, a.k.a. the poor mans Ferrari
2nd gen Toyota MR2, a.k.a. the poor mans Ferrari
10-15-2011, 02:33 AM
#27
Whoever said Golf R32, that's for SURE. I've never seen a car made in the last 10 years that was under $60k MSRP when new hold its value so well. Relative or otherwise. There may be a few, but not many and none that I can recall ATM.
10-15-2011, 11:48 AM
#28
Registered 3.5L Member
Why no mention of this stunner??
10-15-2011, 07:03 PM
#30
10-15-2011, 07:26 PM
#31
Senior Moderator
I was going make the exact same post.
Particularly given some of the responses on this thread. 
That said, teranfon's post sums it up. If Element and Aztec owners feel that they own collectibles in their own head then so be it. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but then again, even blind people have eyes.
10-15-2011, 08:46 PM
#33
E92
The S2000 has held its value really well, and should also be on this list since it was a spectacular car and who knows if there'll be anything else like it again.
10-16-2011, 08:39 AM
#35
Senior Moderator
I would also like to think that the 2G CTS-V will be eventually collectible, but there are now in the neighborhood of 10k of those out there...just a WAG on the number. Of those, the one most likely to be a collectible is the ultra-rare Vagon.
As a result, I am driving the heck out of my V sedan knowing that it won't be as collectible. It'll at least be a driver-quality car for sale at Barrett-Jackson or Mecum in 25-30 years, if I keep it that long.Of course, with any of these cars, it depends on the market and what people like in 20-30 years.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
InFaMouSLink
Car Parts for Sale
3
10-30-2015 09:43 AM
detailersdomain
Wash & Wax
3
10-09-2015 10:13 PM
