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Edmunds is testing the 2016 Prius, got 10.2 seconds 0-60.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
They used a skinny little driveshaft that makes the BEST prybar you will ever find if you can get your hands on one!
The 4 cyl engines shook and vibrated in their mounts!
I sold this car to my brother in 1969, and about six months later it was stolen. The police found it, dismantled with other Mustangs, in someone's back yard. Sad ending!
Its not not that a 289 2bbl AT was slow for its day. Now, though, it is.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/1964-1-2-ford-mustang-review-performance-to-rival-the-pontiac-gto-page-4
There are many 90s cars that are kind of cult design icons already, I suspect the number will decrease as the model years increase - the stylist hivemind is all about volume now, no matter the brand.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Personally I have the most respect for "ground-breaking" cars in terms of design---leading the way to a new design paradigm (geez I hate that word)
In terms of project cars, some people argue that you should put your money into "what you like" and if that is a $50,000 restoration of a '52 Plymouth sedan...well, so be it, it's your money. I'd rather see all that human effort, skill and treasure put into something that will have meaning for future generations, in terms of design history I mean.
The early cab forward cars are still kind of eye catching, but the small headlights look funny now.
For MBs, the big W140 S-class was much derided for its severe bulky looks, especially coming from the classic W126, but has now graduated to becoming a cult classic for MB people, and truly mint survivors are being saved. Its design looks so clean and pure compared to modern cars.
GM jumped head first into the aero game after rejecting it for awhile, no doubt.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
1997-1998 Lincoln Mk VIII LSC
1995 Porsche 928 GTS
199X BMW 850 CIS
199x Mercedes C140 V12
199x BMW E32 and E38 750i
Given more time I can come up with more but that is all for now.
I assume some of the "exotic" Japanese cars (RX7 TT? Or was that 2000+?), supra turbo could qualify.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I think the V12 MBs of the era (sedan and coupe) will be like the 6.3 and 6.9 cars - really mint ones have value and many people love them, but there are lots of wacky messes out there, and restoration costs are insane. 124 cabrios will also always be worth something if they are nice.
Around where I lived, that two-tiered piece of trim at the bottom of the decklid used to delaminate from the inside. GM replaced them for free outside of warranty.
I agree that the Supra Turbo, if it remains stock (hard to find one that hasn't been messed with) is already a solid collectible.
Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo --yes, now's the time to grab one.
Mazda RX-8 --it'll take a while but this is a much underappreciated car
No doubt the Hellcat--I mean, it's just too outrageous not to be.
Mustang Laguna Seca has a shot
I'm not sure what the "Hot SUV collectible" will be,but I'm sure there will be one to follow the old Broncos, Tahoes and Land Rover Defenders.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
FJ 40s are ridiculously high-priced right now. That's a sure winner.
As far as the Japanese yes the RX7 TT, the Nissan 300Z TT, the Toyota Supra TT all have been collectible or just very desirable and it has been reflected in their sales price for quite a while now. I don't remember a time when a Supra TT sold for much less than when new.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
You can find Mitsu 3000 VR4s for under $5,000. The car has had 20+ years to go somewhere and it hasn't, so I'd say give up on that one except as a hobby car.
The Rule of Thumb---"loved when new, loved when old" isn't bulletproof, but it's pretty reliable.
I know some people will point to cars that were ridiculed when new but now have some sort of collector value, like the Delorean, but if it wasn't for the free publicity of that movie, they'd be worth far less. Even then, the cars have had generally stagnant values, and the nicely restored or pristine ones have actually dropped in value. Certainly not an "investment grade" car.
I don't know why, but Deloreans jumped way up LONG after the movies came out. I remember seeing really nice ones back around 2000 for under $10k. Now we're talking $25k-$30k.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
With 90s cars being adored by Gen X and younger, the price peak may come later as affluence is coming later for those groups.
There will certainly be a handful of 90s cars that will become valuable collectibles, but not many, and certainly none of the mass-produced ones IMO. You need a whole bunch of people, with money, to be really excited about a car for it to "move up".
The Delorean is an odd duck. There is no reason for it to be collectible, really. It's an awful car. Probably the relative scarcity (only about 8500 made, and many of those already dead), the movie of course, and a rather good aftermarket supply system keep it going. And really, they have barely maintained MSRP, whereas a 280SL is 20X MSRP right now. Also----it's a very difficult car to sell to anyone.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Some of the MSRP vs price today issue is also because of the cost of living inflation and asset inflation that took place between 1970 and today, compared to 1996 and today. This inflation is also what allowed many boomer types the ability to lay down 100K on one of these cars.
I have some old NADA/KBB guides from 1976. The inflation was already at play then - some MY 1970 MBs had book prices almost equal to original MSRP.
As for Porsches, the 993s are already in a deflating bubble, maybe 20% off last year. Deloreans took a 25% whack. Even some of the sacred, revered "muscle cars" have been pummeled.
Not everything goes up and up.
In a way, any "old car" is interesting, but there are 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier collectibles. I don't see many 90s cars getting out of 3rd tier---you know----what's an 80s Celica worth? Not much, but somebody will buy it at the right price.
I never would have predicted $45,000 Toyota FJ40s though. Again, supply and demand I guess. I've been fooled before.
Funny thing about Landcruisers - 90s era ones are now being marketed as lifestyle fashion accessories. Kind of like 80s era Grand Wagoneers.