Although there are certainly no experts Being in the car appraisal world, having owned over 50 cars in my 27 years of driving, I was honored to be on a panel of a handful of industry experts predicting “tomorrow’s” collector cars. The Future of Collectibles Symposium is once again an important part of the 2025 Barrett-Jackson Collectible Car Auction in Scottsdale. Hundreds of specialty cars will find new homes in about a week. Will you be one of the lucky buyers?
No one on the panel had a crystal ball, but we did share some collective industry insights into how we see the future. I’ve put together a list of five vehicles that I think will have rising appeal in the coming months and years. Here they are in alphabetical order by brand:
2022 Acura NSX Type S (NC1 chassis)
Honda’s halo supercar, the NSX, returned to the market in 2017 after a hiatus of more than a decade. This time, it’s a hybrid with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and three electric motors. In the final year of production, Acura produced only 300 Model S models. The most notable update in this last hurray is a power boost to 600 horsepower. Each Type S comes with a numbered plaque indicating its production number – adding exclusivity to an already eye-catching package deal.
2025 BMW Z4 M40i 6-speed (G29 chassis)
The latest generation of BMW’s superb-handling two-seat roadster is built in Austria and now finally comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. Sharing the same architecture as the Toyota GR Supra, this car marked the end of an era for “simulation” enthusiasts who preferred their own driving rigs. Power comes from a 382-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six engine. With manuals being phased out, this is definitely a car you can buy today as an investment for the future.
2003 – 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB I chassis)
The Viper has been the “poster car” for sports car fans for more than three decades. It always delivers a raw, visceral driving experience, which means it’s not for the faint of heart. Power comes from an 8.3-liter V10 engine and a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. Now that this generation of Viper is 20 years old, it’s a good time to be on the rise. The value is stable and rising. Worth mentioning here is the Viper-powered Dodge Ram pickup truck – the “SRT-10.”
2000 – 2002 Lincoln LS Manual
A Lincoln with a manual – this car is so rare I’ve never even seen it in person. Only 2,331 units of the Getrag five-speed manual transmission were produced over three model years. This is what I call the “ultimate sleeper car” – a car that is essentially a Jaguar. Power comes from a 3.0-liter V6 engine (this generation also has a V8, but only with an automatic transmission). Try to find one of them!
2007 – 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle has gained a cult following in the decade since it ended production. And for good reason – it’s both reliable and off-road capable, thanks to body-on-frame construction, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, rock sliders, and a host of other available equipment. There’s plenty of aftermarket support for the FJ platform, and the 4.0-liter V6 can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. My favorite FJ is called the Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, a monumental final special edition.
Do you own or plan to own any of the above vehicles? I think they’re a solid collector’s opportunity for anyone looking to invest in a car that’s both fun to drive and popular. Tune in to the panel discussion on Wednesday, January 22 at 11:00 AM, live on Barrett-Jackson’s YouTube channel!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.