# Future classic cars from the 90s and 00s **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818 "2011-09-27T23:10:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UncleNito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7cd45c/32.png) [@UncleNito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleNito)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/21 "2011-09-28T11:29:54Z")
Late-90s Acura Integra. Last air-cooled Porsche 911 (1998?). The first-generation Prius may achieve “classic” status if hybrid tech catches on, and the original Honda Insight (2000-2005ish) has that going on with the added benefit of rarity. I know I’m not the only one who thinks the '96-00 Honda Civic was better than each generation that followed, particularly in Si trim. The Pontiac G8 already has collector status, thanks to GM’s characteristically brilliant knack for finally getting something right and killing it immediately. Low-mileage specimens are selling for original MSRP. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/22 "2011-09-28T15:18:02Z")
American makes: Chevy Corvette (it’s always a classic), Lincoln Town Car (it’s dead already, Jim!), Ford Crown Victoria (hey, drive around in retro police style!) In terms of Japanese makes: Lexus LS, maybe? The “old standard” Japanese luxury car in the US. Mazda Miata, for the cultural impact. Toyota Prius (for the history!) German makes: Porsche Boxter? ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/23 "2011-09-28T15:25:07Z")
I have a 1985 Corvette, and I’m surprised by the number of second glances and comments I get on it when I drive it around in the summer. Especially because they only made about a million of them, so it’s not so rare. The C5 silhouette was my favorite car when I was growing up in the late '80s; I can only guess that other GenXers feel much the same way. So I’ll put my money on the 'Vette, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/24 "2011-09-28T15:31:07Z")
> [@UncleNito](#): > > Late-90s Acura Integra. Last air-cooled Porsche 911 (1998?). The first-generation Prius may achieve “classic” status if hybrid tech catches on, and the original Honda Insight (2000-2005ish) has that going on with the added benefit of rarity. I know I’m not the only one who thinks the '96-00 Honda Civic was better than each generation that followed, particularly in Si trim. I’ll have to disagree with the late '90’s Integra’s. Those were really popular around college campuses, but in the last 10 years, I think I’ve seen maybe one or two and they were rust buckets. As for '96-'00 Civics, I’ll do you one better. How about the Honda CRX from the same years (or maybe a bit earlier). People pumped a lot of money into those little cars. Also, let’s not forget the DeLorean. It was made in 81-82 and purely because of it’s celebrity status and it’s low production numbers (\<10,000) it was a classic almost instantly and probably always will be. If for no other reason, then just because of some of it’s unique attributes like the stainless steel body. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/25 "2011-09-28T15:33:23Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Nobody cares about the Chevy Biscaynes, Ford Mavericks, and Dodge Darts. Awww… I love the Maverick. Even the four-door version is kind of cool. The two-door, especially the Grabber variant, is on my list of cars to some day own, although my wife will probably put a premature stop to my car-buying plan. I only scanned the thread, so sorry if it’s already been mentioned, but the BMW Z3 will probably be admired for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/26 "2011-09-28T15:45:09Z")
One thing to remember about those auctions (I’m guessing the OP’s referring the Barrett-Jackson auctions on Speed) is they often feature heavily modified versions of the cars as well, and not just restored versions. So they may have a relatively dull car, say a 1980 T-Bird or something, but it’ll be a complete frame-off restoration, with a 454 engine, 50 coat lacquer paint job, 22" chrome wheels, etc. so it’s anything but a stock 1980 T-Bird. Meaning that in 2040, you could have a 2011 Camry, which in and of itself would be boring, but it’s tricked out to 2040 standards, and therefore cool and collectible. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/27 "2011-09-28T15:52:03Z")
The Hummers The new Mini (although the basic design hasn’t changed much) Ford GT (even though it’s a remake) ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/28 "2011-09-28T15:55:41Z")
Mazda RX7, maybe RX8. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/29 "2011-09-28T15:56:41Z")
The Acura/Honda [NSX](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX) is already a classic and certainly will be one in future decades. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/30 "2011-09-28T15:59:03Z")
Infiniti G35 Coupe is a slam dunk as a future classic. . ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/31 "2011-09-28T16:05:47Z")
If history repeats itself, you’ll see that only big powerful V8/V10s will make the cut. The current Shelby Mustangs, Dodge Challenger SRT/8 392. Dodge Viper, Corvette ZR1, Ford GTs (V10s) and possibly the Cadillac CTS-V lineup. Those will be the high buck classics of the 2030+ Barrett-Jackson auction. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/32 "2011-09-28T17:38:37Z")
Non-V8 contenders: Nissan GT-R Buick Regal Grand National GNX, ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/33 "2011-09-28T17:55:43Z")
The 240, 260 and 280 Z cars from Datsun (now Nissan) and their more modern twin turbo counterparts. The '98-'02 4th generation F-body Firebirds and Camaros, at least the special edition SS, WS6 and Firehawks that came with the LS1 engine that was put in the C5 Corvette. These are still a great deal and are begining to find favor with collectors. The new incarnation of the Dodge Challenger. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/34 "2011-09-28T19:38:08Z")
Toyota Supra mkIV, perhaps its Lexus sibling, SC300 5-spd manual. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/35 "2011-09-28T19:39:11Z")
> [@mack](#): > > The new Mini (although the basic design hasn’t changed much) Eh? it is a completely different car. There are some styling nods to the original certainly but that is about it. I’d say the basic design for the Caterham hasn’t changed much from the original Lotus 7, nor the 21st century GT40 from its 1960’s cousin. The new mini though is a different beast altogether. However, it is a nicely executed little car and the hot versions go like shit off a stick. ---
**Author:** ![Kingspades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecae2f/32.png) [@Kingspades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kingspades)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/36 "2011-09-28T20:00:41Z")
Perhaps Honda’s del Sol, having the hard-top convertible that stowed in the trunk. I used to get about an offer a month on mine. Miss that little car. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/37 "2011-09-28T20:04:03Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Mazda RX7, maybe RX8. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/38 "2011-09-28T20:06:52Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > If history repeats itself, you’ll see that only big powerful V8/V10s will make the cut. The current Shelby Mustangs, Dodge Challenger SRT/8 392. Dodge Viper, Corvette ZR1, Ford GTs (V10s) and possibly the Cadillac CTS-V lineup. Those will be the high buck classics of the 2030+ Barrett-Jackson auction. I don’t know. Do you think that USA cars are in a golden period of beautiful design as they were in the 50’s and 60’s? The one’s you’ve mentioned above have grunt but apart from the GT they aren’t particular eye-candy (and as has been mentioned, the GT is heavily influenced by the original) The CTS-V in particular is a slab-sided pig that barely deserves road space. Difficult to project forward and know how tastes will change but the 1980’s Corvette was a bit of a dog to look at then and time hasn’t been kind. Today’s will probably suffer the same fate. The problem with generations 4/5/6 is that we already have 1/2/3 to drool over. Same issue with the Mustang and Challenger. It is very difficult to improve over the originals…the shock of the new and all that. So actually, now that I think of it, it may be that the CTS-V may be the one that catches the eye in 2030. It is distinctive after all and not obviously a derivative of a previous era. Rather the reaction now to the, at the time, rather distinctive [Alfa SZ](http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=alfa+romeo+sz&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=681&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=1R0K-9B7TkNA3M:&imgrefurl=http://yo.spc.free.fr/Alfa_Romeo.htm&docid=YtKXWjwrd9i_eM&w=1600&h=1067&ei=unyDTsCfE8nWsgbrudm2Dg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=964&vpy=401&dur=1051&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=168&ty=115&page=4&tbnh=141&tbnw=190&start=45&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:45) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/39 "2011-09-28T20:24:48Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I don’t know. Do you think that USA cars are in a golden period of beautiful design as they were in the 50’s and 60’s? The one’s you’ve mentioned above have grunt but apart from the GT they aren’t particular eye-candy (and as has been mentioned, the GT is heavily influenced by the original) The CTS-V in particular is a slab-sided pig that barely deserves road space. No, I don’t think the “golden period of beautiful design” was in the '50s and '60s. I think the '50s especially were horrifyingly garish and ugly. Who could have the tallest tailfins, biggest/brightest chrome grille, Dagmar bumpers, and so on. The reason that era of car is held in such high regard right now is because the people who can afford to restore and collect them are the people who grew up in that era. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818/40 "2011-09-28T20:47:53Z")
The 1978 +/- Trans Am (Smokey and the Bandit) with the once-ridiculed ‘screamin’ chicken’ on the hood is highly coveted now. It is one a only a few cars anyone wants from the – GULP – 1970’s! The rest were ugly, under-performing wastes – no one wants 'em! (1970, 1971 excluded, of course). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-classic-cars-from-the-90s-and-00s/597818.md?page=3)