What cars that you can buy today do you feel will become classics, say 15-35 years from now? Lets say much the same way a person would ooogle over a 55 Thunderbird, 300SL Gullwing, or a 63 Split Window Vette?
I am actually having a hard time thinking of some, but my best guesses:
2002-2004 (or whenever they stop) Ford Thunderbird
2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2003 Subaru Imreza WRX (this is a maybe)
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (this is a maybe as well)
Any others?
Audi TT
BMW 8 series (out of production now, but I think the 840 and 850 are classic material, and of recent vintage)
Anything by Aston Martin
I think the Mercedes CLK coupes are some of the nicer looking cars, they might be classics.
Funny you should ask. Classic Motorsports (this is the first issue, having been British Car until this issue – this issue is considered issue #102 of British Car, despite the name change) says:
Other suggestions were the Ferrari 512 Boxer or a 288 GTO, the Porsche 911 RS, and the Nissan 300ZX. Howard Turner, chief executive of Sportscar Vintage Racing Association and History Sportscar Racing, says, “One can always count on a good exotic, like Ferraris or Astons, but for much less money… he’d buy a Volkswagen Corrado V6.”
Tim Suddard (co-founder of Motorsport Marketing) also suggests the BWM E30 M3, last made in 1991. “The price was as low as $10,000 and has now started to go up fast” He thinks these will be $50,000 in the not-too-distant future.
Barry Meguiar of Meguiar’s Car Care Products says the Dodge Viper will become a classic. Mequiar and SCCA president Steve Johnson agree with you in regards to the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
I tend to agree that the Mazda Miata will become an “afforable classic”, just as MGBs are today. I think that the Porsche 914 would be a good bet. You can get running examples for around $1,500. I saw a very nice 1973 Porsche 914 1.7L in excellent condition today for under $4,000. I’d like to have a nicely-restored example in my stable. Heck, I could buy one right now but I don’t have anywhere to keep it!
There are still a lot of New Beetles being sold, but the craze will not last as long as that for an old Beetle (see the other thread). I think well-kept examples will increase once they stop making them. And I can see the new Mini following suit in a number of years.
I’d keep an eye on the Porsche Boxster, too. Like the 914, it is the “entry-level” Porsche. Relatively inexpensive (compared to the rest of the line, or even to many other cars), it might be a good bet to think about one of those eventually.
No way will the Subaru Imreza WRX become a classic…And god I hope the new Thunderbird doesn’t.
Actually, I meant to say the WRX Sti. D’oh!
And you may be right, it might not… but I wouldn’t be suprised.
However, I will be very suprised if the new Thunderbird isn’t in 20+ years. It’s got everything going for it to almost guarantee that it will. Actually, it is very similar to the 55 in that it is an overpriced (for what you get) 2 seater convertible made in quite low (relatively) numbers.
92-97 Subaru SVX
Low production run (only 3000 a year, 15k total)
Unique styling that has not been duplicated (unlike the current wave of updated retro cars)
Rabid fan club.
Continues to get a ton of attention, 12 years after introduction.
And, I might add, it is enormously fun to drive.
Cars are so generic looking these days.
There will be no classics again. Todays cars don’t last long enough, or aren’t worth saving.
Wow, all those years of engineering refinements were completely for naught then? What a magnificent waste of time and money. Guess they should put the effort towards putting more fins on the fenders and left everything else alone.
I think the last bunch of the Camaro and Firebird LS1’s for sure. The ponitac GTP’s as well, even though it’s front wheel drive, it’s pretty cool. And the upcoming GTO’s. I thinking the cars that’ll be reall classics are the ones everyone can identify with as they were kids. 69’ Camaros are popular because they were something a lot of folks remember having, or they new someone who had one when they were young. I’m sure there are Ferarri’s out there that are classics, but not as much as old american muscle because, hell, I’ve never seen a Ferarri in person and don’t know anyone who owns one. I don’t think BMW, Mercades (sp?), or Volvos, will have a widespread classicism either (could that could be a new word?) because your average Joe don’t have these kind of cars, or could afford one. Lot’s of young kids today are going to remember, Camaros, Mustangs, GTP’s, The new GTO’s and some imports, because they can identify more with these cars.
I was going to say the Mazda Miata but Johnny LA and Jay Leno beat me to it.
I’ll go with Meguiar and vote for the Dodge Viper.
This is one of the only true American classics to come out since the split window Corvette Stingray. The Stingray was one of the last decent American sports car designs. I detested the Mako Shark when it appeared but the current crop of shaved brick Corvettes make it look good by comparison. The entire line of Chrysler “roadster” wannabes are such a patchwork of cobbled together design elements that they will never have the cachet of older true muscle cars.
If you are trying to think of the words Miata and “classic” in a single sentence, be sure to interpose Lotus Elan in there somewhere. Its understated design is the one that Miata has so shamelessly knocked off.
I’m not a car person and don’t belong here, but I have to interject that I’ve been stopped a couple times recently by young men asking me questions about my Geo Tracker. Little boys always seem to love it, too.
How about the BMW M5?
I’ll put a British slant on this and pick the TVR Tuscan, the Aston Martin Vantage, and any Morgan. Oh, and the Smart too.
Is it possible that your a female and a hottie?
drm, good call on the M5. I’d also add the E38 7-series and the current 5-series (especially the 540), which is about to be updated the same crappy way the 7’s were a couple years ago.
Considering most of the sedans today look like used bars of soap, I’d have to go with the PT Cruiser on the basis that it, at least, can be discerned from the rest of the pack. I may also volunteer such a vehicle as a Toyota MR2 or '86–89 Celica for similar reasons.
FISH
People, when I said “cars you can buy today”, I meant buy new. I have little doubt that some of the other cars mentioned here will be somewhat sought after too (last gen Trans AM w/WS6, SVX, for example) but you can’t buy them anymore.
Impala SS. 4door, black