HomeCar CultureFuture Collectibles Panel at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Future Collectibles Panel at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Tyson's top predictions for collectors

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The collector car market is always shifting forward. Just like the nostalgia my dad has every time he sees a 1968 Chevy Nova, I too am drawn to vehicles from my childhood, and particularly my teenage years from the late 1990s.

I was honored this year once again to participate in a Barrett-Jackson symposium about “future collectibles” during auction week on Tuesday, January 24.  Joining me on the panel were moderator Alan Taylor along with participants Sean Morris, Jim Pickering, Jay Harden, and Sam Stockham. Each panelist brought forward a unique list of vehicles to the discussion.

Here are eight vehicles I have preselected as my top picks for future collectibles, along with an explanation of why each vehicle made my list.

1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner (Third generation)

  • 2.7-liter inline-4 150hp or 3.4-liter V6 183hp
  • 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto

This SUV offers body-on-frame ruggedness, reliability, and even luxury when configured in Limited trim. Some examples can still be found at reasonable prices, and Toyota’s long-term cost of ownership is low.

1997-2001 Honda Prelude (Fifth generation)

  • 2.2-liter inline-4 195hp
  • 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto

This is a perfect example of a “Golden Era” Honda: a high-revving sports coupe with a VTEC four-cylinder, and the SH model had ATTS (an active torque transfer system) to counteract understeer.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

  • Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 668hp
  • 6-speed manual / 10-speed auto

A family sedan that sprints to 60 in 3.4-seconds, equipped with a manual transmission and a supercharged motor. Truly a nod to true American muscle in the modern day – perhaps the last of its kind.

1998-2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (W210)

  • 5.4-liter M113 V8 349hp
  • 5-speed automatic

This one is another people-hauler with exceptional performance and luxury car amenities. Finding one of these in good condition is getting tougher, and well-kept examples will appreciate.

2006-2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed 6

  • Turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 274hp
  • 6-speed manual

The design of this all-wheel drive sport sedan has aged well for being over 15 years old. It offers impressive equipment like a limited-slip differential, and it emphasizes fun-to-drive dynamics but could still be daily-driven.

1992-1997 Ford F-Series (Ninth generation)

  • 4.9-liter inline-6, 460ci V8, 7.3-liter Power Stroke Diesel
  • 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto

The F-Series has been America’s best-selling vehicle for over 40 years for good reason. The ninth-generation was the last true “Old Body Style” (OBS), and came in special versions such as the Lightning, Eddie Bauer, and FlareSide.

1989-1994 Nissan Maxima (Third generation)

  • 3.0-liter V6 190hp
  • 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto

The third-generation Maxima was the original “Four Door Sports Car” (4DSC), and the sporty SE trim had twin mufflers, tinted tails, and unique wheels. A well-kept example from this era will appreciate in collectability.

2005-2008 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon

  • 2.5-liter V6 or 3.0-liter V6 228hp
  • 5-speed manual / 5-speed auto

This wagon checks a lot of boxes for enthusiasts: All-wheel drive, sporty underpinnings, versatile cargo carrying, and a manual transmission. Some drivetrain elements are shared with the Ford Contour SVT – another inevitable future classic.

Tyson and Alan Taylor

No matter what era or genre of cars interest you, you’re bound to find it on ClassicCars.com. Check out the listings and find your dream future collectible.

Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

4 COMMENTS

  1. to folks my age (over 50) none of those vehicles seem special-However- for people who grew up with them there will be some emotional attachment– & fast cars from the factory will always be desirable– I have to wonder if it might take longer for them to become truly collectable because the body styles don’t stand out from other vehicles of that time–

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