Appreciating Assets: Future Collector Vehicle Symposium

If only we had a magical crystal ball so we could see what the automotive collector landscape will look like five, ten, or twenty years down the road! I was honored to sit on a discussion panel with a topic of predicting collector cars of the future. There are no real ways of knowing what values will go up and which values go down, but those of us who are close to the hobby can make educated guesses.

Joining me in the dialogue were moderator Alan Taylor, as well as Brian Jannusch, Jim Pickering, Jay Harden, and Sam Stockham. Each of us brought a unique background and niche/expertise to the table, and we had a lot of fun with it.

Here is the video of the hour-long livestream on the Barrett-Jackson YouTube channel.

Below were the four vehicles that I picked for my contribution to the program, along with some bullet points that I thought made them potential good investments:

• 2001-2005 Lexus IS300 (first generation) – See my previous article
  • US version of Toyota’s popular Altezza (launched in 1998)
  • Available with a 5-speed manual or a five-speed automatic
  • Available as a station wagon “SportCross” (2002+ model years)
  • Famous 2JZ-GE 3.0-liter inline-six engine (shared with Supra) – 215 horsepower, 218 tq
  • Sensible styling, four-door practicality, fun to drive, and only $30k new

• 2018-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (fourth generation)
  • Trackhawk (harkens back to the performance-oriented “5.9 Limited” in 1999)
  • 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat-derived HEMI V8 and full-time AWD (707 hp, 645 tq) w/ 8-speed auto – zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds
  • A “wolf in sheep’s clothing” – adaptive Bilstein suspension, limited-slip diferential, and Nappa leather seating for 5
  • Was $100k when new, but perhaps the last of its kind

• 2024+ Acura Integra Type S (fifth generation) – See my previous article
  • Successor to the RSX from 2002 through 2006, spiritual successor to the 1998-01 Type R
  • Turbocharged 2.0-liter 320 horsepower (+5 over Civic Type R) and 310 tq
  • 6-speed manual is the only available transmission
  • Honda’s prowess with manual transmissions and driver-oriented experience
  • Last of the manuals – CTR with less “flair” and more luxury appointments
  • Acura sold about 1,800 units in 2023 – not a bad start

• 2003 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Pickup
  • Ford and H-D had partnerships from 2000 to 2011 – initially just cosmetic upgrades
  • Sometimes called “The four-door Harley,” also the “four-door Lightning”
  • Recognizes Ford & Harley’s shared 100-year anniversary from 1903 – 10,000 units were produced for 2003
  • Essentially a detuned version of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 from the SVT Lightning – 340 horsepower and 425 tq
  • A muscle car with a cargo bed and a tow hitch
  • This photo is actually one that sold on AutoHunter for $40k this year – only 3k miles

Following were the vehicles my colleagues on the panel picked:

Jim:

• 2010+ Toyota 4Runner
• 1967-1987 GM Pickups
• Subaru BRZ
• Early Dodge SRTs (2006-2011)

Sam:

• 2014-2016 Porsche Cayman S 981
• 2009-2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
• 2004.5-2006 Dodge Ram 2500
• 2004-2009 Honda S2000

Jay:

• 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
• 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma
• 1992-2007 Subaru WRX
• Ford Model T / Model A

Brian:

• BMW E92 M3
• Porsche 996 GT3
• Nissan Skyline R34 GT-$
• Honda/Acura NSX
• Toyota Land Cruiser 80-Series

Let us know if you agree or disagree with any of these projections!

At the end of the day, do “future” values matter all that much? The consensus of the panel – and perhaps one of the few things all five of us agreed upon – was that the enjoyment of being part of the collector car hobby is found in driving. That being said, don’t buy a car just because a few guys sitting on the stage told you it would go up in value. Buy what you are passionate about, and your return on investment will be more readily found in the miles driven and the smile on your face.