While certainly no expert in the realm of automotive appraisal, I have owned over 50 vehicles in my 27 years of driving, and I am honored to sit on a panel with few industry experts for a discussion on predicting “tomorrow’s” collector cars. The Future Collectible Symposium is once again a key part of the 2025 Barrett-Jackson collector car auction taking place in Scottsdale. Hundreds of specialty cars will find new homes over the course of about a week. Will you be one of the lucky buyers?
None of us on the panel have a crystal ball, but we do share some collective industry insights on what we think the future holds. I came up with a list of five vehicles that in my opinion are positioned for upward desirability in the coming months and years. Here they are in alphabetical order by make:
2022 Acura NSX Type S (NC1 chassis)
Honda’s halo supercar, the NSX, came back to the market in 2017 after a hiatus of more than a decade. This time, it was a hybrid with a twin-turbocharged V6 and triple electric motors. For the final year of production, Acura built only 300 total units in “Type S” trim. The most noteworthy update for this last hurrah was a bump to an even 600 horsepower. Each Type S has a numbered placard denoting its production number – adding exclusivity to an already compelling package deal.
2025 BMW Z4 M40i 6-speed (G29 chassis)
Manufactured in Austria, the latest iteration of BMW’s sharp-handling two-seat roadster is now available with a six-speed manual transmission at last. This car shares architecture with the Toyota GR Supra and marks the end of an era for “analog” enthusiasts who love rowing their own gears. Power comes from a 382-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six. With manuals being phased out, this car is one you could definitely buy today and sit on for a future investment.
2003 – 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB I chassis)
For over thirty years, the Viper has been a “poster car” for sports car fans. It has always delivered a raw, visceral driving experience which means it’s not a car for the faint of heart. Power comes from an 8.3-liter V10 coupled with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission. Now that this Viper generation is turning 20 years old, it’s in a good spot for upward collectability. Values are steady and climbing. Worth mentioning here is also the Viper-powered Dodge Ram pickup – the “SRT-10.”
2000 – 2002 Lincoln LS manual
A Lincoln with a manual – this car is so rare, I’ve never even seen one in person. Only 2,331 units were produced across three model years with a Getrag five-speed manual. It’s what I would refer to as the “ultimate sleeper” – a car that was essentially a Jaguar under its skin. Power comes from a 3.0-liter V6 (a V8 was available this generation, but only with the automatic transmission). Try finding one of these!
2007 – 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser sport-utility has garnered a cult-like following in the decade since it was discontinued. And that’s for good reason – it was reliable and off-road capable at the same time, thanks to body-on-frame construction, Bilstein shock absorbers, skid plates, rock sliders, and a host of other available equipment. There is a ton of aftermarket support for the FJ platform, and the 4.0-liter V6 could be mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. My favorite FJ is called the Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, a commemorative final special edition.
Have you owned or do you plan on owning any of the above vehicles? I think they are solid collector opportunities for anyone looking to invest in a car that’s both fun to drive and gaining in popularity. Tune in for the panel discussion on Wednesday, January 22 at 11:00 a.m. which will be livestreamed on Barrett-Jackson’s YouTube channel!
