Cars from the past to invest in now
Hot new thing in the collector market is classic vehicles from the 1980s, ’90s
Every year, the automotive insurance company Hagerty releases a Bull Market list of cars to invest in — vehicles they hypothesize, based on their accumulated data, will dramatically increase in value. For the past three years, those lists have been dominated by vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s. This trend is mostly due to millennials’ newfound financial capability to buy the cars they grew up loving. With an increase in demand comes an increase in value. While some examples are already quite expensive to purchase, there are still some relatively inexpensive ones you can still invest in before their prices are predicted to increase.
Dodge Viper GTS
Years: 1996 to 2002
A little secret about millennials? They didn’t grow up with Lamborghini Countach posters hanging on their bedroom wall. Instead, it was the Viper GTS that they dreamed about. That reflects Hagerty’s research that found “generation Xers and millennials are now 64 per cent of the quotes on this car.” The second-generation Viper is most notable for its updated chassis, suspension and brakes — things the car was never praised for at the time — while maintaining its monstrous 450 horsepower V10 engine. While the second-generation Viper has never been undesirable, prices are steadily increasing over the last three years, with, depending on conditions, a rise in value between 10 and 25 per cent over that period of time. You can still get your hands on a “Good” condition example for around $50,000.
Volkswagen Corrado
Years: 1990 to 1995
Ask any hardcore Volkswagen en- thusiast and they’ll sing the praises of the Corrado for its quicker-than- a-Porsche 944 acceleration, 225 km/h top speed and supercharged four-cylinder engine. Despite its performance and luxury details, the Corrado was something of a sales flop in its day, which led to its eventual demise. With the vehicle’s rarity and its VW enthusiasts, the Corrado is becoming a hot ticket to get a hold of. Prices have essentially doubled on “Good” to “Concours” condition Corrados since 2018 and show no signs of slowing down. If you can find one, you can still pick one up for $10,000.
Honda CRX Si
Years: 1988 to 1991
The CRX Si is significant in that it arrived on the scene before crash and safety regulations made true lightweight cars a thing of the past. So, despite its meagre 1.6-litre engine, which produced only 105 horsepower, the CRX Si’s curb weight of only 2,100 lbs. made it a favourite amongst enthusiasts. Since most CRXs have been either crashed, modified to death or simply neglected, prices haven’t moved much on lesser condition examples. However, well-kept CRXs have seen an increase in prices of about 15 per cent since 2019. A “Good” condition CRX is still inexpensive to buy at just under $10,000, so it might be worth speculating on if the increasing prices.
Jeep Cherokee
Years: 1984 to 2001
The original Cherokee is in demand for both nostalgic reasons and because it is historically significant vehicle. All modern commuter SUVs owe their lineage back to the Cherokee, which was used to cart Gen X’ers and millennials around. Moreover, its styling remains timeless — the perfect silhouette of what we picture in our minds when we think of an SUV. The Cherokee also featured several peculiar and interesting engines over its lifespan, including an AMC 2.5-litre four cylinder, a GM-derived 2.8-litre V6, a Renaultsourced turbodiesel four cylinder and a 4.0-litre inline-six. Prices have risen on 1980s Cherokees by about 25 per cent in the last year — perhaps as a result of all the above factors — but you can still buy a good one for $10,000.
Ford Bronco
Years: 1980 to 1986
Prices for the first- and secondgeneration Ford Bronco have already gone crazy, which means that the third generation — the one before the Bronco name became associated with a certain low speed chase through Los Angeles — are likely soon to follow. The third-gen Bronco introduced “twin traction beam” suspension that greatly improved the ride and served to make off-roaders more friendly to the general public. Like the Cherokee, the third-gen Bronco is a genesis for the type of vehicles we see today. You can still find good examples for
around $25,000. Keep in mind that examples from the 1970s can now fetch north of $70,000.
Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
Years: 1994 to 1996 Nostalgia is a powerful force, and if the Buick Roadmaster makes us feel anything, it’s nostalgia. Perhaps the most stereotypical station wagon of all time with its faux wood side panelling, the Roadmaster represents the zenith of a bygone era; a time before SUVs and crossovers dominated North American roads. What’s particularly interesting about the 1994 to 1996 Buick Roadmaster is that it features the 260-hp LT1 V8 from the Corvette — seriously, this station wagon has a small block V8. Prices on “Excellent” and “Concours” examples have risen by about a third in the last two years, but you can still buy a “Good” example for less than $10,000.
Toyota MR2
Years: 1985 to 1989 Decades before the C8 Corvette succeeded in bringing rear-engine performance to the masses, the Toyota MR2 attempted, and, in many ways succeeded, at the same trick. Originally available with a 1.6litre, twin-cam four-cylinder engine, producing only 112 horsepower, the MR2 overcame its power deficit by weighing only 2,400 pounds. A 145-hp supercharged engine was made available in 1988.
The MR2 is yet to see a huge explosion in demand, and, in fact, you can still find good examples for under $20,000. However, there have been cases in the last year where the price has surpassed $40,000, so it’s one to keep an eye on.