24 Cars You Should Buy Now Before They Skyrocket in Value

The best time to buy a vintage classic car is forty years ago, right before they got popular and expensive. If only I had been alive in the 60's and known that a 1967 Corvette would sell for $3.85 million in 2014. Right? Well, we can't go back in time, but maybe we can take a stab at predicting which cars will be worth big bucks in 20 years. 

Here are 24 cars that may be worth a whole lot more soon:

1984-1989 Toyota 4Runner

The 1980s version of the 4Runner is a millennial’s vintage dream car, and right now, they’re not too expensive. I expect to see a revival similar to what we’ve seen of the vintage Ford Bronco, and for now, you can snag an ‘80s 4Runner for right around $10k for a model in decent shape. These SUVs are known and loved for their rugged design and off-road capabilities, and they are already starting to gain recognition among collectors. 

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX

Everything in the 90s is coming back in style, and it just makes sense that their cars will be next. The Nissan 300ZX was reincarnated in the 400 horsepower 2024 Nissan Z, making us think back to the 90s model that stole our hearts. The 300ZX is a sporty coupe with distinctive ‘90s styling and a twin-turbo option, and they are already gaining popularity. For now, you can buy one for under $20k. 

2003-2006 Dodge Viper

The early third-generation Dodge Vipers are a treasure waiting to be discovered. They are known for their raw power and aggressive design, and they are already beginning to be a hot collectors item. With a V10 motor, these beauties can run 500 horsepower.

Hagertys predicts that the King model will be the most appealing to collectors in the future, and they go for right around $70k in auction. They are a little pricier than the others, but that just goes to show their potential value in the future. 

1996-2002 Dodge Viper GTS

Everyone knows the iconic Viper GTS with blue and white stripes. This car was first introduced in 1992, powered by a V12 engine. It could reach upwards of 200 mph. In 1996, the engine was upgraded to a V-shaped 8-cylinder engine, making it even more impressive than the original. A 1997 Dodge Viper GTS sits right around $56,000. 

2004-2006 Pontiac GTO

The ‘90s are coming back, and so are the 2000s. The GTO may not look like much, but underneath the hood is where you’ll find the goods. 

Car and Driver reviewed this car in 2003, and this is what they had to say: “We're really struggling to invent reasons not to put both hands together for this supremely comfortable, rear-drive, all independently sprung, Corvette-powered, husky-sounding, highway-inhaling coupe.”

1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS

The Impala SS is already considered a modern-day classic and may have something to do with its V8 engine. This full-sized, rear-wheel-drive may look like your grandma’s car from the outside, but once you get your hands on the wheel and your foot on the gas, you won’t want to let this one go. 

2002-2006 Acura RSX Type-S

The Acura RSX Type-S didn’t gain popularity as quickly as Acura hoped, but that was because it had big shoes to fill following its big brother, the Integra. Because of that, this car is less known. 

Grassroots Motorsports puts it like this, “it was far faster, more refined, and better handling than it seemed on paper. The new engine got big points and made all the right noises—although perhaps a little too much of them, as reviewers docked the car a bit for a high interior noise level.”

This hidden classic can be found for easily under $8k in the used car market, and it just might become your new favorite ride. 

2004-2005 Cadillac CTS-V

The first-generation Cadillac CTS-V came with a Corvette-derived V8 engine, and you could say it’s already a classic. According to Car and Driver, the 2004 and 2005 carried the LS6 5.7 liter V8 from the C5 Corvette Z076, and that right there makes it collector’s material. They also produced 400 horsepower, 395 pound-feet of torque, and had a six-speed manual transmission to boot. 

2004-2006 Mazda RX-8

Mazdas holds a special place in my heart since I had one as my first car, and if you’ve ever driven one, then you would understand my sentiment. The RX-8 is an epic model that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves. You can go manual or automatic with these, but the horsepower is the same regardless, sitting around 212 – 232 hp. You can snag one for under $25k, and watch out because you may fall in love. 

2000-2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder

This sports car is the car that you forgot about. Another mid-2000s model that got lost in the noise, and when you break down the stats, it’s a real winner. This car has the mid-two seat set up, along with a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Hot Cars predicts that we will see this car come back to life here pretty soon, so grab one before everyone else remembers they like them, too. 

1993-1997 Mazda MX-6

Another Mazda is on the list, but it comes with no surprise. The MX-6 is gaining recognition among collectors who appreciate its design and performance. This car was birthed from the marriage of Ford and Mazda, and Auto Evolution said, “For the drivetrain, the MX6 was offered with either a 2.0-liter or a 2.5-liter engine. Both were mated to a standard 5-speed manual, while a 4-speed automatic was on the options list.”

1986-1992 Toyota Supra (Mk III)

This list cannot be complete without the iconic Toyota Supra. This car is a sporty, rear-wheel-drive coupe that comes with an inline-six engine. Plus, some models even have a turbocharger. With the 80s and 90s nostalgia making its way back, this car is expected to increase in value quickly. 

1992-1995 Porsche 968

The Porsche 968, produced between 1992 and 1995, has a current used price ranging from $62,000 to $89,000 and an original MSRP of $39,850. This model has seen a substantial appreciation in value. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the value appreciated by 8 percent, indicating a rising market trend. This makes the Porsche 968 a great option for classic car collectors looking to get in before the value rises even further. 

1992-2006 AM General Hummer

The 1992-2006 Hummer H1 stands tall as a limited production vehicle built with military-grade materials and construction. Appreciated for its durability and off-road prowess, the Hummer H1 has seen a notable 9.9 percent increase in value since 2019. This uptick in interest suggests a potential for accelerated value growth in the near future.

2001–2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Arguably one of the best 400-hp used sports cars available, the C5 Z06 Chevrolet Corvette possesses immense appeal among enthusiasts. Hagerty's observations indicate an increasing demand for the C5 Z06, which is evident in the tripling of lookups on Hagerty Valuation Tools since 2021. The value of Z06s in excellent condition has surged by 24 percent since 2022. This trend suggests a rising willingness among new buyers to pay a premium for top-tier examples of this iconic sports car.

1983–1997 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender from 1983 to 1997 stands as an exotic and coveted vehicle, still rare despite a production run of around 2 million units. Hagerty's insights reveal a remarkable surge in its value, appreciating by 26 percent between 2020 and 2021. With abundant parts availability, robust club support, and an enduring allure, the Land Rover Defender remains an undervalued gem, offering prospective buyers a chance to invest before its value potentially skyrockets.

1968–1970 AMC AMX

Renowned as the only two-seat American muscle car, the 1968–1970 AMC AMX has emerged as a coveted collector's item. Hagerty's data underscores its growing appreciation, with a significant 28.8 percent increase in value since 2019. With its unique design and limited production volume of just 19,134 units, the AMC AMX is a fun choice for collectors seeking an undervalued gem in the muscle car arena.

1966–1967 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO is a known and loved muscle car that is currently valued around $66,500 – $79,700, according to Hot Cars. This car is predicted to increase in value over the coming years because of its desirability. It has a powerful V8 engine, can get up to 360 horsepower, and comes with attractive features such as hood scoops, dual exhaust, and a highly desirable, sleek design. 

1979–1985 Mazda RX-7

This car recently increase in value by 26% between 2020 and 2021, indicating that this car is going to continue to rise in coming days. It is currently valued around $28,400 to $44,500, depending on the condition. Hagerty reports that this car has been increasing by 136% since 2016 and has gained a lot of attention from millennial and Gen Xers. 

1983 Mazda RX-7 GS

The Mazda RX-7 GS is a variant of the Mazda RX-7 that has also been attracting millennials and Gen Xers. This car has appreciated in value by 26% over the past couple of years and Hagerty predicts that the value will keep on climbing. Its current value is $28,400 – $44,500, depending on the year and condition. 

1985–1993 Saab 900 Turbo

The Saab 900 Turbo is an iconic car that is much-loved in the car world. These cars have rich historical significance, plus they have also started to increase in value since 2019 and are predicted to keep increasing. This is another car that is loved by the younger generations, which likely contributes to its predicted value increase. 

2008–2015 Audi R8

While normal cars decrease in value as soon as you drive it off the lot, the 2008-2015 Audi R8 has been steadily increasing in value since it was first released. It originally sold for an MSRP of $114,200, and now, they are already going for $165,000 – $228,000, depending on condition. The interest in this car is steadily growing, according to Hagerty, and at this rate, this car is going to make a great future collector's car. 

2004–2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is another car that has been increasing in value ever since production. It had an original MSRP of $455,500 and they are worth up to $473,000 just 10-15 years later. In fact, since 2019, these cars have appreciated by 37%. Baby boomers own the majority of these cars, but millennials are beginning to show interest and purchase their fair share as well. 

2001–2010 Lamborghini Murcielago

The name alone garners enough value to entice car collectors, but there were only 25 Lamborghini Murcielago imported to the US with manual transmissions, so those particular models are extra special. The original MSRP of this car was around $311,100, and now some models are worth up to $441,000. This car has seen an increase in value of 48 percent since 2019 and we bet it will just continue to climb.