Skip to main content

Classic cars tend to be symbols of the past, looking back on better times and different styles. But some cars built in the last 20 years aren’t “technically” classic cars yet. They’re what we would call, future classics, and are already appreciating in value rather than depreciating. So take a look at the cars of today that are increasing in value, and will soon become the classics of tomorrow.

It’s important to mention that the cars on this fetch pretty high prices today, so unless you’re very wealthy and can afford to buy one, this isn’t a get rich quick scheme. What we’re measuring is the difference between how much these cars were put on sale for when they were brand new, versus how much they sell for today. So let’s analyze the top picks from Hagerty’s list, and see which could (in theory) make you the most money.

2006 Ford GT is more popular used than it was brand new

2006 Ford GT On Display
2006 Ford GT On Display | Michael Cohen/Getty Images

For starters, I’m defining future classics as cars that are fairly new but have appreciated in value quite significantly. And what better way to start than the Ford GT, a heritage car of the legendary LeMans winner.

But the original 2006 Ford GT wasn’t exactly exciting. It wasn’t dull, with a 5.4 liter supercharged V8 that made 550 horsepower. But it didn’t capture the excitement of its distant relative. That is, until the Ford GT community started tuning the cars. And after strapping turbochargers to the engine, they could bump the horsepower up past the 1,000 mark. These heritage cars weren’t just bought by collectors and used as showpieces, they were sold to enthusiasts, and treated like proper racecars.

When new, the 2006 Ford GT cost $150,000. But after discovering the tinkering potential, and establishing a community, Ford GTs now cost around $337,000, more than double what they did 15 years ago. And since then, the car has appreciated in value by $12,466 a year. If that trend continues, these Ford GTs will be worth half a million bucks in less than 15 years.

2012 Lexus LFA is rare and ridiculously expensive

2012 Lexus LFA On Display
2012 Lexus LFA On Display | Alan Look/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At the top of our list, however, is one of Jeremy Clarkson’s favorite cars. The 2012 Lexus LFA was the revival of a scrapped sports car project for Toyota, helmed by the grandson of Toyota’s founder. Though, what should’ve been an odd stain on the company’s reputation turned into one of the best sports cars of the era. With 553 horsepower from the 4.8-liter V-10, the engine screams from 0-60 in just 3.7 seconds.

But the main reason this car is appreciated at such a fast pace is the fact that only 500 of them were built. That’s exceedingly rare, and with each year that passes, this performance monster will only skyrocket in value. When new, the car was priced at around $350,000. But after just 9 years, good examples of the Lexus LFA are being sold for 558,000. That means, every year, you’d be making $23,111. That’s enough to buy a new Toyota Corolla.

The 2003 Ferarri Enzo carries the founder’s namesake, and impressive resale value

The 2003 Ferrari Enzo, a Future Classic Car With Insane Resale Value
The 2003 Ferrari Enzo | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

Being the oldest car on this list, you’d guess that it would’ve appreciated the least. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Built in 2003 to honor the late Enzo Fararri, this limited production supercar is already on track to becoming an unobtainable classic car. Which, as it happens, is a similar fate for most classic Ferarris.

The Enzo was fitted with the largest V12 engine of any Ferarri ever built, which created 651 horsepower and gave it a 0 to 60 time of 3.3 seconds. And back in 2003, the Ferarri Enzo was priced at $670,000. But according to Hagerty, one of these can now fetch around $2.75 million.

After 18 years, the Enzo has appreciated by a staggering $155,555 every year. For perspective, a top of the line Mercedes S-Class (non-Maybach), costs around $116,000. But the reason the 2003 Ferarri Enzo appreciated rather intensely is similar to why the Lexus LFA is becoming a classic, only 400 of them were built.

So if you have a large wad of cash that’s burning a hole in your pocket, why not invest in one of these future classic cars? However, chances are you don’t have the money to buy one of these. And if it makes you feel better, I don’t either. But you can still buy a classic car and hold onto it forever. After all, you never have to worry about resale value if you never resell.

Related

The Ford Comuta: Ford’s First Electric Car