One of the world's leaders in classic car insurance has drawn up a list. No, it's not one of those "Most Expensive Car(s) to Insure," type of things. This is far more interesting.
Though this company has some clear experience in its dealings with classic and collector vehicles, I am not so sure about their selections. The reason is because I've driven a good portion of them and in addition, the reality is that some of these will be pretty common by collector's standards.
A vehicle with a cult following is a big difference from a CLASSIC.
Take, for example, the Volkswagen MK1 Golf and the Ferrari 250 GT California. While the Volkswagen will be near and dear to many's hearts -- and collected -- it lacks the lustworthy quality and the story of the Ferrari, which boasts a rich racing history and its legendary appearance in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Which, of course, was reincarnated by Honda for this year's Super Bowl -- sadly.
That said, do YOU agree or disagree with Haggerty's 10 picks for the next-generation of future classics?
Haggerty's press release follows:
2012 Hagerty Hot List: 10 Future Collector Cars Under $100,000
Scottsdale Auctions and Market Trends Highlight Next American- and foreign-built Classic Cars
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (January 26, 2012) – Hagerty, the world leader in classic car insurance and host to the largest database of classic cars, today announced its annual "Hagerty Hot List" of new vehicles that stand above their mass-produced peers. The announcement comes on the heels of the annual Scottsdale collector car auction week, a Mecca for classic car enthusiasts and the place where collector car values are established for the year ahead. With so many world-record breaking sales and increasing values, consumers may be wondering what cars have the best future collectability.
"After more than twenty years of witnessing car-collecting trends, we have the unique ability to look at new cars through the eyes of a collector," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "This year's Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts."
Each year Hagerty asks its team of valuations experts to select which mass-produced vehicles with a MSRP of less than $100,000 will one day become collectible. The 2012 Hagerty Hot List (along with base price) is:
1. Buick Regal GS ($32,535) – It has been quite a long time since we could say "that isn't your Grandpa's Buick." Surprisingly, at a time when allegedly more sporting makes don't offer real three-pedal manual transmissions, Buick is doing it with the Regal GS.
2. Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition ($48,100) – Ford is calling this a "race car with a license plate," and it pays homage to the original and very collectible Boss 302. It is a beast on the race track, yet tame enough to drive on the street – and all for less than $50,000.
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($61,785) – Let's face it, Americans love SUVs. The problem is most SUVs don't handle as impressively as they look. The SRT8 version of the Grand Cherokee takes the rugged, go-anywhere look of an SUV and combines it with performance characteristics that would earn respect on a race track.
4. Fiat 500 Abarth ($22,000) – With a 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, Abarth-tuned suspension, brakes and dual exhaust, the latest in-house-tuned Fiat recalls the "small but wicked" models from the past. Fiat's performance division also includes complimentary admission to the Abarth Driving Experience with each purchase. The cognoscenti line has formed.
5. Volkswagen Golf R ($36,000) – The Golf's ancestor, the MK I GTI from the early 1980s, is now a legitimate collectible, and the rare 2004 Golf R32 is headed in that direction. The new, all-wheel drive Golf R is geared towards someone who enjoys driving and evokes the same "pocket-rocket" characteristics of its forbearers.
6. Porsche 911 ($82,100) – The Porsche legacy is built around the 911. Every generation runs the course from being fun used cars for good buys to eventually swelling in value. If you are most concerned about a car holding its value over the long term, then this is the car on this list to buy now and lovingly keep.
7. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ($54,095) – Since 2005, the current generation of Shelby Mustangs has owned the king-of-the-hill position in the pony car segment. The new ZL1 Camaro with 580 horsepower brings Chevy back into the hunt and demonstrates that old-school muscle is alive and well.
8. Nissan GT-R Black Edition ($95,100) – Until this year, this is the car that young people in the U.S. have only been able to experience on video games. It manages to squeeze 530 horsepower out of a six-cylinder engine. While the invoice price is out of reach for most in the younger generation, we predict they will remember these cars years down the road after their student loans are paid off.
9. Dodge Charger SRT8 ($46,795) – What won us over is the giant touch screen in the center of the dash. And not for the reasons you are thinking. It has "performance pages" that feed input to the driver about performance statistics such as available horsepower and torque.
10. Audi TT RS ($56,850) – For people who won't buy a Porsche because they haven't won Le Mans in quite a while, the Audi TT RS is the answer. This is a car with global appeal, which means it will have global demand several decades down the road