Automotive Blogger

Hagerty Insurance, the same company that is famous for its classic car insurance, has announced a top ten list of future collector cars. According to Hagerty the list is based on research they did analyzing the reasons today’s collector cars are such hot commodities: pop-culture popularity, limited production numbers and the style of the next generation of collectors.

Without further a due, here is the list.

*Toyota FJ Cruiser

*Mini Cooper

*Lotus Elise

*Dodge Viper

*Acura NSX

*Toyota Scion

*Audi TT

*Chrysler 300

*Smart Car

I’m pretty conflicted on this list. I like the fact that Hagerty made it diverse instead of simply throwing a bunch of Ferraris and Lambo’s together, which would be too obvious. But at the same time I’m not really sure that all of these cars embody the ideals of a true collector. Right off the bat I liked the Lotus Elise, the Acura NSX and the Dodge Viper. These cars are rare, have unique style, and are amazingly fun to drive. I feel that possessing all of those qualities all but guarantees you a spot as a future collector car.

At the same time the Smart Car, Scion xB (I’m assuming they meant the xB) and the Mini Cooper are all small, practical, unique looking and fun in a slightly different way. They are also affordable meaning the masses can easily buy them and fall in love with them much like they did with the original VW Beetle and Austin Mini. While I’m not dead sure that these three will all be collectors I would say that there is a good chance that one or more of them will end up being a coveted car in the future.

The remaining four cars I have some doubts about. The Jag XK has nice styling but it wasn’t a revolutionary car, it isn’t a remarkable performer and it wasn’t a limited production car. It also wasn’t that cheap off the show room floor so the mass appeal isn’t their either. Not too mention poor quality control. That being said it does have Jaguar cache which has worked for other Jags in the past. But with so many other good sports car/touring car/convertibles available would you want to own an XK in 30 years? I don’t think I would.

The FJ Cruiser doesn’t fit the bill to me at all. Sure it looks like the old FJ40, so what. It is still a mass produced SUV, and I don’t think the nostalgic look and name are enough to make it a collectable.

The Chrysler 300 has me on the fence. It does have unique styling for the times. It is a rear drive V8 sedan, which is rare unto itself, but it is also somewhat affordable. I could see it become collectable much like a Chevy Malibu, Biscayne or Impala from the 1960s is a collector now. Kids down the road may be fond of them because they remember sitting in the back on family trips or remember seeing one at a stop light that had giant rims, but they I don’t think they will ever be coveted like cult cars or exotics.

The Audi TT I just plain disagree with. There are a lot of cars like the TT that look better, perform better and/or are more affordable. This would probably be the first car I ax off this list.

I also think there are some cars that should definitely be on the list that aren’t. I’m assuming they mean current production cars so I would include the Mustang, Corvette Z06, Mazda Speed 3 or RX-8, and Honda S2000. I know there are a lot more that deserve consideration so let me know what you think should have made the list.

-Bill Mertz

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