| Collector cars' beauty is timeless and their | | | | still costs about half its original price |
| value could become priceless in time. These | | | | after five years. Most cars cost a third or |
| cars are kept by aficionados to gratify their | | | | less. "Resale value as a used car is a good |
| cravings for old yet precious auto work of | | | | predictor of future collectibility," Hagerty |
| art. At present, there are newly launched | | | | said, "since it's based on the same market |
| vehicles that are showing strong potentials | | | | drivers of supply and demand." |
| to make it to the collector's list in the | | | | |
| future. | | | | The Dodge Viper is another viable car |
| | | | collector item in the future. "An avid, |
| One of the cherished few includes Toyota FJ | | | | cult-like following can boost a car's appeal |
| Cruiser. "The FJ's future collectible status | | | | in the collector-car market," McKeel Hagerty |
| comes from two factors," according to McKeel | | | | of Hagerty Insurance said. "The Viper is a |
| Hagerty, president of Hagerty Insurance, | | | | superb example of the phenomenon." |
| "first, and most obvious, is its eye-catching | | | | |
| design. The second is the Toyota brand, which | | | | "The Viper created almost a new category for |
| could become as interesting to collectors as | | | | itself as kind of the anti-Corvette," Hagerty |
| it is now to ordinary car buyers." He also | | | | said. Corvette pampers enthusiasts. It is |
| added, "There's the notion that they're a | | | | equipped with cupholders, electronic |
| winner." | | | | stability control, Active Brakes Direct, and |
| | | | side impact airbags to be more appealing. On |
| Toyota, the second largest automaker, is | | | | the other hand, Viper does not customers |
| predicted to takeover GM's post as the | | | | extra favors. But its extreme pit-bull image |
| largest auto manufacturer some time this | | | | could make it highly collectible. |
| year. The former has established a reliable | | | | |
| reputation in the manufacture of efficient | | | | Future collectibles list could also include |
| cars and trucks. Its FJ Cruiser, which is | | | | the Acura NSX. The car is not currently |
| given an emotional design, is the proof that | | | | included in the lineup of the automaker. |
| Toyota has a long way to go. "The FJ's | | | | Honda, Acura's parent, is concentrating on |
| off-road prowess will also help it in the | | | | producing a successor vehicle, nonetheless. |
| future collector market," Hagerty added. "Car | | | | "The NSX never changed much after its |
| collectors don't go for poseurs. A vehicle | | | | introduction in 1990 and sales had started to |
| that really delivers on its promise - whether | | | | trail off. But it should do well in the |
| that's rock-crawling or tire-shredding - will | | | | collector market," said McKeel Hagerty, |
| always be worth more." | | | | "because of its unique status as a rare |
| | | | Japanese semi-exotic." |
| Another mighty contender to that coveted car | | | | |
| collector's list is the Mini Cooper. The car | | | | The forthcoming auto collectibles list could |
| is engineered to look smaller and more | | | | also include the Audi TT which was introduced |
| captivating. Its collectible features include | | | | in 1999. The latter is best known for its |
| cute retro looks plus quick and fun quality. | | | | clean lean look with fascinating flowing |
| "It's what the New Beetle needed to be, but | | | | shapes and curves. The design philosophy made |
| isn't," Hagerty said. | | | | it more aggressive than its predecessors. |
| | | | Said philosophy could still be appreciated at |
| The Mini Cooper also has good short-term | | | | some future time. |
| resale value. As a fact, the Mini Cooper | | | | |