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