It’s not often you’ll find a tiny Suzuki Cappuccino roadster mentioned in the same sentence as a ginormous Hummer H1 truck, or a Mercedes-McLaren SLR sharing pavement with an AMC AMX. But those are just a few of the diverse members of Hagerty’s list of classic and collectible cars that the firm’s valuation experts think you should go out and buy right now.
Insurance provider Hagerty’s Bull Market list is back for its sixth year to help those of us who love older cars work out which models are most likely to hold their value or appreciate over the next 12 months. No one is suggesting that you choose one old car over another purely on the basis of how much richer it might make you, but if you’re torn between two models it makes sense to choose the one that might end up making you smile for more than the way it drives.
As with previous lists, the 2023 lineup encompasses all kinds of eras, brands and vehicle types. But connecting them all is the insurer’s belief that their values are on the up based on multiple criteria including the way prices have risen up to this point, insurance valuations and search interest on the company’s valuation tool.
1992-2006 AM General Hummer H1 ($105,000-127,300)
The civilian version of the military Humvee is wide, slow and will strike fear into the heart of every other road user, especially if Hagerty’s guest presenter Randy Pobst is driving it the way he flings it down this anyone road. Most examples are owned by old guys, but the says the number of insurance quotations it handles from millennials has increased by a third, suggesting prices could be set to rise.
1968-1970 AMX ($30,500-40,600)
The Corvette wasn’t the only two-seat American sports car in the late 1960s. AMC had one too, which it created by chopping down the wheelbase on its Ford Mustang rival, the Javelin.
2008-15 Audi R8 ($154-186,000)
The original Audi R8 is a great car, whether it’s got a V8 or V10 under the hood, but Hagerty is more concerned about what’s under the console. It says first-generation R8s equipped with the gated manual transmission, as opposed to the clunky robotized manual, have boomed in value and will keep climbing.
2001-2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ($31,400-39,300)
The C5 is great value right now, period. The Z06, though, is something really special thanks to its massive naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8, and it looks suspiciously undervalued.
2001-2010 Lamborghini Murcielago ($302,700-342,700)
Murcielago values have jumped 48 percent since 2019 but the specialists reckon there’s plenty more investment growth left in the last V12 Lamborghini to be offered with a manual transmission.
2004-2010 Mercedes-McLaren SLR ($329,300-338,700)
The SLR was vastly more expensive than a Murcielago when new, but is priced the same now. No wonder the expert team thinks the misunderstood hypercar’s values are due for some serious upwards correction.
2003-2008 Nissan 350Z ($37,500-44,900)
If you looked at the prices listed above and spat coffee all over your phone, then you’re not alone. But bear in mind those numbers are for a 350Z in excellent condition, and likely to get even higher during 2023, having already grown by 78 percent since the start of 2021.
1985-1993 Saab 900 Turbo ($22,200-25,800)
Eighties BMWs have already rocketed in value, but here’s another European sports sedan that was popular with yuppies but which you can still afford if you move fast.
1991-1998 Suzuki Cappuccino ($12,200-16,700)
The cheapest, and with just 63 hp (64 PS), easily the least powerful car on the list, the Cappuccino will turn heads like a supercar but cost you not much more than a major service on an SLR.
1984-1988 Toyota Pickup 4×4 ($20,700-26,700)
The insurer’s experts say that Toyota’s second-generation pickup is proving popular with enthusiasts who can no longer afford a vintage Bronco or Land Cruiser, and interest is particularly high with younger buyers, which should ensure values continue rising.
Another vehicle with a strong young following is the 1936-47 Harley Davidson Knucklehead, which is the only two-wheeled vehicle on the 2023 Bull Market list. Which do you think is going to see the biggest rises relative to their current prices? Leave a comment and let us know.
