Image source: Dean Smith, courtesy of Hagerty

Hagerty magazine’s annual roundup of the hottest collector cars of the year looks at which cars have the fastest-rising values to identify emerging interest in previously overlooked models.

Past years have pointed to the rise of interest in the classic Ford Bronco and the square body Chevrolet pickups of the ‘70s and early ‘80s. This year also includes some vintage SUVs, but also reflects the increasing interest by younger drivers in more modern cars, that were built in the 21st century.

“The high school graduates of the late ’90s are now in their late thirties, and like every generation before them, they are investing in the cars of their youth,” said Hagerty editor in chief Larry Webster. 

“The difference is they love imports, SUVs and cars that are more modern, affordable and fun to drive than conventional classics. It’s great to see them put their stamp on the hobby.”

Image source: Honda

1997-2001 Acura Integra Type R 

Hagerty’s take: “Although front drive is generally shunned, the Type R is widely considered the best-handling front-driver of all time. These are huge with millennials; half the quotes are from them. Type Rs are super rare and hard to find in good shape, and only newly added to our price guide because three years ago sales were scant.”

Image source: BMW

1998-2002 BMW M Roadster 

Hagerty’s take: “M Cars are way up, but the M roadster was overlooked for a long time because it looks so much like a regular Z3. They are getting their due now. The coupe has already popped, and the roadster values are up 22 percent on the later 315-hp cars and 31 percent (starting from a lower value) on the earlier 240-hp cars. Yet, good M roadsters are still half the price of good M coupes.”

Image source: Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles

1996-2002 Dodge Viper GTS 

Hagerty’s take: “Generation Xers and millennials are now 64 percent of the quotes on this car. Vipers have a reputation for being crude and uncompromising, but it’s a driver’s car and a visceral experience. The outlandish design has aged well, and attrition has worked in the Viper’s favor, meaning there aren’t a lot of good ones left. The early cars are now seen as desirable.”

Image source: Ferrari

1999-2005 Ferrari 360 

Hagerty’s take: “More of these cars are coming off normal insurance policies and onto Hagerty policies, with the number rising 211 percent in the past three years. They are gaining more of a reputation as an enthusiast or collectible car rather than a used exotic. The design has aged well and looks elegant in a way a lot of cars from that era don’t. The F1 transmissions were more common, but the gated shifter is what collectors want.”

Image source: Dean Smith, courtesy of Hagerty

1971-’80 International Harvester Scout

Hagerty’s take: “The vintage SUV craze has been going strong for eight years, but Scouts haven’t really popped yet like the FJ40s, Broncos, and Blazers. Most Scouts rotted away, but you’re starting to see them being restored. Gen X is 56 percent of the quotes, and if Gen X likes it, the values are going to go up.” 

Image source: Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles

1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee

Hagerty’s take: “A relative bargain compared with other legitimate SUVs of its era such as the FJ60 Land Cruiser. Everyone loves a Jeep, and this one has classically rugged good looks in a reasonably-sized package with tons of aftermarket support. Definitely appeals more to younger buyers than the same vintage Ford Explorer.”

Image source: Honda

1988-’91 Honda CRX Si 

Hagerty’s take: “These filled every high-school parking lot in the 1990s, and millennials are now 60 percent of the quotes. As one of the first front-wheel-drive sporting Japanese cars to get widespread recognition from enthusiasts, they are symbolic of the golden age of Honda, quick and go-kart-like and able to make any drive fun.”

Image source: Jaguar Land Rover

1970-’95 Land Rover Range Rover

Hagerty’s take: “This is a vehicle that appeals to millennials and Gen Xers, and they’re affordable because they’re known to be troublesome. The brand’s current success gets people to look back at the catalog of past vehicles, and this one established a lot of the design cues that guide Land Rover now and have been copied by other manufacturers.”

Image source: Porsche

1970-’76 Porsche 914 

Hagerty’s take: “Only the third car that Porsche ever designed is still the cheapest way to get into a vintage Porsche, and the 914 is being reevaluated for its great handling and affordability. The VW association that once tarnished it carries less of a knock now among younger buyers.”

Image source: Volkswagen

1990-’95 Volkswagen Corrado 

Hagerty’s take: “This car appeals equally to all age groups. With cars in excellent condition going for $6,500, it’s a cheaper entry point than a GTI of the same vintage but rarer. Our insurance quotes are up 25 percent on this car from 2018, so the interest is growing.”