These Once-Loved Collectible Cars Aren't Worth the Tires They Drive on
The world of collector cars can be quite fickle, so aside from the most consistent classic, there are many collectibles that have almost entirely dropped off. Scroll through the slides below to discover 35 once-collectible cars that are now practically worthless- and why.
Chevrolet Vega
On the surface, the Chevy Vega is a lovely-looking vintage car. But aside from its looks, it’s really nothing to write home about, with terrible reliability and cheap parts that aren’t up to scratch nowadays. As a result, Vegas now sells for very low prices.
Maserati Biturbo
The Maserati Biturbo is turbocharged to the max, so why is it so affordable? Depreciation. Sadly, this once-favored collectible car is now considered worthless because collectors prefer to invest in cars that will perform well and increase in value over time.
Morris Marina
If you love classic British cars, you’ll know the beautiful Morris Marina. However, you may be hesitant to buy one due to its poor value, which is primarily caused by long-term depreciation. The design alone isn’t enough to make the Marina worth the money.
Plymouth Reliant
The Plymouth Reliant is certainly well-named because it was a great seller for Chrysler in the ‘80s, but the novelty has now worn off. Collectors don’t consider Reliants to be worthy enough of investing in because they’re quite ordinary by modern standards.
Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto is a classic example of an old car being considered “collectible” just because it’s vintage. Sadly, many collectors have now learned that the Pinto’s reputation for being unreliable and poorly built is well-deserved, and they’re steering clear of it.
AMC Concord
Once upon a time, the AMC Concord was a fabulous new luxury car. But now, it’s practically worthless, with classic models barely fetching $5,000. This is largely because it has been eclipsed by other AMC models, like the Eagle, which appeal more to avid collectors.
Cadillac Cimarron
While the Cadillac Cimarron isn’t necessarily a bad car, it’s not quite the refined, luxurious ride that most collectors go crazy for. They aren’t willing to pay top prices for a car that doesn’t engage them or provide anything out of the ordinary.
Porsche 924
As far as collectibles go, Porsches are usually at the top of the list. However, the 924 is one model that most collectors overlook because it takes a lot of money and work to maintain, money that could be better spent on a car that will increase in value.
Mercedes-Benz 190SL
The car market is almost overrun with Mercedes-Benz models, but some of them have started to slip into obscurity. The 190SL is one of those. Despite often selling for high prices, collectors simply aren’t excited for them anymore, so they’ve lost their allure.
Buick Riviera
Just one look at the gorgeous Buick Riviera probably has you assuming that they’re very high-value cars. But think again! The Riviera actually doesn’t appreciate much at all, and it also lacks the broad collector appeal of more famous muscle cars, like the original Mustang.
Audi Cabriolet
We’ll admit that the Cabriolet is one of Audi’s most interesting cars, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee sales. In fact, their high running, maintenance, and restoration costs are putting collectors off, driving their value down fast. Unfortunately, they’re becoming worthless to the market.
MG MGF
Though the MGB is more famous, the MGF still deserves some love! We love how it looks, but it has mechanical issues that put many collectors off. Cars that rust and need frequent repairs don’t make good collectibles, which is why the MGF has become rare.
Plymouth Superbird
This next car might seem out of place, but it’s true that the Plymouth Superbird has fallen from grace in recent years. It was once a highly sought-after muscle car that could be auctioned for big bucks, but now its value is down, so most collectors won’t take the risk.
Triumph Stag
On a similar note, the Triumph Stag has also experienced a big decline in popularity with collectors. Only Stags in the best condition appeal to collectors now because poorly-kept models don’t perform well against market trends, making the Stag a rather worthless option.
Fiat X1
The Fiat X1 is a fun and underrated car, so it definitely still sparks interest with collectors. However, it doesn’t have enough “wow factor” to maintain their attention, especially because some X1s need a lot of restorative work, which modern collectors aren’t interested in.
Lotus Europa
You’ve probably heard of the Elan and Elise, but what about the Europa? This quirky little sports car is rarely seen on the collectible car market nowadays because there’s no demand for it. Some experts believe its value will improve, but, for now, it has stagnated.
Maserati 3200 GT
The 3200 GT has been branded the “worst Maserati” by some people, so it certainly has its work cut out for it! Nowadays, they go for very low prices because they’re not worth much anymore, especially with their enduring mechanical faults.
AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer is another car that has fallen from collectible heaven due to a long-term bad reputation. It has a cult following, but mainstream collectors consider it pretty worthless due to its poor performance and more simplistic design compared to other vintage cars.
Ford Bronco
You’ve probably seen a Bronco or two driving around, so this car isn’t totally irrelevant. However, they’re more likely to be spotted on the mainstream market than at collector auctions because they depreciate very quickly and aren’t big-money investments anymore.
Chevrolet Chevette
At first glance, the Chevette looks like any other decent vintage car that people would collect. But those with more knowledge are avoiding Chevettes because they’re not as well-built, reliable, or engaging as other Chevies. This has practically forced them off the market entirely.
Dodge Viper
We’re not saying that people don’t still collect Vipers because they absolutely do, but the shine has more than worn off this once-iconic sports car. The Viper depreciates around 20% in the first year alone, so collectors are more hesitant to buy one due to poor resale value.
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is a beautiful retro sports car that we could look at all day, and in the past, most collectors would have agreed. But now, they consider the Ghia to be a poor investment because its age means that it requires extensive maintenance.
Acura NSX
There was a time when a classic Acura NSX would easily fetch six figures at auction, but current collectors now know better. Aside from its enduringly lovely design, the NSX depreciates like crazy, so there’s no chance of ever making a profit or even getting your money back.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce has never made a “bad” car, but collectors aren’t keen to spend big money for a brand name alone. That’s why the Silver Shadow has become pretty much worthless now. It needs frequent repairs, and many models haven’t been maintained well enough to sell.
Citroen GS
By all accounts, the Citroen GS is a fine car, but fine is not enough to cut it with collectors anymore. The GS was once sought-after because people were fascinated by its legacy, but it has now been driven out of the market by other, more impressive collectible cars.
Bentley Arnage
We promise we’re not crazy! The Bentley Arnage has made this list because it rarely sells for what it once did, and this is due to extreme depreciation. Collectors don’t want to invest in cars that can’t hold their value, so the Arnage has gone down in their estimations.
Porsche 944
The Porsche 911 may be able to endure a bit of bad press, but the same cannot be said for the 944. This once-collectible car is now deemed to be more trouble than it’s worth, so most models sell for very little, with collectors choosing to save their cash.
Classic Land Rover
Modern Land Rovers are a dime a dozen, but how often do you see a classic Rover out on the road? They’re rare because they still advertise at high prices, but collectors aren’t willing to invest in a high-maintenance vehicle that’s prone to rusting and breaking down.
Triumph TR7
Even the most casual car enthusiast will know that the Triumph TR7 has been at the center of much controversy, so it’s not surprising that this car is no longer considered collectible. Aside from its cult following, most drivers consider it to be a worthless, unreliable car.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro will never truly go out of style, but its worth will always be determined by how much collectors are willing to pay for it. Sadly, it’s not that much anymore because the classic Camaros don’t increase in value, which puts them behind other vintage cars.
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek may not look like a traditional collectible car, but this SUV used to be all the rage. Nowadays, people no longer collect Azteks because they’re not exciting, innovative, or particularly attractive. All of their retro value is gone.
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is still being manufactured, so we can’t say it is completely worthless. But it’s definitely not a top collectible car anymore, perhaps due to how it has been changed for the modern mainstream market. Collectors deem classic cars more worthy.
Mercury Capri Turbo RS
We think the Mercury Capri Turbo RS has all the makings of a collectible car, and it used to be one. However, once the nostalgia wore off, collectors noticed how lacklustre its performance was, and not even its attractive build could redeem it.
Toyota GR86
The Toyota fanbase loves the GR86, so why do collectors find it to be a worthless investment? It’s simply not as luxurious or innovative as other collectible sports cars, so there’s nothing to justify paying big bucks for it by comparison.
Ford Mustang Fastback
Finally, we had to finish with the Ford Mustang Fastback because it had so much potential, yet tragically failed to deliver for serious collectors. Once the magic of the Mustang design wore off, the Fastback dropped to the bottom of the market, with currently poor value.
