These Super-Affordable Cars May Be Worth a Ton One Day
What if that car sitting in your driveway could be a jackpot later? Sounds ridiculous, but it's more common than you think! Today's affordable vehicles are tomorrow's collector cars; you just have to know which ones. Here are 35 cars you can regret not buying before the prices are jacked up.
Mazda Miata (NA and NB)
This is the little car that could. Cheap, fun, and endless, the Miata has been the budget sports car for a very long time. Early models are starting to climb in value as enthusiasts are recognizing how hard it is to find an unmolested Miata. If you see a clean one, get it before it becomes too expensive.
Toyota MR2 (SW20)
The “poor man’s Ferrari” is no joke. With its mid-engine and sharp ‘90s styling, the MR2 is already gaining cult status. Clean, turbocharged examples are disappearing quickly, so expect values to only continue to rise. It’s affordable today and will be golden tomorrow if you can find one not wrapped around a tree.
Honda S2000
This high-revving beauty has an engine that revs out to 9,000 RPM. Add Honda's world-class reliability to that, and it is every gearhead's dream car. Even though prices are already starting to go up, it is still a steal compared to most sports cars. In ten years, you’ll wish you had snagged one.
Acura Integra Type R
This isn't a car, it's a legend. Its razor-sharp handling and cult following make it one of the most stolen and most coveted Hondas ever produced. Prices are skyrocketing, but considering its future collector status, today's prices might be a bargain.
Nissan 350Z
Do you remember when these were everywhere with loud exhausts and questionable body kits? Now, so few clean examples remain. Get one now before nostalgia and Fast and Furious fans drive prices into “should’ve bought it years ago” territory.
Subaru WRX (GD Chassis)
This is the rally-bred sedan that made turbo all-wheel drive mainstream. It’s practical, fun, and has a huge following. Original, unmodified examples are almost extinct thanks to years of teenage ownership. That rarity will make clean WRXs collector bait in the future.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII/IX
The Evo VIII and IX are already legends, and clean examples are getting scarce. Affordable compared to Skylines, they’re poised to go up in value as JDM fever keeps climbing. You’ll probably regret passing these up.
Lexus IS300 (First-Gen)
This humble Lexus IS300 may not seem like much, but it hides a 2JZ under the hood. Yes, that’s the same engine family as the Supra. Tuners know the potential, and collectors know the rarity. But the prices haven't gone crazy yet. If you're after a sleeper car that could slowly turn into gold, this car is it.
BMW E46 M3
The E46 M3 is the best M3 ever built. It has perfect looks and a naturally aspirated straight-six engine that sings. Maintenance might be a hassle, but collectors love these. It's possible to own now without having a trust fund, but in five years, good luck finding one!
Audi TT Quattro (First-Gen)
When the TT was released, it was ridiculed for being "too cute," but the original TT is now maturing into a design classic. It has enough quirkiness to interest collectors with its rounded styling and turbocharged fun. Early Quattro models, especially manuals, could easily go from affordable to surprisingly valuable.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is an affordable, fun car made for those who love to carve corners. Its lightweight, manual gearbox, and cult following are perfect ingredients for future appreciation. It is the budget-friendly sports car you’ll be wishing you didn’t sell too early.
Volkswagen GTI (Mk7)
The GTI has always been the hot hatch to beat, and the Mk7 might be the sweet spot—modern enough for comfort but still raw enough for excitement. Affordable now, but with its heritage and driver appeal, future collectors will be hunting these down like Pokémon. Better keep yours tucked away.
Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota really went wild with this one. It’s a rally-bred hot hatch with 3 cylinders and AWD. Limited production numbers, oddball engineering, and instant fan adoration mean it’s a future collector’s dream.
Honda Civic Si (10th Gen)
This is the responsible enthusiast's car: sporty enough to put a smile on your face, practical enough to haul groceries. That is exactly why people overlook it. Fast forward twenty years, and this will be the bargain JDM gem that a lot of people are going to wish they had picked up when they had the chance.
Kia Stinger GT
Kia shocked the world with the Stinger GT, a sleek twin-turbo RWD sedan. It didn't sell like crazy, and that's a good thing, because it will be rarer down the road. Today, it is a steal. Tomorrow, a sleeper collectible that people will actually start to respect.
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack
V8 power, retro looks, and burnout potential, this muscle car is already loved. But it’s still affordable compared to the Hellcat. Once Dodge goes all in on electrification, these naturally aspirated beasts will go through the roof.
Hyundai Veloster N
The Veloster N proved that Hyundai could make a real hot hatch. Its three-door design already makes it unique, and with the N performance badge, collectors will be all over it one day.
Chevrolet Camaro SS (6th Gen)
The Camaro SS is overshadowed by the Mustang and Challenger, but it’s the best driver’s car of the bunch. As Chevy phases it out, enthusiasts will realize what they’ve lost. Right now, prices are reasonable. Future you will kick yourself for not picking one up when you could.
Fiat 124 Spider (2017–2020)
This is basically a Mazda Miata wearing Italian clothes, and that’s not a bad thing at all. Low production numbers and European flair give it future collectible status. They’ll be sought-after as the quirky cousin of the Miata with a little extra charm.
Genesis G70
The Genesis G70 is flying under the radar now, but it offers RWD, a turbo engine, and styling that ages well. With limited brand history, people overlook it today, but give it a decade, and collectors will pay a premium for originality.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The FJ Cruiser resembled a toy, but Toyota built it like a tank. Discontinued in 2014, its retro appeal, rugged 4x4 capability, and cult following are all indications that the FJ Cruiser will be collectible.
BMW Z4 (E85)
It’s not a Z8, but the early Z4 had attitude. The swoopy lines, crisp handling, and drop-top fun made it a sleeper roadster. Prices haven’t skyrocketed yet, but European sports cars rarely stay “cheap.”
Subaru WRX STI (Hawkeye)
The “hawkeye” generation WRX STI is rally-bred fun with a boxy, aggressive face. Turbo punch, manual gearbox, and all-wheel drive make it grin-inducing. Car nerds already fight over clean examples.
Honda Prelude (5th Gen)
Remember when Honda gave us a front-wheel-drive coupe that actually handled brilliantly? The Prelude was that car. The last generation had great styling and VTEC magic. It’s cheap now, but give it time. Once Millennials hit their “I want my college car back” phase, these will be climbing fast.
Toyota Celica GT-S (7th Gen)
The early 2000s Celica was overlooked for years, but collectors love a comeback story. It’s slowly earning respect now with its sharp looks, high-revving engine, and Toyota reliability. They’re still cheap today, but with tuner culture nostalgia in full swing, don’t be surprised when values creep up.
Jeep Wrangler (TJ)
Wranglers have always been popular, but the TJ (1997–2006) hits the sweet spot. Jeep fans already treat them like collectibles, and prices for well-kept ones are steadily rising.
Toyota Matrix XRS
This is basically a Corolla hatchback on steroids, with the same screaming 2ZZ-GE engine as the Celica GTS. Nobody paid it much attention when new, but quirky performance hatchbacks always find fans down the line. Think Civic Si, but way rarer.
Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
The SRT-6 had a supercharged V6 and German handling under a Chrysler badge. Most people laughed it off, which is exactly why clean ones will be collectible. Nothing ages better in car culture than weird performance experiments.
Pontiac Solstice GXP
Pontiac’s last sports car was a tiny, turbocharged roadster. The Solstice GXP was quick, sharp, and rare enough to already have collectors watching. It didn’t get its day in the sun when new, but like Pontiac itself, it’s destined for nostalgic appreciation.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 (2003-2004)
Between Fox-body fans and modern Coyote lovers, the early-2000s Mach 1 is a gem. Shaker hood, retro cues, and legit V8 performance made it stand out. With production numbers limited, it’s only a matter of time before values blast off.
Nissan Frontier (Early 2000s)
Everyone talks about Tacomas, but the old-school Frontier is flying under the radar. Tough, simple, and surprisingly stylish for its era, it hasn’t gotten the hype yet. With old-school trucks becoming cult favorites, this little Nissan could sneak into the “future collectible” conversation before too long.
Mazda6
Mazda made one of the prettiest sedans around with the Mazda6, but nobody noticed. Between its sharp looks, surprisingly fun handling, and classy interior, it’s basically a “hidden luxury sedan.” They’re cheap now, but when the last good sedans become unicorns, this one will get its flowers.
Chevrolet Impala SS (2004-2009)
The 2000s Impala SS is a front-wheel-drive sedan with a 5.3L V8 under the hood. Weird performance cars often age into cult classics, and this oddball Chevy might just surprise us in the collector market one day.
Toyota Avalon TRD
The Avalon has always been the “grandpa’s Camry,” but the TRD edition is anything but. With a sport-tuned suspension, bold styling, and rarity on its side, this sleeper sedan is bound to become collectible.
Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition
VW killed the Beetle (again), but the Final Editions are basically time capsules. Cute, cheap, and an emotional connection across generations give it collectible power. Today, they’re just weird deals. Tomorrow they’ll be the “last of their kind” and worth way more.
