Overpriced, Overhyped Collectors Cars
Most of us can only ever dream of owning expensive collector cars, but we can enjoy looking at them! But are they really worth that much money? Some are, but there are others that rarely sell for the asking price. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Aston Martin DB5
You’ll doubtless recognize this collector car from its many action-packed spins in the James Bond franchise, so, naturally, its asking price is high. And while some collectors are willing to pay for it, others feel it is priced up due to its 007 associations.
Porsche 550 Spyder
Only 90 Porsche 550 Spyders were ever built in the 1950s, and collectors have been vying to get their hands on one ever since. But there are several factors that have pushed the asking price up far too high, including the fact that actor James Dean tragically died in one.
Datsun 240Z
The Datsun 240Z is one collector car that’s perfect for daredevils, but only the staunchest collectors are willing to pay full price. That’s because the Datsun 240Z requires lots of maintenance, and parts are very expensive to source and install.
Chevrolet Impala
Whether classic or modern, the Chevrolet Impala is nothing short of beautiful. Sadly, many collectors feel it has become too modernized, with the asking price being driven up due to needless innovation. Compared to other similar cars, it’s a tad overpriced.
Subaru 360
The Subaru 360 is a quirky little car that many people would love to have in their collections. However, in recent years, the asking price for an older model has quadrupled, which is mainly due to its rarity and its status as a classic car.
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron is an undisputed icon of the sports car class, able to reach 60mph in under three seconds! Its record-size engine and various speedster capabilities mean it has always been pricey, but even the biggest collectors can’t justify spending $1.9 million.
Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is another car that fans have been following for a long time, but they don’t find every model to be worth so much money. A few years ago, several Mazda RX-7s were being sold for over $100,000 each, which is far too much for most people.
Plymouth Superbird
We can’t deny that the Plymouth Superbird is, indeed, super, and its asking price is as high as its performance. But that doesn’t mean collectors will pay it. Earlier this year, a Superbird, which would have previously fetched $1.65 million, was auctioned for just $418,000!
DeLorean DMC-12
We’ll always love this iconic vehicle for its unique gull-wing doors and its Back to the Future connection, but that doesn’t mean we can justify paying over the odds. It seems that many collectors feel the same, and the average DeLorean now only fetches $50,000 to $70,000.
Lancia Delta Integrale
The Lancia Delta Integrale has a well-deserved fanbase, but its popularity has caused its asking price to inflate significantly. This car used to cost a few thousand dollars in its prime, but you’ll now need to spend $10,000 or more if you want one.
Ford Mustang II
You read that right! As much as we adore the iconic original Ford Mustang, its second generation is massively overhyped and only popular due to its connection to the first one. The top sale price is over $60,000, and this version simply isn’t worth it.
BMW E30 M3
The BMW E30 M3 has a rich performance history, but many collectors don’t feel that justifies its asking price. The car’s popularity and reputation have caused prices to soar beyond what people would reasonably be prepared to pay for a car from 1986.
Dodge Challenger
We know this will be controversial, but we do find the Dodge Challenger to be a bit overhyped. This dream muscle car has several inefficiencies, and while collectors go wild for models like the Hellcat, modern Challengers cost too much and don’t meet expectations.
Ferrari F355
Ferrari has long been a collector-favorite brand, but the F355 has caused some contention in the community. In many ways, it shows its age, and many collectors would rather invest in a car that doesn’t cost so much and still requires expensive and extensive maintenance.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Also known as the “G Wagon”, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the brand’s most overhyped offerings. Many enthusiasts find it lacking compared to other classes, like the S-Class, and they won’t pay around $150,000 for something they don’t unconditionally love.
Acura NSX
The Acura NSX is an iconic sports car, and while many collectors see its appeal, others believe it is overpriced. Some models are priced at over $130,000, which is a very serious investment that may not pay off, especially in the older, less reliable models.
Renault Dauphine
The Renault Dauphine followed in the footsteps of the Volkswagen Beetle and became a classic small car. Nowadays, it costs a lot more than it used to, and despite its legendary status, many collectors are passing it up for other choices.
Buick Riviera
The Buick Riviera was a personal luxury car, so of course, it’s expensive. However, even the grandest car has a price, and even the most desirable car may not be worth $100,000 to a collector, especially if there are cheaper, used versions on the market.
Alfa Romeo Spider
This is the second Spider on our list! And sadly, its high asking price is also based primarily on hype. Many owners discover that the Alfa Romeo Spider requires lots of care and maintenance, which can be frustrating if you’ve paid a lot for it.
Porsche 912
Porsche is one brand that seems to consistently divide collectors. Some love it, whereas others find it overrated. The Porsche 912 requires lots of maintenance, and for over $50,000, you could find a similar car that’s much less work.
Plymouth Road Runner
The Plymouth Road Runner was one of the original ‘60s muscle cars that inspired many of Chrysler’s future creations. However, even icons can become overhyped, and much of the Road Runner’s appeal is its classic status. $120,000 is money that many collectors will no longer spend.
Cadillac Escalade
Though the Cadillac Escalade’s asking price doesn’t typically break into six figures, it's still an overpriced option in many cases. The brand sells so many that they quickly depreciate, so spending upwards of $50,000 means you won’t see a return on investment in resale.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Given that a Ferrari 250 GTO was once sold for $51.7 million, it’s definitely one of the priciest cars on our list! But that means that even people who desperately want one can’t afford the asking price, and many resent it for becoming so overhyped.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is an impressive collector car, but it isn’t known for its reliability. That’s why many people are hesitant to pay such a high asking price. Certain generations, including the ‘90s Trans Am, aren’t quite worth luxury prices anymore.
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air has been going strong since the ‘50s, but is it worth up to $300,000? Some models have sold for even more than that in the past, but the industry seems to be listening to collectors, and the average asking price is now much lower.
Lamborghini Countach
If there’s one car that has a 50/50 fanbase, it’s the Lamborghini Countach. This love-it-or-hate-it supercar is praised as an icon, but many people find it too faulty to be worth such ridiculous prices. Newer Countachs can exceed $2 million! Most collectors can’t pay that.
Triumph TR7
This iconic ‘70s sports car is considered to be one of the most controversial cars ever built. Its radical wedge shape was very different from the traditional sports car design, and while it has gained traction over the years, many collectors are still in two minds about spending thousands on it.
Mercedes-Benz W126
The Mercedes-Benz W126 has been met with some criticism over the years, but it’s still a well-loved luxury vehicle. However, that doesn’t mean people will pay up to $50,000 for one! There are many similar, less-expensive options that collectors may prefer.
Chrysler Conquest
Though the Chrysler Conquest does deserve its hype, even the keenest car enthusiasts think it has become overrated. It’s a distinctive, rare car, but expecting people to pay around $18,000 for one is madness, especially as so many have become worn over the years.
Honda S600
Cult classics have a way of becoming mainstream, and that’s what happened to the Honda S600. What was once a quirky, if slightly unreliable, top-down car has now become a trendy collector vehicle, which has inflated its asking price beyond what people will reasonably pay.
Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler is certainly a predator in the world of automobiles. Prices typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, and while some people love this unique, rare vehicle enough to pay that, most won’t consider it for a car that’s clearly impractical for everyday use.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a top SUV for 30 years and was recently revived a few years ago. Its original asking price was around $70,000, which many collectors and the company itself have now acknowledged as being too much for what it is.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is the height of luxury, providing a muscle car aesthetic with a powerful V8 engine. However, lots of people compare it to other muscle cars when they see the high asking price, and many end up choosing other options.
Acura Integra
The issue with the gorgeous Acura Integra is that its price has changed, but nothing else has. It’s a classic example of a car with a high price tag (around $40,000!) but fast depreciation, and many collectors prefer cars that hold their value.
Volkswagen Beetle
You may be floored to see one of the most iconic vehicles of all time on this list, but the original Volkswagen Beetle is proof that too much hype can cause disappointment. Classic models, which have several mechanical issues, once cost around $10,000, but they’re now $40,000.
