These Cars Are on the Up-And-Up in the Collector's World
The collector car world is always changing, and what’s hot today might not be tomorrow. Some cars start small, then suddenly everyone wants one. Want to see which cars are fast becoming collector's items? Let’s check out 35 cars climbing the collector ladder.
Toyota MR2
The MR2 is like a mini exotic car without the exotic pride that comes with it. It has mid-engine balance, is lightweight, and handles like a pro. The ‘80s and ‘90s styling is now retro cool, and people are waking up to the fact that these cars are hidden gems.
Mazda RX-7 FD
Mazda’s RX-7 FD has a curvy body that looks like it’s straight out of a concept drawing. But, if we’re being honest, it’s all about that quirky rotary engine that’s unlike anything else! Clean versions are getting harder to find.
BMW E46 M3
The BMW E46 M3 is peak BMW fun. The styling is classy, but not flashy, and that appeals to enthusiasts. Prices have stayed low for years, but now the secret’s out. If you want one, don’t wait too long because they’re hot property.
Acura Integra Type R
This isn’t just another ‘90s Honda. The Acura Integra Type R is the ultimate front-wheel drive performance car. Some say the handling feels telepathic, and the engine just begs to be revved. Collectors know just how rare these are now, especially unmodified ones.
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Nissan’s 300ZX was advanced for its time. And it still turns heads today. With T-tops, digital touches, and a strong performance, the 300ZX was in demand. People are finally realizing its worth and that it’s more than just a pretty face.
Porsche 944 Turbo
The Porsche 944 Turbo was one of the “cheap” Porsches, but now it’s finally getting the love it deserves. It’s got great balance, a strong turbo punch, and solid build quality that’s a driver’s dream. It’s still relatively affordable compared to other Porsches - for now.
Toyota Celica GT-Four
The Celica GT-Four was Toyota’s rally weapon. AWD grip, turbo power, and an aggressive look made it special. They were never common, especially outside Japan. Today, collectors chase them because they’re pure ‘90s rally nostalgia.
Datsun 240Z
The original Z-car. Datsun’s 240Z is Japanese sports car royalty. It gave Europe’s sports cars a run for their money back in the day as it was light, quick, and super stylish. Clean, rust-free versions are rare now, which is why collectors are paying big for them.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
No collector's list is complete without a Subaru Impreza. From that big wing and boxer rumble to the all-wheel drive, the Impreza is pure fun. These cars were driven hard, so nice ones are getting rare. Rally culture is still huge, and collectors are noticing.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI-IX
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was built for one thing and one thing only: winning rallies. They were raw, fast, and addictive to drive. Import laws and rarity make them incredibly hard to get, so collectors are snapping them up fast these days.
Honda S2000
The S2000 is light, precise, and just plain fun to drive. A convertible that revs to 9,000 rpm? Sign us up! Honda’s reliability means many are still around, but good luck finding one that’s affordable. Demand is pushing prices up quickly.
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (The Terminator)
1993 saw the birth of modern Mustang performance. The Terminator brought supercharged muscle to the masses, and they were incredibly popular. Today, the Mustang SVT Cobra has a strong fan base, but good luck finding one with low mileage.
Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1
There’s a good reason the Corvette C4 ZR-1 was called the “King of the Hill” in the early ‘90s. It was insanely fast and had a special Lotus-designed engine. Now people are realizing that it’s an affordable way to own a rare piece of Corvette history.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6
Loud, brash, and unapologetically American. That’s how most people describe the Trans Am WS6. And, as expected, it has big V8 power and aggressive looks. These late ‘90s muscle cars are pure nostalgia, and prices are slowly creeping upward.
BMW E39 M5
The E39 M5 BMW packs a 400-horsepower V8 engine - understated, but deadly. It also has one of the best manual gearboxes ever. Collectors love the mix of speed and class that comes from this sleeper super sedan that’s hot property today.
Mercedes-Benz 190E
Merc’s 190E was built to go toe-to-toe with BMW’s M3 on the track. And, boy, did they perform! These little Benz sedans have a racing pedigree and have become somewhat of a rarity. Prices are finally starting to reflect just how awesome they are.
Alfa Romeo Spider
The Spider is an Italian convertible with timeless style and class. Sure, it needs a bit more care than, say, a Toyota, but that’s all part of the charm. Everyone loves its looks, especially with the recent surge in ‘70s and ‘80s car nostalgia.
Porsche Cayman S
Early Caymans were really overlooked. But, collectors are slowly catching on to this Porsche with mid-engine balance, great handling, and that unmistakable Porsche pedigree. It’s one of the best driver’s cars you can get before prices go nuts.
Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA is a V10 that sounds like an F1 car. Only 500 were made, making them a rare collector's item. It’s already expensive, but collectors see it as a modern masterpiece. You can expect prices to keep climbing as more people catch on to just how great it is.
Audi RS4 B7
Audi’s B7 RS4 is hiding a high-revving V8 engine and a proper manual gearbox. And, it’s available as a sedan or a cool wagon. It’s subtle, sure, but it packs some serious punch. The Audi RS4 is rare, fast, and practical - everything you could possibly want in a car.
Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4
The Mk4 R32 Golf has a V6 engine that sings like no other hatch. It’s also quick, comfortable, and has tons of character. Finding a clean, unmodified one now is like spotting a unicorn at your local coffee shop or grocery store.
Saab 900 Turbo Classic
From that curved windshield to funky styling, the Saab 900 Turbo is like a rolling treasure to Saab fans. This car’s got some serious torque, and good ones are becoming rare. When they pop up, collectors pounce fast. You'd better be quick if you want one.
Lotus Elise
Lotus’s Elise is as close to a race car for the street as you’re going to find. It’s tiny, light, and sticks to corners like glue. There are no frills - just pure driving fun. In today’s world of heavy, techy cars, the Elise feels super simple but exciting to own and collect.
Ferrari 360 Modena Manual
A manual Ferrari 360? Yes, please! This car has no paddles and no computer tricks. It’s just you, the V8, and that gated shifter. They’re getting harder to find now as collectors hide them away like a rare treasure. This is the old-school Ferrari of your dreams.
Dodge Viper GTS Gen II
The second-generation Dodge Viper GTS is wild. It’s got a massive V10, no traction control, and looks like it could bite. Driving one? It’s pure magic. Collectors are finally starting to realize how rare and raw these cars really are.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
The FJ60 Land Cruiser is built like a tank. It’ll go anywhere, and it’ll probably keep running forever. The boxy styling is part of its charm, and off-road fans love its rugged simplicity. Collectors chase clean versions for their unkillable reliability.
Range Rover Classic
The original Range Rover blended luxury with true, rugged off-road skills. It was super classy, capable, and now highly collectible. Vintage SUVs are hot, and this one started it all. Early two-door models are extremely sought after by collectors today.
Jeep Cherokee XJ
If you want a Jeep that’s tough, simple, and looks like it was carved from a block, the XJ is it. The two-door models are rare and have that old-school cool that has collectors scrambling to own one. They’re getting attention from collectors everywhere.
Ford Bronco First Generation
First-gen Broncos are now considered pure Americana. They’re small, stylish, and ready for adventure. But, they’re also perfect for cruising on sunny weekends. Prices have gone crazy lately because everyone wants one. These Broncos are now crown jewels in the vintage SUV scene.
Chevrolet K5 Blazer
Chevrolet’s K5 Blazer is brimming with character and style. This go-anywhere classic is just as happy on the beach as it is on a trail. Finding one is like finding buried treasure, and collectors love its fun and rugged open-top charm.
Volvo 850R Wagon
A turbocharged wagon? Yup, you read that right. The Volvo 850R Wagon looks like a family hauler, but it’s quick enough to surprise sports cars. It’s the kind of oddball performance car collectors adore. Who doesn’t love a fast Volvo brick?
Peugeot 205 GTI
Peugeot’s 205 GTI has become incredibly popular. For some, it’s a hot hatch king that’s agile, fast, and an absolute blast to drive. They’re pretty rare outside Europe, which makes collectors chase them even harder. It’s proof that you don’t need big power to become a collector's item.
Lancia Delta Integrale
If you know anything about cars, you’ll know the Integrale is a rally legend with turbo power, AWD grip, and incredible speed. It dominated the ‘80s and ‘90s rally scene, and collectors today hunt it down for its motorsport history and raw driving feel.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is timeless. It has a manual gearbox and is one of the most beautiful modern sports cars. Collectors love it because it has just the right amount of British flair. Prices are pretty decent, but we know they won’t stay affordable forever.
Tesla Roadster (First Generation)
The first-gen Tesla Roadster was the brand’s debut and a game-changer. It was based on a Lotus chassis. It’s light, fast, and all-electric. This Tesla is rare and historically important, and collectors love it as a quirky sports car from the early EV days.
