Future Favorites In Waiting
The used market has its secrets. Some models slide under the radar: quiet, reliable, and built with enough edge to earn future respect. Enthusiasts track these things closely because timing matters, especially when prices haven’t hit their peak. This breakdown explores 20 vehicles that have what it takes to become tomorrow’s prized collectibles.
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France on Wikimedia
1. BMW E39 M5
Built between 1998 and 2003, the E39 M5 redefined the performance sedan. Its naturally aspirated 4.9-liter V8 delivered 394 hp through a six-speed manual—a drivetrain combination now extinct. Clean examples with service records are becoming increasingly scarce as collector interest drives values upward.
2. Honda S2000
What other roadster revs to 9,000 RPM and can stay under $40k? The AP1 S2000 stunned drivers with race-bred handling and bulletproof engineering. Introduced in 1999, it earned instant cult status. Demand now consistently outpaces available stock, especially for CR trims.
3. Saab 9-3 Turbo X
Only 602 Turbo X sedans were sold in the U.S., and Saab's collapse sealed its rarity. This 2008 limited-edition AWD sport sedan used the advanced Haldex system and featured a 280-hp 2.8L turbo V6. Collector forums are already tracking price upticks.
4. Porsche 996 Carrera
Initially shunned for its "fried egg" headlights and water-cooled engine, the 996 has matured into a bargain 911. Debuting in 1999, it was the bridge between analog feel and modern engineering. Maintenance history matters here, but manual coupes are now climbing steadily in price.
5. Lexus SC300
It looked like a luxury coupe, but under the hood lay Toyota’s bulletproof 2JZ-GE inline-six. Rear-wheel drive and a balanced chassis made it tuner gold. As unmodified examples dwindle, original SC300s are gaining recognition as affordable JDM-adjacent future collectibles.
Kentaro Matsui (original photo) on Wikimedia
6. Ford Mustang Boss 302
Resurrected briefly from 2012 to 2013, the modern Boss 302 wasn’t just a trim. Ford re-engineered the 5.0L Coyote V8 for track duty, producing 444 hp. A Laguna Seca package took it further. The car’s resale values now reflect its limited-run motorsport pedigree.
7. Infiniti G37S 6MT Coupe
Understated yet refined, the G37S Coupe with a 6-speed manual blended Nissan 370Z underpinnings with luxury appointments. Its 3.7L V6 made 330 hp, and the handling was surprisingly sharp. Enthusiasts now seek low-mileage examples, as manual transmission sports coupes continue to vanish from the modern automotive market.
2011 Infiniti G37s Sedan 6MT - Rare For A Reason by Shooting Cars
8. Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The U.S.-spec WRX STI launched in 2004, borrowing DNA from rally stages worldwide. Its 2.5L turbocharged flat-four and driver-controlled differential defined a generation. Unmodified early models, particularly with the original gold BBS wheels, are already appreciating.
9. Mazda RX-8 R3
Dismissed for reliability concerns, the RX-8 was a rotary-powered anomaly in the late 2000s. The R3 fixed many issues: refined suspension, Recaro seats, Bilstein dampers, and a more aggressive body kit. As rotary fans grow nostalgic and the R3 remains rare, values are slowly rising.
10. Chevrolet SS Sedan
Imported from Australia and rebadged with restraint, the Chevrolet SS packed a Corvette-derived LS3 V8 and rear-wheel drive, all in a nondescript four-door shell. Production ended in 2017 with under 13,000 units sold in the U.S. Its sleeper persona has collectors paying closer attention.
11. Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
The W211 E55 AMG paired a 5.4L supercharged V8 with understated styling and rear-wheel drive. Producing 469 hp, it quietly outgunned most exotics of its time. Unlike later AMG models, it maintained mechanical character without relying on electronics. Prices for clean examples are rising fast.
12. Volkswagen Golf R Mk6
The 2012–2013 Mk6 Golf R brought AWD and a manual-only setup to the hot hatch formula. It offered subtle looks and rock-solid practicality. Many were modified, leaving stock models in increasingly short supply. As Mk4 R32's prices soar, the Mk6 is next in line.
13. Dodge Magnum SRT8
This V8 wagon had zero interest in subtlety. From 2006 to 2008, Dodge dropped the 6.1L HEMI into a full-size wagon with 425 hp and a bold presence. Low production numbers make the Magnum SRT8 rare. Its muscle-car soul in a family-hauler frame is attracting many nostalgic buyers.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
14. Nissan 350Z Nismo
The Nismo 350Z featured structural bracing, stiffer suspension, Brembo brakes, and a unique aero. Unlike the standard 350Z, this wasn’t just cosmetic. Fewer than 1,700 were sold in the United States. Today, these track-prepped versions are sought after as factory-tuned JDM performance relics.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
15. Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Only 1,764 manual CTS-V wagons were built between 2011 and 2014. A supercharged 6.2L V8 under the hood delivered enough to embarrass Ferraris in a grocery-getter. Combining rarity and practicality, it’s become a unicorn among American modern classics, with values already surging at auctions.
16. Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
Built on Mercedes SLK32 AMG bones, the Crossfire SRT-6 was underrated from day one. It packed a 330-hp supercharged V6 and a 5-speed automatic. While its styling split opinions, the engineering underneath was no joke. Coupe and roadster production remained low, and enthusiasts are finally paying attention.
17. Volvo 850 R
In 1995 and 1996, Volvo shocked buyers with a turbocharged wagon that could sprint to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. The 850 R came in limited colors, with a firmer suspension and signature 17-inch Titan wheels. Surviving examples in good shape are increasingly rare.
18. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
The final years of the Evo before the X-generation saw Mitsubishi at its mechanical best. The car’s refined turbo spool added MIVEC variable valve timing, and it came with multiple trims, including the RS and MR. Some models now regularly cross the $40k mark.
19. Acura Integra Type R
No car earned the “best-handling front-driver” title more often than this one. The Integra Type R, sold briefly in the U.S. from 1997 to 2001, had a hand-ported 1.8L VTEC engine and featherweight chassis. Total U.S. imports numbered around 3,800.
20. Pontiac GTO LS2
Reintroduced in 2005 with a 400-hp 6.0L LS2 V8, the final Pontiac GTO looked tame but pulled hard. Sourced from Holden’s Monaro, it offered a modern take on the muscle car without retro gimmicks. Manual versions in a clean condition are gaining appreciation.
