It takes 25 years for a car to become a classic, but some cars give off the vibe of being strong contenders for top value positions right out of the gate. Although some experts might not expect modern sports cars to bring the same rarity and value as Ferraris from the 1950s, early McLaren F1 models, or the few remaining Jaguar E-Types, some modern cars have what it takes to bring incredible value in the future.
Although some names seem obvious, such as Porsche 911 or Lexus LFA, you might not think about them as potentially high-value cars. The Porsche 911 is still one of the coolest cars on the planet, but you see them everywhere you go. There may be secrets that help this car achieve greater value than expected. Other names may not be as obvious until you do some digging, which is what makes talking about these cars for the next several years a lot more fun.
The basis for this list is pure speculation based on typical valuation qualities used for some of the most valuable cars at auction. Many factors, such as vehicle history, condition, rarity, and celebrity ownership or use, contribute to the values actually attained. This list is sorted by the number of units built from highest to lowest.
2024 Porsche 911 S/T
1,963 Examples Built
When it comes to cars that instantly resonate with the market as collectibles, the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T hit all the right marks. The capped production run makes it a limited model, but even more intriguing is its lightweight build. This Porsche is the lightest 992-generation model, and the first time the GT3 RS engine is paired with a manual transmission, making for an amazing story and a fun, collectible car.
How do you celebrate the 60th anniversary of anything? You do it with amazing fanfare. Whether it’s a wedding anniversary or the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911, a big deal is necessary, and the 911 S/T is a big deal. The S/T model takes the GT3 RS and adds a short-throw manual gearbox to deliver the exact driving experience purists desire. This setup is optimized for agility and drivability, making the most of the power on tap thanks to its lightweight build.
It’s only been on the market for two years, and the Hagerty Valuation Tool already shows the 911 S/T selling at a premium to its original MSRP. This is typically an early sign that a car is viewed as a collectible rather than simply a desirable sports car. Currently, the average price for the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is $602,120, a huge jump from the $291,650 MSRP in only two years.
2016 Porsche 911 R
991 Examples Built
The completely “unfiltered driving experience,” a Porsche quote, not mine, creates the desire and allure of the 2016 Porsche 911 R. Its lightweight build, manual transmission, and amazing naturally aspirated flat-six make it a pure joy to drive for anyone looking for an old-school sports car in the modern world. The analog feeling you get from behind the wheel makes this car a serious contender as a high-value model in the future.
You’ll swear the 2016 model harkens back to the 1967 road-homologated racing version, but with some serious modern upgrades, not the least of which is the high-revving six-cylinder engine. The 4.0-liter engine produces 500 horsepower and can rocket to 60 MPH in only 3.4 seconds. Toss in a top speed of 200 MPH, and this naturally powered Porsche is ready to prove its value on the track.
The Porsche 911 halo status, combined with the rarity and analog feel of the 911 R, is the perfect formula, one that has proven time and again to be highly sought after in the collector market. Current valuation tools have this car valued at as much as $459,130, a huge jump from the $185,950 price in 2016. This car, when well-kept (which many Porsche 911s are), should easily appreciate over the next 25 years and be worth a lot more than most people expect.
2010-2012 Lexus LFA
500 Examples Built
Any car with only 500 units built should gain collectible status and achieve high value markers at auction, but the Lexus LFA is something extra special. It has one of the most celebrated modern engines and is what some call an “over-engineered” car, becoming one of the most admired and desired naturally aspirated supercars ever to hit the modern market. When you want a V10 engine but aren’t keen on driving the Dodge Viper, the LFA is the way to go, but you’ll pay a premium to own one.
The LFA is unique with its digital rev counter, which was included because Lexus claims the engine revved so fast that an analog gauge couldn’t keep up. Given that the car can rev from idle to 9000 RPM in just 0.6 seconds, you can see why the digital model was necessary. The LFA boasts 552 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission, delivering the perfect driving experience. This supercar shows off with a 3.7-second sprint to 60 MPH and a top speed of 202 MPH, making it a true track monster, along with being a collectible supercar.
Very few cars are powered by V10 engines, but the Lexus LFA is one of them. This factor, along with the small number built, makes it easy to see why the LFA could fetch top dollar at auctions in the next 25 years. Currently, a 2010 LFA in good condition can go for as much as $700,000, which shows the price has nearly doubled from the $375,000 it called for when new.
2022 Acura NSX Type S
350 Examples Built Worldwide, 300 Examples Made For The United States
You don’t get many stronger signals of collectability than what the 2022 Acura NSX Type S gives off. Not only was the car limited to 350 units globally, but production ended quickly once the run was over, giving the car a “final edition” status. This Acura supercar is a driver’s delight, with its incredibly appealing style, flexible hybrid powertrain, and comfortable interior, making it an all-day supercar.
The NSX Type S brings instant classic status and a unique hybrid powertrain. The power system generates 600 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain, which makes it powerful and fun. This system is attached to a direct-drive, nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, making for a comfortable driving experience when you’re stuck in traffic. The Type S snaps off a 2.9-second 60 MPH sprint with ease and achieves a top speed of 191 MPH, making it highly respected among more traditional supercars.
Final, best-version variations of any car, especially landmark performance cars, typically age well and appreciate rapidly. As the definitive version of the second-generation NSX, the 2022 Type S models are sure to be extremely valuable in 25 years. In 2022, you could buy this supercar for $192,495, but today, that price has increased by nearly $100,000 for many models. That’s a significant jump in only four years, and it’s certain to increase further over time.
2023 Audi R8 GT RWD
333 Examples Built
The final sendoff of the Audi R8 came in the form of a rare, rear-drive GT model that seems like the perfect way to say goodbye to the mid-engine R8 and all its glory. This incredible luxury supercar is rare enough to be an instant classic and is one of the few cars with a V10 engine powering the ride. Audi divided the colors of this car, especially with the 150 models that came to the United States, by offering 50 models of three colors: red, gray, and black.
The 5.2-liter V10 engine produces 602 horsepower, which is 40 more than the regular RWD R8 models and equal to the AWD versions. This makes the R8 GT the most powerful RWD car ever made by Audi. Toss in a torque figure of 413 pound-feet and mate the engine to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and you’ve got a car that reaches 60 MPH in 3.1 seconds on its way to a 199 MPH top speed.
In 2023, the $253,290 price for the GT seemed pretty steep, especially compared to the regular RWD R8, which was $91,895 cheaper. Still, the car’s immense rarity and final-edition allure make for a winning combination when discussing a car that will certainly appreciate over the next 25 years. Currently, this car can be found for nearly $300,000, showing a small increase in only three years, showing positive movement for a car that will certainly be worth more than expected in the future.
Sources: Classic.com, Hagerty