Part 3 of a 3 Part Series: Buying and Selling Vehicles for the Enthusiast
Choosing a “Future Classic”
Choosing a “Future Classic”
In this third of this three part series, Buying and Selling Vehicles for the Enthusiast, Brent talks about choosing a “Future Classic”!
In my previous two articles we discussed car history reports like Carfax and methods for determining the value of a potential future classic car. Now, let's focus on choosing a future classic car that’s right for you.
In this article, we will talk about cars that are 15-20 years old, because anything older than 20 years is considered a classic. We won't discuss obvious future classics like Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini, or Ferrari. We’re looking for cars that we think might become classics.
To find a future classic, we need to remember what was happening in the early 2000’s. This was the era of cute-utes, EV’s and hot hatches. Also during this era, Chrysler and Mercedes had merged and where launching some interesting vehicles like the Mercedes based Chrysler Crossfire. Finally GM was trying to leverage the sentimentality for muscle cars.
Here are my picks for future classics by price:
$20-25K
2004-2006 Pontiac GTO
This was a rebadged Holden (a GM company in Australia) Commadore SS that was praised by Car and Driver in 2000 as one of the best vehicles in the GM line up that wasn’t available at that time in the US. This was as a V8, rear wheel drive available with a 6 speed manual transmission producing 350-400 hp from a LS1 or LS2 depending on the year.
$15-20K
2004-2008 Chrysler Crossfire
This was when Mercedes and Chrysler where in bed together under the Daimler-Chrysler company (95-07). This car was based on the first generation Mercedes SLK, a rear wheel drive 2 seater built by Karman in Germany. Just under 35,000 where sold in the US.
$10-15K
2003-2009 Mazdaspeed 3, 6, and Protege
Mazda has always been a “Zoom-Zoom” kinda company and in the 2000’s they had several Mazdaspeed models available. Limited availability of each model, but enough to choose from across the 3 models.
Under $10K
2002-2004 Ford Focus SVT
Fords hot hatch, a 6 speed manual transmission, 170 hp econobox that ran 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. As you would expect, quality was never great on this entry level car, but the performance upgrades made this a fun car to drive.
1998-2006 Audi TT
There a a lot of different variations of this car; convertible or coupe, 2 wheel drive or quattro 4 wheel drive, automatic or manual transmission. There are many to choose from in this price range though finding an unmodified one may be the hard part.
Once you have identified what vehicle you want to own, start to do your research.
Look at the resources that we discussed in the past article to get a sense of what your vehicle is current worth and if it is starting to show up on the online auction sites. If your vehicle is starting to be seen on the auction sites, be prepared to pay more than the traditional valuation sites recommend.
Then narrow your search down to a car that looks right for you. Have an inspection done by a mechanic and a detailer. If it is showing up on the classic car sites, you are too late, it is no longer a future classic; it is a classic and the prices will reflect it.
Brent Mathieson is the CEO and Founder of Revive Auto Detailing, a detail shop in seacoast New Hampshire that in less than 5 years has grown from a 1 man, mobile detailing business to one of the largest detail shops in the region.