There will always be consumers who think carefully about which cars will become the next great collectibles. Limited production runs, high performance credentials, and historical significance all tend to factor into collectability, but it's really anyone's guess. Who could have predicted that the initially sluggish-selling BMW M3 from the late '80s would one day command prices above its original MSRP?
It's equally surprising when genuinely promising machines fail to earn collector status—take an early Audi R8 V8 with a six-speed manual transmission, for example. Perhaps its moment simply hasn't arrived yet; they remain a legitimate bargain in the mid-2020s.
Take a look at our list of potential future collector cars. We'll steer clear of the usual suspects: the Chevy Corvette, Dodge Viper, and Ford Mustang. Sure, those are all celebrated performance machines, and the former two can even be classified as supercars. Instead, we're focusing on performance cars that are actually attainable for everyday enthusiasts—vehicles that could also turn out to be smart investments in the years ahead.
The Best Future Classic Cars to Buy in 2026
- Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
- Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat/Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
- Ferrari 360 Spider
- Ford Bronco
- Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- Hyundai Veloster N
- Jeep Gladiator
- Toyota GR Corolla
- Porsche Cayman S
- Subaru WRX Hatchback
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Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Priced from: $55,000
When the CTS-V wagon arrived on the market, virtually every automotive journalist on the planet celebrated it as the beginning of a bold new era—proof that an American luxury brand could produce a sport wagon capable of humbling its German rivals. The problem was that the only buyers lining up were those same automotive journalists. The rest of America passed on it entirely. One has to wonder whether a Chevrolet badge on the tailgate would have changed things.
Let's go ahead and add "auto journalists love it" to our criteria alongside "limited production" and "engine power," because there's a long history of critically adored cars that barely anyone actually purchased. (See: First-generation Nissan Sentra SE-R.)
All of that aside, the CTS-V wagon is a genuinely electrifying automobile. There's something deeply amusing about rolling up to a stoplight in what looks like a family grocery hauler, then leaving a bewildered Subaru WRX owner staring at your taillights. Values on these cars have already hit their floor, and prices are quietly beginning to climb.
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat/Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Priced from: $85,000 to $95,000
You're getting two for the price of one with this Mopar pairing. The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk are fundamentally the same vehicle: a muscle car dressed up for family duty. They share the same platform, the same 707-horsepower supercharged Hellcat V8, and the same monstrous ZF 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission rated to handle well over 1,000 hp.
The key distinction between the two comes down to passenger capacity. In the Jeep Trackhawk, you can traumatize four other occupants, while the Durango SRT Hellcat lets you terrorize up to seven souls—including yourself. These are truly extraordinary machines by any modern standard.
This pick bends our limited-production rule somewhat, since while Hellcats and Trackhawks aren't exactly everywhere, Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge/RAM famously went on a "Hellcat everything" spree, shoehorning the supercharged Hemi into virtually every vehicle in its lineup short of a Jeep Renegade. That will inevitably affect future values, but one thing is certain: for a very long time to come, there will always be buyers willing to pay handsomely for anything with that supercharged engine under the hood.
Ferrari 360 Spider
Priced from: $80,000
Yes, we said we'd avoid cars that typically populate collectible lists, but this Italian thoroughbred is simply too compelling to leave out. The 360 Spider comes in at roughly half the price of the 360 Modena—which, admittedly, is a more striking car in coupe form—and it represents about as close as most of us will ever realistically get to Ferrari ownership.
For years, enthusiasts have played this mental game: "For the price of a new [insert ordinary car here], you could own this Ferrari." There was a time when a new Camry's sticker price could get you into a 308GTI. Those days are long gone. Today, for the price of a well-optioned F-150, you can park a Ferrari 360 Spider in your garage.
As with many cars on this list, you're unlikely to see dramatic financial returns—the entry price is simply too high for that. But these cars hold their value with remarkable stubbornness, and as the years pass, that value continues to build much like a well-managed retirement account.
Ford Bronco
Priced from: $35,000
The current-generation Bronco is still a relatively recent arrival, but its future collectibility seems all but certain. And there are plenty of compelling reasons to consider buying one now.
One of the most clever aspects of Ford's approach is that even a base Bronco, without stepping up to the Wildtrak or Badlands trim levels, can be ordered with the Sasquatch package. That option bundles serious off-road hardware that rivals a Wrangler Rubicon's capability—without requiring a $54,000 commitment to get there.
And if the Toyota FJ Cruiser's trajectory taught us anything, it's that iconic off-roaders like this hold their value tenaciously, regardless of how the sales numbers play out over time.
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Priced from: $25,000
Our focus here is primarily on the original, first-generation SVT Raptor, produced across the 2010 to 2014 model years. Predicting future collectibility is never an exact science, of course. Applying our usual "limited production" and "engine power" benchmarks, one might assume the second-generation SVT Raptor is the smarter bet—it produces 450 horsepower versus the first-gen's 411, and annual production numbers have generally been lower.
But here's the thing: we're talking about trucks. And in truck culture, few things generate more pride than a big naturally aspirated V8. The thought of boasting about a turbocharged V6 when someone else is running a 6.2-liter Boss V8 just doesn't carry the same weight. That said, the SVT Raptor commands a devoted following regardless of what sits under the hood. It makes a bold statement everywhere it goes, whether you're talking the six or the eight, Supercab or Super Crew. As always, mileage and overall condition will be the biggest factors in determining real-world value.
Hyundai Veloster N
Priced from: $21,000
This marks the second time we've brought up the first-gen Nissan Sentra SE-R: it was a sensational little car that delivered far more driving joy than its spec sheet had any right to suggest. The Veloster N follows that same formula almost exactly—and it also holds the distinction of being the first genuinely exciting sport compact from Asia that isn't Japanese.
"Wait a moment," you might be thinking. "Are these people seriously suggesting a Korean car is going to become collectible?" Yes, that's exactly what we're saying. The Veloster N has flown under the radar for too long. On paper, it doesn't always measure up against class rivals like the Honda Civic Type R. But in practice, it adheres to a purer hot hatch philosophy than almost anything built in the past two decades. It's equally at home on a full track day or dominating an autocross course. Light weight, superb balance, an eager turbocharged four-cylinder, and a limited-slip differential combined to make it one of the most entertaining cars we drove in the year of its debut.
You may not get rich on a front-wheel-drive Veloster N. It's been out of production for some time now, but we're confident that true driving enthusiasts will be paying serious money for a pristine example before long.
Jeep Gladiator
Priced from: $34,000
We're including this one because the Gladiator has the hallmarks of a vehicle that could genuinely appreciate in value—just not anytime soon. If you're hoping to outperform the S&P 500 with a Gladiator investment, you're playing a very long game. These trucks won't be commanding premium prices this year, next year, or even a decade from now. But at some point down the road, certain variants are going to turn heads and open wallets.
Look no further than the Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler to understand where this is headed, because the Gladiator's story is tracking remarkably similarly. When Jeep launched the Scrambler in 1981, it posted one solid year of sales before the trucks sat untouched on dealer lots. The Gladiator has followed a nearly identical arc—a strong debut year, followed by model years where Jeep has had to work hard to move inventory.
Here's a bold prediction: the Gladiator probably has just one generation in it before Jeep moves on. Single-generation vehicles with a dedicated niche following are almost tailor-made for future classic status. Just don't count on the base Sport trim being worth much. The off-road-focused Rubicon is the one to watch, and a six-speed manual transmission is strongly worth considering.
Toyota GR Corolla
Priced from: $37,000
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling vehicles in automotive history. A cornerstone of the "transportation as appliance" mindset, it earns praise for its reliability and affordability while simultaneously being dismissed as uninspiring. The standard Corolla, then, has no business appearing on a future classics list.
The Toyota GR Corolla, however, is an entirely different proposition. Those two letters—"GR"—signal immediately that this is no ordinary economy car. Introduced for the 2023 model year, the GR Corolla arrives with all-wheel drive, a manual transmission (though an automatic became available in 2025), and a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, along with a sophisticated differential capable of sending 70 percent of that power rearward.
Unlike its sensible siblings, the GR Corolla is produced in genuinely limited numbers. Fewer than 6,000 were sold in its debut year, and the special limited-run Morizo Edition is the rarest of all. Even without a Morizo, any GR Corolla has a strong case for future collectibility—and every single one is guaranteed to put a grin on your face.
Porsche Cayman S
Priced from: $25,000
When early Porsche 911s were finally beginning to appreciate around 2005, enthusiasts could be heard saying things like, "You can still get into an affordable early 911—it might come with a terrible Sportomatic gearbox and some rust, but it won't break the bank."
The Cayman/Boxster twins have long occupied an awkward position in the Porsche hierarchy—the brand's black sheep, kept that way deliberately so the 911 can remain the crown jewel. But these are beautifully engineered, genuinely thrilling sports cars that look every bit as good as they perform. In many respects, they're actually truer to the original 911 design philosophy than the current 911 itself—they're compact in a way the bloated modern 911 simply isn't. And when the broader market finally catches on, prices will follow.
Right now, the 987.1-generation Cayman S is essentially a three-quarter-scale Porsche 911 at a fraction of the price. It offers hydraulic steering, finely tuned chassis dynamics, and a characterful 3.4-liter flat-six mounted right behind the driver. Around $25,000 will get you into a surprisingly well-kept example, but make sure you have thorough service records and commit to looking after it properly. These are becoming genuinely old cars now, and neglect can lead to expensive consequences—including engine cylinder damage and cooling system failures.
Subaru WRX Hatchback
Priced from: $16,000
WRX sedans are easy enough to find at reasonable prices. What's considerably harder to track down is a WRX hatchback—whether in standard WRX or the quicker STI form. The STI commands a premium, naturally, but the base WRX hatch is no less desirable among collectors who appreciate what these cars represent as genuine hot hatches.
Like the Solstice Coupe, there aren't many hatchbacks in history that anyone would seriously label "collectible," but this one absolutely earns that designation. Compared to an equivalent WRX sedan, expect to pay a meaningful premium for the hatch, particularly for examples under 80,000 miles. Drop your standards to 120,000 miles or more, and you can likely find one for under $12,000.
These are explosively entertaining cars that are also genuinely practical. Fuel economy isn't their strong suit—full-time all-wheel drive sees to that—but they're outstanding year-round companions, whether you're commuting, exploring dirt roads, or putting in laps at a track day.
The Best Future Classic Cars to Buy in 2026 FAQs
What makes a car a future classic?
Future classic status typically comes down to a combination of limited production numbers, strong performance credentials, and historical significance — though predicting which cars will actually appreciate is far from an exact science. Critical acclaim from automotive journalists and a devoted enthusiast following also tend to play a role, as does the simple fact that a car was genuinely fun and distinctive to drive in its era.
Which affordable cars today have the best chance of becoming collectibles?
Among the most promising candidates are the Toyota GR Corolla, Hyundai Veloster N, and Subaru WRX hatchback — all attainable performance cars with the kind of driver-focused credentials that tend to age well. The GR Corolla is particularly compelling given its genuinely limited production numbers, with fewer than 6,000 sold in its debut year, while clean WRX hatchbacks are already commanding premiums over their sedan counterparts.
Is the Porsche Cayman S a good used buy right now?
The 987.1-generation Cayman S is currently one of the more compelling used sports car values on the market, with solid examples available for around $25,000. It offers hydraulic steering, a characterful 3.4-liter flat-six, and chassis dynamics that many argue are truer to the original Porsche sports car philosophy than the current 911 — just be sure to verify thorough service records, as aging cooling systems and engine issues can lead to costly repairs if the car has been neglected.
Which future classic SUVs or trucks are worth buying now?
The Ford Bronco, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, and Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat all stand out as SUVs and trucks with genuine future collectible potential. The Bronco benefits from the same kind of iconic off-roader appeal that kept Toyota FJ Cruiser values strong, while the Gladiator — particularly in Rubicon trim with a six-speed manual — mirrors the sales arc of the now-desirable Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler.
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