Future Hot Cars: Are You Driving One?

Not too many car buyers purchase a car thinking what its long term value will be.

Sure, you want to make certain that your ride lasts a number of years before you decide to trade it in for a new model or run it into the ground as you squeeze every last mile out of the engine. But, if you knew that you could buy a car that some day would be a collector's item, would you do that?

McKeel Hagerty, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Hagerty Insurance Agency and a noted collector car valuation expert, has compiled his personal list of what he considers to be the top picks from today's current cars on the road.

"Many consumers could be driving a future collector car right now," says Hagerty. "Our goal was to find cars that are currently on the road but may be considered nostalgic in 15 to 20 years. Each car on Hagerty's Hot List possesses a 'buzz,' a Wow Factor that resonates with consumers of all ages, many cars being daily drivers that turn heads already."

Called the Hagerty Hot List, Hagerty has analyzed the reasons why today's collector cars have so much potential. He includes pop-culture popularity, limited production numbers and the style of the next generation of collectors. Hagerty includes a wide range of models that span market segments and price ranges: cars that are more affordable, fun to drive and still enticing for future generations.

Hagerty's Hot List:

Cadillac XLR-V Roadster

Lotus Exige S

Audi S5

Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Smart

Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Honda S2000 CR

Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

Dodge Charger Super Bee

Notably, the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky may soon be going out of production while the long term viability of Chrysler LLC is casting a shadow on the Dodge Charger. Curiously, the Smart listed (ForTwo) isn't for any particular model, rather for the entire brand.

"In a time when all the major manufacturers are fiercely competing for market share, we wanted to pick some modern day driving machines that grab drivers' attention now and will continue to do so down the road," says Hagerty. "The cars on this list have all the right ingredients to be looked upon by the next generation of enthusiasts as cool cars to collect."