13 Surprising Cars That Increase in Value as They Age
For some cars, it's obvious why their value is so high. Just look at how gorgeous the Jaguar E-Type is or the performance levels and rarity of the Ferrari F40. These are some of the most valuable cars on the planet.
Some cars, such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, sell for astronomical amounts. However, some vehicles are increasing in value, which might surprise you. Think the quirky and weird of the automotive world.
This list contains 13 of those cars that are slowly rising in value. We've included a mixture of some more well-known vehicles and some of the weirdest in the automotive world.
Fiat Multipla
We are only beginning to appreciate just how good the Fiat Multipla is. The Italian manufacturer conceived the Multipla as a multi-purpose vehicle with two rows of three seats and plenty of room for passengers and luggage. The concept worked, with the Multipla becoming one of the most practical cars in the world.
The big downside of the Multipla was its looks. Fiat's strange design put many buyers off the car, so much so that in 2004, Fiat redesigned it to look more conventional. Some have called the Multipla a future classic. Thanks to the rarity of the original versions, that isn't far from the truth.
Lamborghini Diablo
Placing a Lamborghini on this list might come as a surprise. But the Diablo hasn't yet reached the heights of the incredible Countach. Lamborghini introduced the Diablo in 1991, the last car built by the manufacturer before its Audi takeover.
Production continued into that era for Lamborghini, and the final Diablo was launched in 2002. Lamborghini V12 power sat under the hood with 5.7-liter to 6.0-liter engines producing up to 595 horsepower (hp). In 2024, the Diablo is worth around $282,000, showing the supercar's appeal, and its value is slowly on the rise.
Ferrari F50
The Ferrari F50 is already worth a fortune, but it could go further as more people appreciate its rarity and technical prowess. Under the hood of the F50 is a 4.7-liter DOHC Tipo F130B V12, developed from the V12 used in the 1990 Ferrari 641 F1 car. That alone is a reason to appreciate the F50.
Another reason it's already worth a lot is its rarity. Ferrari produced over 1,000 F40s but only 349 F50s. The F50 is incredibly rare but has always struggled to reach the same heights as its predecessor. Now, it feels like the F50 is beginning to receive the appreciation it deserves.
Toyota GR Yaris
Demand for the Toyota GR Yaris has been so high that Toyota has struggled to keep up with the demand for its hot hatchback. The GR Yaris is a rally homologation special; though the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) changed the World Rally Championship rules, the actual rally car was never produced. But that hasn't stopped the GR Yaris from becoming a modern classic.
The hot hatchback has a short wheelbase but is longer and wider than the standard Yaris, increasing its sportiness. It has an exceptional four-wheel drive system, and the 1.6-liter engine has had an upgrade for 2024, so it now produces 276 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. The GR Yaris redefines what an exciting performance car is, and it's one of the best hot hatchbacks on the planet.
First-Generation Honda Insight
While many view the Toyota Prius as the first hybrid car to be produced, it was actually beaten to the mark by the first-generation Honda Insight. Honda introduced the Insight in 1999 and made it until 2006. It was a pretty radical-looking car. The rear wheels were nearly covered up, giving the Insight an amazingly aerodynamic shape.
The Insight's shape gave it a drag coefficient of 0.25, making it the most aerodynamic production car at the time. Power came from a 1.0-liter ECA1 inline-three paired with a 13-hp electric motor. Until 2015, the Insight was the most fuel-efficient production car in the United States, with a combined mpg of 53.
Mazda RX-8
Of all Mazda's rotary sports cars, the RX-8 is almost the “runt of the litter.” It did not meet emissions standards, and excessive oil consumption and engine issues plagued it throughout its production run. Remove all that, and you have a more capable sports car.
Power came from a 1.3-liter RENESIS twin-rotary engine, producing 138-238 hp. Plenty for a sports car of its era, and the RX-8 was a great-looking car, too. It got a lot of hate when it was on sale, but the RX-8 is, in reality, a brilliant sports car.
2006 Pontiac GTO
On the face of it, the 2006 Pontiac GTO doesn't look that exciting. However, it is the last in the long line of Pontiac GTO muscle cars, and its tame yet sleek design hides a truly brilliant muscle car with an incredible V8 engine under the hood. Under the last fifth-generation GTO hood is a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine, producing 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
The 2006 GTO was the best way for the model to go out. It was powerful, sleek, fast, and has aged incredibly well. It even had extra touches, such as the red gauges on the dashboard, hinting at the power that lurks within.
Lotus Elise S1
The Lotus Elise S1 is one of the most significant cars in the British car company's history. It saved Lotus from near extinction and is proven to be one of the best-loved sports cars the company has ever produced.
The key to its success was its 1.8-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine, which produced 118 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. While not much on the surface, it was plenty in a car weighing just 1,600 lbs. The Elise S1 was a nimble fighter jet in the corners, making it one of the most enjoyable cars in the world to drive.
Second-Generation Honda/Acura NSX
It is probably fair to say that Honda's second-generation NSX didn't have the reception the manufacturer hoped it would. It was priced too high for many; not everyone warmed to the hybrid powertrain, and many felt it differentiated too much from the original NSX.
This is a shame because the new NSX is a refined supercar and one of the most technically impressive of the modern era, thanks to the hybrid system. Power comes from a twin-turbo hybrid V6 producing 573 hp in the standard NSX and 602 hp in the NSX Type S. The NSX looks fantastic and has won multiple awards, proving its strengths.
Honda S2000
Prices for the Honda S2000 are already rising, so it's surprising to hear that they may increase further. But that is just a byproduct of how popular the S2000 was and still is. Many still lament its passing and hope that Honda will one day produce another generation of the S2000.
Honda originally produced the S2000 from 1999 to 2009, and its launch marked the company's 50th anniversary. Power from inline-four engines rose to 247 hp, and the transmission in the sports car is regarded as one of the best ever seen. It is unfortunate that Honda has yet to bring back one of its most iconic models.
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab is an automotive company that was hugely missed after it closed its doors at the start of the 2010s. One of the best of all its models was the 900 Turbo, part of the Saab 900 range introduced in 1978 until 1998. The Turbo was produced from 1979 to 1993 and remains one of the most popular Saabs in the classic car market.
It has restrained yet classy good looks, and while it is sporty, it is also very practical. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder derived from Triumph produced up to 145 hp. It was a reliable and comfortable car, and its value will only increase as its appreciation grows.
Volvo Station Wagons
Sadly, we live in a world where Volvo will no longer produce station wagons. In the summer of 2023, the Swedish manufacturer announced that it would discontinue its long run of wagons and instead move towards EVs and SUVs.
Volvo's range has led to incredible cars, such as the 145 and the V90. But it does feel like the end of an era and that the automotive industry is potentially going firmly in the wrong direction. In reality, SUVs are no more practical than station wagons.
Lancia Thema 8.32
When Lancia launched the Thema 8.32 in the 1980s, the intention was to create a sports saloon to rival the BMW M5. However, the high asking price of $40,000 meant Lancia didn't sell many of them compared to its German rival.
But the Thema 8.32 is now earning a lot more attention. It had a 3.0-liter Ferrari F105L V8 under the hood. Lancia also modified it with a cross-plane, changing the firing order of the smaller valves to make it better suited to long-distance driving. It was a spectacularly good sports saloon, let down purely by its high retail price.
