More buyers are looking to classic cars for the pleasure of driving, a connection to the eras they remember, and the chance to own a collectible. But rising interest does not make a car a dependable investment: the market is uneven, and purchase price is only part of the cost. Hagerty’s 2026 Bull Market List offers five examples to research, with values that are reference points—not forecasts or guaranteed sale prices.
Why classic cars are attracting new buyers
Nostalgia is bringing younger enthusiasts into the market
For many buyers, a classic is tied to a car they admired growing up or encountered in popular culture. Hagerty reported that nearly 60% of Gen Z respondents to its “Future of Driving” survey said they would like to own a collector car, compared with 31% of Baby Boomers. That survey finding signals interest; it does not establish why every buyer wants a classic or predict future purchases. Hagerty’s announcement about the survey also quotes its automotive intelligence leadership on younger enthusiasts entering the market.
Driving and participation matter as much as collecting
Classic-car ownership can mean taking a car on a favorite road, attending meets, or learning how to maintain a distinctive vehicle. Hagerty’s Larry Webster described the cars on the 2026 list as both rewarding for savvy buyers and enjoyable to drive. That appeal is different from a financial return: a car can provide pleasure even if its market value does not rise.
Cars from the 1980s through 2000s are gaining recognition
Hagerty’s 2026 Bull Market List highlights newer enthusiast cars from the 1990s and 2000s as part of what it calls the final chapter of the analog era. The shift broadens the meaning of “classic”: some buyers are interested in cars they remember from childhood or adolescence, not only prewar vehicles or postwar icons.
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What the market evidence does—and does not—show
Hagerty UK’s December 2025 review says the post-COVID boom had ended and buyers had become more cautious. Among more than 3,000 models tracked in its UK price guide, nearly 80% of values were flat or down during 2025. Hagerty said its Hot Hatch and RADwood indices—covering newer performance hatchbacks and 1980s–1990s cars—were the only indices showing meaningful growth against December 2024; older British-car indices were weaker. This is evidence about the UK market, not a global measure. Read Hagerty UK’s market review.
Hagerty’s December 8, 2025, 2026 Bull Market List is a separate, US-focused editorial selection. Hagerty says it considered public and private sales, historical trends, insurance valuations, and buyer and seller behavior. Its picks span prices from under $10,000 to more than $1 million. A forecast-oriented list can identify cars the publisher believes merit attention, but it cannot establish that a particular model—or an individual car—will appreciate.
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Five Hagerty-listed cars to research
These examples and values come from Hagerty’s 2026 Bull Market List, published in December 2025. Each dollar amount is Hagerty’s condition #2 reference value: a car considered good enough to win a local or regional show and drive like new, but below concours quality. They are not live asking prices, guaranteed transaction prices, or estimates for every example of a model. See the list and Hagerty’s selection context.
| Model and years | Hagerty condition #2 reference value | Why it made the list |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $16,600 | Hagerty points to broad appeal and consistent demand. |
| 1995–1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R | $82,350 | Hagerty cites an enthusiast following and import interest. |
| 1969–1972 Alfa Romeo GTV | $105,000 | Hagerty suggests it may appeal to buyers priced out of contemporary 911s. |
| 1968–1970 Dodge Charger | $91,450 | Hagerty notes younger ownership and high-performance variants. |
| 1956–1957 Continental Mark II | $82,700 | Hagerty highlights its luxury character and status as a high-priced American car when new. |
The figures make the list easier to compare, but not the cars themselves. The models differ in age, mechanical complexity, parts availability, and likely restoration needs. A reference value for a model cannot tell you what a specific car is worth without examining its condition, history, and specification.
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How to assess a classic before buying
Compare like with like
Start with the exact model, year, trim, and variant. Check comparable sales for cars in similar condition rather than relying on a single model-level average or an asking price. Hagerty’s valuation methodology says its guide monitors auction results, asking prices, and private sales; it is a reference tool, not a substitute for examining the vehicle. Hagerty’s valuation tools explain its guide.
Inspect condition, originality, and documentation
- Condition: Have a knowledgeable specialist inspect the body, structure, mechanical systems, and evidence of past repairs. Restoration quality and remaining work can materially change the economics.
- Originality and variant: Confirm the car is the version represented by the comparison. Modifications, replacement components, and rare or desirable specifications can affect value differently.
- Provenance and records: Review ownership history, service records, restoration invoices, and other documentation. Hagerty notes that condition and records such as ownership history and restoration documentation can materially affect valuation.
- Comparable sales: Look for recent completed sales of genuinely similar cars, and account for differences in location, condition, and specification.
Hagerty advises consulting experts before buying or selling. A marque specialist or independent inspector can help identify issues that photographs and seller descriptions may not reveal.
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Budget for ownership, not just the purchase
The purchase price is only one part of owning an older car. Storage, upkeep, and insurance all matter, and the sources do not establish a universal annual cost. Consider whether you have suitable space, how often you expect to drive the car, and whether specialist servicing or parts could be difficult to arrange.
Storage conditions also affect preservation. A 2026 Kiplinger article advises owners to consider space and maintenance and discusses protecting original paint and chrome from the elements. A cover may help in some circumstances, but the right choice depends on the car’s fit and whether it is stored indoors or outdoors. Read Kiplinger’s classic-car ownership guidance.
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Why “worth investing in” needs a cautious interpretation
A car on a forecast list is not the same as an investment with a predictable return. The available figures do not calculate net returns after purchase, repairs, storage, insurance, taxes, and selling costs. Those costs, plus the condition and purchase price of the individual car, can determine whether an owner comes out ahead. Even if a model’s market value rises, that does not ensure a profit for every owner.
For personal-finance planning, treat a classic as a discretionary purchase with uncertain resale value, not as a substitute for diversified investments or an emergency fund. Buy primarily for the use and enjoyment you expect to get from it, and only after assessing the specific vehicle and the full cost of keeping it.
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