Modern Classics, opinions?

[rdefabri]

Can't believe no one mentioned the NSX - exclusivity, supercar performance, Honda quality, and currently cheap.

That and the Ferrari 3x8 series (already appreciating). Throw in the MR2 Gen-II and III.

Biased as I am, I also believe the Gen II GS400/GS430 from Lexus may become somewhat of a collectible for the same reason as the NSX - there weren't many made compared to the GS300, and they have fantastic quality / performance.

[MEZZZ]

Can't believe no one mentioned the NSX - exclusivity, supercar performance, Honda quality, and currently cheap.

That and the Ferrari 3x8 series (already appreciating). Throw in the MR2 Gen-II and III.

Biased as I am, I also believe the Gen II GS400/GS430 from Lexus may become somewhat of a collectible for the same reason as the NSX - there weren't many made compared to the GS300, and they have fantastic quality / performance.

I cant beleive I did not mention the NSX, always a favorite of mine, for the reasons you stated. The 2nd gen MR2 is in there, but 3rd gen? If I am not mistaken, isnt that the convertible version? The one that looks sort of insect like? I never saw many on the road, I dont think it was that big of a seller.

Speaking of that, the last gen Thunderbird. Huge sales (for that type of car) before it was even introduced and then it died a pretty quick death. Not my type of car but I did admire them.

[Mat M]

I'd like to see the way Tesla will evolve. Like the Hudson, doomed by the Big 3, or accepted and mass produced despite the Big 3...?

[MEZZZ]

That is interesting. A very cool car albeit very pricey. Had they come in around 25-30K I think it would have put the Big 3 (although not so big anymore) in more of a crisis mode than they already seem to be in. I understand that it was impossible to make that car for that amount, just look into the Chevy Volt.

Long live the Tucker! Now there was a car that made them shake in their collective boots.

[xray]

That is interesting. A very cool car albeit very pricey. Had they come in around 25-30K I think it would have put the Big 3 (although not so big anymore) in more of a crisis mode than they already seem to be in. I understand that it was impossible to make that car for that amount, just look into the Chevy Volt.

Long live the Tucker! Now there was a car that made them shake in their collective boots.

One of the best collector classics I left off the list---the Saturn EV-1. Try to find one of those! Although, I bet most of the technology for that car can be found in the Chevy Volt....If you haven't seen "Who Killed the Electric Car?" you should---very intriguing look into the history of the EV-1.

Will be interesting to see what happens to the Tesla. Wish there would be a dealer in the SE, but not sure if it'll happen. Love tohave one in the garage next to the Z and the M...

[Mat M]

Without getting into the politics of electric vehicles, you can blame Chevron (the holder of the majority of the metal-halide battery patents and technology) for the prices of such vehicles to be astronomical to ordinary citizens such as myself. IF Chevron would license the technologies the prices would come down. I can't wait for an innovative mind to come along and beat that bohemoth at its own game. The Tesla is just damn sexy compared to the "hybrid" and electric vehicles available today.

[Walter Moore]

I'd like to see the way Tesla will evolve. Like the Hudson, doomed by the Big 3, or accepted and mass produced despite the Big 3...?

By "Big 3" you mean Toyota, GM, and who is the third?

I somehow doubt that Nissan would make the list unless you included Renault in the total.

I read an article the other day where the author essentially said that had the Tesla been produced by GM, or Toyota for that matter, it would have been viewed as a feeble, rushed to market failure. But since it is produced by a small, financially strapped company it is given a wide latitude and regarded as "innovative" in spite of its obvious flaws.

As for future "classics", there are just too many great cars available right now for me to even guess. I suspect that nearly all of them will be viewed as classics, like the 60's and 70's muscle cars are now, after the silly 30MPG CAFE rules take effect and kill off the remainder of the former big 3.

[Mat M]

Point to Walter Moore. he he he

[rdefabri]

The 2nd gen MR2 is in there, but 3rd gen? If I am not mistaken, isnt that the convertible version? The one that looks sort of insect like? I never saw many on the road, I dont think it was that big of a seller.

Nopt a big seller, but that equates to exclusivity. The MR2 was never a big seller, but since it's mid-engined and sporty, that gives it an exotic flair.

I agree, the Gen II is the most desirable, but I do believe the Gen III will appreciate.

I also forgot the Honda S2000 - 5,000 units per year, hyper-personality, convertible...that's gonna be a keeper!

[MEZZZ]

Nopt a big seller, but that equates to exclusivity. The MR2 was never a big seller, but since it's mid-engined and sporty, that gives it an exotic flair.

I agree, the Gen II is the most desirable, but I do believe the Gen III will appreciate.

I also forgot the Honda S2000 - 5,000 units per year, hyper-personality, convertible...that's gonna be a keeper!

I listed the s2000 in my opening thread. I saw one earlier in the week which really got my mind going about this topic. What started it all was the 1st gen MR2 I saw a couple weeks ago.

Edited August 22, 2008 by MEZZZ