The Top 7 Best Investment Automobiles for 2023. The financial markets have been anything but predictable in recent years. Consider the current used automobile market, which is beyond insane. Old cars with higher mileage and more years on the clock are now selling for more than they were three years ago. In many circumstances, cars that are only one or two years old are as expensive as brand new models. That is why we are discussing the finest investment automobiles for 2023 today.
Why should you invest in automobiles?
Investing in used autos is typically a losing endeavor. People prefer to buy new cars rather than used ones, unless they are a limited edition or are exceptionally popular. A few years ago, the concept that used cars would actually increase in value rather than continue to depreciate was laughable. Nobody would have believed you if you told them your car will be worth more in a few years than it was now.
Yet, when the COVID-19 pandemic, enormous supply chain concerns, and semiconductor chip shortage all occurred at the same time, the financial markets fell into a tailspin. While it’s unclear how long this will last, used automobiles are still doing well as of the end of 2022. Several used 2020 vehicles with 10-20,000 kilometers are still just slightly less expensive than a brand new 2023 model.
So, why invest in automobiles now? Interestingly, secondhand automobiles have some of the best return on investments (ROI) in the market right now. According to Classic.com, which tracks market trends for antique and exotic cars, some vehicles have returned nearly 100% of their investment during the last calendar year. While not all models are appreciating and valued, it has been a bull market in recent years. As a result, now is an excellent moment to begin investing in vehicles for the future.
How we compiled our list of the greatest investment vehicles
We took various factors into account when compiling our list. We researched prominent classic and exotic car appraisers and auctioneers such as Hagertys, Hemmings, Forbes, and Barret-Jackson in addition to Classic.com’s list for ROI during the last year.
Our list includes a diverse selection of prospective vehicles for all types of investors. We understand that not everyone wants to spend six figures on a car. Several of our recommendations are quite inexpensively priced and will retain or improve their worth to a significant degree. Nonetheless, we do have some suggestions for higher-priced vehicles, as these will definitely offer the highest returns.
The Top 7 Best Investment Automobiles for 2023
Our pick of the top ten best investment automobiles for 2022 is as follows:
- The Honda S2000 (2008-2009)
- AMX AMC (1968-1970)
- LT-1 Chevrolet Corvette (1970-1972)
- Audi R8 (2008-2015)
- 900 Turbo Saab (1986-1993)
- The Nissan 350z (2003-2008)
- Z06 Chevrolet Corvette (2001-2004)
Top Investment Vehicle: Honda S2000 (AP2) 2008-2009
The Honda S2000 (AP2), specifically the final two years from 2008-2009, is our recommendation for top investment cars for 2022. It’s one of our favorites, and we’ve talked about it before in our Top 5 Honda S2000 upgrades guide. The AP2 S2000 received the 2.2 naturally aspirated F22C1 4-cylinder engine from Honda. It only produces 237 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, but its small weight and screaming 8,200 RPM redline help compensate.
The car is a lot of fun out of the box, but it’s also one of the more moddable vehicles available. The S200 is regularly supercharged to add bite, and the power to weight ratio is incredible. The S2000’s divisive design and exceedingly poor original suspension setup are two of its drawbacks.
You’re probably wondering why we chose a Honda sports car from the 2000s as our top pick, but here’s why. The Honda S2000 (AP2) 2008-2009 model years had a 59% ROI from 2021-2022. Also, the average market price increased from just over $52,000 to just over $71,000. A roughly $20,000 increase. Many of these are Club Racer performance variants with updated interiors and greater handling. If you can, get a low-priced version of these S2000s immediately, as they appear to be skyrocketing in price.
AMX AMC (1968-1970)
The AMC AMX is next on our list of the finest investment cars. AMC produced the AMX muscle vehicle for only three years, from 1968 to 1970, but boy were they gorgeous. Engine options included 290, 343, or 390 cid small block V8s that produced between 225 and 340 horsepower over the years. Its unique two-seat design and rumble seat have long attracted purchasers, and it is the classic 1960s American muscle vehicle. AMC made it available in a range of options and colors, ensuring that it stands out for all the right reasons.
For a long period, the AMX was widely underrated in the automotive world. The AMX has just lately become popular, as it was not as well-known as its immediate competition at the time, the C3 Corvette, or the more popular Mustangs and Camaros.
Yet, the AMX is not without flaws. The bulk of surviving cars have known corrosion issues, and the suspension from the 1960s still leaves a lot to be desired today. Fewer than 20,000 units were produced in total, with the 1969 model year accounting for the majority. This makes them rather difficult to obtain, however clean examples are still available.
A very clean example will cost $50,000 and should only rise from there. They are on Haggerty’s Bull Market list for 2023 and are widely projected to continue their upward trend.
LT-1 Chevrolet Corvette (1970-1972)
Following on our list of the finest investment automobiles is one of the most legendary Chevrolet Corvettes ever produced. The 1970-1972 C3 Corvette was one of Chevrolet’s greatest specimens prior to the 1970s and 1980s pollution and oil crises. The C3 was produced from 1968 to 1982, but the best years were at the start. Little and big-block V8s, such as the 350 cid ZQ3 and L46, were among the engines. The 350 cid (5.7L) LT-1, however, was the most desired. Many consider this to be the greatest Corvette engine ever manufactured, producing up to 370 horsepower with high lift cams and forged internals.
Those seeking the maximum power should consider the ZR1 package. This included the LS7 big-block engine, which produced 460 horsepower and approximately 500 pound-feet of torque. Regrettably, power on all engines decreased year after year due to emissions limits and the changeover from SAE Gross to SAE Net horsepower calculations.
Clean examples of LT-1-powered Corvettes now sell for as little as the upper $30,000s, making them excellent investments. Hemmings is highly positive on them, predicting that their worth would more than triple in the coming years and decades. While we’re not quite that bullish, we still believe that 1970-1972 C3 ‘Vettes, particularly the LT-1, are excellent investments at this time.
Audi R8 (2008-2015)
For the time being, we’re leaving naturally aspirated American V8s behind and heading to Europe and its V8s. The Audi R8 Type 42 is one of the greatest sports cars ever made. The naturally aspirated 4.2 V8 and 5.2 V10 engines are both excellent, delivering between 414 and 570 horsepower depending on the model. The phrase “Italian performance with a German accent” was coined by Hagerty.
A manual transmission was available as an option, and the interior was stunning. It sports a rear-biased all-wheel drive system, making it the pinnacle in sticky performance. Not to mention the R8’s sumptuous, aggressive, but smooth exterior appearance. The R-tronic automatic transmission should be avoided like the plague, and you should probably accept not being able to see out of your rearview mirror very well.
Still, the Audi R8 is a hot investment that is only going to get hotter. Excellent condition for a 2011 R8 with the 5.2L V10 will cost little over $200,000. While this is already a somewhat high starting price, the R8 appears to be on the rise. It is another entry on Hagerty’s Bull Market list for 2023, having increased in value by 37% during 2019 and being a popular search on their valuation tool.
900 Turbo Saab (1986-1993)
The Saab 900 Turbo from 1986 to 1993 is the most surprising entry on our list of greatest investment cars. It was offered in three or five-door body styles, with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-four engines. Throughout its eight-year existence, Saab offered six different engine options, four turbocharged and two naturally aspirated. The majority of the turbo variations were never exported to the United States, but they are by far the most valuable.
While the cabin was never intended to be lavish, Saab added attractive details like a split dash and a rather ergonomic arrangement. Sadly, finding a low-mileage variant nowadays is difficult, if not impossible. The soft suspension leaves a much to be desired in terms of handling, but the wraparound windscreen is distinctive and attractive. During this time, Saab produced approximately 1 million 900s, albeit most of the turbos were never exported to the United States.
The Saab 900 Turbo from 1986 to 1993 is still available for a reasonable price, with a clean example remaining in the top $20,000s. Expect it to rise in the coming years, as a combination of difficult-to-find components, difficult-to-find service, and the fact that Saab is no longer in production will only help to reduce the number of models accessible, raising their price. Get a 900 Turbo while you can still locate a good one.
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The Nissan 350z (2003-2008)
The Nissan 350Z (Z33) from 2003 to 2008 is the next automobile on our list of the greatest investment cars. The 350z is one of Nissan’s most popular sports cars, while being relatively new by most standards, like the Honda S2000. Nissan equipped it with a pair of 3.5L V6 engines rated at 287-306 horsepower and 269-276 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and is well regarded for its drivability.
The interior and external aesthetics of the 350z have long been recognized as classic. The 350z grabs attention wherever it goes, punching way over its pay grade in both categories. Yet, that same aesthetic can be divisive to others, and the lack of forced induction is problematic. The 350z NISMO from 2007-2008 was possibly the most iconic of all Nissan models. The NISMO 350z received modifications almost everywhere save the engine, transforming it into a high-performance machine.
Nissan’s 350z is another of Hagerty’s recommendations for their Bull Market list for 2023, and its resale value is rapidly increasing. A late model year in pristine condition will already set you back more than $50,000. The NISMO versions are by far the most desirable, but they are also the rarest and most expensive to begin with. They will soon be gone for anything close to their original list price of $30,000 – $40,000, so get them while you can.
C5 Chevrolet Corvette (2001-2004)
The Z06 C5 Corvette from 2001 to 2004 completes our list of the top investment vehicles. With good cause, we’ve written extensively about the renowned LS6 engine that drives the Z06. This is regarded as one of the best current Corvette engines, producing over 400 horsepower and torque. Chevrolet launched the high performance version of the LS1 in the standard Corvette in 2001. It improves on the LS1 in numerous ways, making it more reliable, powerful, and all-around superior.
The 2001 C5 was the debut year for the Z06, and many people still consider this generation to be the best. In addition to a terrific engine, Chevy provided a good suspension system and stunning looks. It was a big step ahead from the C4 ‘Vette in almost every manner possible, and it eventually pulled the famous Corvette back from the brink of extinction. The LS6 also like superchargers and performs admirably when a larger blower is fitted…
The C5 Z06, like the 350z before it, is one of the hottest used cars on the market right now. Its costs have progressively risen in recent years, making excellent discounts more difficult to find. Nonetheless, many good Z06s can be found for under $20,000, which will be a steal in the coming years. The ’01-’04 Z06 is on Hagerty’s 2023 Bull Market list, and we completely agree. We wouldn’t be surprised if the worth of these items more than doubled within a decade.
Top Investment Vehicles for 2023
We hope you enjoyed our selection of the finest 2023 investment automobiles. The Honda S2000 (AP2) from 2008-2009, particularly the Club Racer model, is our top recommendation. Still, none of the options, such as the Z06, 350z, R8, 900T, AMX, or C3 ‘Vette, can go wrong.
While no one can predict what the market will look like in a few years, all of these models appear to be on the rise. Several of them, such as the Z06, 350z, and S2000, have already begun to value swiftly, making them attractive candidates for quick sale. Not only do these appear to be smart financial investments, if such a thing exists for old automobiles, but they are also also fantastic cars that are just plain joy to drive. Even if you don’t make a fortune, you’ll have enough smiles per gallon to last a lifetime.
