Hagerty Vehicle Rating – July 2016 Top 25 cars

“Modern classics” – those vehicles built in the 1980s and later – remain the market’s strongest segment according to this month’s Hagerty Vehicle Rating. In fact, seven of the 10 hottest cars, are 25 years old or younger, bucking conventional wisdom that a vehicle needs to age past a quarter century before turning into something other than a used car.

Furthermore, and notwithstanding the two Ferrari V-8s on the list, more than half of the vehicles shown here can be bought for less than the price of a new Kia Rio, about $14,000. This illustrates that the market’s entry level is vibrant. This is great news for non-discriminating buyers who are looking for something that is both fun and affordable, as most of these models can be found in sound condition in virtually every part of America.

Along with more modern vehicles, older SUVs and pickups continue seeing appreciation and strong interest. The current popularity of favorites like the first generation Ford Bronco and the International Scout II may not be surprising, but demand for the Jeep CJ-7 and third generation Chevrolet C/K pickups is even stronger. Again, this is good news for opportunists, as Jeeps and C/Ks are ubiquitous enough to be easily sourced, but have been overlooked by many enthusiasts.

The Hagerty Vehicle Rating is a 0-100 score that tracks a car’s value change compared to the entire classic-car market. A car with a rating higher than 50 means it is appreciating faster than the overall market. A score below 50 means the car is lagging. While our rating algorithm uses Hagerty’s extensive valuation database and detailed market data—we go deep and include the number of recent insurance quotes and auction sell-through rates—the usual disclaimers apply: Use this score as a guide and not an indication of future results.