2010 Hot List: Decade in review

With the 2000s come and gone, Hagerty has expanded its annual Hot List of the “Collector Cars of Tomorrow.” The 2010 Hot List: A Decade in Review presents Hagerty’s top picks from 2000 to 2009 of the most influential cars of the past decade with the highest probability of becoming collector cars in the future.

“Over the past decade and even the past year, the automotive industry has seen immense change. But one thing that has not wavered is America’s passion for interesting and unique cars,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency. “Since our first Hot List in 2007, we’ve chosen cars that have peaked the interest of Americans and that we anticipate will be collectible in the future. This year we sifted through the good, the bad and the ugly of the past 10 years to present one new car from each year that you can bet your money on will be collectible 15 to 20 years from now.”

For this year’s Hot List, Hagerty reviewed mass produced cars from 2000 to 2009 with an MSRP of $100,000 or lower that valuation experts at the company predict will have collector appeal within the next 15 to 20 years. One car was selected from each year based on factors including how influential it was in the automotive industry, its “cool or unique factor” and its potential value in the collector car market.

Hagerty presents the Hagerty Hot List: A Decade in Review:

1. 2000 BMW M Roadster – The four-cylinder Z3 was a bit of a snooze, but the M Roadster with 240 hp and a 0-60 time of around five seconds is a Gen-X Shelby Cobra. Quad chrome pipes out the back, fat tires, special side grilles and M badges identify this very special Z3. We believe in the years to come this car will be highly desired by collectors for its gracious curves and powerful engine.

2. 2001 Corvette ZO6 – While the 2001 ZO6’s 385 horsepower is less than the current base model Corvette, it did mark the return of the vaunted ZO6 for the first time since 1963. The enthusiast publications were shocked by GM’s willingness to sell essentially a race-ready Corvette straight from the factory.

3. 2002 Pontiac Firebird WS-6 “Ram-Air” – The Firebird burned bright in its last year— this was the most powerful Firebird ever produced (and with the death of Pontiac, almost certainly the last). GM claimed it was rated at 325 horsepower, but many Firebird enthusiasts claim they were underrated by up to 40 horsepower. Not bad considering the most powerful Mustang offered in 2002 had nearly 65 horsepower less.

4. 2003 Mini Cooper S “JCW” – In 2003 the Detroit Auto Show awarded this Mini “North American Car of the Year”. This car made our list not only because it was the first year the “John Cooper Works” Tuning Kit was available, but more importantly because anyone who drives one of these cars walks away with a silly grin. It just begs to be driven hard and often.

5. 2004 Cadillac CTS-V – This is the Cadillac for the Corvette enthusiast who has to haul around kids and their gear. After decades of Cadillac catering exclusively to the to those buying their last or second to last cars, the new CTS-V with its 400 horsepower Z06 Corvette engine will surely earn the respect of car collectors down the road as the most memorable Caddy from this past decade.

6. 2005 Acura NSX – The NSX was the first production car to feature an all-aluminum chassis, suspension and body, and was produced from 1990-2005 with very little changes throughout its 15 year run. The breakthrough design influenced other supercars including the McLaren F-1. It isn’t uncommon to see an NSX on the auction bill at collector car auctions often selling for nearly what they cost new.

7. 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 (viper powered pick-up) – Unlike any other Ram pick-up, this one was produced solely for the purpose of speed. With 500 horsepower and even more torque straight from the factory, these trucks would run less than a 14 second quarter-mile and easy modifications put them into the 12 second category.

8. 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500 – Following the introduction of the fifth-generation Ford Mustang, the Shelby nameplate was revived in 2007 for the first time since 1970. This new high performance version of the Mustang as a way to pay tribute to the legendary Carroll Shelby. With its retro looks, 500 horsepower, and Shelby’s autograph on the dash, this car introduced the younger generation to the glorious racing days of the 1960s.

9. 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 – Mopar enthusiasts waited a long time for this much anticipated tribute to one of the icons of the muscle car era. When compared to all the retro inspired muscle cars of this decade, our vote is for the Challenger as it most closely resembles its first generation ancestor.

10. 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe – With the death of Pontiac announced toward the end of this decade, their last true sports car was the Solstice GXP. The convertible version sold respectably for several years, but this Coupe version was only produced for half a year. This rare model will certainly be desirable in the years to come.