5 Big Losses From the Latest Hagerty Price Guide
If you’ve been paying attention to the collector car market the past few months, it’s clear that the pandemic boom is over. While blue chip grade prices appeared particularly shaky at the Monterey auctions back in August, there is much more to it. Indeed, there have been drops everywhere from Maseratis to Muscle Cars, from SUVs to Siatas. While there is a lot we could cover, here are a few meaningful drops in our most recent update to the Hagerty Price Guide, which went live at the beginning of the month.
Curious how we come up with our values? You can read more about the methodology behind the Hagerty Price Guide here.
1964–70 Maserati Mistral
Average decrease: -18%
Previously a racing powerhouse, Maserati began a pivot to grand touring cars in the late 1950s. A successor to the 3500 GT, the Mistral is the first Maserati in a long line of cars named after a wind. Mistral is the cold northerly wind that blows from France into the Mediterranean. This car also holds the distinction of being the final Maserati to use the company’s venerable twin-spark, inline-six engine, derived from the very successful Maserati Grand Prix cars of the 1950s. Topping everything off is a very handsome two-seater body designed by Frua.
Maserati continues to be a finicky market. While arguably just as important as Ferrari or Lamborghini, the brand doesn’t have the same name recognition or staying power. Recent sales results suggest a down market for these cars, and expert sentiment is down. Like other high-end vehicles of this era, the overwhelming demographic collecting these cars, as indicated by insurance quotes, is of the Baby Boomer variety. Meanwhile, fewer younger enthusiasts are longing for a 1960s Maserati. It’s not all bad news for Mistrals, though, as better accessibility can be a boost to interest. We will see in time.
1958–60 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe
Average decrease: -15%
For classic Ferrari fans, this is an important car. The 250 GT Pinin Farina (PF) Coupe is a must-have for any sizable classic Ferrari collection, and the 250 series as a whole is without doubt the most recognizable of the classic Ferrari road cars. That basic shape defined an era for the brand and the 250 Colombo engine powered some of the most important cars of all time, like the 250 GTO and 250 SWB. To own a 250 GT PF Coupe is to share DNA with these legends.
Looks, heritage and a less insane cost (relative to their crazy-valuable cousins, at least) have kept the 250 GT PF Coupe’s values steady over the years as the cars around them have seen more pronounced fluctuations. That said, there are a number of factors going on here which contributed to the drop. First being a poor showing of 1950s-60s Ferraris as a whole at the Monterey auctions over the summer. While Monterey is a small snippet of the market generally, it is always a watershed event for the Ferrari market. The poor showing there and low expert sentiment about the wider market were huge contributors. Less obvious is an undeniable market shift happening at all levels. As Gen X have taken over as the dominant collecting demographic, they are buying cars they relate to more. Why buy a 250 GT when a Testarossa or F40 is the Ferrari they grew up dreaming about? The 250, meanwhile, is overwhelmingly a car collected by the old guard, which does present headwinds for the future.
Doom and gloom aside, this car remains a work of art that still is a must-have car if you have the means to collect Ferraris. However, it may have forever shifted from a logical entry point to serious Ferrari collecting to a car you simply buy to round out the collection.
2003–10 Bentley Continental GT
Average decrease: -11%
Unless you’re a hardcore Bentley fan, it may be hard to grasp the importance or the lure of the Continental GT. When Bentley burst on the scene with a flagship car pumping out 552 horsepower from a twin-turbo W-12 engine in an era when 400 horsepower was still something of a novelty, you couldn’t help but pay attention. There was also the fact that, prior to the 2000s, much of Bentley’s sporting identity dated from way back before World War II. So, a coupe with monster power from a company that mostly built country club cruisers was a big surprise.
What is equally eyebrow-raising is the Continental GT’s resilience to the usual freefall of depreciation luxury cars, especially Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, are prone to. The Continental GT wasn’t immune, but it handled the blow far better than it could have, as their values quickly settled and held firm. Now, though, we’re seeing additional drops.
For many enthusiasts, cheaper sales figures and lower listings are a good thing. Believe it or not, you can pick up an excellent condition, early production Continental GT coupe for under $40,000, later production cars with all the refinements for a tad over $50,000. Think about it, that’s some major horsepower for your dollar, plus a top-shelf badge. Of course all the usual luxury car caveats apply of buying the best car you can afford and with a documented service history. Supersports and Speed models with their higher collectablity and power are out of reach for many, but are still under the six-figure mark on average. So if you’re wanting a big, comfortable car with pin-you-to-the-seat power, then the Continental GT may be the best aristocratic bang for our peasant buck on the market right now.
1992–96 Ford Bronco
Average decrease: -11%
Ford Broncos have been on the rise for so long, it seems truly strange to hear about any of them going down in value. Surprisingly, this one did.
When thinking about the 5th generation (1992-96) Bronco, you have to take a step back and appreciate how far the line had come over the years. Ford did a great job of smoothing the rough edges and when you open the doors, a well-appointed interior is there to greet you. Auto manufacturers were beginning to recognize that buyers wanted less utility and more comfort in their trucks. For a 30-plus-year-old collector vehicle, it’s hard to argue with the 5th gen Bronco being the best one to live with.
Despite the 5th gen’s draw, it seems buyers are beginning to be a bit pickier with the trucks they shell out big money for. Examples needing attention are being passed on by buyers, while sellers are needing to accept lower prices, while the drop for top-condition examples is less severely felt. Beyond the fact that pickier buyers are driving lesser vehicles down in value, there are only clues to why 5th gen Broncos changed in value while others were more stable. Perhaps they’re shaking loose the perception that 1990s trucks are used trucks, maybe fear of restoring an old truck with computers. Whatever the reason, the 5th generation Bronco is a solid choice that just got more attractive in price.
1980–91 Volkswagen Vanagon
Average decrease: -10%
In the United States, the Volkswagen van has long been a symbol of freedom and the open road. While this sentiment applies most profoundly to the first and second generation VW Transporters, the later Vanagon still beckons the same way its older siblings did. Basic, practical and endlessly configurable, the Vanagon has the same DNA within it. However as time progressed, the Vanagon would go through massive changes. Starting with air-cooled and and carbureted engines, they changed to water cooling in 1983 and would eventually offer a diesel option and even all-wheel drive.
Vanagons have experienced growth over the years, however not at the explosive rate of the earlier split and bay window vans. The market right now is saturated with driver-quality examples or worse, which historically has a negative effect on the market. All that aside, even if the barrier to entry is falling, the cool factor of a classic VW van is priceless.
Damn! just when I expected the Vanagon To be the next Shelby.
And My Bentley and Ferrari are tanking also. How many really care about these expensive out of reach cars. What % of your customers, Hagerty can afford these cars?
ARENT You SPECIAL. Can you really afford your cars Probably not
I think he was being tongue in cheek
Since an oil change on a Veyron runs about $20,000, I think I need 3 more…
I found the information quite interesting, even if I cannot afford the cars. Just FYI.
Most of us could at least afford a decent Vanagon, maybe even a full size Bronco! Not that I’d really want either…. I really like the Maserati styling, and I’m fond of I-6 engines. Wonder how dependable the car as a whole is… not that anyone would likely daily drive such a car! The styling reminds me a bit of a Studebaker Avanti, the Ferrari styling a bit like an early two seat Thunderbird…
Yes and with these rare cars is there an adequate sample set to call it a trend?
If you bought your car for “investment”, then, well… What do you expect? Remember when Apple tanked (some of you probably were not born then)? Don’t believe everything you read even here, as “pundits” are often wrong, and we all bought our cars with our hearts, right? We want to drive them.
If your cars are tanking, you paid too much in the first place. Of course, there are others who will want your cars, and, again, pay too much. Also, time may be on your side. While the Bentley may stabilize, the Ferrari, provided it is a desirable 12 cylinder, or a late 8 cylinder, will continue to appreciate at a slower rate. And, if you have an exceptional one, it may be worth far more than the estimates listed here.
Me? One of my cars is WAY ahead, but then I purchased it new 35 years ago, and have kept it in as new condition. My other car tanked (purchased 5 years ago), but will recover as it is a very nice one (and the market is bearing this out) and I am driving it often, enjoying the car for what it is. I would love to have a Bentley GT, and with prices for nice ones (but still incredibly expensive to maintain) below $50K, I’m thinking that I may be interested. I have had an excellent relationship with various Bentleys over the years, and should really own one now.
Look… If you want a desirable car, buy it new, now, and enjoy it for as long as you can. Paying $90K for a car that might increase in value by $10% in 5 years doesn’t pay, as your insurance, maintenance and storage will eat up the margin. Enjoy it, drive it. Stop worrying about the value.
And… While a Ferrari 250 GT might have lost 15% of its value, it is still a 6 figure car, so out of reach of most of us with limited discretionary income. I don’t think about sour grapes, and even though I have much experience with cars like that, I don’t really relate to them. There are plenty of cars that I may be able to afford, and some of them, if bought now, new or near new, have plenty of room for an increase in value.
THIS is a very well written summary of the market. Well said. Interests rate are coming down, don’t worry. As you said, many people regret selling Apple. The car market is no different. Ups and downs…Blue chips do great on the long run.
Well said!
As Carroll Shelby stated, “These cars are meant to be driven, so enjoy the hell out of all of it – not just look at it when it’s clean.”
Buy Porsche 911’s, 993 and 997.2 eras, if you want to own and drive some of the best cars ever built and not worry about them tanking.
Amen
Hit the nail on the head with that comment.
I bought an ’05 Continental GT last year for CAD$35k. 8/10 cosmetic condition and complete dealer service history. 75000kms on it. Did a complete baseline at purchase and it’s run flawlessly ever since. It’s not often that a car like that is affordable for a working stiff like me, but it sometimes happens*.
*probably a good idea to have *some* mechanical know-how because even a simple brake job on a vehicle like this can be four figures at the dealer.
Hagerty, please ignore these useless comments and keep up the great work. Comments like gollop’s just show they can’t afford a bus ride.
great response, you have a word with ways
Good for VW not so much for a chicken farmer.
Old Australian Rolls-Royce joke, from when they did away with running boards:
“Then where do I put the bloody dead sheep?”
In a much better way, you said what I was thinking!
Best thing for a water cooled Vanagon is to rip the stock engine out and install a Superdoo flat 4 banger in it. Won’t beset a person with the periodic coolant leak from dissimilar metals in water, and resultant repair bills. Big disappointment from the prior picture window ’68 bus.
Pretty expensive. You can get a used Subaru engine from Japan at a great price, but when I was considering that for my Gia, the cost of the transaxle assembly was over $5000. And adding A/C was another $3000.
What is “Superdoo”?
It’s a Canadian thing
Not in Canada it’s not.
Never heard of it
I’m in Canada and I’ve never heard that. Is this like “steamed hams”?
Like Canadian Bacon?
Subaru…in West Coast Canada = Subee.
Not sure of Eastern Canada (anything East of the Rockies).
Never hear of Superdoo.
How about Superdooper?
Or is Superdoo slang for Subaru?
I’ve had several Subaru’s over the last 40 years and never had them referred to as a Superdoo. However, considering what they’re capable of maybe the nickname is appropriate.
There was a Subaru commercial in the 80s with an American and Japanese salesperson. The American kept stumbling over the word Subaru, couldn’t get it right. The Japanese said, Thass OK. I can’t say Chevorayy.
It was an Isuzu commercial, not Subaru!
HaHaHa!!! LOL
I am just surprised to see Vanagon and collectable in the same sentence.
LOL
Me too! Drop in a Porsche turbo 4 banger. Nice.
I could care less. I love my old car and don’t even think about its worth. I don’t keep it nice for its value, I just love to drive it and the comments I get make my day. I didn’t buy it to invest or make money. ❤️😊
Of no interest to me. Way above my pay grade.
Vanagons and 90’s Broncos are definitely at the affordable end the ‘collector’ spectrum.
The prices and trends of the vehicles discussed here are of no interest to me, or anyone I know. Would much rather see detailed analysis of pricing trends for classic Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, Chevelles, GTO’s, etc. Vehicles which are still somewhat affordable and widely loved would be of interest to more people.
Agree 100%.
Heartily agree
Spot On! I agree.
All of that information is readily available to you through Hagerty’s website & market place. Or is that just too much effort for someone who’s never going to buy anything anyway?
Good response
Think it is useful to provide feedback about what the community is interested in reading more about or less about. Why not express what you are interested in rather than taking errant shots at another person who you know nothing about?
Well said!
I’m actually shocked the Bronco went down as opposed to going flat. Seems everyone talks about old Broncos. Maybe the bloom is off the rose for the large Broncos.
I think so. Those large, lumbering, Broncos are similar only by title to the originals. They really were nothing special, useful perhaps, but not special, let alone collectible.
The Ford dealership where I bought a Ranger called it “Bronco Mania”, and they are stuck with a whole bunch of new Broncos as a result, going formerly above discount to deep discount to unload them.
Akin to the intro of the Honda CRX-in the SF Bay Area Honda salesmen’s paychecks often exceeded their previous year by 100%! The current premature busting Bronco issue though has more to do with the failing QC they’re experiencing IMHO.
Nevadahalftrack the Barn Finds legend??
Now they can stock up on the new Electric ones to keep the others company!
🤣
While watching the CBS Saturday Morning Show and eating breakfast this morning I think I saw a 2024 BRONCO Raptor (or other top end version) offered by the local Ford dealer for over $16K DISCOUNT. Talk about “Mania” – Holyshift Mudman.
I had a ‘90 then a ‘95 Bronco back then and always thought about getting another but when the new generation came out, that may be my choice nowadays, if i were to get one.
Oh boy. I’m sure going to lose sleep knowing none of these cars are worth anything anymore. Dang.
It’s unfortunate that many of the above commenters do not seam to understand the meaning of this Price Guide article. It was not written about specific cars you maybe interested in rather, its to give you good and helpful
information on the overall market conditions. The reader now would have some useful information about what maybe happening to the price of the cars he is interested in.
Think you’re giving the commenters too much credit in assuming that they actually read the article.
Maybe
You ‘seem’ to misunderstand that ‘seam’ is something you have on your clothing.
Not the only “seam” is on clothing. Seams occur where 2 planes touch, geometrically speaking, no matter the matter.
SEEM, NOT SEAM.
Lol … I wonder how many responses actually come from Hagerty customers
Why do some feel the need to comment that these cars are too expensive for them and thus of no interest?
I don’t recall wealthy people making similar jibes when a cheap and cheerful car is the subject.
Wouldn’t you just click past it, or am I missing something?
Does it say something about us all?
Far too many old guys on here, only interested in ‘Murican cars.
I’m not “old”, but I find European sports cars heavy on maintenance and low on enjoyment. To each their own.
You can say that again. The Porsche will rust, the Austin’s and MG’s are a maintenance nightmare (and rust) and the Italian cars look good but are e x p e n s I v e. Look at Corvette C-2’s through C-6’s. They are fun, they run, look good and are not expensive to repair.
No.
Thank you, good observation. It does say something. Whiners.
They’re all ugly vehicles. The crap is the first thing to get discarded.
Yep,much like playing euker,discard 9s and 10s,look for more attractive ace/king and queens.
Wasn’t he an MLB catcher (for a while, at least)? ;<)
That was a genuinely funny comment! But alas, your spell checker didn’t think so! I knew what you meant, he was a good ketcher!
Euchre
The Bentley was one that I actually thought about. It’s not bad looking at all. My concern though was the purchase price may pale in comparison with repairs. It looks nice, is uncommon and I’d bet it’s a very nice ride.
That is a fact. There are many exotics that an upper middle class person can buy, but he or she will have to contend with service and repairs that are out of sight
I disagree, the Ferrari is quite gorgeous.
Ugly? The Ferrari, Maserati, and Bentley? Better open your eyes.
Agree on the Italians, but I don’t find the Bentley to be aging well. With each passing year I see more of the early 00’s blob/lozenge looks overwhelming its finer points. It was a defintely fashionable look of the time appearing on many vehicles, but not a style that has held up well imo…I guess to each his own
Great for me I have wanted one of the older Broncos now I can get one at a reduced price. The others well I have no interest in them. Maybe if you were looking , like me, you can snatch up a bargain.
I have a question. How does the 1984 Toyota Celica Supra rank?
Look for the Hagerty Valutation Guide online. You can look up any car you wish.
You can look for any car; they may not rate it. Where’s my Jag XK8?
Behind my XJR, hehe 🙂
$20.00 a ton at your local scrap dealer.
Ouch, that’s going to leave a mark.
All US market Vanagons were fuel injected, whether air or water cooled.
I am only interested in my 1968 Olds Delmont 88 ragtop with the Rocket 455 at least keeping its value in the motorhead clans. One fine ride.
Nice!!
I find it interesting I still get these articles from Hagerty even though I dropped them like a hot rock well over a year ago. I dropped them because they wanted to increase my premiums well over 40% last year for my 68 Camaro SS and my 87 Buick Grand National. Well, I turned to State Farm who is my insurer for my daily drivers and they beat Hagerty by a long shot, and they insured the cars to stated value. I was a Hagerty customer for well over 20 years yet they failed to deliver. Oh well, I still enjoy these articles anyway.
Interesting. When I informed my insurance company that my Jeep was lifted by 2 inches they put me on facility insurance which cost more than my 2 other daily driver vehicles combined. Hagerty insured me for 1/10th the cost of that insurance. This was well over 10 year ago though.
THats funny. I just switched from State Farm to Hagarty for my wife’s z4. Twenty percent cheaper for FULL coverage versus liability only with State Farm.
After much deliberation,Hagerty decided not to insure me (72 years old/clean record/’64 Chevelle SS) Because I had an inoperative, homegrown N20 system; simply wanted keep the car period correct(1980). That lead me to Auto Owner’s
who did not stroke my ego to bump up the valuation/premium and get more money from me. I got close to 50% reduction as well. Yeah, I’m addicted to the Hagery articles. Grand National-the only post muscle car “muscle car”.
Inoperative? How and why did they even know it’s there??
Oh and I love GNs but how is my stick shift 6.OL RWD V8 2006 GTO ‘not’ a muscle car?
Funny to see such reverse snobbery bashing of these cars because “we don’t care/can’t afford them.”
Gimme a break. The fact is now almost no desirable classics, including American muscle, are in any way affordable.
At this point, seeing some jalopy condition Mustang go for $40K is far more discouraging to young enthusiasts than the value of some Maserati they’ve never even heard of.
Well, the facts are most of these “bashers” never even sat in, least of all driven any of the cars that they hate or do not understand. Having been lucky enough to have sat in the seat of a 917 Porsche as it was running, not drive just sit. I can tell you there is something to be said about a certain about of “Goose Bumps” that occurs. Just hearing it start is amazing.
But someone has to like Mustangs, Larks and Miatas. “Bless their hearts”.
Yeah, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and variety is the spice of life. If someone is bitter about the seemingly “too expensive/snobby” makes of cars then that’s their issue. Jealousy is evil energy. I compare it to music. If you can’t dig it, at least appreciate it for what it means to some people. If we all liked the same things, what a boring world.
Awww, come on. I owned and drove a ’72 Porsche 911 for 30 years and a ’97 Miata for 20. They obviously are night and day, but my Miata was just too much fun. I loved both of them but I’ve passed them on to new owners that hopefully will enjoy them as much as I did.
Very surprised to learn insurance premiums for a Camaro and Grand National would be lower than Hagerty’s by any other insurer. I did have a vehicle insured with State Farm in the early 70’s – although not a classic their rates were competitive but not jaw dropping. Hmmm