Buy, Sell, or Hold: ‘90s Italian Cars
We’re constantly monitoring the market to see which vehicles are gaining popularity, losing momentum or treading water. Based on historical market data gathered by Hagerty and reflected in the most recent Hagerty Vehicle Rating, here’s a look three Italian performance cars from the 1990s to buy, sell, or hold.
| Vehicle | |
|---|---|
| SELL: 1996–2006 Ferrari 550/575 | 35 |
| Average values for these cars have increased by 74 percent over the past two years. But demand seems to have dropped off. Fewer people are buying them and consumer interest has dropped sharply, suggesting that value growth has halted for now. There is a bright spot though: It’s a completely different story for cars with the coveted manual gearbox. Cars equipped with a stick can command nearly double the price in some cases. Demand for those cars remains quite high as people are passing over the 550s and 575s equipped with paddle shifters. | |
| BUY: 1990–98 Lamborghini Diablo | 77 |
| With its large V–12 and open–gate manual shifter, the Diablo is considered by some to be the last “real“ Lamborghini before Audi assumed control. Generally speaking, supercars of the ’90s have appreciated strongly. Accordingly, Hagerty Price Guide values for Diablos have increased by 150 percent over the last 10 years. Collectors also value the Diablo’s analog features and driving feel since today’s high–performance automobiles are stocked with driver aids and semi–automatic gearboxes, which suggests good long–term value potential for this particular Lambo. Recent sell–through rate at auction has been low, meaning that sellers are waiting for the market to catch up to them. It likely will. | |
| HOLD: 1994–99 Ferrari F355 | 50 |
| The exhaust note from its five–valve V–8 is heavenly. It is also one of the best looking cars of the 1990s, so it’s only natural that after celebrating its 20th birthday the F355 started transitioning from used exotic to collector car. They have more than doubled in value over the last two years, but the F355 still hasn’t experienced a decrease in demand. Strong prices at Amelia Island suggest there is still room for growth as these cars approach six–figure prices. Owners would be wise to wait and see how much further prices can go in the next few months. | |
