When it comes to cars, enthusiasts most often associate German brands with engineering excellence. That excellence translates to impressive combinations of luxury and performance, as is seen in popular models from Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and BMW. It also follows through in more accessible cars from manufacturers like Volkswagen.

Mercedes-Benz has been a global leader in automobile manufacturing since the dawn of the industry, and has set engineering benchmarks for performance, and design standards for luxury. Porsche has hewed closely to its sporting identity since the first 356 was manufactured in Gmund, Austria, and its 911 model is one of the longest-running and most respected sports cars in history. With cars like the 3.0 CSL, the M1, and the E30 M3, BMW proved it was "the ultimate driving machine". And the Volkswagen Beetle showed millions of drivers around the world that inexpensive cars didn't need to be cheap.

Collectible German cars span decades, segments, and budgets. Here are a few options that run the range for you to explore.