For a long time, the car market followed a predictable pattern. You bought a new car, it depreciated and eventually becomes a cheap used car. For the most part, it is still the same, but there is a subsection of the car market that doesn't conform to this pattern. Cars are better than ever but also more complicated and digital. This has led to enthusiasts wanting cars that are more analog and the only way to do so is to buy older cars.Some of these sports cars are now being referred to as "modern classics". We aren't just talking about rare Ferraris or vintage supercars anymore. These are cars that are modern enough with good safety aids that your dad may have bought new. They range from '90s BMWs to American sports cars. These cars were once just cheap used cars, but the demand for them has been growing in recent years and so has the prices. Toyota MR2 (AW11 & SW20) Average Price: $12,600 - $22,700 First on the list is the mid-engine Toyota MR2 from the first and second generations. This is quite a unique car as it was the first Japanese mid-engine car for a very long time and with teasers of a new car coming, that has sparked some interest in older cars. The first-gen AW11 is the boxy one with the larger 1.6-liter inline-four that could be had with a supercharger. The second-gen SW20 retains the same mid-engine layout and is referred to as a baby Ferrari 328.The AW11s were $5,000-$10,000 cars in 2017 but cost well over $15,000 for clean cars, while supercharged versions are close to $26,000. Clean SW20 Turbos are now regularly clearing the $30,000 mark.These were cars that you could buy for $10,000 all day long in 2017, but with recent demand, finding a rough car is the only way you're paying less than $20,000. Mercedes-Benz W123 (E-Class) Average: $20,376 Via: Bring A Trailer The Mercedes-Benz W123 E-class comes from the era when Mercedes over-engineered their cars and this car has proven that to be true. Every variant of the W123 has been going up in value, especially the diesel versions. There are a few reasons, and first off, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary since this car was launched, which made it gain more interest globally. Next, the station wagons (300TD) are the most desired models with extremely clean cars exceeding $50,000. It is also a classic car that is easy to live with and repair if you have a set of tools, and parts are easy to find.Since the turbo-diesel wagons are becoming a bit expensive, other variants are also becoming desirable, so the prices are rising. These used to be sub $10,000 cars, but across the lineup, from coupes to station wagons, diesel and gas models, expect to pay an average of $20,000. This is a car that will keep going as long as you take care of it. Fox Body Mustang GT (1979–1993) Average Price: $22,750 Mecum People always loved the Fox Body Mustang but for a long time people saw it as a cheap way to get a big V8 muscle car and nothing more. So, people with little money bought them mainly as project cars. But just like every significant car of its time, they're now becoming collectible. You could find good cars for $5,000 all day long, but today, you'd have to pay double. The "radwood" effect has pushed clean, low-mileage GT and LX 5.0 models into the $25,000 to $30,000 bracket. This is no longer the dirt-cheap Mustang you could buy as a project anymore.The demand for this car is quite simple, nostalgia. Many of the guys who saw this car as kids are now grown up and have good jobs. They can afford to buy that Fox Body they always wanted, and they can afford to pay the premium. These prices are just for the regular 5.0s; the Mustang Cobra and other special variants are easily double. Nissan 370Z Average Price: $25,278 Diariomotor The Nissan 370Z is one of those cars that was loved in the beginning, but that enthusiasm faded as it dragged on. It was looked at as a slightly better 350Z and that wasn't enough until the replacement car came. The new Z was somewhat underwhelming, especially in the sound department, since the VQ engine was one of the main reasons people loved that car. Prices haven't gone crazy on these yet, but they're slowly creeping up with Nismo models holding values above $30,000. Many enthusiasts find the new Z less exciting, so they resort back to the 370Z with its balanced chassis, better steering feel, and beautiful-sounding V6 engine. Porsche 944 Turbo Average Price: $28,041 Bonhams The Porsche 944 has long been overshadowed by the 911 and even today that stands true, but there's been a shift. 911 prices have gone wild as Porsche 964s from this era are easily $250,000 cars and climbing, but not everyone has that kind of money to spend, so they search for the next best thing. The car that comes to mind is the Porsche 944 Turbo.The reason you don't want the base car is because it's very slow with only 160 horsepower, but the turbo pushes that number to 217 horsepower in 1986. If you wanted more power, then you could get the later model Turbo S that came out in 1988 with 250 horsepower. You could easily get a sorted car for under $18,000 a decade ago, but a well-maintained 944 Turbo now sits comfortably above $28,000. Top-tier examples are now fetching over $62,000, and with the recent price spikes in collector cars, these may not stay there for long. If you want an old-school Porsche with perfect weight distribution and the elusive pop-up headlights, this is the one to buy before they follow the 911 prices. BMW E34 M5 Average Price: $31,500 Bring a trailerThe BMW E34 M5 is one of the most beautiful 5 series with the right size and proportions. Everyone raves about the E39 M5, but this car is way more attractive. It was also the last M5 to come with a BMW straight-six. No noise is really being made about this car but the values show that people have way more interest than we initially thought. You could buy these for an average price of $17,000, but today, that number is well over $30,000; the touring (wagons) cost even more. This is one of the last great BMWs that still had styling similar to the iconic E30 3 Series, and we know what those have done price-wise; the E34 series may end up following that trend. BMW E46 M3 Average Price: $33,000 Autotopia LA via YouTube The BMW E46 M3 is widely considered the peak of the M3 lineage, and the current values are starting to reflect that. It offers a high-revving S54 inline-six that is very smooth, linear, and sounds great. The SMG gearbox was a letdown, but the six-speed manual is available for a more engaging driving experience. These cars did come with some issues, but they're well-known and documented, so repairs are straightforward but can be a bit pricey. Once sorted, these are fantastic driving cars and the market agrees with increasing prices.Clean, manual-transmission cars are now $40,000+ cars, with low mileage examples exceeding $80,000. Many of these used to be $20,000 cars, but as new cars become heavier, more turbocharged, and way too fast, the E46 M3's analog charm only becomes more valuable. Lexus RC F Average Price: $43,480 LexusThe Lexus RC F is one of those cars that has maintained strong value since its launch. While most luxury coupes lose 50% of their value in the first five years, the RC F has proven remarkably resilient. The main reason for this is its big and bullet-proof 5.0-liter V8. Lexus has been moving to smaller and more efficient engines, just like other brands. They still offer the V8 in new cars like the Lexus IS 500 and LC 500, but those cars start at $60,000 and $107,000, respectively. The next best modern option is the RC F.But this shift in demand has led to a slight increase in price for the RC F as average prices now sit at $43,000; track editions are way up, commanding over $80,000. These prices are still around $20,000 less than MSRP, but that is way less appreciation than other German luxury sport coupes. But for the money, you get a car with a Yamaha-built V8 that has a glorious sound that will be lost very soon. Cars like these are sure to be future classics. BMW Z3 M Coupe (The "Clown Shoe") Average Price: $45,700 Cars & Bids The Z3 Coupe, aka the "clown shoe", is still an ugly car, but just like the Porsche 996 911, it drives way better than it looks. The Z3 was originally criticized for its shooting brake shape, which didn't really work on a car like this, but this unloved car is now one of the most sought-after BMWs in existence. The main reason for this is that they drive well and not very many were made (6,000+), so those who can afford one want it.They now sell for an average of $45,000 for well-sorted cars, but we've already seen low-mileage cars cross $100,000. Even the non-M versions and roadsters, which were once affordable alternatives, are now fetching between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on mileage. To be fair, since 2015, these cars have been steady at $40,000, but with the rising demand, they may shoot even higher. Acura Integra Type R (DC2) Average Price: $52,000 Bring A Trailer A front-wheel drive car is the most expensive car on our list but for good reason. The DC2 Integra Type R is the gold standard for front-wheel-drive performance. It has the complete recipe that made hot hatches great, but no car has that today. A high-revving naturally aspirated inline-four and a six-speed manual is peak hot hatch experience. Honda has no car in its lineup that copies this formula and even the latest Integra is nothing like this.It is no longer rare to see thesecars pass$50,000; a decade ago, they were in the 40s, but they're climbing fast. Extremely low mileage examples easily fetch six figures. The numbers are clear: the DC2 is no longer just a hot hatch, it is a blue-chip investment. If these are too expensive, you can opt for the Integra GSR, which has the same engine with less power but delivers 90% of the experience for a much lower average price of $18,000. What Should You Look For Next? The current collector market has shown us that enthusiasts value character and personality over raw power and speed. Slower cars with engaging drivetrains are winning in the long term. Now, many of these cars aren't going to keep rising infinitely. The same way they found a bottom, some will plateau while a few might increase dramatically. These cars are some of the last of their kind: last hand-built engine, the last naturally aspirated V8, or the last truly analog chassis. If you've missed the boat on owning some truly great classic, this may be the time to get one before they double or even triple in price.Sources: Classic.com, JDPower.