10 Sports Cars Guaranteed To Increase In Value Over Time

No, the title isn't an attempt at some irritating clickbaiting. We truly believe that the cars we have selected here are due to go up in value in the coming years, but you need to know what to look for. The differences between just another old car and a collectible classic come down to a few important factors: Rarity, condition, history, and desirability all play a part. Sometimes, even a once humble family car can become an appreciating classic if it is one of the last surviving examples in pristine condition.

Sports cars from premium brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are already off to a good start as they tend to be aspirational vehicles enthusiasts appreciate. We picked 10 of the most promising, and narrowed down exactly what to look for to ensure that your purchase will increase in value over time. And remember, for the best results, make sure that the car you pick is in great condition, has low miles for its age, and has no previous accident damage.

Audi R8 First-Gen

2007-2015

2008 - 2009 Audi R8 (22)

It's not an exaggeration to say that Audi seriously upset the German sportscar hierarchy when it launched the V8-powered R8 in 2007. This mid-engined marvel may have cost as much as a contemporary 911, but it was just as quick and was arguably even better to drive.

A 5.2-liter V10 was introduced a year later, and it took performance to junior supercar levels. But power is relative in a world where even an electric family sedan will outrun the quickest R8, and our money would go on the original V8 with a manual transmission. It is superbly balanced, more than quick enough, and is already starting to go up in value.

BMW E90 M3

2007-2013

2007 - 2010 BMW M3 Coupe - rear 3/4 angle

It's only a matter of time before the only V8 M3 ever produced joins its older stablemates as a valuable classic M car. With over 65,000 V8 M3s produced, you will need to get very picky about which one to buy. Look for either the Coupe or Sedan body styles, and hold out for a stick shift, as they are rarer and more desirable.

Special edition models like the 4.4-liter CRT and track-ready GTS are already very pricey but a low mileage standard car is still a great buy. Make sure you keep on top of the maintenance (like the infamous rod bearings), and the E90 generation M3 should be a solid investment.

BMW Z4 M Roadster

2006-2008

2006 - 2008 BMW Z4 M - front 3/4 angle

The original Z3 M Coupe and Roadster models were built as a passion project by BMW employees. They have both since become highly sought-after classics, and the Z4 M models are on the same trajectory. Fitted with the legendary S54 inline-six motor from the E46 M3, these little sports cars are even rarer, with just 9,352 examples built.

The Coupes have long been the favored variant, with prices a good 20–30% higher than the Roadster, but they are all but identical mechanically, and blasting along a winding road with the roof down is an experience to be savored.

Chevrolet Corvette C7

2014-2019

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe C7 White Front Angled View

The C7 generation Corvette marked the high point of front-engined Corvette design, and it remains a popular sports car even six years after production ended. All were quick, especially the Z06 and ZR1 models, and you'll have to search for one of these or limited-edition variants like the Grand Sport Collector Edition or Carbon 65 Edition to set your car apart from the thousands of base models out there.

Manuals are rare and sought-after, so if you can't quite stretch to a Z06 or ZR1, then a stick-shift Stingray with a few choice factory upgrades is also a good option. You may have to wait a few years, though, before values start to pick up.

Dodge Challenger

2008-2023

2016 Dodge Challenger

For a while there, we thought that Stellantis, would keep producing special edition Dodge Challengers until the end of time. But after dozens of limited-run models and seven Last Call special editions (four Challengers and three Chargers), production finally ended, and the V8 is no more. We won't even attempt to pick out a specific model here as there are so many to choose from, but make sure that whatever you decide on has low miles, a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, and at least some unique options.

Stock models are going to be worth more than modified cars. Prices may not immediately start rising for these cars, but in a few years, when everything in this segment goes fully electric, mint condition V8-powered Challengers are sure to be highly sought-after.

Lexus LC500

2018-present

2025 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Blue Roof Up Rear Angled View

Buying a car still in production in the hopes that it will shoot up in value usually ends in tears, unless you are in the market for an ultra-limited-edition Porsche or Ferrari. The Lexus LC500 may not be as exotic as a Ferrari, but it looks absolutely stunning, and it's one of the very last modern cars on sale with a naturally aspirated V8.

Both the Coupe and Convertible are superb Grand Tourers, and if you pick up a low-mileage 2018 or 2019 model, you are already making a big saving over a new one. Keep it looking pristine, and it will surely become a valuable modern classic in the years to come.

Mercedes-AMG C63 Fourth-Gen

2008-2015

Mercedes-Benz-C63_AMG_Coupe-2012-3

Just about every Mercedes seems to come with an AMG badge these days, but back when the fourth-gen C-Class was launched, it was mostly reserved for the top-tier performance models. The C63 AMG was the model Mercedes pitted against the contemporary BMW M3 and Audi RS4. All three had V8 power, but the C63 had the biggest capacity engine by far.

Displacing 6.2-liters, this M156 engine formed the basis for several other AMG models, including the E63 AMG, and SL 63 AMG. It was detuned to 'just' 451 hp in the base C63, but still delivered shattering acceleration figures. Look for ones with the Performance Package, which adds another 29 hp, uprated brakes and some unique interior trim.

Nissan 350Z

2002-2009

2006-2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Front 3/4

If you grew up playing racing games in the 2000s like Need for Speed Underground 2 and watched the early Fast and Furious movies, the Nissan 350Z will have been etched into your memories forever. They looked cool, sounded great, and delivered just enough performance to make them fun on a twisty road.

Finding one that could become a potential investment means that only stock manual coupes should be considered. Look for the last three years of production (2007–2009), as these cars had the updated VQ35HR engine which revved higher and produced more power than the earlier cars.

Nissan R35 GT-R

2009-2024

2012 Nissan GT-R R35 Black Edition Blue Side View

Most cars struggle to remain relevant and competitive in their segments over a 7–8-year production cycle, yet the Nissan GT-R was up there with the best in its class to the very end. Its combination of all-wheel-drive, dual-clutch transmission, and twin-turbocharged power was not all that common when it was launched, but many rivals have followed this recipe since. If you can't beat them, join them.

Endless updates and subtle tweaks over the years made the GT-R even better, and if you are considering one as a future investment, it should be completely stock and preferably one of the special models like the Nismo or Skyline Edition.

Porsche Boxster 987

2004-2012

2006 Porsche Boxster S front

The 911 casts such a large shadow that many other worthy Porsche models don't get the attention they deserve. The second-generation Boxster is one such car. Thanks to it being referred to as the poor man's 911 and some reliability issues on earlier models, values are still depressed.

That won't be the case forever, and we suggest looking for the updated 987.2 models which came with a revised and more powerful 3.4-liter motor. A manual shifter is ideal in these cars, but the PDK dual-clutch system in the face-lifted cars is great, too.

Sources: Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Stellantis, Lexus, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche