Hagerty 2025 Cars That Matter List Released

Hagerty, the world’s largest insurer of classic and collector vehicles, releases its annual “Cars That Matter” list highlighting vehicles they believe will define the future of automotive collecting. The 2025 list reveals shifting preferences, emerging trends, and unexpected vehicles gaining traction with enthusiasts. Whether you’re a serious collector or casual enthusiast, understanding which cars make this influential list provides valuable insight into market direction.

What Makes a Car “Matter” According to Hagerty?

Hagerty doesn’t simply list the most expensive or rarest cars. Their “Cars That Matter” methodology considers multiple factors:

• Cultural significance: Cars that influenced automotive design, technology, or popular culture
• Market momentum: Vehicles showing strong price appreciation or increasing collector interest
• Historical importance: Models that represent pivotal moments in automotive history
• Driving experience: Cars that deliver exceptional or unique experiences behind the wheel
• Future collectibility: Vehicles likely to appreciate or gain collector status in coming years

The list mixes blue-chip collectibles with emerging classics and overlooked gems, making it valuable for collectors at all price points.

Hagerty’s 2025 Cars That Matter: The Complete List

1969-1970 Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird

Why They Matter: The ultimate expression of NASCAR homologation specials, these winged warriors represent the peak of muscle car era excess. Only 503 Daytonas and approximately 1,920 Superbirds were built, making them rare and instantly recognizable.

Market Trajectory: Strong six-figure values ($150,000-400,000+ depending on condition and drivetrain) with Hemi-powered examples commanding the highest prices. These cars have appreciated steadily for decades and show no signs of declining.

Collector Appeal: Outrageous styling, NASCAR heritage, extreme rarity, and impressive performance make these among the most desirable muscle cars. Their visual impact ensures they’ll always draw attention.

1985-1989 Toyota MR2 (First Generation)

Why They Matter: Toyota’s mid-engine sports car proved that affordable, reliable performance was possible. The first-generation MR2 combined excellent handling, fuel efficiency, and Japanese reliability in a package that still looks fresh today.

Market Trajectory: Clean examples with low miles have jumped from $5,000-8,000 to $15,000-25,000 in the past five years. Supercharged models command premiums. This represents the affordable end of Hagerty’s list but with strong appreciation potential.

Collector Appeal: Millennial nostalgia, attainable pricing, easy maintenance, and excellent driving dynamics make the AW11 MR2 an emerging classic that’s still accessible to younger collectors.

1987-1995 Porsche 928

Why They Matter: Porsche’s front-engine V8 grand tourer was intended to replace the 911. While that didn’t happen, the 928 stands as one of Porsche’s most technically advanced and comfortable sports cars.

Market Trajectory: After years of depreciation, 928 values bottomed out and are climbing. Clean late-model GTS examples now bring $60,000-100,000, with earlier cars still affordable at $15,000-35,000. Hagerty predicts continued appreciation as collectors recognize the model’s significance.

Collector Appeal: Controversial styling has aged well, V8 performance delivers effortless power, and the 928 offers a different Porsche experience than the ubiquitous 911. Parts availability is improving as the collector base grows.

1993-1998 Toyota Supra (A80)

Why They Matter: The fourth-generation Supra, especially the turbocharged 2JZ-powered models, achieved legendary status through tuning potential and pop culture appearances. The 2JZ engine’s bulletproof internals and boost-friendly design made it the foundation of countless high-horsepower builds.

Market Trajectory: Supra values have exploded. Clean stock turbocharged models now exceed $100,000, with exceptionally low-mileage examples approaching $200,000. Even automatic and non-turbo cars have appreciated significantly.

Collector Appeal: Fast and Furious franchise connection, incredible tuning potential, stunning design that still looks modern, and genuine supercar performance make the Supra a cultural icon that transcends the automotive enthusiast community.

2005-2006 Ford GT

Why They Matter: Ford’s modern interpretation of the GT40 Le Mans winner combined retro styling with contemporary supercar performance. Limited production (4,038 units total) and Ford’s strict buyer vetting process created instant collectibility.

Market Trajectory: Original MSRP was around $150,000. Clean examples now bring $350,000-500,000, with some exceptional specimens exceeding $600,000. The Ford GT has proven to be one of the best automotive investments of the past two decades.

Collector Appeal: Stunning design, genuine supercar performance (205 mph top speed), Ford versus Ferrari heritage, and limited production make the GT a blue-chip modern classic that will likely continue appreciating.

1973-1979 Ford F-Series Trucks (Dent-Side)

Why They Matter: These “dent-side” F-Series trucks represent peak classic truck styling before emissions and safety regulations altered proportions. They remain usable as actual trucks while satisfying nostalgia and classic vehicle desires.

Market Trajectory: Values have tripled in the past decade. Clean F-100s now bring $25,000-50,000, with exceptionally restored or resto-modded examples reaching $75,000-100,000+. Four-wheel-drive models command premiums.

Collector Appeal: Practical utility combined with classic styling, strong aftermarket support, relatively simple mechanics, and crossover appeal to collectors who want vehicles they can actually use regularly.

1991-2005 Acura NSX

Why They Matter: Honda’s exotic supercar proved that supercars could be reliable, comfortable, and usable as daily drivers. The NSX’s influence on automotive design and engineering cannot be overstated—it forced Ferrari and Porsche to improve quality and reliability.

Market Trajectory: Early NSXs have climbed from $30,000-40,000 to $75,000-100,000+ for clean examples. Later model years and especially rare Zanardi Edition models command $100,000-150,000. Manual transmissions significantly more valuable than automatics.

Collector Appeal: Timeless design, Honda reliability, genuine supercar performance and handling, and historical significance make the NSX a safe long-term collector investment that you can actually drive without fear of breakdowns.

1964-1/2 through 1966 Ford Mustang

Why They Matter: The original Mustang created the “pony car” segment and became a cultural phenomenon. First-year production exceeded all expectations, making the Mustang accessible to collectors while maintaining strong values for exceptional examples.

Market Trajectory: The early Mustang market has stabilized after rapid appreciation. Clean six-cylinder or small V8 cars trade in the $20,000-35,000 range. Hi-Po 289 cars bring $40,000-70,000. GT350 and GT350R models command six-figure prices.

Collector Appeal: Affordable entry point to classic car collecting, extensive parts availability, huge enthusiast community, and timeless design make early Mustangs ideal first classics. The market’s stability suggests these have found their value equilibrium.

1970-1974 Dodge Challenger

Why They Matter: Dodge’s E-body muscle car offered stunning styling and serious performance. While production numbers were higher than some competitors, high-performance variants remain rare and desirable.

Market Trajectory: Clean Slant-Six and small-block Challengers bring $35,000-60,000. Big-block cars command $80,000-150,000. Hemi Challengers reach well into six figures, with convertibles and exceptional examples approaching seven figures.

Collector Appeal: Aggressive styling that influenced the modern Challenger, strong movie presence (Vanishing Point), and genuine muscle car performance keep Challengers desirable. The modern Challenger’s success has brought renewed attention to originals.

2000-2009 Honda S2000

Why They Matter: Honda’s roadster delivered a screaming 9,000-rpm naturally aspirated engine, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and one of the best manual transmissions ever built. The S2000 represents the peak of Honda’s performance engineering.

Market Trajectory: Values have surged from $12,000-18,000 to $30,000-50,000+ for clean examples. CR (Club Racer) models bring significant premiums. Low-mileage examples with original hardtops command top prices.

Collector Appeal: Excellent driving dynamics, Honda reliability, increasing rarity (no modern equivalent), and strong enthusiast following make the S2000 a car that collectors wish they’d bought years ago. Current prices may look expensive but could prove reasonable in hindsight.

Common Themes in the 2025 List

Japanese Performance Cars Dominating

Four of the ten cars are Japanese sports cars—MR2, Supra, NSX, and S2000. This reflects generational shifts in collecting preferences. Buyers who grew up playing Gran Turismo and watching Fast and Furious now have purchasing power and are chasing childhood dream cars.

Usability Matters

Every car on this list can be driven regularly without crippling maintenance costs or reliability concerns. Collectors increasingly want cars they can enjoy, not garage queens requiring white-glove treatment.

Diverse Price Points

The list spans from sub-$20,000 MR2s to six-figure Ford GTs and Daytonas. Hagerty recognizes that collecting happens at all price levels, and significant cars exist across the value spectrum.

What This List Means for Collectors

If you’re considering buying any car on Hagerty’s list, act sooner rather than later. Inclusion on this influential list often accelerates appreciation as it draws attention from collectors who might have overlooked certain models.

For cars you already own on the list, maintain them properly and document everything. These vehicles have graduated from “old cars” to “collectibles,” and condition matters more than ever.

Most importantly, Hagerty’s list demonstrates that collectibility isn’t limited to classic muscle cars and exotic Europeans. Japanese sports cars, trucks, and even 1980s-1990s models now command serious collector attention and investment consideration.

The cars that matter in 2025 reflect an automotive collecting landscape that’s more diverse, more accessible, and more focused on driving experience than ever before. Whether that means a $15,000 MR2 or a $500,000 Ford GT, the message is clear: buy what you love, maintain it properly, and enjoy the drive.