Hagerty Insurance has announced its list of classics to buy for 2025. The “Bull Market List”, seemingly named for maximum flipper engagement, includes 10 cars plus an eleventh people’s choice selection whose values are expected to rise significantly. In other words, they’re good investments, if you see cars as such.
Out of the 11 cars, two are Japanese. The first is the S130 Datsun 280ZX, which Hagerty says receives high interest from Gen Xers. Prices of the S30 Z have already risen to difficult-to-obtain levels, so the natural successor would be the S130. Despite the ZX’s reputation as a fat-lady, more of a GT or cruiser than a pure sports car like the S30, Hagerty was surprised by its sharp handling and accurate steering, and reported it fun to sling around their Lime Rock test track. Hagerty says prices can range from $5,500 for a worn “#4” condition example to $70,400 for a “#1” in mint condition. The #2 condition cars land at around $32,800.
Honestly, we think the S130 stands on its own without having to be compared to the S30. In the 80s the Turbo Z arguably saw even more mainstream success than the 240Z, with loads of pop culture touchpoints that its predecessor never enjoyed. It also garnered a lot of attention as an IMSA racer with truly outrageous power. With loads of limited and special editions like the 10th Anniversary, ZX-R, and one-off promotional models, the 280ZX has collector’s potential galore. If you must have an S30, you can still get a 260Z or 280Z for a similar price.
The fifth-gen Honda Prelude get a spot in the top ten based on its sharp looks and superb handling. As they note, the Type SH with hydraulically controlled Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS) beat a contemporary Miata and BMW 3-Series in a period Car and Driver handling shootout. Hagerty believes the Prelude has strong Millennial appeal, and says people have been sleeping on the ‘Lude given the prices of similar era Hondas. With about 58,000 built and given the high attrition rates for sporty Hondas, Hagerty says the time to buy is now. Prices currently range from $6,100 on the low end to $25,400 on the high end, with a decent example coming in at around $17,400.
To us, the Prelude seems like an obvious choice. It was among the last of the pre-K Hondas, before cost-cutting led to MacPherson strut suspensions and a dumbing down of the VTEC system. Even the non-SH Prelude is a phenomenal handler, but the SH opens another level you didn’t think was possible in a 90s front-wheel-drive machine. It’s peak analog driving enjoyment, the likes of which we’ll never see again. Ironically, the fifth-gen Prelude was a flop in its native Japan, where the 2.2-liter engine and wider dimensions made it too expensive for road tax purposes. North America is where the Prelude really shined, and everyone should treat themselves to the experience.
Other cars on the list include the Jaguar E-Type, 6-speed Lamborghini Gallardo, Volvo P1800, Ferrari 400/412, and R53 Mini Cooper S. Non-sports cars include the Dodge Magnum SRT-8, Mercedes G500, and Ford Bronco II. The people’s choice winner was the DeLorean DMC-12. The list can be found here.
This gen Prelude was always a conundrum since I liked every aspect of it except the front end styling. The back 3/4 of the car is nearly perfect but the headlights were ugly in my eyes, as many cars from the period went with the giant swept back headlights. This was also an issue, though to a much lesser extend with the G35.
At the time I thought the Accord coupe was brilliant except for the rear end being designed as everyone was about to leave to catch a flight for vacation. If they could have put the Accord front onto a car with the Prelude’s rear they would have had an amazing car.
But it’s funny since I spent hours at a Honda dealer in 2003 trying to decide if I wanted a used Accord Coupe or. a Prelude.
I ended up buying a Dakota R/T. How’s that for cross shopping?
I actually liked the facelifted front-end of the Prelude, but I couldn’t agree more on the rear-end of that gen Accord coupe. Single-handedly pushed my Uncle to grab a 5-speed LX Sedan instead!
I think these are okay picks. I also think they may fall into the Subaru SVX category of cars that should, but never quite seem to reach collector status. I doubt too many unmolested Preludes remain. They were either modded to death or had their engines pulled for other projects.