Investment Cars: Where to Place Your Bets?

It is always difficult to establish whether it is worth buying a modern car hoping for an increase in value. There are many parameters as well as possible scenarios, similar to what happens in the stock market, but in recent years more and more investors are focusing on vintage and modern four-wheeled vehicles to diversify their assets.
By analyzing the list prices of cars, comparing them with current prices and with the value trend over the years, we can obtain an estimate regarding the short-term price, but this is not enough when talking about investments of hundreds of thousands of euros.
Why should a car increase in price?
First of all for limited production or uniqueness of the vehicle, as with Ferrari, often a good investment, global demand and the end of a type, that is the end of an automotive era such as that of a specific engine or special platform. Other parameters are maintenance, mileage, and originality (no accidents, no replacement parts that are not factory-made).
Here are solid and already growing examples selected by the Deluxu.it editorial team. The source for current reference prices considered here is Autoscout.com, while estimates and price trends come from TheClassicValuer.com and Car & Classic.com.
Alfa Romeo 4C: a special vehicle presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and put into production in 2013. The 4C aims to embody the sporty spirit and lightness typical of Alfa Romeo; its weight (about 900 kg) and driving pleasure make it unique in its category. The list price was about 55,000 euros for the base version and its current value is 70,000–90,000 euros, with peaks up to 120,000 for the best examples. The short-term estimate (3–5 years) is a further increase, with values that could stabilize between 80,000 and 110,000 euros, while in the long term (10–20 years) the 4C could become a collectible item, stable above 140,000–160,000 euros on average.
BMW 1 Series M (E82): an emblematic case of how a sporty compact car can become an icon. Produced in 2011 in just over 6,000 units, the 1M immediately won over enthusiasts thanks to its mechanical purity and “old school” driving. With a list price of about 54,000 euros, today it can be found between 55,000 and 90,000 euros, and well-preserved examples are already reaching 100,000. Forecasts for the coming years speak of values between 125,000 and 160,000 euros, with constant growth driven by scarcity and the fact that it is the last compact “M” produced only with manual transmission and without invasive electronic filters.
Porsche Cayman GT4 (981): The GT4 is one of the most appreciated cars among purists of the Stuttgart brand. Launched in 2015 with a price of about 90,000 euros, it features a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter 385 horsepower engine and manual transmission, a combination that today has continuously growing collector value. Current prices range between 80,000 and 120,000 euros, with a positive trend predicted toward 130,000–150,000 within the next five years. In the long term, with the advance of electrification, its “analog” appeal could push it above 200,000 euros for examples in perfect condition.
Ferrari 458 Speciale: The queen of naturally aspirated V8s from Maranello. Presented in 2013 as the extreme version of the 458 Italia, it is considered the last true “pure Ferrari” before the advent of turbo and hybrid systems. Its launch price exceeded 230,000 euros but today the figures are different: 400,000–550,000 euros for European examples, with even higher peaks for low-mileage cars. In the next ten years it is realistic to expect consolidation above 700,000 euros, and in the long term it is not unthinkable to see it exceed one million, thanks to the combination of rarity, unmistakable sound, and historical value for the brand.
BMW M2 CS (F87): a more recent but already promising investment. Produced in limited numbers between 2020 and 2021, it represents the last high-performance compact BMW with rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. At launch it cost about 101,000 euros and today, despite being a young model, it can be found from about 50,000 to 90,000 euros. With BMW’s gradual shift toward hybrid and electric models, the M2 CS has all the credentials to become a “modern classic” with an estimated value between 160,000 and 210,000 euros within twenty years.
Toyota GR Yaris: the small Japanese bomb that has brought rally spirit back to the streets. With all-wheel drive, turbo three-cylinder engine and manual transmission, it is one of the most appreciated hot hatches of the last decade. List price around 45,000 euros, today it maintains a stable value between 35,000 and 45,000, but special and limited versions are already objects of collection. In 10 years it could exceed 80,000 euros, while in the long term — if it becomes a reference for the “pre-electric” era — it could double its value.
Alpine A110 Première Édition: reborn in 2017, the French sports car is a modern homage to the historic A110 of the 1970s. Thanks to its lightness (1,100 kg) and aluminum chassis, it offers a refined and pure driving experience. With an initial price of about 58,000 euros, today it can be found between 50,000 and 70,000. Numbered and more refined versions could reach 110,000–130,000 euros over the next 15 years, especially if production is stopped to make way for electric models.
Betting on modern cars as an investment requires passion, expertise and a good dose of patience. Not all cars, even sports cars, guarantee a financial return: what matters are history, rarity, the emotion they transmit and their place in the automotive landscape. The selected cars are potential investments already increasing in value in the immediate term. ©Deluxu.it Magazine