Unfortunately for gearheads, buying and maintaining a car is often not a cheap affair. Especially with rarer or older models, it can take thousands of dollars and many hours at the mechanic to keep a car running smoothly. That's not to mention the cost of fuel, tires, or anything else that needs replacing regularly. In a few cases though, it's possible to make money by owning a car. With the right model, some can even make tens of thousands of dollars.
Now, predicting exactly which cars will shoot up in value in the next few years is a very difficult task, as if everyone knew which ones would appreciate then they'd have already bought them. Instead, it's best to make predictions based on data trends, like which cars are becoming rarer on the roads or just beginning to increase in price in the past year or so. That way, buyers can make an educated gamble that the car they're about to purchase might well be a smart investment. It might even go as far as to double their money in a decade.
10 Renault 5 Turbo
Starting with a car that's already very collectible, the Renault 5 Turbo is about as the '80s as it gets. Its boxy Euro hatchback style is unique, especially with the wider body on the Turbo version as opposed to the regular 5.
iNews recently listed the car as one of their smartest investments, especially as there are rumors that a new generation of the 5 might be released that will surely push prices up. There hasn't been anything quite like it before or since, so it's a solid choice for the buyer looking to double their money.
9 BMW M3 E36
At the moment, an E36 M3 is the cheapest of all the M3 generations to buy, in fact, it's one of the cheapest M cars, period. The lowest-priced examples start at under $10,000, but even more well-looked after cars won't cost too much more.
Their status as a modder's favorite has meant that bone stock examples are getting harder to find. So, anyone who owns a mint-condition E36 in ten or so years' time can look forward to a very healthy return on their investment.
8 Toyota MR2 (3rd Generation)
When it comes to cheap, track-ready sports cars, many gearheads will opt for a Mazda Miata, but it's far from the only option. One equally affordable and mid-engined alternative is the Toyota MR2, and the 3rd generation car is the best of all models.
It handles brilliantly, and since it's a Toyota it should be very reliable as well. Prices for these cars have risen 12% in the past year, so it seems like the MR2 might well be the next car to double in value soon.
7 Nissan 300ZX
Another car that's popular with the modification community is the Nissan 300ZX. It hasn't yet got swept up in the wave of '90s nostalgia that's seen prices for Supras and Skylines skyrocket. That means it's an affordable project car, but it also means that, like the E36 M3, stock examples are getting tricky to find.
Buying a stock 300ZX will not only mean that buyers get a fun, retro car with a surprising number of innovative tech features, but it's also a good investment. There's a variety of examples on sale for under $10,000, but it's unlikely they'll stay that cheap for long.
6 Acura Integra Type R DC2
The DC2 Integra is often referred to as one of the best handling FWD cars ever, which itself is a great reason to buy one. But, it also represents an era where Honda put out some of its best cars to date and focused on performance in a way it hasn't done since.
The Integra was never replaced in the Honda lineup and, like many of these investment cars, a lot of examples have been irreversibly lost to modification. Prices have been steadily increasing over the past few years, so even if they just keep rising at the current rate, owners will easily double their money in ten years.
5 Porsche 911 996
The 996-era Porsche 911 represents a major change in the car's history and one that many 911 purists didn't like. For starters, it was the first generation to swap to a water-cooled engine from an air-cooled one, and it also sported the biggest exterior redesign of the car to date.
As a result, prices are currently rock bottom for the 996, but it's hard to see them staying there. After all, in ten years' time, a new generation of buyers will be looking to get their first Porsche, and by that time the 996 will be a bona fide classic.
4 VW Corrado VR6
The VW Corrado VR6 is an underrated hot hatch that never drew a lot of attention back when it was on sale, and so far hasn't in more recent times either. But, it's been tipped as a model to watch for several years now, and prices are starting to rise accordingly.
The car is also now old enough to be imported under the 25-year rule, which means American buyers now get the choice of where to purchase their vehicle from. With prices sitting around the $15-20,000 mark depending on where buyers look, it should be easy to make a significant profit on a car this rare.
3 Land Rover Discovery Series I
The Land Rover Defender usually gets all the glory where old Landies are concerned, but prices for first-generation Discoveries have been steadily going up for a few years now. They're rare to find for sale, but when they do come up they tend to be priced around $17-20,000.
The Discovery is an important piece of automotive history as it was one of the first family-focused SUVs, and paved the way for the deluge of SUVs and crossovers that are on the market today. As more collectors realize its importance, the Disco's price should increase accordingly.
2 Aston Martin DB7
The DB7 is currently the cheapest Aston Martin model to buy, and HotCars has already written about why it's such a great deal. It represents a time when Aston very nearly went under as a company, but despite that, it's still a great car that feels refined and luxurious to drive.
More well-used cars can be found for around $25,000, which is dirt cheap for a classic sports grand tourer. The older Aston Martins get, the more they tend to jump up in price, and for just $25k it's hard to go wrong.
1 Nissan Skyline GTS-T
Hang on, Skylines have already jumped up in price, haven't they? Well, most higher-spec models have, but there are actually a few models left that are still very affordable. The GTS-T is one of those. It's cheaper mostly because it's a four-door, and it's not much more powerful than a regular family sedan from the era.
But, it's still got the same iconic Skyline looks and it can be easily modified to produce a lot more power if an owner wants. It's also unbelievably cheap right now: import specialists Car From Japan have GTS-T Skylines up for less than $8,000, and that includes shipping to the US. They're real hidden bargains, so it's best to buy one quick before too many other people have the same idea and prices skyrocket like the other Skyline models.