The automotive industry is a tricky beast, often changing right before our eyes, from vehicle values to new and improved technology changing the way that we drive and enjoy vehicles. When it comes to figuring this beast out, we really never can, as trends come and go all the time, which makes for an interesting change of events when you're in the automotive business, and with the advent of social media and reality TV shows, many old cars are getting a new life once again with values skyrocketing. There's no surefire way to tell what a car's worth, and you might not ever know the actual value at any given time.

This is all driven by consumer demand and taste for a certain vehicle; thus, at any given moment, the resale value of a specific vehicle can skyrocket based on a new consumer demand. Take the Pontiac Aztek, for instance. This was a car that sold very poorly during its initial product cycle, but years later, when it was featured as Walter White's vehicle on the hit TV show Breaking Bad, it began a resurgence in popularity. This is just one example of such a thing happening, and thus, in this list, we’ll be taking a look at some old cars that have seen a resurgence in their price and popularity over the past year. These are just a few examples of the bigger picture, and in the long run, there will be dozens of models over time that end up being worth much more then they were at the time of release.

20 Porsche 944 Turbo - $40,000

There are many Porsche models that have exploded in popularity over the years, but one model, in particular, has simply been on a resurgence, and that's the Porsche 944 Turbo. This one-of-a-kind Porsche model was, at one point, one of the more affordable used Porsche models that you could buy, but in recent years, the model has been on an upswing, with some models eclipsing $40k used! This nimble Porsche model is also one of the most practical, as it features a semi-decent backseat, which is great for kids or luggage. (Nadaguides)

19 Datsun 240Z - $18,000

There has always been a soft spot in the hearts of collectors for the legendary Datsun Z car, and in the previous decade or so, this car has been on a resurgence in popularity, especially among the drifting circuit. What makes this car special is the legendary twin turbo, which when powered through the rear-wheel-drive design, creates one of the most desirable sports cars of the previous generations. The Datsun 240Z is going to cost you a pretty penny, but this car is well worth the initial investment if you can get one that's in clean condition and with low mileage. (Nadaguides)

18 Ford Bronco (First Generation) - $14,000

The Ford Bronco is one of the most well-known sport utility vehicles on the planet—and with good reason.

There hasn't been a more well-known SUV to roam the earth than the Ford Bronco, from the infamous OJ Simpson chase to the rugged off-road durability that hasn't been matched by another large truck-based SUV.

Then, there's the one feature that continues to captivate consumers to this day, and that's the one-of-a-kind removable top. Although it was very heavy, this gave the big bold SUV a fun factor that couldn’t be matched, and yes, we know what you're thinking: Jeep Wrangler. But the Wrangler wasn't a V8-powered off-road monster that could also tow a boat to the lake. (Nadaguides)

17 BMW 3 Series (E30) - $50,000

This is perhaps the most surprising car to be on the list of resurgence, not for the fact that it's sparked a resurgence but rather how much the vehicle is going for these days.

The humble little BMW E30 has been seen ranging from the 20k to 50k price range!

Wow! And the car is just about as small as you can remember, but it features a powerful engine that, when coupled with some nice tires, will give the car an excellent amount of on-road power. The BMW E30 is also one of the most reliable BMWs, which could explain the low mileage and hefty price tags. (Nadaguides)

16 Jeep Wagoneer - $24,000

The Jeep Wagoneer is the world's original luxury SUV. Long before there was the Escalade or the Navigator, there was the Jeep Wagoneer. Although these big brutes are notoriously unreliable, there's been a resurgence in these things, perhaps because of the big wood exterior that looks like nothing else on the road or the fact that most people are in awe when they see one. The Jeep Wagoneer will command a hefty price unless you find one in bad condition, and this would be worth avoiding unless you have the money to invest. (Nadaguides)

15 Acura NSX - $30,000

The Acura NSX has been on a steep climb as of late, with consumers seeking these used supercars out by the dozens. What makes the NSX so cool? Well, for starters, the car is absolutely beautiful up close and from a distance. This was one of Acura's most well-designed cars, and although it only has a V6 engine, the NSX is seriously fast and nimble. This is a car that should be on everyone's dream list at least once, and the car comes in some seriously bright and cool colors such as yellow and orange, both of which will stand out at the grocery store. (Nadaguides)

14 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - $12,000

A car that's often been overshadowed by the Chevrolet Camaro, the Pontiac Trans Am is finally getting the recognition that it deserves. With used examples climbing in price, a Formula or WSX is going to set you back around 12k and sometimes, more for older classic examples such as the first model year. The Firebird has always been a more stylish car than the Camaro, with later models featuring the trademark Pontiac red gauges that make their cars stand out and look different from the average car. (Nadaguides)

13 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL - $71,200

The original Mercedes-Benz convertible has been exploding in value as of late, and part of this could be due to the interesting and stylish design that defined the '70s convertibles. The 280 SL is going to set you back some serious money, with a prime example selling in LA for $71,200. This car might not be worth this price for everyone, as the car doesn’t have any of the modern luxury features that you’d be used to having in a car of this price range. But the 280 SL is a piece of Mercedes-Benz history, and that can’t be ignored. (Nadaguides)

12 Volkswagen Beetle - $11,000

Few cars changed the pace of history like the original VW beetle, both for a mass-produced compact car and just for looking different than the big metal hunks that drove around US roads during the sixties. The Volkswagen Beetle was a breath of fresh air, and it was cheap to drive, which made it a hit with baby boomers at the time. The Volkswagen Beetle has been slowly creeping up in value for the last decade, with a clean “California” beetle setting you back around 11k or so. Finding a clean beetle isn't hard, and there's a huge support base for these cars. (Nadaguides)

11 Chevrolet C10 Pickup (CK Series) - $7,500

There's always been a market for large Chevrolet trucks, but the C10 series, in particular, has been surging in both interest and resale value. These trucks are very well built, and there's plenty of room to improve upon these with aftermarket modifications that both make the truck perform better and ride smoother. There's also a market for installing the modern Corvette engine in these trucks, and if you manage to find a clean one, it's going to cost you a little under 10k, and the value is continuing to rise. (Nadaguides)

10 Buick Regal Grand National - $39,800

A car that needs no introduction, the Buick Regal Grand National is a unique car that was built on the same body as the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the Oldsmobile Cutlass.

This car was powered by a turbo V6 instead of a big V8, and while you might not expect it, this is one of the fastest cars that was produced by Buick.

The all-black paint job is extremely unique looking, and this car will definitely stand out from the crowd when you park it. The price of these cars has been going through the roof—and with good reason. Thus, finding one of these gems is becoming more and more difficult. (Nadaguides)

9 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX - $5,000

The nineties were a trying time for Nissan Motor Corporation, as their sales were slipping and their product catalog was becoming dry. One of the bright spots in the Nissan lineup of the nineties is the 300ZX, which was a turbo-powered coupe that featured all of the comforts that you'd expect in a high-end sports car. Although the 300ZX has comparable power to a Toyota Supra Turbo, the car hasn't appreciated the same way, and thus, you can still get a 300ZX in great shape for under 5K, but the price is steadily rising. (Nadaguides)

8 1995-1999 BMW M3 - $17,990

Yes, there's another BMW that's been creeping up in value, and it happens to be another M3. This model was the more recent incarnation of the popular sports car, and with it brought a much larger and more refined interior. This M3 was also much faster with an even larger engine and a one-of-a-kind exhaust note that was hard to mistake. These cars were very good sellers when they were new, and thus, there's a large selection of them around, but this car is going to set you back some money if you want to get one that hasn’t been beaten up. (Nadaguides)

7 1984-1989 Toyota 4Runner - $4,988

The original Toyota 4Runner needs no introduction as a capable off-road sports utility vehicle that has legendary Toyota reliability.

The Toyota 4Runner is a stellar choice in any generation, and the 1989 model has been steadily increasing in value, thanks to a huge catalog of aftermarket parts that make this SUV a wonderful choice for anyone who wants to go out on an adventure in a capable off-road vehicle.

The used 4Runner models are still affordable at the moment, but their value is increasing with every year. (Nadaguides)

6 1992-2001 Mercedes Benz SL600 - $5,999

The long-running nineties SL600 is a winning car in every sense of the word, and that has a lot to do with the fact that it's an affordable V12-powered coupe that can do some serious damage on the track and on the freeway. There are also quite a few notable luxury features that this one-of-a-kind car boasts, including a hard convertible top that makes any other luxury car the envy of the parking lot. Finding one of these models used is pretty easy, as they sold well, but the value is continuing to creep up, and you can expect to spend some money to get a clean example. (Nadaguides)

5 1981-1993 Ferrari Modial - $47,960

There are quite a few notable Ferraris that have gone up in value, but the Modal is one of the most popular as of late. This notable Ferrari, which was featured in countless movies and video games, such as OutRun, has been creeping up in value, and if you want one of these icons, it's going to set you back at least 40k. This is one of the most reliable cars to be released by Ferrari, and coupled with the signature style, the Modal has become one of the most memorable Ferrari models around. (Nadaguides)

4 1992-1995 Volkswagen Corrado - $6,500

During the nineties, there was a Volkswagen sports car with the heart of an Audi, and that's the Corrado. The one-of-a-kind little lightweight sports car featured a hatchback design and with one of the best motors that VW ever released coupled with the all-wheel drive design, you had a winning combination of style and comfort. The Volkswagen Corrado never managed to sell well when it was new, and thus, this car has seen a resurgence as of late. The 1995 model especially is a hot commodity and will set you back a decent chunk. (Nadaguides)

3 1998-2006 Audi TT Mk1 - $6,955

The first-generation Audi TT is a stellar sports car that was released at a time when Audi needed a real two-door sports car in their lineup. The Audi TT was well designed in every aspect with a beautiful exterior style and a functional interior that made it a breeze to drive and live in when you had a long commute. Although these cars went down in value for a while, they've been steadily creeping up, and a clean example will set you back almost 7k, but the car is well worth the price. (Nadaguides)

2 1971-1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille - $17,995

Generally speaking, Cadillacs tend to hold onto their value over time, but the Coupe Deville has been going up in value as of late. The big and bold luxury car features a hefty V8 engine that pilots the giant boat with authority, but that's only half the battle, as it also features a one-of-a-kind interior that's one of the most luxurious to ever be included in a Cadillac. These big luxury sedans have been blowing up in popularity, with a clean example setting you back about 17k. But for that price, you get the prestige of driving around in a Cadillac. (Nadaguides)

1 Porsche 911 (1965-1998) - $48,995

Another legendary Porsche that's been creeping up in value is the one-of-a-kind 911, a two-door Porsche that was sold in a coupe or a convertible variation.

This Porsche sticks to the one-of-a-kind characteristics that make the original Porsche models so fun to drive, and those include a one-of-a-kind air-cooled motor with stellar acceleration and handling.

The Porsche 911 is one of the best pure sports cars that you can buy, although a clean example is going to set you back at least 49k. For that price, you get one of the best Porsche models around. (Nadaguides)

Sources: Nadaguides