Experts at Hagerty have presented the ninth annual “Bull Market List” for 2026. Unlike typical “garage queen” collector cars, this list focuses on smart purchases for car enthusiasts—cars that can provide driving pleasure.
The List’s Concept and Key Era
The idea is to identify cars that offer an exceptional combination of price, running costs, and driving enjoyment, and which are most likely to increase in value over the next 12 months.
Particularly interesting in the 2026 list is the strong emphasis on cars from the 1990s and early 2000s. According to Hagerty analysts, this era represents the last golden age of “analog modernity,” when cars offered genuine performance, a real connection between driver and machine, and minimal electronic aids, often paired with manual transmissions.
A significant part of the interest in affordable neo-classical metal is driven by a younger generation of buyers. However, the list also includes a classic American muscle car and a true blue-chip exotic.
Wide Price Range
Prices on the list range from less than $10,000 to over one and a half million, proving that regardless of budget—whether for a used Mazda Miata or a Porsche Carrera GT—you can find a car for enjoyment that also has potential for price appreciation. Here is Hagerty’s full list for 2026, from the newest to the oldest models.
2006–2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ($55,900)
The Corvette C6 Z06 remains one of the best power-to-price ratio propositions. Its naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 produces 505 hp, has character, and the cost remains surprisingly affordable for a car with supercar-level performance. A true legend among Corvettes.
2006–2010 BMW M5 ($36,000)
The BMW sedan with a V10 engine has already become a legend, and younger buyers are noticing. The 500-hp S85 engine is unique to this model, incredibly emotional, and increasingly valued in an era when BMW is moving away from specialized naturally aspirated engines for the M series. The key is to ensure the problematic connecting rod bearings have been replaced.
2004–2007 Porsche Carrera GT ($1,550,000)
One of Porsche’s purest creations. The V10, manual transmission, and limited production make the Carrera GT increasingly unattainable. Demand among (extremely wealthy) young collectors remains high, solidifying its status as a modern hypercar icon.
1999–2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata ($16,600)
The second-generation Miata (NB) evolved the charm of the original, adding more power. Inexpensive to maintain, endlessly fun, and beloved by all, it continues to see demand that exceeds supply across all age groups. Rust can be an issue, but it’s just as hard to resist smiling behind the wheel.
1995–1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R ($82,350)
Fame from Gran Turismo, twin turbos, and a long-lasting “forbidden fruit” status in the US have made the R33 Skyline GT-R incredibly desirable. Since it became possible to import legally, clean examples haven’t stayed available for long, and this trend isn’t stopping.
1995–1998 VW Golf GTI VR6 ($20,000)
The Mk3 Golf GTI with a 172-hp 6-cylinder engine and fantastic sound heavily taps into nostalgia. Since the primary driver of interest is young enthusiasts, the combination of practicality and VR6 character is finally starting to translate into price appreciation.
1990–1993 Chevrolet 454 SS ($59,800)
This was a muscle truck before such vehicles became mainstream. Torque from the big block, stealthy looks, and growing collector interest have sharply driven up prices, yet the SS remains cheaper than many modern performance trucks.
1981–1993 Dodge Ramcharger ($25,300)
Demand for classic SUVs has exploded, and the Dodge Ramcharger offers V8 muscle without commanding Ford Bronco money. Its boxy design and simplicity appeal to buyers who want vintage power without overpaying for inflated prices.
1969–1972 Alfa Romeo GTV ($105,000)
Collectors who can’t afford vintage Porsches are rediscovering the pretty GTV from Alfa Romeo. Timeless design, thrilling handling dynamics, and racing heritage combine to drive up value. Unfortunately, prices have already risen to classic Porsche levels, so it might be too late to buy.
1968–1970 Dodge Charger ($91,450)
Few cars embody the mythology of the American muscle car like the Charger, and its appeal extends far beyond boomer nostalgia. Thanks to strong interest from Gen X and younger buyers, high-performance R/T models continue to appreciate.
1956–1957 Continental Mark II ($82,700)
Once America’s most expensive car, the Mark II is a rolling monument to 1950s luxury. Elegant, refined, and still surprisingly usable daily, it remains undervalued given its history and build quality.
As Hagerty notes, regardless of budget, it has never been easier to buy a car for the soul that you truly love, and perhaps even watch it appreciate. Which of these 11 cars excites you the most, or do you have your own hot tip for collectors in 2026?
Hagerty’s list clearly reflects several modern trends in the collector market. On one hand, it’s the democratization of the hobby: the potential for price appreciation is no longer the exclusive privilege of million-dollar exotics; it’s also demonstrated by affordable sports cars like the Miata or Golf VR6. On the other hand, a noticeable cultural shift is evident: it is the younger generation, raised on video games and internet forums, that is shaping demand for the icons of their youth—Japanese and German sports cars from the 90s and 2000s. These are no longer investments in static museum pieces, but in cars that offer a real driving experience and emotional connection—a phenomenon that could define the market for years to come.