7 Classic Cars You’d Expect To Be Valuable That Are Worth Almost Nothing
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Gary Dudak
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Many people think of classic cars as valuable collectors’ items, often worth a fortune. But not every vehicle from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s or even all the way up to the early 2000s has held its value. On the plus side, this means you may be able to find one of these cars for under $15,000 if you’d just like a head-turning car that means something to you, but is not necessarily a large investment.
Here are seven classic vehicles you might expect to be expensive, but you can find for less than a quarter of the price of most new vehicles today.
1998 Ford Crown Victoria
This sedan might be best known as a police cruiser in the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s. You didn’t want to see one of these pop up behind you, blue lights flashing, on a highway.
But if you’re looking for an affordable muscle car with lots of power thanks to its 4.6-liter Modular V-8 and a unique look, you’d be happy to see this car in your garage or driveway today.
According to TopSpeed.com, the prevalence of these vehicles after entire fleets of police cars and taxi cabs were sold has kept the price down. You can pick one up in mint condition for $10,000 and if you’re willing to invest a little work, you can grab a car in “fair” condition for under $2,000.
1993 Pontiac Firebird
A 1993 Pontiac Firebird may bring back fond memories for many Gen X readers. You can re-live your teen years for much less money than you might. This GM sports car is available in a V-6 or V-8 version, packing plenty of power. According to TopSpeed.com, you can find one in mint condition for just over $10,000.
1988 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevy Camaro is another GM vehicle that brings back fond memories for the Gen X set. While mint condition models from 1969 sell for more than $1 million at auction, according to Hagerty.com, you can find a deal on a 1988 Camaro, with models in good condition listing for as little as $5,600.
The two-door sport coupe has a lot going for it, including an 8-cylinder, 5.0L engine, optional T-Tops and leather seats. Don’t forget to dust off your old cassette collection to blast music from your favorite ’80s hair bands.
2005 Ford Mustang GT
Mustangs tend to hold their value as collectors’ cars, with enthusiasts all over the country yearning for their favorite model years and willing to pay a premium when they find them.
The 2005 Ford Mustang GT, the first year the car was redesigned with a retro look, is a diamond in the rough, selling for under $5,000 for the Deluxe Coupe 2D and as little as $8,684 for the GT Premium Convertible, according to KBB.com. The car still packs 300 HP under the hood, according to Hagerty.com. Coupled with its “polished driving dynamics,” this could be one of the best-value muscle cars you can find.
1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster
When you hear the words “Mercedes-Benz,” you might think any car bearing the emblem also carries a high price tag. But the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Roadster defies its pricey German-engineering heritage with an average resale price under $14,100, according to Hagerty.com. The car boasts 315 HP in a V-8 engine, which is more than you might expect from a car for this price.
2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
With a choice of a V-6 or V-8 engine, the 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo brought the GM vehicle back to its roots as a muscle car, rather than the economy vehicle it was in the early ’90s. TopSpeed.com reports that the Monte Carlo SS with a V-8 can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6 seconds, which indicates plenty of power.
If you don’t mind driving a four-speed automatic transmission, you can snag one of these classic cars for under $15,000 in mint condition, or pay as little as $3,500 for a car that might need some work.
1975 Dodge Dart Sport
A Dodge Dart Sport 360 with a V8 engine sells on the aftermarket for $20,000 and up. But if you like the look of the car and are willing to sacrifice a bit of power, you can find a Dodge Dart with a 5.2L V-8 engine for around $13,000 in mint condition, according to Topspeed.com, and just over $5,000 for a vehicle in fair condition.
The scoop hood, stylish pinstriping of the era and sporty design will turn heads on today’s highways; no one has to know how little you paid.
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