It is a common myth to hear someone say cars are a depreciating asset. While that may be true, certain cars can retain or even get appraised at a higher value in later years.
Take the fourth-generation Toyota Supra for instance. At one point, you could get a brand new, turbo Supra for around 40,000 USD back in 1997/1998.
To afford that Supra now, you need to cough up almost half a million Ringgit in cash for one that’s barely in its original condition anymore.
The Fast and Furious Tax is real
While that window is gone for good, there are still chances to invest in these six modern performance cars that could hold the potential to be a collector’s piece in the future.
Read more: Classic Cars You Should Invest In for its Appreciation Value
Toyota GR Yaris
As a motorsports fan, you should be familiar with homologation models. But for those not in the loop, allow me to explain.
A homologation model is a race car made in limited quantities to be sold as a road-legal car at the behest of large sporting authorities such as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to enter certain races. Thus, these models are produced at the bare limit required to comply with the FIA’s regulations.
From left to right: Subaru 22B STI, Nissan R390, BMW M3 GTR
Famous examples in the past include the iconic BMW M3 GTR, Nissan R390, and the Subaru Impreza 22B STI. This Toyota GR Yaris is the perfect example of a modern-day homologation car.
To enter the World Rally Championship (WRC), Toyota produced a meager 2,500 units for the public. However, demand for this three-door, AWD hatchback exploded and soon paved the way for a second generation.
Manual transmission, analog dials, and a lever handbrake. What more could a driver ask for?
Both pre and post-facelifts retain the same layout, engine, and transmission. The three-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission is a match made in heaven for enthusiasts.
Read more: Iconic Toyota Yaris Versions: From Hatchback to Crossover
2020 Lexus GS-F
When you mention luxury sedans, your go-to answer is always a Mercedes or a BMW. The star of today’s show is the 2020 Lexus GS-F. Come to think of it, why aren’t more people talking about Lexus’?
Unlike the common variants with a V6, Lexus’ F-marque chose to put a huge 5.0L V8 engine, from the RC-F and LC500 coupes.
All eight cylinders can produce 473 PS and 467 Nm to the rear wheels at 7,100 RPM via an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s more than enough to make any driver smile.
Your entry ticket to one of Lexus’ best-made engines will cost you around half a million Ringgit these days. (2024)
If this is still too expensive, consider that the Lexus GS-F used to cost around RM1,000,000 when it was first launched in 2019. Does that 50% depreciation sound like a great deal now?
Audi R8
If anyone here is old enough to play Need For Speed Carbon during their childhood, the main antagonist, Darius hoons around in an Audi Le Mans Quattro prototype. That car would become the iconic Audi R8 supercar.
By the way, did you know there’s a six-speed gated manual transmission? Here’s how it sounds.
Heavenly, I know.
The recent discontinuation of the Audi R8 hints at a grim future for car enthusiasts. Even the smaller sibling, the TT got discontinued. Such is the sad fate of auto brands having to adapt to newer trends or be left behind.
With that said, you can have the Audi in two flavors – a Volkswagen-Audi-developed V8 or a V10 engine. This author highly recommends the V10 model just because it sounds great.
Read more: Don’t Sell These Old Cars Yet! They Still Have Value!
Mazda Miata ND
The Mazda Miata is one of the most iconic sports cars ever. The first generation had iconic pop-up headlights while the later three generations are still sought after for their driving experience.
All three older siblings of the Miata are now collector pieces as weekend cars or as platforms for tuners to crank out more horsepower.
The 2.0L four-banger stock engine churns out a humble 181 PS and 205 nM. While this doesn’t seem impressive compared to other cars on this list, you don’t buy a Miata to chase horsepower.
Sometimes, less power brings more out of the car, and the Miata is the perfect machine to represent that.
Read more: Don’t Sell These Old Cars Yet! They Still Have Value!
Mazda RX-8
Given the Mazda RX-7 is borderline unobtainable now thanks to Initial D fanboys driving the prices up, consider the generation after it, the Mazda RX-8.
Underneath the hood is a 1.3L Renesis Rotary engine, a unicorn among car enthusiasts famed for its pistonless engine and suicide door design.
Here’s how a rotary engine works – unlike a traditional reciprocating piston engine that moves from the intake, compression, and combustion, it does it all in one triangular-shaped block called the rotor.
We can go further into details on how the rotary engine works but that’s a tale for another day. You can, however, refer to this video for more information.
Used RX-8s can still be had for around RM60,000 in decent condition. They make a good candidate to drive around with the right modifications.
Honda Civic FL5 Type R
If the rumors of a next-generation hybrid Type R are true, then the Honda Civic FL5 Type R may be the last pure petrol-powered sports hatch from the company.
11 generations later, the Type R is still hailed as one of the greatest front-wheel-drive sports sedans. The K20C 2.0L four-cylinder turbo gets a revamp to improve efficiency and save weight.
One can be yours from Honda Malaysia for the pretty price of RM400,000 and a ballot draw. But, if you missed the draw, there’s always a chance to go for a recond one in Malaysia.
While the saying “cars are depreciating assets” holds in most cases, there are exceptions like these speed machines.
We should mention that this is not financial advice. It’s best to do your own research first because you’re not just buying a car – you could be investing in a future collectible.
But, if you’re looking for a fun car to hoon around, by all means, drive them like it’s your last day on earth, under traffic laws of course.