Jay Leno’s Future Collectible Cars
Funny-man and late night talk show icon Jay Leno (The one with the chin, not the one with the teeth, nor the one with the red hair) recently told Popular Mechanics what he felt would be the future of collectible automobiles. His opinions are not as sporty or horse-powered as one might suspect. Jay (Sorry, I mean Mr. Leno) looks more towards reliability, trends and all around performance when choosing what could be the next Model-T or “hot rod.” We have a few to add to this collectible list too.
Jay’s Future Collectible Car Picks:
Toyota Prius / Honda Insight
As the first highly marketed and well-selling hybrid vehicles, both Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Insight have what it takes to go down in automotive history, and become some of the most sought after collectible cars in decades to come. Of course, we still have to reach a point where all or most cars are built with these drive trains – then they can be turned into collector’s items. As Leno says: “Although it was technically innovative at the time, now it just seems cute. It’s kind of slow, and it doesn’t have tremendous range. But it was the first of its kind—the first mass-produced hybrid—and there’s an honest simplicity to that. So if you have an original Prius, in 10 or 15 years, you’ll meet people who say, “I bought one of those!”
Ford Taurus
It’s hard to escape the Ford Taurus. This All-American family sedan (produced largely in Canada) has been on highways and bypasses for well over two decades. The Taurus has seen many design variations; from being one of the first cars to not have any right angles, to being transformed back and forth into wagons and cross-overs (ie: Taurus X). These old school Fords are dependable, and can be taken past the 100,000 mile mark with little hassle. Take it from us, we once drove a Taurus wagon half-way cross country & back.
Mazda MX-5 (aka, the Miata)
Made famous thanks to actor Jay Mohr in the film Go (“it’s a Miata!”) the Miata MX-5 has become a quiet staple in Mazda’s line-up since its induction almost 20 years ago. The car is not only built to last, but according to Jay Leno, is basic in its design: “The first-generation Miata was extremely simple, and that’s part of its charm. Years ago, when we were restoring Mustangs, they seemed so complicated compared to a Ford Model A. So the early Miata, with no traction control, no stability control—no nothing—will certainly be a collectible.”
Automopedia’s Future Collectible Cars:
Chevy Suburban
Maybe this comes from spending too much time between the greater New York area and anywhere around Michigan/NE Ohio (where Chevy’s rule supreme) but we can’t help noticing the large amount of Chevrolet Suburbans out there. Widely popular during the late 1990′s & early 2000′s, this vehicle has been the protector of Presidential caravans and the wheels used by that lovable gangster Tony Soprano. They may be the only other Chevy aside from Impala to be durable as well.
Toyota Avalon / Camry (circa 1997-1999)
The Avalon has always been known as a workhorse – and a favorite of those drivers over 65. Yes, the Grandparent cars are actually built to last, some of them reaching 300,000 miles. Camry also hits a 200,000 mile marker without too much hassle (though this particular generation of Japanese cars is not one for handling rust) – one can still see many Toyota’s from the late 90′s on the Parkway even today.
Honda CRX
What douchebag kid with big rims and a giant spoiler didn’t have one of these if he/she grew up at any time during 1995-2002? Aside from being butchered by supposed “car lovers” the Honda CRX is sporty, reliable and will probably outlive most of us. It’s a simple model with a lot to offer – including upgrades under its hood and along the chassis. Back seats…who needs those?!
The Taurus of these years would only be considered collectible in the same perversely stubborn way that I hold old Pintos dear. I had an 89 wagon, and it was shockingly unreliable. The paint came off in big chunks, victim of a new water based coating invented to appease the EPA. Power steering hoses, steering gear, alternator and fuel pump packed up in rapid succession around 85,000 miles. Finally, the 2800cc V6 was absolutely notorious for blowing head gaskets at or near the 100,000k mark. Ford knew about it and did nothing. Mind you, when it ran I loved it; it was big and comfortable in a uniquely “Detroit” kind of way, could swallow up a load of stuff and handled and drove well. But at least I could fix my old Pinto easily when it broke (which wasn’t as often as you’d think either). My Taurus could have been a great car with the right execution, but as it was, it was a nightmare.
The versatile, reliable, sporty CRX Si – most definitely a collectible. Pretty bare-bones as far as luxury is concerned, but you get Honda ingenuity & the ability to accomadate a selection of engine/suspension upgrades to allow this street-driven midget to best some of the mighty muscle cars on both road and the track. Have personally driven one across the U.S. (& back) (w/no radio), and handled well the whole way, a blast to drive thru the Poconos – rivals the Elise & Mini for handling. One of the original gas-sipping thoroughbreds.