4 Luxury Cars Experts Say Are Rising in Value
Most cars are depreciating assets losers from the moment you drive them off the lot. But a rare few actually gain value, bucking the typical cycle of decline. Limited production runs, scarce transmission options and engines marking the end of an era can transform an ordinary luxury car into a collector's prize.
We've identified four models that are actively appreciating and showing serious potential for the future. What makes them special isn't just what they are, but when they arrived and what features collectors now crave.
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Ferrari 458 Speciale
Collectors have pushed Ferrari 458 Speciale values higher over the past year.
The car was Ferrari’s final naturally aspirated V8 special-series coupe before the brand moved to turbocharged engines. According to Hagerty valuation data, excellent-condition Ferrari 458 Speciales gained 57% year over year and reached about $845,000 in 2026.
Simon Grannville, founder and CEO of Nero Line, said cars often rise in value after buyers realize they marked the end of an era.
That $845,000 valuation applies to the coupe. The rarer Speciale A convertible trades in a separate market.
2005-2006 Ford GT
The Ford GT has come a long way from its original sticker price of about $150,000.
Hagerty valued a 2006 model in good condition at roughly $510,000 in July 2026. Recent sales ranged from $405,500 for a higher-mileage base model to $801,000 for a rarer Heritage Edition with blue-and-orange Gulf racing livery.
Ashley NeSmith, founder of Ashley the Auto Advocate, named the Ford GT as one model buyers may be overlooking.
The car was produced in limited numbers and came standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Its styling also drew heavily from the Ford GT40 race cars of the 1960s.
Ferrari F430 With a Factory Manual Transmission
Factory-manual Ferrari F430s have become much more valuable than versions with Ferrari’s F1 transmission.
Hagerty noted that Ferrari expected about 80% of F430 buyers to choose the paddle-shifted F1 transmission when the car was new. Today, its valuation data says a factory-manual version can be worth about twice as much as a comparable F1 model.
NeSmith named the F430 as one of the luxury cars with the strongest appreciation potential. She also pointed to manual transmissions as a feature collectors tend to value.
Once Ferrari stopped offering traditional manuals, original three-pedal cars became more desirable.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
NeSmith also named the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a model with appreciation potential. The Black Series is the version commanding the highest prices.
It combines gullwing doors, a naturally aspirated V8 and one of AMG’s most aggressive performance packages. Mercedes sold the Black Series for just one model year, which makes it much harder to find than the standard SLS.
As of July 2026, CLASSIC.COM market data placed the SLS AMG Black Series benchmark near $696,000. Its recorded sales showed an average price of about $759,000 and a top sale of roughly $1.1 million. The standard SLS coupe carried a benchmark closer to $237,000.
A Higher Sale Price Does Not Always Mean a Profit
A car can sell for more than you paid and still leave you with little to show for it.
Bruce Shields, founder and president of ABS Tag & Title, said one of the biggest mistakes buyers make is assuming an appreciating car will automatically turn a profit.
Maintenance, insurance and other ownership costs still come out of the return.
According to Shields, “The best buyers of this category of vehicle are typically ones who truly desire and appreciate the automobiles,” rather than buyers trying to turn them into a commodity.
He recommended researching the car carefully and buying the best example you can afford, with close attention to its condition and history.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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