Clearly, I’ve got showroom mileage, time capsule cars on the brain lately, as my recent posts will attest. And why not? These unicorns are fun to speculate about: Why would someone buy a new car or truck, and then store it away to never drive it again?
In some cases, manufacturers actually encouraged this behavior, with the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible being the textbook example. A huge public frenzy (ginned up by Cadillac) built up around this being the last open-top Cadillac, as well as the last American-made convertible. Of course, little did people realize at the time that a convertible renaissance was just around the corner, to be kicked off by the 1982 Chrysler LeBaron convertible. Soon there would be convertible versions of everything from Chevrolet Cavaliers to Geo Metros, and yes, more Cadillac convertibles (to the consternation of those who purchased the “last” Cadillac convertible in 1976).
This is why there are so many survivor 1976 Eldorado convertibles, and why they will never be worth truly big bucks: Things that are advertised as being collectible never truly are. Right now, there are no fewer than 17 1976 Eldo ragtops for sale over at Hemmings, many in showroom condition, with odometer readings as low as 246 miles. And that is just the results from one site.
But enough ancient history: If you had to pick a car on sale now to take delivery of and store away in a time capsule for whatever reason (posterity, money laundering, investment purposes) never to drive again, which would it be?
My choice: The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. This will likely be the 1978 Chrysler New Yorker or the 1979 Lincoln of our time: The last of its breed. While the 1979 Continental was the last of the super-sized, big block-powered American luxury broughams, the CT5-V Blackwing will likely be the last of several breeds (OK, the Lincoln 460 V8 was last sold in 1978 – roll with me on this).
For starters, the 668 HP Blackwing supercharged V8 is clearly intended to be the swan song for internal combustion engines for both GM and Cadillac. Alas, the Blackwing V8 engine in the CT5-V is unrelated to the short-lived 4.2L Blackwing twin-turbo DOHC V8 used in the now-departed CT6-V. Rather, it is a variation of the OHV LS V8 that GM has been using since forever, but perhaps for my purposes that is for the best.
Next, the CT5-V is a sport sedan halo car. I repeat, a SEDAN. Future halo cars at Cadillac will likely not be cars at all, but rather a utility vehicle like the Escalade. In fact, several of us here have already speculated that the Alpha platform-based CT4 and CT5 may very well be the last cars Cadillac ever makes (the CT6 is already gone).
Finally, the CT5-V (and platform-mate CT4-V) can both be had with that ever-increasing automotive rarity, a manual transmission, and will be the last Cadillacs to be so equipped. This is probably the device that will require the most explanation to future generations raised on the mile-wide torque curve of electric motors.
So yes, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the greatest car that few people will consider, much less purchase (myself included). So while I would be tempted to drive my hypothetical purchase, I would store one away in my time machine so that future generations can see the last a rear-wheel drive, overhead-valve V8 powered sport sedan from GM.
So that’s my take. What would your choice be for cars to buy and store away?
I will put away a stripper, short cab, short bed Ram 1500 pickup with the biggest available engine, in white. Saving what won’t be saved, that people will want.
2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat.
The new mid engine Corvette.
Should I feel bad that I’m a dyed in the wool car-guy, and I had just the vaguest idea of what a Ct5V even was (or a Ct5 in general), or that it was available with a manual, or that the Blackwing engine in it was a supercharged LS and not the other Blackwing engine (the OHC 4.2L)? The styling and even the name make me think of a Kia K5, another car I have a tenuous grasp of (successor to the perfectly decent and recognizable “Optima” name).
The “Blackwing” engine wouldn’t fit in either the CT4 or CT5.
There’s a CT4?! That’s what they call the ATS now, right?
Cadillac would literally have had more name recognition with “Cimmaron”
The harder they try to chase the 3 series, the more irrelevant the cars become, even as objectively in terms of performance/dynamics they match or even exceed the Bimmer benchmark. My biggest complaint is how ugly (or at best, generic) the whole Art&Science theme is, especially as its evolved over time into an increasingly indistinguishable-in-traffic look.
Where’ve you been? 🙂 We tested one…
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/new-car-review/curbside-review-2020-cadillac-ct4-premium-luxury-awd/
Oh my, they crammed the 2.7L turbo four from the truck in there?
“however the engine does get a bit loud and doesn’t have a particularly pleasant tone.”
I bet!
Judging by the roofline this is a facelifted/updated ATS, as I had suspected.
Can we all agree to refer to the 2.7 four as the Eco-Duke?
It’s the same principle as the Iron-Duke just reimagined for the 21st Century!
Not sure if they are really chasing the 3 series, and if they are that’s scar that’s almost as irrelevant as the Cadillac. Or did you mean Model 3? Because that is the benchmark in this size and price category.
You just summed up exactly why most people think Cadillac isn’t really an aspirational product without trying to.
Conversely, everyone knows exactly what an Escalade is, for better or for worse. It’s the most Cadillac-y Cadillac sold today.
The Escalade is why I think Cadillac (the whole) seems to be struggling real hard. Escalades were everywhere in music videos the first few years they came out, and if you were of a certain age then, that unflattering image has carried on. I love me some gritty rap, but unless you aspired to beat dudes up, deal drugs or pimp, sorry but no. Not an image 90% of us want.
Ludacris and his first single What’s Your Fantasy: “on the top of my Escalade”…
These days, the Escalade’s image seems to be “ooh, someone called a *fancy* Uber”.
I dunno, I still see plenty of them in the ritzy part of town, although perhaps not quite as many as Yukon Denalis and upper trim Suburban/Tahoes.
Stigma or no, it’s the most “I have money” looking Cadillac, moreso than any of their sedans or stumpy crossovers
Doesn’t stigma affect all Cadillacs though?
I know Cadillac shot themselves in the foot numerous times in the 80’s. But shouldn’t at least some of Cadillacs decline be attributed to the over-the-top broughams and Super-Fly’s?
I personally loved the 1980 Seville with two-tone paints, sunroof, wire wheels, digital dash, continental kit, and vinyl roof treatments. But admittedly, it wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea.
Yes certainly the younger moneyed peoples’ taste was quickly moving to the European understanding of luxury (tighter suspensions, more performance oriented, less chrome and gingerbread) and it’s been hashed out many times before Cadillac’s efforts since the 80s with their various “touring sedan” packages and then the sharper northstar cars and onto “Art and Science” etc. But in hindsight perhaps sticking with a distinctly American flavor of luxury the whole time would have lost sales but in the longer run maintained a degree of distinction rather than a “me-too” also ran. Then again who knows, maybe attempting that would have just lead to their complete extinction by this point.
From my own little sample size of non-esoteric-car-people (my wife), I know that for her, the priority is a heated seat and steering wheel, and a comfortable ride that includes not having to worry about popping a tire on bad roads downtown where she works. Our Town&Country on 235/65R17 tires currently does this part of things very well. But she also wants something stylish (in a perfect world, a curvy looking coupe). Also to never have to worry about going to the gas station.
Basically she wants a modern-day PLC (stylish but with a soft comfortable ride on large sidewall tires) with an EV powertrain.
Gte,
You’re not going to believe what my recommendation is!
https://www.carmax.com/car/19727638
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/cadillac/2014-elr.pdf
That’s actually a very interesting idea James. Biggest problems are a: those rubber band tires on huge 20 inch wheels that predictably ruin the ride and b) my wife like curvy, basically the opposite of art&Science Cadillacs
May I add that Cadillac’s emblem has been copied or referred to or whatever you want to name it by Geely’s Emgrand brand, and that several of those are engineered with Volvo, a Geely owned company?
Very true – and you’re not the one that had to research (and write) this post! Cadillac’s branding is truly terrible.
A 2021 Chevy Spark LS 5-speed. I already find it sad that cars like this are almost universally extinct. I’m not in the market, and likely won’t be any time soon. There’s no investment value in it, but it’s just an honest, simple (relatively) car that won’t be seen again after….oh, probably any day now.
A very cheap Toyota Yaris. Yes, it’s not a Ram or a Cadillac or a Corvette. In the future, electric vehicles will become very ubiquitous. But, what there’s a shut down in the power grid (human beings are bound to make errors with everything they make)? People will want to snap up the most fuel efficient vehicle that can run on gas. They will then kill to have something like a Civic or Yaris. Sell the economy hatchback, keep a 1975 Rabbit, and I’ll get a great sum in return.
This theory is based on the increasing popularity of electric cars and the US needing gasoline less and less. I actually might get a Civic CVCC instead of keeping the Rabbit.
Or even a restored stock 68 VW Beetle.
None. I feel pretty confident that if gasoline is available in 25 years, it will be prohibitively expensive. It may well be that insurance will, too. If autonomous cars come to fruition, driver-controlled cars will not be welcomed on the roads.
If autonomous vehicles are as good as proponents say they will be, why would there even be the need for insurance on them? If that’s all the vast majority of people are driving will car insurance still even exist? Who is at fault when an accident happens? The consumer or the manufacturer in this case? If I’m still rolling in my bootleg gas powered death trap, who am I supposed to write the check to? Who’s going to stop me to check my status anyway? There wouldn’t be traffic cops anymore either, right?
XR7,
The UK already has enacted law regarding this. I expect the US to roll out something similar. Most likely though each individual state because of the gridlock in Washington DC. Unless it’s enacted through DOT or other federal agency somehow…
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/18/contents
https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/analysis/car-insurance-evolve-autonomous-vehicles
“The shift in liability for damages being directly recoverable from manufacturers is more likely to take place once technology advances to the stage of fully automated vehicles”
Sorry, Matt. I wasn’t clear. What I meant to say was that once autonomous cars exist, I suspect they will crank up the insurance prices on driver-controlled cars.
Why are you assuming autonomous means electric? I don’t see a future where in 20-30 years “gas” stations disappear. Yeah right… Fuel may become expensive but seriously? You are also assuming once autonomy in vehicles is a norm, that magically eliminates accidents. Highly dubious.
Chrysler 300. The first rule of collecting is to collect what you like. Future values are unpredictable so you could take a beating financially speculating. Chrysler 300 cuz that’s what I like.
The 2014 Chrysler 300 SRT-8 is the one to collect.
The 300’s built after that are going to be the equivalent of what 1960’s Dodge Coronets were to Dodge Chargers.
Yeah, there were “hot rod” Coronets available but the “big money” will always follow the high horsepower Chargers and Challengers.
The 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye is the one to buy and hold.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dodge-introduces-demon-possessed-2021-dodge-charger-srt-hellcat-redeye-301087712.html
2021 RAM TRX. The most anti establishment American vehicle to ever be made.
The movie Demolition Man was supposedly set in a very conformist future. They dropped a 1970 442 in the middle of it.
Imagine it was a RAM TRX. There’s no explaining that!😎
First of all, the CC Effect is kinda scary sometimes. Like gtemnykh above, I too was unfamiliar with this Cadillac until I read a Motor Trend Article that was in my e-mail box this very morning morning about the car!!!
Good Choice, Tom… and I almost can’t think of a better one.
My List? – Perhaps the New Mid-Engine Corvette mentioned by Mike D above.
Being a Mustang Guy, perhaps the last GT-500 before we’re all going to have to go with a Mach-E to get our thoroughbred fix. Although if the sporty car does survive the transition to all electric, maybe there will be a GT-500e or GT-440V-KW or some other kind of SHELBY inspired Mustang EV coupe or convertible.
I’ve never been a MOPAR guy, but the last Challenger might be an idea… the really wide one with nearly 800 horsepower… yeah, THAT one.
Of course the newest Tesla Model-S “Plaid” (not sure why they all it that) will probably outrun ALL of the aforementioned choices….
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-s/2021/2022-tesla-model-s-plaid-first-look-price-range-specs/
I’m with Evan: None. Not because of future unavailability or price of fuel, not because human-driven cars might eventually be modus itus non grata, but because I can’t think of any new cars that appeal to me anywhere near enough to want to mess with like this, cars are a notoriously lousy investment, and time-capsule cars don’t seem to age well (viz that ’57 Plymouth in…Oklahoma, was it? It came out the time capsule a rusty wreck). Plus, I’ve retired from the old-car hobby after many years in it, and today’s new cars are likely to get practically old a lot faster and worse than yesterday’s. Consider how hampered and obsolete a smartphone or computer from five or 10 years ago feels today. Think about how “Sorry, the current software won’t run on that hardware, and the old software is no longer supported” means you have a useless paperweight. (Now get the hell offa my lawn! Damn kids…)
Yeah, y’might call it that. Y’might also call it a lawsuit.
Last convertible in America is such a BS joke; yeah, because GM controls the other US manufactures that produce cars, cars that pass the government standards. Another prime example of how many people view Cadillac buyers as stupid. I can’t. Sue the Government, or the Media (try).
Cars shouldn’t be stored, they should be driven.
The CT5-V would be a good weekend car, but how many of us live near roads where it can be driven fast safely and enjoyed?
Black Challenger Hellcat with a stick. Closest thing to the Mad Max pursuit special I can get as the world teeters on a post apocalyptic dystopia, I may not drive it but I can always say I got the last of the V8s
VW GTI. With plaid seats and a manual transmission.
Ah, now that’s a good choice. I love the idea of breaking out a manual in a couple of decades; find a nice twisty road and just go nuts.
Absolutely. The problem is that you can’t get a plaid cloth upholstered one + sunroof in the most recent versions. Only the leather versions will have the sunroof.
Exactly. No sunroof desired. Let’s keep it pure. 🙂
I go along with you, but for a different reason…(and as much as I like manuals, having owned nothing but the last 40 years, it will likely be an automatic just because no one else can drive my car in my family, and I’ve found that to be detrimental to my long term ownership).
Mostly because I like hatchbacks, and they’re becoming scarce. I’m not quite ready to give up my current (’00 Golf) because I’m in denial, don’t want to quite give up the manual yet. But at the rate hatchbacks are disappearing, I might only be able to buy one as a used car pretty soon, so I might need to get off my duff and buy one while I still can. I heard the Golf is not going to be sold after 2021, just the GTi, which I guess would be OK..and plaid seats are just fine with me, but no vinyl please, VW seems to have gone back to that in all but base Golfs. I don’t really want to buy a small SUV nor crossover, but that’s what they’re trying to tell me is a replacement…a wagon would be fine, but they’re also disappearing maybe more quickly than hatchbacks.
Though I’ve owned VW’s exclusively for 40 years now, I’d consider other makes, but ….
Chevrolet stopped selling the Cruze hatch (and the others are too small)
Ford stopped selling the Focus hatch (and the others are too small)
Kia stopped selling the Forte 5 hatch (and the others are too small)
Hyundai is stopping selling the Elantra GT (and the others are too small)
Buick stopped selling the TourX (and seems only to want to sell SUVs)
VW is soon to stop selling the Golf and only sell the GTi (but that might
be OK for me)
Mazda still sells the 3 hatch (but I like the pre-2014 ones better than new)
Subaru still sells the Impreza hatch (but I’m not one for AWD..don’t need or want it).
Toyota still sells the Corolla hatchback..not interested in Prius, and the Yaris is too small….but Toyota seems to withdraw hatchbacks quickly so might not be there when I want to buy
Honda still has the Civic hatchback…..but Honda seems to withdraw hatchbacks quickly so might not be there when I want to buy.
So…it seems like Mazda or Subaru are likely bets, as they’ve consistently sold their hatchback models for a number of years. My father had a Subaru way back in 1976, it was OK but as I’ve mentioned I’m not really interested in AWD (his was FWD, this was before all models were AWD), so unless Mazda withdraws their 3, that might be it for me.
I don’t really want to have to buy something under the threat that it is being withdrawn, but I guess many people have been in that position (large cars, station wagons, etc.) Not really my “dream” car but I just want to buy what I like that has worked for me in the past.
Slip back to 2019 and get the last Jaguar XJR?
A Mustang E.
It is a Mustang.
It is an electric car.
It is a Mustang.
I’ll pick two:
Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody 6MT
Mazda Miata Club 6MT
…and yes I would drive them – no need to go into a time capsule as a garage in California is close enough. 🙂
A new car to store as an investment? None. There’s nothing mass produced today that will make a decent investment, at least, not compared to non-car investments, like real estate.
Storing a car for special interest? That’s different. Some models will be fascinating to future generations, especially when pristine and unused. I’d choose the newest Corvette. It’s relatively cheap to buy, and is an historic re-design of a legendary brand and model. Corvettes will have a solid, large fan base for years to come, ensuring interest
The downside is these cars will likely have a higher survival rate, and remain fairly common in the future. So you might not make much money on it but it’ll really draw attention.
There have never been a car built ever that appreciated enough to keep up with the S&P 500 and there never will be.
I think a lot of people on this site are underestimating the appeal of the Dodge Durango Hellcat. It’s limited production and one year only. In a popular segment. If you can find one for $100,000 or less you should easily be able to double your money in ten years by putting it in a garage.
Not bad for an automotive investment.
Alfa Romero 4C Spider in blue.
Well I am not going to think far ahead and try to anticipate when gasoline becomes passe. I will only think 5 years ahead as gasoline will still be available. However, whether a 5 speed or 6 speed manual is still available in a whole other matter. So given that I’d actually consider three cars.
Luxury; Tom’s 2021 Cadillac
Sports: 2021 Mustang Bullitt 6 speed / Porsche 911 tempting but I don’t fit. / BMW ugly
Daily: 2021 Mazda 3
Great question, and I hope it’s not against the spirit to pick three cars, not just one. But any one would be fine if I’m limited by garage space.
– An electric car, probably a Tesla Model S. Perhaps it will be like a Model T, an early example of the genre, and interesting to everyone, not just car buffs. Ideally, it will be more like a Tri-5 Chevy, with aftermarket software to hop it up and a timeless (in an early 2010’s way) style and function.
– Something with a stick shift, but not an exotic or even overtly sporty like a GTI or hot Civic. Not sure what’s left … some Mazda 3 perhaps, Subaru Crosstrek, Corolla?
– A slightly fringe type truck. Perhaps combine it with the above, and make it a stick shift Tacoma or Gladiator; or go all-out for a Raptor or TRX Ram.
Note the latter two’s current rarity assume US market, and expanding this to include European or Australian market vehicles increases the specific vehicle choices, but I’d still pick those categories.
I had no idea that there were manual transmission Subarus any more. However:
Subaru Corporation is an automaker with five models in its lineup, tying Toyota with the most cars still offering a manual transmission. Subaru still offers the manual shifter in the 2021 Crosstrek, Impreza, WRX, WRX STI, and 2020 BRZ. They dropped it in the Forester, Outback, and Legacy in the last five years. But the manual shifter will be dead soon in the next-generation Crosstrek and Impreza.
Why is Subaru dropping manual transmissions in its cars?
Subaru, like all automakers, is moving away from manual transmissions because not many customers want one. Torque News reached out to Subaru of America and said they only sell six percent of its Crosstrek models with a 6-speed manual transmission. The other 94 percent get the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission or the upgraded Lineartronic with 8-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters on the new 2021 Crosstrek Sport.
The 2021 Crosstrek with a 6-speed manual gets an EPA estimated 22/29/25 city/highway/combined mpg. The automatic gets considerably better fuel mileage at 28/33/30 city/highway/combined mpg.(from torquenews.com)
And those figures are based on driving a manual perfectly, which no one including me ever does even though when driving my brain is partly a human transmission computer. But I stay in a gear longer and skip gears etc. in order to lessen the constant rowing and clutching, or I did when I had my one manual transmission car.
Anyway, the most collectible cars (besides anything old enough being collectible just by being old and in good shape) are ones with unique cultural and/or design significance that particularly represent their era, not counting very expensive low production cars, mostly top models if a cheaper car. (A 1957 Chevy two door hardtop Bel Air is a thing, a One Fifty sedan not so much.) I can’t think of any today. There’s too much good design – or at least professional commercial design – all over the place. You can’t tell a car from some unknown Chinese company from a top German one. An original Mini is a unique groundbreaking design with no particular actual styling and represents Swinging London. A modern Mini (or Fiat 500) is a commercial product beautifully designed to recall something else.
Back to Subaru: maybe for a collectible a Subaru Forester, a car based medium small SUV that isn’t trying to be anything else. An anti-classic classic.
Considering what first gen Broncos and VW micro buses are selling for this is a crap shoot. Besides a Vette or the Alfa what else is so new and different now that would garner any interest in 40 or 50 years and still be usable. I’d say a Tesla, but where would you find batteries? Except for the electronics failing, almost any ICE could be made to run if there is fuel. Geez, the Brits ran cars on coal gas during WW2 didn’t they?
I’d say there’s two rules to cars-as-an-investment;
1. Buy at the bottom of the depreciation curve, NOT new.
2. The cars that become sought-after classics are the cars the kids want(ed).
I’d be looking at early/mid ’00s sport compacts (it’s too late for rule 1 on ’90s ones), Subaru Impreza WRX/STi above all but also the Neon SRT4 and Ford Focus SVT.
I already did mine. 2015 Procharged Mustang GT. 3400 miles. I can’t really explain why.
Scat Pack challenger, no wide body, no self drive BS, Stick shift, Posi, best sound system they offer, sunroof, dark red with brass monkey wheels and the shaker hood.
McLaren Longtail
I’ll go out from the norm a little, and pick the perfect family car I can think of right now (at least, perfect for me, and I think for many others who will be truthful with themselves as to their actual need from such cars)- Citroën Berlingo.
Yes yes, it’s a commercial van that started on a Peugeot 306 platform, and as you’d expect, previous generations felt like vans. But with the latest generation, this is no more; 1.5 liter Diesel unit, mated to either a 6 gear manual or an 8 gears auto (which would be my pick), a now-refined cabin, acres of space, for either humans or cargo, rear sliding doors and any other properties that origin in its commercial intent, but serve a family car oh so well. It even drives much better than what we used to know.
Obviously I’m writing from a position that suits my life right now, but I cannot help think how the original 1996 Berlingo, based on a family hatchback, has now come full circle and can be put to serve the family once again. I’d even skimp and go for a mid-range spec, but if you want a top model, you’ve got it:
Yohai, that’s a good and thoughtful choice.
Thanks.
Another point to this is I think all those self-lending choices will survive anyway (MaLarens and Hellcats and what have you). But when did you last see a Fiesta Van from the early 1980s? And I don’t meen the one with the blanked-off rear windows, but the one with the box, i.e. “real” van…
I’ll pick something very predictable and safe: the hairiest V8 Mopar product I can get my hands on. Although I’d imagine lots of other people would have that same exact thought and like with the Eldorado convertible there ends up being a large supply that suppresses values.
Ok, some old and some new, but would still like to preserve in my time capsule:
2005 Ford Escape: Perfect example of well engineered CUV with minimal bells, whistles, or electronics. Also has a CD player which is no longer available. Need someplace to play my 3 foot stack of CDs.
2017 Fiat 500 Pop: Last of the stick shift (dying breed) sans a turbo (again, less is more). Back in the day, people actually drove cars. It too has a CD player.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport: As long as it has a 4 banger instead of the 3 pot version, I’m happy. I think Ford hit a sweet spot with this one. Better enjoy it while you can.
1963 Beetle & Karmann Ghia: Learned to drive in VWs. Has social implications associated with it.
Honda Civic with a 2.0L NA engine
Toyota Land Cruiser
Once the 4Runner gets updated, the era of truly well-built Toyotas will officially be over.
I can’t think of one.
” Some models will be fascinating to future generations, especially when pristine and unused.”
For this reason ,and for its sheer weirdness and stigma I would find the most pristine option loaded Pontiac Aztek available and time capsule it!