9 Pre-Owned Sports Cars That Could Surge in Value

The moment you drive a new car off the lot, its value begins to drop, or so the old saying goes. This concept would also seem to apply to used cars, which have already been depreciating for some time. But for a select group of special vehicles, the usual rules don't apply.

The truth is that some used sports cars are actually good investments. Thanks to their premium features, precision engineering, and rarity, these fun automobiles defy depreciation.

However, not every sports car qualifies. Factors like limited production runs or the inclusion of a manual transmission make certain used sports cars more desirable than others.

Here are nine that should appreciate in value over time.

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Enthusiasts see the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as one of the 21st century's most beautiful cars. While the standard model with an automatic transmission remains in demand, the rare manual gearbox version is the true collector's favorite.

As Aston Martin pivots to new technologies, these elegant cars are being snapped up by those who appreciate timeless style and engaging performance.

Introduced to the United States in 2008, the original Audi R8 has become a collector favorite, particularly those with a V10 engine and the gated six-speed manual transmission. Sharing some DNA with the Lamborghini Gallardo, this model is now seen as a more practical supercar.

The R8's intoxicating blend of good looks, everyday usability, and the increasingly rare manual gearbox makes it a prime candidate for going up in value.

The BMW E92 M3 has quickly become a classic, thanks in large part to its legacy as the only M3 ever produced with a V8 engine. This naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 is a masterpiece of German engineering that was only available for the E92 series' 2007 to 2013 production run.

As BMW moves toward smaller, turbocharged engines and electrification, the E92 M3 will remain a unique collectible.

The C6-generation Corvette Z06 is legendary for its engine, a massive 7.0-liter, 505-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 known as the LS7.

In an era of shrinking engines, the sheer scale and power of this hand-built motor make the C6 Z06 a modern icon of American muscle. For many enthusiasts, this is "peak V8," and a collector's classic in the making.

The Dodge Viper was always an unapologetically raw, powerful machine, and the final generation more than lived up to that legacy. It features a monstrous 8.4-liter V10 engine and manual transmission, ensuring its place in sports car history.

Since production of the Viper permanently ended in 2017, this fifth-generation model has earned legendary status as a top-tier American collectible.

Any Ferrari F430 you can find will be a great car. However, the models equipped with the iconic open-gate manual shifter have truly captured the attention of collectors. As the last mid-engine V8 Ferrari to offer a proper three-pedal manual transmission, it's easy to see why.

With only a tiny fraction of F430s produced with a manual, their values have shot past their automatic counterparts, a trend that's likely to continue.

The 2015-2020 run of the Shelby GT350 featured the "Voodoo" V8, a 5.2-liter engine with a flat-plane crankshaft, a design typically found in exotic supercars. This unique construction allows the engine to rev to an astounding 8,250 revolutions per minute (RPM).

The Voodoo engine was discontinued after 2020, making this GT350 a special chapter in the always-collectible Mustang's history.

The Honda S2000 offers everything that makes a sports car fun. It's a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive roadster with one of the most celebrated four-cylinder engines ever built.

The S2000 offers a pure, unfiltered driving experience that is hard to find in modern cars. Well-maintained, low-mileage examples, especially of the rare Club Racer (CR) edition, are of particular interest to collectors.

The sixth generation of the Porsche 911, aka the Porsche 997, was produced from 2005 to 2012 and hits the sweet spot for modern sports car enthusiasts. As the last 911 to feature more compact dimensions and hydraulic power steering, the 997s offer an old-school feel with the right amount of modern flourishes.

Although its production run ended just more than a decade ago, the 997 generation has become a favorite of sports car collectors.

While there's no guarantee any investment will appreciate in value, the upward trends for these nine sports cars prove they could be a smart money move for car collectors. If nothing else, they all offer thrilling driving experiences that you don't get with everyday models.

Plus, the car hobby is alive and well, which makes it more likely that all collectible cars will appreciate over time. Studies show that Gen X and millennials make up the majority of car collectors today, a sign that the definition of "collectible" is shifting toward more recent models like the ones discussed here.