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Cars That Were Almost Worthless But Now Fetch Huge Prices

Depreciation is one of the nastiest words in the car world. As you probably know, the minute you drive a new car off the dealership lot, it’s technically a used vehicle, and you can no longer get the price you paid for it. Over the years, depreciation takes up to 90% of the value making the prices of old and well-worn vehicles ridiculously low. That’s also happened with the prices of the world’s most sought-after classic cars.

True, those vehicles are now cherished and multi-million-dollar investment pieces, but once, they were just old cars on the way to the scrap yard. Some even ended up there forever. All the vehicles on our list were once very cheap. But unfortunately, they aren’t anymore. Check out these cars that were once worthless but now cost big prices if you can even find them for sale.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Toyota 2000 GT

This car was introduced in 1967 and turned the eyes of the car world to a small company from war-torn Japan. All car magazines of the period praised the ride and driving dynamics. Despite having only 150 HP from its high-revving 2.0-liter six-cylinder, the 2000 GT had decent performance and almost race car-like handling. In the late ’60s, this car entered the SCCA championship and found much success (via Toyota UK).

Unfortunately, due to high prices and poor brand recognition, the number of 2000 GTs sold was very low – exactly 351 cars until 1970. It didn’t even help that it was in a James Bond film. But we couldn’t call it a failure. The 2000 GT did precisely what it was supposed to do; it showed the world that the Japanese car industry was the next big thing in the car world.

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These Are The Most Jaw-Dropping Auto Show Reveals Of All Time

One of the most exciting aspects of the auto industry is when automakers reveal new models to the public. A lot of the time, these cars don’t come to fruition until the automaker gets feedback for a concept car. The concept car has been the way that automakers showcase the future of design. Cars like the Oldsmobile Aurora, Plymouth Prowler, and even the Ford Bronco started as concept cars.

There have also been many high-end cars revealed on the auto show circuit which was a complete surprise. The Tesla Cybertruck was one of these vehicles as the automotive industry didn’t know what to expect from Elon Musk. The Cybertruck was one of the most jaw-dropping reveals in auto show history but there have been many others as well. We looked at some of the most jaw-dropping auto show reveals in history, so check them out here.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Porsche Mission E

The Mission E was one of the most jaw-dropping Porsches of all time because it was unlike anything else that ever hit the road. The Mission E was unlike any other Porsche before because it was a fully electric-powered sports car. No other Porsche before was a fully electric model (via Porsche).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The Mission E was also groundbreaking because it can be fully charged in 15 minutes. Other notable features of the Mission E were the frighteningly fast 0 to 60 times the car produced. The styling of the Mission E was also different from anything else on the market at the time.

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Super-Fast SUVs That Can Outrun Even The Fastest Sports Cars

Even though the idea of fast SUVs is nothing new, auto enthusiasts are continuously amazed by just how far this segment has evolved. From crude, heavy, and slow models, the segment evolved to very expensive and very fast machines that can challenge any sports car.

And it’s not just at the stoplight drags but also on the track and in the braking course. Yes, these high-performance SUVs are that good. So we chronicled the best of these super-fast SUVs. Check out these super SUVs that can leave sports cars in the dust right here.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Aston Martin DBX

Even though nobody expected that Aston would produce an SUV, it happened in 2020 with the fantastic DBX. The idea behind this model was to offer sports car handling and feel in an SUV body with a lot of power and driving dynamics (via Aston Martin).

Photo Credit: Auto WP

With a Mercedes-derived twin-turbo V8 under the hood, the DBX has two power levels. The base model has a 542 HP engine, while the DBX 707 has 700 HP on tap. The more powerful version can reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and achieve almost 200 mph.

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Discontinued Cars That Could Make Massive Comebacks

The automotive industry goes in waves, and there are always hot products that go in and out of favor. Like the station wagon, for instance. It was once a dominant form of family transportation that was replaced by the minivan. Nowadays, crossovers and SUVs are all the rage and pickup trucks have become luxury items. With the industry changing so often, vehicle nameplates get discontinued. Many of these nameplates are never seen again, and others come back after decades of memory, such as the Toyota Supra and the Chevy Camaro.

There are many great cars and trucks that have come and gone over the past couple of decades. Some of these revered discontinued vehicles are ripe for a major comeback. We looked at vehicles that were discontinued but could make a strong comeback in the coming years. The automotive industry is changing in ways it never did before, and these cars deserve to make another appearance. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: Car Gurus

Toyota FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser was released to much fanfare in 2007, and a lot of that excitement was because of its retro styling. The initial sales for the FJ Cruiser were strong, but they took a nosedive within three years. The FJ Cruiser failed because of the 2008 recession and the high cost of fuel at the time, but nowadays everyone wants an SUV. There’s huge potential for the FJ Cruiser to come back as an EV model or even a diesel-powered model. The classic styling of the truck made it a notable competitor for the Jeep Wrangler (via FOX News).

FJ Cruiser Via Motor Trend
Photo Credit: Motor Trend

The FJ Cruiser has been on the market in the rest of the world since 2007 and will cease production this year. The FJ EV concept, which debuted a few years ago, showed massive potential for what could come from the brand. With the Hummer EV and the Rivian RT, consumers are looking for fun off-roading that won’t hurt the environment. A new FJ Cruiser has the potential to be a lot more popular than the outgoing model ever was.

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These Are the Most Influential Cars In Auto Racing History

The automotive industry and racing have gone hand in hand since the creation of the first mass-produced automobile. When racing turned into professional motorsports, the big three automakers decided to get involved as a way to market their newest vehicles to consumers. In the late 1950s and early ’60s, stock car racing exploded in popularity, and these cars became rolling billboards worth millions of dollars. It’s been repeatedly said that when a car did well at the racetrack on Sunday, it would be flying off dealership lots that Monday.

Cars like the Plymouth Superbird, Chevy Monte Carlo, and Ford Thunderbird were some of the best-known cars to dominate the racing circuit. It also helped things out to have major star power behind the wheel of these cars, thanks to Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon, just to name a few. We looked at some of the most influential cars in automotive racing history and how these cars changed the face of the automotive industry. You don’t have to be an auto historian to appreciate the relevance of these cars, so enjoy them right here.

Photo Credit: Auto WP

Ford GT

The original Ford GT was a car built with a specific purpose in mind, and that was to dethrone Ferrari in world races. The car did exactly that and was one of the most victorious cars in the history of the LeMans. What made the GT special was not only its beautifully shaped aerodynamic design but also the powerful engine under the hood (via Ford).

Photo Credit: Auto WP

The GT was such an instrumental part of automotive history that it inspired the movie “Ford vs Ferrari”. There has never been another car designed like the GT, and especially not without the interesting story behind it. In a way, the GT was the car that got the world into automotive racing on a major level.

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Muscle Cars That Smoke Most Supercars In The Quarter Mile

Introducing muscle cars to the American market brought power and performance to the masses. However, the rise in popularity of sanctioned racing saw the need for more specialized cars in the form of factory drag racers. These cars were made in minimal numbers and weren’t street-legal, but they had unreal quarter-mile times. They featured unique technology, high-compression engines, and rear slicks straight from the factory. These vehicles weren’t advertised in magazines could only be bought if you were in the know.

Today, we looked back at 40 fantastic drag-racing muscle car specials. Very rare, extremely powerful, and brutally fast, these cars shaped the history of the muscle car segment and helped establish legends on the tracks and streets. So get prepared for a quarter-mile ride of a lifetime and check out these cars right here.

Photo Credit: Mecum

Pontiac Catalina 421 “Swiss Cheese” (1962)

In the early 1960s, Pontiac realized that racing helps sell cars and that the famous Detroit mantra “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” works. Pontiac had a sound basis for a fast Super Stock car in the form of a two-door Catalina and a potent 421 V8 engine, but it needed more. The model needed to add power and subtract weight (via Hemmings).

Photo Credit: Mecum

To do the latter, Pontiac’s engineers manufactured numerous aluminum parts like bumpers, fenders, hoods, and so on, saving 159 pounds from the heavy car. Moreover, the car got the nickname “Swiss Cheese” since they also drilled holes in the car’s frame to save a few more grams. With a high-compression 421 V8 engine and 410 HP, these Catalinas were lightning quick. The cars were used for two years, 1962 and 1963, and Pontiac built only 14 “Swiss Cheese” Catalinas, each given to notable drag racers of the day.

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Celebrities Wasted Tons Of Money On These Hideous Cars

They say money and sense don’t always go hand in hand, and that’s the case with celebrity car collections. Celebrities are not the most financially sound people, and they tend to splurge on some crazy purchases. Take Paris Hilton for instance, with her steady stream of diamond-studded pink Bentley Continental models over the past decade. Migos rapper Takeoff was particularly proud of his car collection, which included a Maserati Gran Turismo and a Mercedes C63 AMG. But then other celebrities have chosen a non-traditional path for their vehicles, such as Jamie Foxx with his Rezvani Tank.

The ability to buy whatever you want is alluring at first until you waste the money on something stupid. That’s the case with most celebrities who have blown their fortunes on junk. Some of the cars in this list are downright atrocities, and yet the owners are proud to own them. Nothing’s worse than an ugly car, and some of these celebrities have taken ugly to a whole new level. A custom vehicle is a work of art but in the case of these celebrities, that art form went a little too far.

Photo Credit: Dub Magazine

Takeoff’s Neon Lamborghini

We’re not sure about this Lamborghini Aventador. The car was ruined compared to the beautiful factory example it once was. A bright purple paint job covered in graffiti is the first thing you’ll see when the car hits the road. The worst thing about it is that it glows in the dark. For some people, the paint job might be worth considering, but it ruined the look of an elite sports car (via 21 Motoring).

Photo Credit: 21 Motoring

Not exactly a smart use of hundreds of thousands of dollars, but then again star rappers were never known for financial responsibility. This Lamborghini is a prime example of what you don’t want to do with a top-shelf sports car. The final product was so ugly that many Lambo enthusiasts would never be caught dead driving it.

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These Vehicles Are The Worst Sports Cars Ever Made

The essential measure of a sports car is performance. From its 0 to 60 mph time to its top speed and horsepower ratings, these numbers define a sports car. By default, sports cars are faster and more capable than sedans or SUVs. They also provide more excitement behind the wheel. This is all true and not that surprising. But despite their best efforts, the worst sports cars ever made failed to deliver on these otherwise obvious promises.

Vehicle manufacturers sometimes present sports cars with disappointing performance, weak power output, and embarrassing 0 to 60 mph times. We found the worst sports cars ever made and compiled them all right here. They were models made by reputable brands that failed to deliver the excitement and speed enthusiasts expected. Check them out below.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Lamborghini Urraco

You might be surprised to find a Lamborghini on this list but just look at the specs of this ’70s wonder. The mid-mounted 2.0-liter V8 with 180 HP was capable of reaching 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Compared to later models and well-known Lamborghini supercars, this is just not as good.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

However, they produced the Urraco in the dark times for performance cars, and rumors were that Lambo assembled it poorly. Lamborghini managed to produce over 700 of them, so these wedge-shaped cars didn’t sell in big numbers whatsoever (via Lamborghini).

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Cheap Old-School Rides That Fuel Every Driver’s Nostalgia Factor

Sometimes cheap isn’t always a bad thing. And with the prices of used cars going through the roof, finding a fun car for a deal is not easy these days. But there are cars built that aren’t exactly what you’d call popular in the resale world. However, many of these cars were fun to drive and still present a fun driving experience today. There were cars like the Mitsubishi Eclipse designed with top-notch engineering and features that cost a fraction of a high-priced sports car.

Driving helps many drivers relive the nostalgia of their youth, which can be refreshing. Cars are one of the things that bring us back to our golden years and help us relive our greatest memories. We looked back at cheap rides that fuel every driver’s nostalgia. Many of these cars were once popular, but have since fallen into obscurity. The drivers who remember them will instantly be brought back into a better time in their lives. Reminisce on them right here.

Photo Credit: Streetside Classics

1998 Porsche Boxster

The Boxster was the first affordable Porsche sports car ever built and it was a success. The Boxster was marketed toward young professionals who wanted a Porsche but couldn’t afford a 911. The main thing about the Boxster was that it was powered by a stellar 2.5 L 6-cylinder and a short wheelbase. The car had excellent performance for the price and was popular (via KBB).

Photo Credit: Car and Driver

The Boxster was initially only offered in a convertible body style, but the coupe was added years later. Few cars were as iconic in the late 1990s as the Boxster as it reinvigorated Porsche. The car was affordable and provided cheap thrills with Porsche quality behind it. The resale value for the Boxster is still affordable, and the earliest models are the easiest ones to get ahold of.

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These Turbocharged Cars Destroy The Best American Muscle

Even though turbocharged cars have been around the automotive world since the late 1930s, they got their chance in the 1970s. It was used as a way to keep the performance but reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Throughout the 1980s, it was popular with many manufacturers, yet forgotten in the ’90s and early 2000s.

Due to tight regulations and the hunger for horsepower, it returned triumphantly recently. Today, it has become an integral part of just about every ICE model today. This means drivers have access to many turbocharged cars that can outrun standard muscle cars. Unlike the actual muscle cars powered by V8 engines, turbocharged models can have all kinds of cylinder configurations. From small but efficient four-cylinders to even a twin-turbo V8, everything is possible. We found 40 turbocharged cars that will leave even the best American muscle cars in the dust, so check them out right here.

Ferrari F40
Photo Credit: Ferrari

Ferrari F40

The Ferrari F40 was and still is a special car in many ways. Built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Ferrari, it was a car supervised and envisioned by Enzo Ferrari himself. It was his last creation and he died just a couple of months after the introduction of the F40 in 1987 (via Ferrari).

Photo Credit: Evo

Heavily based on the 288 GTO model, the F40 was an improved version of a twin-turbo, 2.9-liter V8 engine supercar with two seats. A pretty basic interior, a manual gearbox, and 480 screaming horsepower behind your ears. The F40 was one of only two cars that accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds in street-legal trim. The exact result was 3.8 seconds.

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