Collector Car Buff

2005 Ford GT

The Ford GT’s aluminum body uses "Super plastic forming," of aluminum for the outer body panels. This process uses special aluminum alloys that make the styling of the Ford GT unique. Computer modeling techniques were used to prove out chassis and body development. A stiff aluminum space frame and 5.4 liter supercharged V-8 produces 500 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque.

To get more downforce the body design includes a front splitter, side skirts, a completely enclosed underbody, small rear spoiler and a massive under-car venturi tunnel. The result is 300 pounds of downforce at 130 mph and one of the lowest lift/drag ratios on a production car. The airflow literally sucks the car to the road.

If you’ve got the bucks and want an outstanding collector car, buy this GT.

2005 Scion xB

This car may be as practical as a loaf of Wonder Bread and as efficient as a motorized bicycle… but it just looks goofy! It has the aerodynamics of a barn door. The front bumper that looks like a snow plow and the baby buggy wheels combine to give it the appearance of a comic toy, not a real car for real people.

2005 Ford Mustang

Years ago I heard it said the "The Mustang will never be a collector car because they made too many of them."

Wrong! If you want a collector car that is a keeper, buy the new GT Coupe or GT Convertible. Guided by its legacy, Ford gave birth to an all-new Mustang platform-including a new chassis, new suspension, new powertrain, new transmission, and new interior.

2005 Toyota Prius

To those folks who characterized the 1959 Cadillac as, "Wretched Excess," This car is the epitome of, "Wretched Insufficiency." Insufficient room, insufficient power… It is the ultimate econo-buzz-box that will thrill the wimps of the world. They will save big bucks on fuel until the hybrid mechanicals fail. Then they will learn that economy means much more than fuel mileage.

2005 Cadillac XLR

It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. (Corvette disguised as a Cadillac) It easily outperforms the Jaguar XK and Lexus SC 430. The XLR meets its match only in the more-expensive and sophisticated Mercedes-Benz SL500. And in performance, it’s virtually a wash. If you want a 2005 collectible that is more luxo than a Corvette but less spendy than a Mercedes, buy this car.

The voluptuous curvy lines of the Corvette are replaced with the flowing yet sharp-edged sculpting of the new XLR. It is reminiscent of a Samurai Warrior with flowing robe and deadly Katana blade flashing.

2005 Toyota Matrix

Buy and drive this car if you look good in a clown suit. It looks exactly like a 1948 Crosley station wagon that all of those clowns climbed out of at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in the late 1940′s. It is the combination of the high belt line, the baby-buggy wheels and the tall narrow look that Crosley touted as "Smart, Fashionable and Sleek." Unfortunately, the Matrix is rated at only 28 city and 34 mpg highway. For comparison, Crosley claimed 35 to 50 mpg for the Crosley. Hey, the 1948 Crosley is highly collectible. Too bad that no one wanted to buy them when they were new and now Crosley is history.

2005 Chrysler Crossfire

It’s another wolf in sheep’s clothing. (Mercedes sports car in Chrysler dress) The Crossfire stems from the previous-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster. Team Viper got folded into Chrysler’s Performance Vehicle Operations group. PVO has since been renamed SRT (Street Racing and Technology) A new version of the Crossfire called the SRT-6 employs the supercharged V-6 out of the Mercedes SLK. The combination of style and performance moves the Crossfire near the top of the list of "Future collectible" cars.

2005 Chrysler 300

It’s Back to the Future for the Chrysler 300. With a 5.7-liter hemi V-8 engine, rear wheel drive, and a big bold grille that is reminiscent of the 1955 Chrysler 300, it is an incredible value for the money. Why oh why did your grandparents buy that wimpy Plymouth in 1955 when they could have bought a Chrysler 300? Will your grandchildren say something similar about you?

2005 Dodge Viper

With a 500-horsepower V-10 engine, six-speed transmission and extreme handling and braking capability this modern sports car is an excellent value. It will cost you more than a Corvette but you will have a killer collectible car. It will depreciate for a few years and then zoom up in value. Why do those little old ladies that own low-miles like-new cars always buy plain-Jane two door sedans?

2005 Jaguar XKR

XKR models feature a supercharged engine producing 390 horsepower and 399 lb.-ft. of torque, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. A Handling Package is exclusive to the XKR. The result is nearly a 100 horsepower increase over the XK8 and a stiffer suspension. Add this to the stunning good looks of the Jaguar and you have an outstanding future collectible. It’s a little spendy at $87K, but what the hey, you can afford it.

2005 Mazda RX8

The high performance rotary engine will generate 247 horsepower at 8,500 rpm with a redline of 9,000. This 1.3 litre, twin bank, rotary engine is fantastic. Combine this with the sleek styling of a sports car and the four door hauling capacity of a sedan and you have a winner. Do not fail to check out this marvel as you search for your future collectible car.

2005 Lexus SC 430

The SC 430 is Lexus’ retractable hardtop premium luxury convertible. It is a combination of European and Japan design. The retractable top is nice. Time will tell if this mechanical challenge is reliable. The Lexus lacks that sleek sports car look. Perhaps it is due to the tall and stubby design necessary to make room for the retractable top.

2005 Honda S2000

The Honda two-seat roadster has the size of the small Mazda Miata and the speed of the Porsche Boxster. It’s hard to beat a Honda for reliability and value. Combine that with the sleek good looks of this little convertible and you have a winner. In the same price range as the Mustang, it is worthy of your careful consideration.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette

For over fifty years Chevrolet has been the standard in American designed and built sports cars. The all new 2005 C-6 is no exception. The new Vette excels in just about every category. The design looks retro to the C-3 (68 to 82 body style). That’s good! Have you ever seen an ugly Corvette? I have not. I am a little bothered by the looks of the headlights. They give the face of the car a slightly "beady-eyed" if not "cross-eyed" look.