Future collectible cars – 2005 Auto Show – Part 1 of 3
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2005 Ford GTThe 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. |
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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. |
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2005 Scion xBThis 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 MustangYears 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. |
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The 2005 Mustang GT is the first mainstream production Mustang to break into the 300-hp arena. The 4.6-liter-aluminum V-8 has three-valve heads and cranks out 300 hp and 320 lb.-ft of torque. The V-8 powered Mustang GT, which starts at $29,995, is the most affordable 300-horsepower convertible muscle car. |
| The classic look of the 1967 Mustang has been up-dated to the new century. This is a bold new design that looks modern yet still familiar. For the collector, get the GT Convertible loaded with all the extras. Better yet, buy two of them. That is one to drive now and the other to hold in storage for twenty-five years. In the year 2030 you will be the owner of a collectible car worth far more than what you paid for it in current value dollars. |
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2005 Toyota PriusTo 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 XLRIt’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. |
Please note that the vehicle you picture and identify as a “2005 Honda Element” is actually a “2005 Scion xB”. The Element is also a boxy proto-van, but aimed at a much different audience. The Element has two doors, a hoseable interior, uncomfortable (albeit versatile) back seats and aspires to resemble an SUV. The xB has four doors, is very comfortable (lots of headroom, TONS of legroom in the back), is highly efficient and is being marketed as a “trendy” car instead of the practical econobox it is (gas mileage in the 30s, low maintenance costs, lots of room inside but small outside, etc.).
This isn’t me attacking or defending either vehicle, mind you; just thought you’d like to know.
Please be aware that collectors in 2030, though they will largely still be men, will be lusting for the nostalgia of Subaru WRX sedans and, yes Honda S2000s. Not likely that they will want a throwback design like the two-seat 2005 Thunderbird, no matter how neat us presently 50-somethings may think it is. Though the Scions and other econoboxes don’t perform much, and sometimes lack safety, the 2006 Civic sedan is worth a look for its balance of safety, affordability, spaciousness, and yes – styling interest. It is not so tall and narrow as the Matrix you ridicule. But, since American males are sucked into proving their masculinity by the fire-breathing
luxoboat they buy, the Honda Civic will not be a collectible. Besides, for a few years, the Civics have lost their attraction to young people and are perceived about like Accords and Grand Marquis’s – -as old people’s cars.
In response to the comments above, I dont see much difference between the Element or the Scion xB. The are both ugly boxes that their owners will surely trade in quickly if they are not totaled in a low speed crash. No matter how trendy or fuel efficient they may be, neither trait is worth your life.
As far as future collectors lusting after Subarus and Honda’s, who are you kidding? Those are throw-away cars that can never hope to survive past their second owner. Most Asian cars are fads made popular by the fuel efficiency but people forget that efficiency means more than saving gas. How environmentally sound is it to pollute the Earth by first making a Honda and then to pollute the planet again by throwing it away after 6 or 7 years? Our society must stop thinking short term and take better care of it’s machines. I have never seen a clasic Honda on the road let alone a Museum. Having faith in collectors with good taste like the presenter of this site, no one is going to be collecting Subarus.
the first company to market a cheap, attractive, accessorisable
and easy to service automobile will break away and hold the mar-
ket for the foreseeable future; but the car must be servicable in the way that cars once were but now no longer are; this car must
enable the buyer to do the tune-up and maintenance and servicing
. even if it means a return to carbs and points and distributors.
which is not neccessary if the car is made with sensors that may be
easily and by the owner diagnosed correctly and then easily and conveniently accessed and removed and replaced and replaced as cheaply
as a set of points or a spark plug. there is simply no reason whty
this cannot be done. the whole world is watching; and the whole world ain’t just general motors and chrysler and ford anymore; hint: there’s a billion chinamen that want a car. and there’s more than a few sharp asian financiers and businessmen that see the opportunity. we’ll see.
God speed the american automobile manufacturer!