Here Are Jay Leno's Picks for the Next Generation of Collector Cars
Jay Leno knows a thing or two about collecting cars, and now he’s revealed what modern cars will likely become classics.
According to the avid car enthusiast, Leno says the next generation of collectors is based on emotional bonds. “It’s whatever you grew up in. It’s whatever you went to your prom in,” he told Business Insider. “It’s whatever your dad used to take you to Sunday ice cream in. That’s the car the next generation will collect. It’s as much about the memories as it is about the car.”
So what are his picks? Leno says to keep an eye on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, first-generation Toyota Prius, and other electric vehicles from the past couple of decades. He went so far as to say he believes the Miata will be the “Ford Mustang of the next generation.”
SEE ALSO: Fox Body Mustangs Could be the Next Collector Craze
As for the first-generation Toyota Prius, which admittedly sounds like an odd pick, this is what Leno had to say: “I think you’ll see the first generation Priuses where people will say look how simple it is compared to the modern stuff.”
And one day, eventually, there will be “classic” electric vehicles with technology that people won’t even believe exists. Leno said just recently someone offered him a first-generation electric car for $440,000. He turned it down, of course, since he knows a thing or two about cars.
[Source: Business Insider]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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The Mazda Miata is already a cult classic, specifically used Miatas. I think early hybrids/EVs will be regarded like the first Accords, Civics, & Corollas, they're economy cars but with significance. I think the 1st gen Prius, Insight, and Leaf will only be niche classics for pristine stock ones. The limited production EVs; Chevrolet Spark EV, Fiat 500e, Mitsubishi iMiev will be seen as oddities like the BMW Isetta at best, fun to look at but who wants to buy and drive one?
If they mean the original Miata, yes. Classic rethinking of the British roadster with better manners and decent electrical! But if that's the case, do the editors know they're showing the newer fish mouth version of this marque? You can pose it in San Diego's gaslight district and it looks OK, but on the road it's mostly "meh," at least visually.