The saying goes that hindsight”is 20/20. In this case, the hindsight is 2010 because there are plenty of automobiles we’d like to have bought in the past that no are in production or have skyrocketed in value over the past decade. In the end, you didn’t require any kind of crystal ball to see that these vehicles would become hot in the near future. You only needed a large savings account, but due to the effects of the Great Recession, not many of us have the money.
On this list of catchers that were eluded there are cars, trucks , and SUVs from every car segment, meaning there’s plenty to be thrilled about. We’re now recognizing the mistake we’ve made we shouldn’t make the same mistake again in 2021 and write the same story in 2031, will we?
2011-2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Best for: Automotive journalists
Priced starting from: $44,152
Anyone who writes about automobiles for a living will certainly attest that, there are vehicles which seem to appeal only to journalists from the automotive industry. In the 90s, it came in the form of Nissan Sentra SE-R, about which the press gushed… however, yet no one bought. There are numerous other examples which are too numerous to mention here.
From 2011 to 2014 Cadillac produced the CTS-V Wagon as well as the order manual, it could have be called “Auto Writer Spec.” It was just right: 556 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive. 6-speed manual transmission. Bold, edgy good looks. The midsize wagon was a form aspect. It was also made available in the color the color brown (the most popular color is “Mocha Steel Metallic”). Nearly unanimously, every single auto scribe in the United States was raving about it throughout its production and no one did not listen.
Over the course of five model years Only 514 of these cars were produced with manual transmission. Without the sunroof option, it’s more scarce: only 180 total when using the manual and 206 with automatics. The most sought-after of all would be that of the Stealth Blue manual with no sunroof. There were only two constructed. If you bought this car today, and with low mileage, you’d get in it for around $70,000. Due to their rareness, these cars have seen a flat appreciation in the last 10 years. Don’t think we left it to you.
2009-2014 Acura TL SH-AWD
Ideal for: People who commute every day looking for entertainment
Priced starting at: $10,000
Acura was actually struggling in the period between 2010 and. It lost percentage of market shares in the year 2011 and also had the worst sales year in its history. However, this Japanese luxury brand produced intriguing, fun and practical vehicles that are likely to outlast the rest of us.
One such vehicle included that of the Acura TL, which was replaced by the TLX in the year 2015. This TLX is a beautiful car and is more attractive than the TL which had that snarky “Power Plenum” grille everybody disliked. However, the only transmission that comes on the TLX is an auto with nine speeds in the initial generation as well as a 10-speed auto with the current generation. In the TL you could have the option of purchasing an automatic with six speeds and also to select it in the most popular production model Acura made that was it was the TL SH-AWD. In the past manuals were generally reserved for the base vehicle. It was extremely rare to discover a manual transmission on anything that could power the four wheeled system. The SH-AWD was also able to provide the 305 horsepower, which was an increase of 19 horses over the prior TL Type-S.
The most likely scenario is that Acura sold just 3500 of these vehicles however, the company does not release numbers on sales and the real number could be much lower than the figure.
2009-2014 Nissan Cube
The best choice for Drummers, Art majors and plant enthusiasts
Priced starting at $5,000
Yes, the Cube. It’s quirky, funny and definitely not designed to be sold in an U.S. market, but it’s the very thing that draws people to it, similar to that of the Pike Factory Nissan Pao, S-Cargo, Figaro, and Be-1. If you’re interested in Japanese culture in any way the asymmetrical wagons are a great choice.
Nissan created three models of the Cube The Cube was built in three generations, but we were only able to get the final. The second generation car, which was built in 2002-2008 was just as cool, sporting the most fun-loving design as compared to the model, which was finally released to us in the U.S. in 2009.
The Cube was released on May 9, 2009 right when the bottom was about to fall out of the market which meant that sales were low. When Kia was selling its pants off the Soul through a clever advertising campaign Nissan did not do a great job of promoting the Cube and it eventually was a failure and never sold more than 23,000 units, even during its peak year. The Cube’s fans are extremely passionate, however and enthusiastic, knowledgeable communities have emerged to keep the fire burning.
2008-2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Most suitable to: Mad Max
Priced starting at $32,000
The Pontiac G8 GXP a car that is no more in existence and the Pontiac brand is no more and it’s twice as awesome. Yes, we’re cheating a bit since the G8 stopped production in 2009, however, considering the number of these cars that were still on dealerships well into 2011 we’re going to make an exception.
Its G8 GXP is an automobile that many enthusiasts have said they would love to own. It was an unbranded Holden VE Commodore from Australia The only country in the world with people who were as crazy about rear-drive V-8s as we are. The GT was pretty cool, with 361 horses, 6.0-liter V8. However, the GXP offered 415 horsepower, which came from an LS3 motor that came straight from the Corvette and the Tremec manual six-speed transmission.
The GXP was an absolute tire engine, capable of achieving 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, and completing an impressive 13-second quarter mile straight from the show floor. Pontiac was able to sell 1,829 G8 GXPs within two years, before closing the lights forever.
2010-2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
The best For: White New Balance/jort customers
Priced starting at $51,000
At the moment, the C6 is currently at its lowest level of depreciation. They’ll rise in value for a long time If you missed the chance to purchase one brand new in 2010, you’re in luck now to get it for the same price as the $57,000 MSRP that they were carrying in 2010.
For Corvette lovers who could afford to purchase a new car when you got an automatic transmission (why should you purchase something else?) you received a custom-built LS3 engine, dry sump oiling mechanism, as well as a launch controller. The package also includes Grand Sport are Grand Sport package: wider fenders, more staggered tires as well as brakes from Z06 equipped with cross-drilled rotors, six-piston calipers on the front, light forged aluminum wheels. It also has a revamped suspension and transmission cooler.
An Grand Sport with low miles in great condition is going cost more than an average C6 Corvette coupe would, however it’s well worth the extra expense, since they’re expected be more valuable over the long term. If you’ve ever dreamed of an automobile like this, now is the right time to get one.
2009-2015 Jaguar XFR
Ideal For: Shoppers who don’t want to buy an extended warranty
Priced starting at $40,000
Oof, used Jaguars–the automobile equivalent to sushi from a gas station. It might be great, but could cause you to die. If you’re looking to buy an used Jaguar however, you should purchase one of the Series I E-Type, or buy one from a time in which Jaguar could actually make cars. This is what’s happening in the XFR. It’s from the period in which Jaguar became part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group, and the vehicles were actually quite good.
There’s nothing extravagant in this model. The XFR runs within the exact DEW98 platform that is used by it is the Ford Thunderbird, Lincoln LS along with the Jaguar S-Type. The engine is the most impressive with a massive 503 horse power supercharged 5.0-liter mill AJ-V8 Gen III. The only hint from the outside that this car is unique is the huge (for at the period) 20 inch wheels. Eleven pounds of power turned the sluggish old geezer’s vehicle into something that was what and Driver called “sensational,” not forgetting that the auto transmission performed, as well as noting how comfy it was, despite the more rigid springs and o-rings on the tire sidewalls.
The XFR has suffered huge decline over the last decade, reducing it in value to mere a quarter of of the $80,000 Jag was looking for when it was it was brand new. Nowadays, you can purchase the XFR or the Ford Edge. If you opt for the latter, you should consider buying an extended warranty that comes with it.
2010-2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Ideal for: Hot hatch enthusiasts who didn’t get their chance using the Mk1 GTI
Priced starting at $9,000
We’ve reviewed a variety of cars in this article and, with the exclusion of the Nissan Cube, they’re all very expensive, even those that have experienced huge depreciation. This is a car with a powerful engine that anyone can afford.
Mazdaspeed3 Mazdaspeed3 was a fantastic performance version of the elegant Mazda3 5 door hatch. To add some extra cash it came with an engine that was engine that was turbocharged 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder motor, capable of delivering a hilariously enjoyable 263 horsepower and the capacity of 280 lb.-ft. of torque.
Mazda made these cars in 2007 but the new generation that was released in 2010 had some ECU modifications to provide an improved power curve and larger ratios between second and fifth in the gearbox with six speeds. Also, you get the Torsen limited-slip differential free of charge as well as larger bars for stabilization, as well as wider tires. The hood scoop in this model works that allows cold air to flow into an intercooler that is located right beneath the. Today, for less than $10k you can reach 60 speed in 5.2 seconds, and get across the half mile with 13.9 seconds, at speeds of 102 speed.
2006-2012 Porsche Cayman S
Ideal for: 911 lovers who don’t have a fully-funded 401(k)
Priced starting from: $29,000
The Cayman S is a better car than the 911. We said it. It’s fun, it’s more practical and you don’t have to become Jeff Bezos to afford it. Anyone with decent credit is able to purchase one of these amazing automobiles for the same price as they’d pay for a full-on Camry. You can take your kids for a trip to the school. Drive your dog around. Install winter tires and drive yourself to the mountains to enjoy skiing weekends. You can do that with this vehicle, and not feel worried about its potential value.
For the model year 2006 to 2012 of Cayman S model, you could get 276 horsepower, and you could choose between a manual six-speed or five-speed Tiptronic. However, buyers had the option of having to wait until the next generation to be able to enjoy the wonderful 7-speed PDK transmission. In the end they’re a lot of expensive for what they are and adhere more to the story of what the first air-cooled 911 was, rather than the actual 911 does. Additionally, this is the final generation of Caymans with hydraulic steering which gives a much more road-feel than the electric steering later. An absolute fun ride. Don’t be a slouch.
2008-2013 BMW M3
is ideal in: Prognosticators who can forecast the sunrise
Priced starting at $25,000
There are a few universal truths that are true: the sun sets in the eastern sky. The IRS will harass you about your tax payments. Also, the BMW M3 will eventually be too costly to buy. It’s happened every time there has been a new version of BMW’s super-performance 3 Series.
The days were that you could get an E30 M3 for just $25K. These days are over. It was the time that an E36 M3 car was less expensive than the Civic. Ancient history. These E90/E92/E93 M3 sedans/coupes/convertibles are at the very bottom of the depreciation curve. RIGHT. NOW. In three weeks and they’ll be moving as people discover the awesomeness of them. It was, in fact, the only M3 equipped with a V8 and it’s a great one, producing 414 horsepower. This was also the first BMW to come with a dual-clutch engine with an automatic option that came with the superb Getrag 7-speed MDC. Even with the Lard-butt E93 Convertible it was able to achieve 60 speed within 5.1 seconds. Motor Trend referred to the E90/E92/E93 to be “the greatest all-around car in the world.”
In the year of the issue, M3 was listed at $57,000. It is now worth less than half the price. Find a low-mileage car with a maintenance history, and watch the car outperform the value of your 401(k) in the coming years as you get to enjoy one of the best cars that came out of the 2010s.
2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline
Ideal For: People who don’t like being generally criticized
Priced starting at $9,000
Everyone loves this Honda Ridgeline. Yes, it’s built in the Pilot. It does have a low-range. It’s certainly smaller than the typical Truck Nutz-powered, coal-rolling Ram 3500 dualally. However, it performs its task exceptionally well. And if you’re living in suburbs, it will fit nicely inside your garage.
Anyone who’s owned an Ridgeline has enjoyed it for precisely the type of things a homeowner with a Honda must do on weekends. We’re not hauling trailers for horses. We’re taking our trash to the dump , and bringing the entire weekend’s worth of Turf Builder to Lowe’s. It’s more comfortable than other midsize pickups particularly in the rear seat. No other manufacturer of midsize trucks has had the idea of creating distinctive storage options like the trunk that is built into the bed.
We’ve seen these trucks take trailers across the forest with more than 200,000 miles. They’re far superior to those that appear on the paper and finally, they don’t cost more than $34,000 to purchase.
Alex has been with us from the start, providing readers with the latest news and comprehensive reviews. Her extensive knowledge of the automotive industry makes her an invaluable asset to the team.