5 Classic Cars Crashing in Value - And Why That's a Good Thing!
The classic car market is shaking up—and for many, it’s the best news in years. While icons like the Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 308, and the Porsche 911 once seemed untouchable in value, prices are dropping sharply. And it’s not just isolated models; entire categories of these beloved classics are seeing rapid declines.
Take the Jaguar E-Type Series 2 and 3, for example. Values have plunged 20-30% in just the last 18 months. The pricetag for some models has sunk to as low as £19,400 at auction—a far cry from the “blue-chip” status these cars once commanded. The main culprit? Maintenance costs that balloon beyond the car’s market value and a generational shift where younger buyers lack the same nostalgic connection to these ‘60s British icons.
Ferrari 308s and 328s have taken a similar hit. While these models are forever beautiful, buyers now lean toward newer Ferraris like the F355 or 360, leaving the earlier cars to correct to their true values. Running costs on these older models are sky-high and part of why prices have adjusted.
Even air-cooled Porsches, once seen as bulletproof investments, are not immune. Prices are softening outside special variants like the Turbo or Carrera RS. Enthusiasts increasingly prefer newer, more user-friendly models like the 996 and 997, making the purer classics more accessible than ever.
The BMW 8 Series from the ‘90s has also cooled off after a price surge. V8 automatics and less sought-after versions are dropping, while premium manual and V12 versions hold firm. This means beautiful and capable GT cars are within reach for those savvy enough to act.
And then there’s the Aston Martin DB series. The legendary DB4, DB5, and DB6 models—excluding the few with Bond fame—are falling up to £100,000. Younger enthusiasts find performance and running costs tough to justify, fueling the drop.
So, is the classic car market crashing? More like correcting—and quickly. Nostalgia marches forward, and tastes evolve. But this shakeup offers opportunity: more cars on roads, more petrolheads behind the wheels of their dream machines, and a market that’s opening up beyond wealthy collectors.
For anyone waiting on the sidelines, this change means doors open wider. The classics that once felt out of reach might become the keys to your next great adventure. So what’s your dream classic to add as values soften? The market is listening.