TRAVERSE CITY, MI (November 6, 2023) – The Ferrari California Spider in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is arguably the most memorable movie car of the 1980s. It was very valuable then, and it’s even more valuable today. But what if the everyday background cars in that movie, cars like the Pontiac Fiero or Audi 5000, also became collectible? Hard to believe? Just go to a RADwood show to see how beloved these cars already are.
Introducing the RADindex
Attrition for cars like the Pontiac Fiero and Audi 5000, combined with growing demand from enthusiasts of the 1980s and 1990s, has resulted in higher prices for the best vehicles of that era. The RADindex, which averages the condition #2 (“excellent”) Hagerty Price Guide value of 21 of the most popular and desirable vehicles built from 1980-99, currently sits at just less than $73,000.
Hagerty, an automotive lifestyle brand and a leading specialty insurance provider focused on the global automotive enthusiast market, today released RADindex, a compilation of RAD-era (1980s and 1990s) vehicles which best represent the era. The average value of vehicles across the index is $72,876, representing an increase of 70% over the last 5 years, which outperforms all of Hagerty’s other collector car indexes. For comparison, the second strongest growth during this timeframe comes from the Affordable Classics Index, which has increased in value by 53 percent since 2018. It also beats the S&P 500, which is up 48 percent over the same five-year period. The RADindex graph can be found here with historic pricing data starting in 2013.
One factor in value is the usability for RADwood era automobiles, both on the road and at events like RADwood. RADwood started in 2017 and focusses on the cars and culture of the ’80s and ’90s. Under Hagerty’s stewardship, RADwood attracts thousands of cars and tens of thousands of guests to events across the country each year. The final event for 2023 takes place November 11 in Los Angeles.
“We see all ages and demographics represented at our events. RADwood era automobiles aren’t just for millennials, they’re for all enthusiasts. As they’ve grown an audience, one side effect has been an increase in value, but that’s just the result of more use and more enjoyment. If you look at the RADindex again through that lens, it really shows just how much delight and satisfaction they’ve brought to car culture.”
Art Cervantes, director of RADwood
RADindex Performance, October 2023
| Vehicle | Value | 3-Month Change | 12-Month Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Delorean DMC-12 | $75,800 | n/c | 8% |
| 1983 Audi Quattro | $65,600 | n/c | n/c |
| 1985 Ferrari Testarossa | $202,000 | 6% | 6% |
| 1986 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo | $50,100 | n/c | 5% |
| 1987 Buick Regal GNX | $169,000 | -2% | -6% |
| 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 16v | $45,400 | n/c | 3% |
| 1988 BMW M3 | $138,000 | -4% | -9% |
| 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo | $68,000 | n/c | n/c |
| 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z | $44,300 | -4% | 18% |
| 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 | $44,000 | -6% | 0% |
| 1990 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible | $27,600 | n/c | 20% |
| 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata | $17,800 | n/c | 12% |
| 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo T-Roof | $38,200 | n/c | -20% |
| 1991 Acura NSX | $116,000 | 5% | 10% |
| 1991 GMC Syclone 1/2 Ton | $50,600 | 15% | 32% |
| 1991 Lancia Delta HF Evoluzione I | $141,000 | 4% | 16% |
| 1991 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16V | $23,300 | -1% | 24% |
| 1993 Mazda RX-7 | $58,300 | n/c | -5% |
| 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe | $98,000 | n/c | 3% |
| 1984 Kawasaki ZX900-A1 Ninja | $7,400 | n/c | n/c |
| 1990 Honda VFR750R RC30 | $50,000 | n/c | -4% |
Value based on Hagerty Price Guide condition #2 (“excellent”) value on October 1, 2023.
Over the last 12 months, the index, like the rest of the market, has become quieter, increasing only 3.1 percent (here, the S&P 500 wins with a 16 percent return.) Standouts over the past year tend to be options from the more accessible side of the spectrum: the 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC and the 1990 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 convertible are up 18 and 20 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, more expensive or exotic cars that saw aggressive gains from 2017-22 are adjusting downward to find new footing. The 1988 BMW M3 fell 9 percent over the last year, while the 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo came down 20 percent.
As Ferris says, life moves pretty fast. If you haven’t stopped to look at this part of the market, you could have missed it. Hagerty’s RADindex will make it easier for you to keep up.