As the years go by quicker than we realize, I have been hearing interesting comments about the looks of our S197 models. Ever since I bought my R/T I keep hearing that that's the last retro style car being made today. In those conversations, our Mustangs get mentioned as being the best looking of the modern Mustangs. Could our versions see an appreciation in value and desirability in the future? A second wave of the older style Mustang being popular again? I enjoy and have no bad feelings about our 4.6L engines but that might be the only negative of the potential values rising one day.

 

Cars of all makes and styles mark their era, and tell stories about peoples' preferences. My thought is they go the way of the 1965-1967 Mustangs. The more common models will end up getting resto-modded. The surviving Bullitts, Shelbys, California Specials, etc., will demand some premium, especially as the number of cars available gradually shrink.

Of course, modding these cars is not always a shade-tree mechanic thing like it was in the '60's. That said, there's still a huge aftermarket for these cars, and as long as people are buying stuff for them, I imagine vendors will maintain that supply chain as long as possible.

So we get to see them around a long time; at least I think so. I remember being handed the keys to a 2006 demonstrator hardtop V6 (in windveil blue) for my bride and to drive when we ordered the '06 GT convertible. Even though it was the second year of the S197, driving that car around made people nearby almost break their necks.

I drove that '06 like I stole it for about 15 years. No regrets, even though she was not a trouble-free car.

 

These cars were mass produced, and they don't dissolve to piles of rust like they did back in the day, so I doubt the value will ever go up like the surviving original classics did.

That said, my 2010 is the closest thing I'll ever have to an original fastback, I think the look is timeless, and I'll probably hold onto it for my duration.

 

Thanks for the nice replies guys. Good points you both made for sure. Definitely 'head-turner' cars yet there are still so many out there. Time will tell especially around that 20 year mark. I'm seeing higher prices for decent examples of my now 20 year old Trans Am but the key difference is that Pontiac is long gone where Mustang keeps making thousands every year, just not in that retro style. Interesting years ahead.