Boomers get a bad rap in almost every generational battle these days, and whether you buy into their economic and political vilification (or even give much credence to the concept of “generations” at all) there’s no doubt that when it comes to automotive interests, Boomers have different tastes than their younger Millennial counterparts.
And yet, the data shows that even those appetites—once thought to be locked in stone through exposure to intense Barrett-Jackson programming and endless reruns of Gas Monkey Garage—can be subject to change. The last time we checked in on what Boomers were buying that Millennials weren’t, the data from classic-car insurer Hagerty showed a strong preference for modern retro styling, classic German and Italian metal, and of course a generous dose of American muscle.
Several years later, Hagerty’s John Wiley, director for valuation analytics, has noticed a clear shift in the cars that Boomers are pinging for insurance quotes as when contrasted to what Millennial enthusiasts are most interested in. Some old favourites are still in the mix, of course, but they’re joined by a completely different cast of more modern classics, as well as several outliers that are joining the cast of wish-it-were-mine motors for the first time.
Curious as to what sets Boomer hearts aflame but leaves Millennials completely cold? Here are seven classics that the older generation prizes and the younger kids could care less about.
7. 1991-1994 Alfa Romeo Spider S4
The Alfa Romeo Spider takes over from the Ferrari 308 that represented Italy the last time we went through this data a little more than six years ago. There’s no question that there’s a downgrade in terms of both performance and price, here, with values for Magnum P.I.’s ride having more than doubled in roughly that same period. This could explain why even hardcore Tom Selleck fans are turning their attention elsewhere.
Built from the mid-’60s all the way to the mid-’90s, the final iteration of the Alfa Romeo Spider is best thought of as a more complicated, less reliable, and somewhat slower foil to the Mazda MX-5 Miata of similar vintage (which is what a Millennial would buy instead). Its main advantage are those classic European looks; and a respectable starting price of around $25,000 for a decent driver.
6. 1968-1970 American Motors AMX
Classic muscle cars aren’t getting any cheaper, but if you’re on a budget, you can always stretch your dollar by going weirder. That seems to be the case with Boomer’s newfound love for the AMC AMX, a two-seat V8-powered coupe that the cash-strapped company created by chopping the back bench out of a Javelin and shortening the wheelbase.
The AMX’s obscurity combined with its relatively low production numbers helps keep its price down (think $35,000 for a solid driver) compared to the cast of usual muscle-car suspects. It also likely keeps it way off the Millennial radar, especially given that the younger generation has largely turned away from more obscure ‘60s-era rides, even if they hail from Kenosha.
5. 1936-1938 Plymouth
The last time Hagerty provided us with data about which cars Boomers loved and Millennials loathed, the list didn’t include a single model from before 1950. This late ’30s Plymouth (which could be had in a variety of configurations) feels like a solid target of opportunity for anyone looking for a solid hot-rod base that’s different from the usual “Ford with a small-block Chevy” that usually haunts the local cruise night. It doesn’t hurt that they’re quite affordable, too.
4. 1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350
Boomers are often looked down on by the Millennial set for the relatively easy economic times they grew up in, and the fact the Shelby GT350 Mustang is a member of both this and the previous Hagerty list doesn’t do much to dispel the fact that some Boomers have more than a little disposable cash to throw around.
How much are we talking here? A nice GT350 Mustang will set you back half-a-million dollars for a ’65 model, and $100k for a ’70. That’s a pretty big pricing bracket to play around in, and it’s not surprising that Millennials have stayed away in favour of more affordable fare.
3. 1971-1974 Jaguar E-Type (XKE)
Italian exotics might be absent this time around, but stepping into the void is this bastion of British beauty, the Jaguar E-Type. The early 1970s brought the larger Series III cars into the picture, and while they might not be as jaw-dropping as their predecessors, their longer wheelbase makes them more comfortable to drive. They also come with a V12 by default, as opposed to the more common six-cylinder engine found in the earlier editions of the XKE. Expect to pay in the high $70,000s for an E-Type coupe, and $10k more for an equivalent roadster.
2. 1961-1967 Triumph TR4
In an odd bit of synchronicity, the only other repeat brand in both Hagerty data sets (from 2019 and 2024, that is) is Triumph, with the TR4 replacing the older TR3. Boomer interest in little British sports cars makes a lot of sense, particularly if they have strong memories of the original invasion of these fun-to-drive two-seaters that could run laps around their clunkier American cousins. As with the Alfa Romeo we discussed above, however, it’s just as logical for Millennials to prefer the cheaper and more solidly-built Miata that was itself an attempt to clone the spirit, if not the Lucas electrics, of these sports cars.
1. 1999-2003 BMW Z8
The BMW Z8 could have been common ground for Bond-obsessed Boomers and Rad-loving Millennials, were it not for one inconvenient fact: it’s extremely expensive to purchase (if you can even find one for sale). You’ll pay more than $200,000 for the privilege of parking this roadster in your garage, and don’t even ask about the Alpina.
For the most part, that takes the Z8 off the board for Millennials who aren’t tapping into a trust fund or an IPO to fund their automotive habits. As the newest car on this list, it can also be thought of as the retro-themed replacement for the same-era Chevrolet SSR, Ford Thunderbird, and Plymouth Prowler that titillated Boomers the last time around.
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