Perhaps the future of collector cars and car enthusiasts isn’t as bleak as we once thought. According to a survey by Hagerty Insurance, young generation (Gen Z and Millennials) are more likely to be interested in owning a classic car than Baby Boomers. Tastes in the car community are definitely changing, and you probably won’t find a thirty-year-old looking to buy a your T box or a person in his twenties can can afford your six-figure Superbirdbut enthusiasm remains high in younger generation.
The survey revealed some interesting findings. Generation Z respondents were more likely (77%) to say they love or enjoy driving. Millennials reported the highest rate of self-repair at 34%. Interestingly, 32% of Generation Z drivers and 30% of Millennial drivers said they own or have owned a classic enthusiast car.
“The next generation of car enthusiasts is here, creating a vibrant marketplace for us to help enthusiasts protect, buy, sell and enjoy their special cars,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO and President of Hagerty. “The data clearly shows that Gen Z is not just playing car video games, watching YouTube or creating social media content, they are also looking to engage with the collector car community.”
There’s a big disconnect between the perception of millennials as closed-minded, car-hating people and the reality of their enthusiasm. We (and I’m an older millennial) experience car culture differently than previous generations. According to a Hagerty survey, Gen Z interacts with cars primarily digitally, with 39 percent of respondents citing YouTube as their primary source for classic cars, while Instagram is just behind at 38 percent.
If you could think of just one classic car that Gen Z car enthusiasts might be interested in, which would it be? Hagerty says “the most common car that Gen Z car enthusiasts ask about for coverage is the 1990–1998 Mazda Miatas.” Yes, the answer is always the Miata.
