Forza Horizon 5 is home to some of the rarest and most historically significant cars ever built – machines that command millions at real-world auctions and appear in game as a direct reflection of that prestige.

Unlike most games where price tracks performance, FH5’s most expensive cars are valued for their heritage, scarcity, and motorsport legacy rather than raw lap times.

The most expensive car in Forza Horizon 5 is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, priced at a staggering 143,000,000 credits – a figure that puts it in a league entirely its own.

It dwarfs the next most valuable machine, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (50,000,000 credits), though that coveted Italian classic can only be obtained as a Barn Find, not purchased outright.

The third most expensive purchasable car in the game is the 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe at 30,000,000 CR, which held the top Autoshow spot for years before the Mercedes took the throne.

Every car on this list carries a pricey tag for one reason: real-world rarity and historical significance. These are not machines valued for raw in-game speed. They are virtual monuments to automotive history – and acquiring any of them demands a serious investment of time, credits, or luck.

Top 10 Most Expensive Cars in Forza Horizon 5

The pricing in FH5 is not arbitrary. Each car below commands its hefty credit value because of a direct connection to real-world auction records, Le Mans victories, or a production run so limited that genuine examples are nearly impossible to own outside of a museum. The table below gives you the full picture at a glance.

1. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (1955) – The Most Expensive Car in FH5

In-game price: 143,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 179.8 mph  |  Class: A 714

No other car in Forza Horizon 5 comes close to the 300 SLR. Its 143-million-credit price tag is not a creative choice by Playground Games – it directly mirrors the real-world auction in 2022, when a 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for approximately €135 million ($143 million), setting a permanent record as the most expensive car ever sold.

One important distinction worth knowing: the car in FH5 is the open-top racing version of the 300 SLR, not the ultra-rare Uhlenhaut Coupé itself. The Uhlenhaut Coupé was a closed road-legal hardtop – only two exist in the world, and neither is available to private collectors. The game’s choice to attach that price to the racing sibling is a deliberate nod to that real-world exclusivity.

The 300 SLR arrived in FH5 as part of the Series 11 “Rami’s Racing History” update, instantly replacing the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe as the game’s most expensive machine. In terms of performance, it sits at Class A 714 with a stock top speed of 179.8 mph – respectable, but far from the fastest car on this list. The price is entirely about prestige and scarcity, not lap times.

Why is it so expensive?

• The real-world 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé is the most expensive car ever sold at auction ($143M, 2022)
• Only two Uhlenhaut Coupés were ever built – both remain off-limits to the public
• The 300 SLR racing programme was one of the most celebrated in 1950s motorsport
• Cannot be won through Wheelspins or Super Wheelspins – only direct purchase or specific events

How to get it:

• Autoshow: full price, 143,000,000 CR
• Series 11 Festival Playlist reward (historically available)
• Auction House: buyout cap is 20,000,000 CR – a potential saving of 123M, but listings are extremely rare
• Car Voucher: redeemable for any Autoshow car, including this one – the most efficient route if available

2. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962)

In-game value: 50,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 175.0 mph  |  Class: B 612  |  Barn Find

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is technically the second most valuable car in Forza Horizon 5, with a collection value of 50,000,000 CR. There is one critical detail that separates it from every other car on this list: you cannot buy it. The 250 GTO is a Barn Find, locked behind a discovery and restoration process in the Los Jardines region of FH5’s Mexico. It cannot be purchased from the Autoshow, and it cannot be listed or purchased on the Auction House. Its 50-million-credit value exists purely in the Car Collection menu, where it boosts your overall collection score.

In the real world, the 250 GTO is one of the most coveted automobiles ever made. Only 36 were produced between 1962 and 1964, and examples regularly cross $50 million at auction – directly reflected by the game’s valuation. It was Ferrari’s weapon of choice in GT racing and the Shelby Cobra’s primary rival at Le Mans.

On track in FH5, the GTO delivers decent speed (rating 6.4, top speed 175 mph) but struggles with handling on tighter or wet circuits – rating just 3.6. It is not a machine built for competitive racing in the game’s modern meta. Its value is about history and collection status.

What makes it special:

• One of the most valuable production cars ever made – real examples exceed $50M at auction
• Only 36 built, between 1962 and 1964
• Ferrari’s answer to the Jaguar D-Type and eventual rival of the Shelby Cobra at Le Mans
• The only car in this top 10 that cannot be bought, traded, or won through Wheelspins

How to get it:

• Find the Barn in the Los Jardines region of FH5’s map
• Complete the restoration process and the car is added to your garage automatically

3. Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (1965)

In-game price: 30,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 185.0 mph  |  Class: B

For years, the 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe sat alone at the top of the Autoshow – the single most expensive purchasable car in FH5. It has since been overtaken by the 300 SLR, but at 30,000,000 CR it remains the priciest machine you can buy outright in the game’s showroom.

The Daytona Coupe was Carroll Shelby’s direct response to the Ferrari 250 GTO’s dominance in GT racing. Designed by Pete Brock with a wedge-shaped aerodynamic body, it was purpose-built to beat Ferrari at Le Mans – which it did, taking the GT class championship in 1965. Real-world examples have sold for approximately $7–14 million, making it a legitimate collector’s item both in-game and out.

In FH5, the Shelby is one of the faster cars on this list. Its 185 mph top speed actually beats the far more expensive 300 SLR (179.8 mph) – a perfect example of the disconnect between price and performance that defines this group of luxury machines. In Class B, it offers a rewarding if demanding driving experience.

Why is it so expensive:

• Former record holder as the most expensive Autoshow car in FH5
• Carroll Shelby’s GT-class Le Mans champion – one of the most storied American race cars ever built
• Real-world auction values of $7–14M depending on chassis and provenance
• Aerodynamic design by Pete Brock was revolutionary for American racing at the time

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 30,000,000 CR
• Wheelspin (periodically available)
• Accolade reward: unlocked by completing specific in-game milestones

4. Aston Martin DBR1 (1958)

In-game price: 22,500,000 CR  |  Top speed: 178.6 mph  |  Class: B 678

The Aston Martin DBR1 is perhaps the most price-accurate machine in this entire list. One example sold at RM Sotheby’s in 2017 for $22.5 million – exactly mirroring its in-game Autoshow price of 22,500,000 CR. That symmetry is not a coincidence.

Historically, the DBR1 is one of Britain’s most celebrated race cars. Only five chassis were ever built. It claimed the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans in the hands of Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and went on to win the 1959 World Sportscar Championship. The car arrived in FH5 as part of the Series 28 update in December 2023.

On track, the DBR1 delivers a top speed of 178.6 mph at Class B 678. It is a composed and rewarding driver’s car with solid handling for its era, though it cannot match the pace of the modern metal in higher classes. For collectors, the combination of Le Mans heritage and near-perfect real-to-game price mirroring makes it one of the most satisfying costly acquisitions in the game.

Why is it so expensive:

• Real example sold for $22.5M at RM Sotheby’s in 2017 – in-game price matches exactly
• Sole vehicle to win both Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship in the same year (1959)
• Only 5 chassis built – a genuinely rare piece of British motorsport history
• Piloted by legendary drivers including Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby, and Roy Salvadori

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 22,500,000 CR
• Auction House: often available below Autoshow price depending on supply

5. Jaguar D-Type (1956)

In-game price: 22,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 154.3 mph  |  Class: B 630

Sitting just below the DBR1 at 22,000,000 CR, the 1956 Jaguar D-Type is one of the most distinctive-looking cars in the game – and one of the slowest on this list by top speed. Its 154.3 mph stock figure trails nearly every other machine here, yet its price is fully justified by its racing legacy.

The D-Type was Jaguar’s Le Mans weapon. It claimed three consecutive victories at the Circuit de la Sarthe – 1955, 1956, and 1957. Its design drew directly from aviation engineering: a monocoque chassis construction, aerodynamic bodywork, and a fin behind the driver’s head that was originally conceived as an air brake. Eighteen factory chassis were built alongside 53 customer cars, making it genuinely exclusive by the standards of its era.

In FH5, the D-Type’s value is entirely about heritage and collection prestige. It runs a straight-6 engine producing 245 HP, hitting 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Competitive in Class B for its style, though collectors will tell you the point of owning this car has nothing to do with winning races.

Why is it so expensive:

• Three consecutive Le Mans victories (1955, 1956, 1957) – one of the most successful race cars of the 1950s
• Aviation-derived monocoque construction was cutting-edge engineering for the time
• Only 18 factory chassis built – a genuinely rare piece of British motorsport history
• One of the most visually iconic shapes in all of motorsport

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 22,000,000 CR
• Wheelspin (periodically)
• Auction House
• Accolade reward: unlock the “Sold Out” achievement by purchasing 400 unique cars from the Autoshow

6. Mercedes-Benz W154 (1939)

In-game price: 20,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 215.4 mph  |  Class: B 672

The Mercedes-Benz W154 is the most surprising machine on this entire list. A pre-war Grand Prix car from 1939 – built when racing circuits were largely public roads – producing 215.4 mph in FH5 stock form. That makes it significantly faster than the 300 SLR (179.8 mph), the DBR1 (178.6 mph), and the Shelby Cobra (185 mph), all of which cost far more.

The W154 was one of the famous “Silver Arrows” – the silver-liveried German Grand Prix cars that dominated European racing in the late 1930s. Its twin-stage supercharged V12 produced around 475 HP, and in the hands of Rudolf Caracciola (nicknamed the “Rainmaster”), it regularly qualified 1-2-3 and claimed multiple Grand Prix victories in the 1939 European Championship season. One notable detail: the W154’s V12 engine can be swapped into the Mercedes-Benz SSK in FH5, making it a sought-after powerplant across multiple builds.

In FH5, the W154 is obtained not through the standard Autoshow but as a Car Collection reward – earned through progression of your overall vehicle collection. At 20,000,000 CR, it is one of the better value propositions on this list if raw speed is your priority.

Why is it so expensive:

• Pre-war German Grand Prix machine – one of the “Silver Arrows” that defined 1930s motorsport
• 475 HP twin-stage supercharged V12 – astonishing engineering for 1939
• Rudolf Caracciola’s Le Mans-era rival weapon, European Championship-winning car
• Extremely rare in both the real world and FH5 collection rosters

How to get it:

• Car Collection reward – not available as a standard Autoshow purchase
• Progress your overall car collection in FH5 to unlock it

7. Ferrari 250 California (1957)

In-game price: 18,500,000 CR  |  Top speed: 150.5 mph  |  Class: C

The 1957 Ferrari 250 California is the slowest car on this list – 150.5 mph stock – and yet it commands 18,500,000 CR in the Autoshow. That gap between price and performance is the clearest illustration of what this group of costly classics is really about: history, rarity, and name.

The 250 California was created at the initiative of American Ferrari distributors John von Neumann and Luigi Chinetti, who pushed for a GT-focused open car aimed at the wealthy West Coast market. The name was literal. Coachbuilder Scaglietti constructed the body, pairing it with Ferrari’s 3.0L V12 producing 262 HP. The result was one of the most elegant-looking Ferraris of the 1950s – a high-end touring car that made no claims to outright racing performance.

In FH5, the 250 California sits in Class C, making it one of the few pricey cars in this list that does not even reach B-class competition. For collectors and Ferrari enthusiasts, it remains a coveted addition to any high-value garage.

Why is it so expensive:

• One of the rarest and most sought-after open-top Ferraris from the 1950s
• Created specifically for the exclusive American market – limited production numbers
• Scaglietti coachwork, V12 engine, and Ferrari heritage drive real-world values into the millions
• A luxury symbol of 1950s automotive design, not a racing tool

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 18,500,000 CR
• Wheelspins (periodically available)

8. Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1957)

In-game price: 16,400,000 CR  |  Top speed: 171.6 mph  |  Class: B 691

At 16,400,000 CR, the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is one of the most decorated machines in the game. Its name – Italian for “red head” – refers to the distinctive red-painted valve covers on its 3.0L V12 engine, a visual signature that became one of the most iconic details in Ferrari’s racing history.

The Testa Rossa won 10 championship races in the World Sportscar Championship, helping Ferrari claim three manufacturers’ titles in 1958, 1960, and 1961. It took three wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1958, 1960, 1961) and three at the 12 Hours of Sebring (1958, 1959, 1961). In the real world, examples have sold for up to $39 million at auction – placing it firmly among the most valuable racing cars ever made.

In FH5, the Testa Rossa hits 171.6 mph stock at Class B 691. With 300 HP and a 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds, it is not a barn-burner in modern meta terms, but in the right class it is a composed and capable car. For collectors, it sits in a sweet spot – historically significant, visually stunning, and more accessible credit-wise than the machines above it.

Why is it so expensive:

• 10 race wins in the World Sportscar Championship – Ferrari took three manufacturer titles in 1958, 1960, 1961
• Won Le Mans three times and Sebring three times – among the most successful race cars of its era
• Real-world auction values up to $39M
• Ferrari’s 3.0L V12 with the iconic red valve covers – one of the most recognisable engines in motorsport history

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 16,400,000 CR
• Wheelspins (periodically available)
• Forza Shop

9. Porsche 917 LH (#3, 1970)

In-game price: 15,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 222.2 mph  |  Class: S1 856

The 1970 Porsche #3 917 LH is one of several cars in FH5 priced at 15,000,000 CR – but it stands out from the group for one reason: it is the second-fastest car on this list at 222.2 mph, and one of the most capable race machines available at this price point.

The “LH” stands for Langheck – German for “long tail” – referring to the extended rear bodywork designed to reduce aerodynamic drag at high speed. This specific chassis, 917-043, ran in the Martini International Racing colours at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it finished in second place. The real-world car has since been preserved and is currently on display at the Simeone Foundation Museum in Philadelphia. During qualifying at Le Mans, the 917 LH reached approximately 240 mph on the old Mulsanne straight using its 4.9L flat-twelve engine.

In FH5, the 917 LH sits in Class S1 856, producing 601 HP with a 0-60 time of 2.4 seconds. Among the cars on this list, it is one of only two that compete at S1 level – and its performance credentials are legitimate. For players who want both a historically significant machine and genuine on-track ability, this is among the strongest choices in the top 10.

Why is it so expensive:

• Chassis 917-043 – Le Mans 1970 competitor, second place finisher in one of the race’s most celebrated editions
• Langheck long-tail design reached ~240 mph on the Mulsanne straight in real-world qualifying
• 4.9L flat-twelve engine is one of the most legendary powerplants in Porsche’s history
• The actual car is museum-preserved at the Simeone Foundation in Philadelphia

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 15,000,000 CR
• Wheelspin (periodically available)

10. McLaren F1 GT (1997)

In-game price: 15,000,000 CR  |  Top speed: 226.8 mph  |  Class: S1 866

The 1997 McLaren F1 GT is the fastest car on this list. Its 226.8 mph stock top speed at Class S1 866 outpaces every other machine in this top 10, including the Porsche 917 LH (222.2 mph) and the Mercedes-Benz W154 (215.4 mph). At 15,000,000 CR, it shares the lowest price point in the top 10 – making it arguably the best performance-per-credit value on the entire list.

The F1 GT was the final homologation special built from the McLaren F1 GTR race car programme. Three were built in total: a development prototype (XPGT) and two customer cars. One of those customer examples belongs to the Sultan of Brunei. The F1 GT retains the road car’s BMW S70/2 6.1L V12 producing 618 HP, but in a lighter package – 20 kg lighter than the standard F1 – pushing it beyond the road car’s already legendary performance.

In FH5, the F1 GT is one of the most competitive machines available in S1-class racing. Its 618 HP, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and elite top speed make it a serious tool for anyone willing to put in the driving work. For collectors and performance hunters alike, this is one of the most complete packages in the game at its price.

Why is it so expensive:

• One of only three F1 GTs ever built – among the rarest road-legal McLarens in existence
• The final homologation special derived from the F1 GTR Le Mans racing programme
• BMW S70/2 6.1L V12 – the same engine that powered McLaren to Le Mans glory in 1995
• 226.8 mph stock top speed – the fastest machine in this entire top 10

How to get it:

• Autoshow: 15,000,000 CR
• Wheelspins (periodically available)
• Forza Shop

Fastest Ways to Access Expensive Cars in Forza Horizon 5

Buying the most costly cars in FH5 is not just a matter of wanting them – it requires a real strategy. Here are the most practical routes to building a high-value garage.

Grind Credits Through Races and Events

The most straightforward path is earning credits through regular play. Festival Playlist events, Seasonal Championships, and Story missions all pay out steadily. Completing the Festival Playlist each season rewards players with cars, Super Wheelspins, and large credit bonuses. For most players, this is the foundation of any long-term credit strategy.

One honest note: grinding to 143,000,000 CR for the 300 SLR through normal play alone is a significant time investment. The Festival Playlist and Seasonal events are better suited to mid-range targets like the DBR1 or the D-Type.

Auction House Sniping

The Auction House operates with a 20,000,000 CR buyout cap on all transactions. For most of the cars on this list, that means Auction House listings are available below Autoshow price – sometimes significantly so. For the 300 SLR, that cap represents a potential saving of 123 million credits compared to the Autoshow price.

The catch is availability. Sellers take a massive credit loss when listing the 300 SLR at the 20M cap (versus the 143M they paid), so very few choose to do so. Reports from the community indicate rare instances of the car appearing for under 13M CR. Patience and active monitoring are required. For the DBR1, Jaguar D-Type, and other mid-range machines in this list, the Auction House is a more reliable shortcut.

Using a Pre-Leveled Account

Grinding and sniping both take time – one demands consistent play sessions, the other requires luck and patience at the Auction House. A third option skips both: buying a Forza Horizon 5 account with an existing credit balance or pre-built garage puts the expensive end of this list within reach from day one. Some accounts come with high-value cars like the 300 SLR or DBR1 already in the garage – so you can focus on driving and collecting rather than grinding toward a nine-figure credit target.

Festival Playlist Rewards, Accolades, and Car Vouchers

Several cars on this list have paths to free or low-cost acquisition that bypass the Autoshow entirely. The Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and Jaguar D-Type are both available as Accolade rewards for specific in-game achievements – no credits required. The D-Type’s “Sold Out” Accolade unlocks after purchasing 400 unique cars from the Autoshow.

The Car Voucher, available through certain game editions and occasional promotions, allows players to claim any Autoshow car at no credit cost – including the 143,000,000 CR Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. If you have one available, this is the most powerful single item in the game for acquiring expensive machines.

FAQ

What is the fastest car in the list?

The fastest car in this top 10 is the 1997 McLaren F1 GT, with a stock top speed of 226.8 mph at Class S1 866. Second place goes to the 1970 Porsche #3 917 LH at 222.2 mph. Notably, the most expensive car – the 300 SLR at 143M CR – is not the fastest. Its 179.8 mph stock figure is beaten by five other machines in this list, including cars that cost a fraction of its price.

Worth noting: the McLaren F1 GT at 226.8 mph doesn’t even crack the top tier of FH5’s fastest cars overall. The Fastest Cars in FH5 shows how much quicker things get once you move beyond the collector bracket.

Are expensive cars in FH5 worth buying?

It depends on what you want from the game. For collection value and garage prestige, every car on this list justifies its cost – each one represents a real chapter in motorsport history, and the Car Collection score boost alone is meaningful for dedicated completionists.

For racing competitiveness, the honest answer is more nuanced. Most of the cars here are Class B or lower, with top speeds and handling ratings that cannot compete with modern S1 and S2 machinery. The exceptions are the McLaren F1 GT and the Porsche 917 LH, both Class S1 machines that hold their own against the game’s faster options.

The 300 SLR is the clearest case: for 143M CR, you get a Class A car with a 179.8 mph top speed. For pure on-track performance, that credit total is better spent elsewhere. For the prestige of owning the game’s rarest machine, it is priceless.

Do expensive cars perform better in races?

No – and the data from this list makes that clear. The 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 costs 20,000,000 CR and hits 215.4 mph. The McLaren F1 GT costs 15,000,000 CR and hits 226.8 mph. The 300 SLR costs nearly ten times as much as either and tops out at 179.8 mph.

In FH5, price reflects real-world rarity and historical significance. Performance is determined by class, tuning, and the specific demands of each race type. The best performers across the game’s meta are typically modern cars in S1 and S2 classes – most available for under 1,000,000 CR.

Do car prices change over time in FH5?

Autoshow prices are fixed and do not change – the 300 SLR will always cost 143,000,000 CR in the showroom. What does change is how accessible certain cars become over time.

Auction House prices are dynamic. As more players acquire and list a car, market supply increases and buyout prices can drop – though they are always capped at 20,000,000 CR for any single transaction. For genuinely rare machines like the 300 SLR, the cap means listings are scarce regardless of supply.

Festival Playlist rotations are the biggest variable. When a car appears as a Playlist reward, it can effectively be obtained at zero credit cost by active players. The 300 SLR has appeared in past Playlist seasons, giving diligent players a route to the game’s most expensive machine without spending a single credit.