Surprisingly Affordable 1990s Dream Cars
Get these before their prices climb.
Many great 1990s cars, like the Porsche 993, Acura NSX and Toyota Supra, have skyrocketed in value over the last few years. But there are still bargains to be found.
1991-1999 BMW 8-Series
Price: $10,000-$20,000
The original 8-Series is a wonderful GT car that you can now buy for a tiny fraction of the price of a new one. V-8-powered models can routinely be found for under $15,000, but if you want the mighty V-12, you'll have to fork up a bit more cash. And be prepared to spend extra on maintenance.
1992-2002 Mazda RX-7
Price: $35,000-$45,000
Though the FD-generation Mazda RX-7 is worth a lot more than any of its predecessors, it's still relatively affordable when compared to something like a MkIV Supra. Prices are only going up, though, so you better grab one quick before they become out of reach.
1989-1994 Nissan Skyline GT-R
Price: $50,000-$60,000
Nissan didn't sell the R32-generation GT-R stateside, but now, they're over 25 years old, and legal to import. Prices have gone up since they first became eligible for importation, but are still reasonable when compared to later R33- or R34-generation cars (for now, at least).
1990-1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Price: $35,000-$45,000
The original Corvette ZR-1 was a technological masterpiece. It featured a 32-valve quad-cam V-8—the only overhead-cam engine in Corvette history, save for the new Z06—and adaptive dampers long before they became commonplace. Today, they're shockingly cheap with tons of examples under $40,000. That's C5 Corvette money, we know, but the ZR-1 still makes a strong case for itself.
1976-2004 Lotus Esprit
Price: $35,000-$45,000
Buying an older Lotus Esprit probably isn't a good idea, but there's really nothing else like it. Unlike competitors like the Acura NSX and Porsche 964, Esprit prices have stayed in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, but budget a lot for maintenance. Owning an Esprit might be a headache, but there's nothing else quite like it.
1991-1995 Dodge Viper
Price: $40,000-$50,000
It's amazing how much Dodge Viper you can buy for $40,000. Some models, like the early roadsters and the GTS, are becoming pricey collector's items, but look hard enough and you can probably pick up a mid-1990s roadster in the $30,000 range. Hell, we've even seen them for $10,000, though don't expect greatness at that price. Not bad for one of America's greatest cars.
1999-2003 BMW M5
Price: $15,000-$25,000
The E39-generation BMW M5 was introduced to the US market in 1999, and remains one of the best cars BMW has ever made. It has a perfect balance, great looks, and a wonderful V-8 under the hood. Clean examples can still be found for less that $20,000.
1997-2004 Porsche Boxster
Price: $10,000-$20,000
Prices for air-cooled 911s have gone totally stratospheric, but the first Boxster is still incredibly affordable. Sure, it's not Porsche's prettiest car, and there were some quality issues early on, but it's got a fantastic chassis and enough power to exploit it. It's possible to find a good one for under $10,000, which seems like a steal.
1999-2004 Porsche 911
Price: $25,000-$35,000
If you can't stand the thought of owning a Porsche that isn't a 911, don't worry: The 996-generation 911 can routinely be found for under $30,000. You get more performance, that rear-engine driving experience, and that classic silhouette, all on the cheap.
1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette
Price: $15,000-$25,000
For around $15,000, you can get your hands on a C5 Corvette, which is an incredible value. This is a 175-mph car with a near-bulletproof 350-hp V-8 and good handling to boot. Sure, the interior wasn't Chevy's best effort, but it's a fair trade.
1989-2000 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Price: $15,000-$25,000
Unlike the beloved Toyota Supra, prices for the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo have remained fairly reasonable. You can find one in fantastic shape for around $20,000, and there are plenty of decent examples that cost less. With 300-hp from its 3.0-liter V-6, the Turbo Z is a legitimate performer too.
1993-2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Price: $15,000-$25,000
The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra was one of the most badass cars you could buy in the '90s. Luckily, prices remain low, meaning you can get them for less than the price of a new Mitsubishi Mirage.
1991-1992 GMC Syclone
Price: $30,000-$40,000
A pickup truck that could outrun a Ferrari to 60 mph? Of course people wanted to own the GMC Syclone when it was new. Today, they can be had for under $40,000 with ease. Just be warned, it doesn't actually make for a very good pickup truck.
1989-1999 Toyota MR2 Turbo
Price: $20,000-$30,000
Sad that 1990s Supras are expensive? Consider Toyota's other performance car of the era, the MR2 Turbo. Today, turbo version of Toyota's midship runabout are getting somewhat harder to find, but closed eBay listings indicate they're still available for under $30,000. That's not a ton for an excellent mid-engine chassis with tons of tuning potential.
1987-1996 BMW M5
Price: $30,000-$40,000
Though they're not as cheap as they used to be, the E34-generation BMW M5 from the Nineties is still within reach for most people. Used examples hover around the $20,000, though ultra-clean examples can go for much more than that.
1994-2003 Aston Martin DB7
Price: $25,000-$35,000
You can get an Aston Martin DB7 for under $30,000 if you look hard enough. The V-12-powered DB7 Vantage wasn't introduced until the 2000 model year, but the 355-hp straight-six that came with the car originally should provide plenty of fun. If you're on a tighter budget, you could pick up the DB7's close sibling, the Jaguar XK8.
1991-1995 Porsche 968
Price: $20,000-$30,000
The Porsche 968 was the ultimate evolution of the brilliant front-engine 944. It's only got a four-cylinder, but it displaces 3.0 liters and makes 236 horsepower. The 968 Turbo made an impressive 305 horsepower, but those are significantly harder to find.
1989-2001 Mercedes-Benz SL600
Price: $25,000-$35,000
V-12-powered Mercedes-Benzes are incredibly expensive when new, but you can get a 1990s SL600 for under $30,000 now. Of course, it'll probably be costly to maintain, but hey, you'll be driving one of the finest grand touring roadsters of the era.
1992-1999 BMW M3
Price: $10,000-$20,000
The first-generation BMW M3, the E30, has risen in price dramatically over the last three or so years, but its successor, the E36, is still somewhat of a bargain. That probably has something to do with U.S.-market M3s being deprived of the more powerful engine offered in Europe, but it's still a good car. There's a reason you see so many of these at track days.
Mitsubishi 3000GT
Price: $15,000-$25,000
The 3000GT was one of the most interesting, technologically advanced performance cars of the 1990s, and yet, it's a bargain compared to competitors like the Toyota Supra and Acura NSX. Even the top-of-the-line all-wheel drive 3000GT VR4 can be found under $30,000.
The 3000GT was originally supposed to star in Fast & Furious
A car enthusiast since childhood, Chris Perkins is Road & Track's engineering nerd and Porsche apologist. He joined the staff in 2016 and no one has figured out a way to fire him since. He street-parks a Porsche Boxster in Brooklyn, New York, much to the horror of everyone who sees the car, not least the author himself. He also insists he's not a convertible person, despite owning three.
Road & Track staff writer with a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
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