10 Cheap '90s Dream Sports Cars

Jun 10, 2023

These wall poster cars are no longer a dream as they are now affordable sports cars, making them accessible for us all.

The popular video game Gran Turismo came out in 1997. Developed by amateur studio Polyphony Digital, it became the best-selling game for the PlayStation and revolutionized its genre and video games as a whole. But more than that, the "real driving simulator" exposed a whole generation of young car enthusiasts to the machines they would turn into icons. Besides the usual exotics and motorsport legends, the game also featured everyday commuters, and notably, more affordable sports cars. American children were exposed to the joy of driving early, and gained an appreciation for driving cars built to be fun before anything else, and offered at a more accessible price point.

But those children are now adults, and many of those cars they dreamed of one day driving while playing Gran Turismo have risen dramatically in value parallel to their astronomical demand. Integra Type Rs regularly sell for over $40,000, Toyota Supras fetch six figures, and Porsche 964 911s easily eclipse $250,000. But some notable '90s dream cars have skirted this astronomical inflation, forgotten poster cars that, for now, are still affordable for the working man. Here, we've listed our top 10 cheap '90s dream sports cars, not in any specific order, since the passion surrounding these vehicles isn't based on any kind of objectively quantifiable traits. Prices shown come from Hagerty's valuation tool.

The Mitsubishi GTO came to America as the 3000GT and Dodge Stealth, renamed to skirt copyright concerns (Pontiac owned the "GTO" moniker). It is a technological marvel for its time, featuring active aero and all-wheel steering, and a powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 on the premier VR-4 trim, which was meant to compete with the likes of the Honda NSX and the Nissan Skyline GT-R. It's criminally underrated, but that isn't a bad thing, as those who come to appreciate it can attain one for under $20,000.

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When it released, the Nissan 300ZX was criticized for straying from the formula set by the venerable 240Z. It was bashed for its radical styling and differing driving dynamics resulting from its increased size. It would be an uphill battle to regain its former glory; luckily for the car community, it was a task the 300ZX was capable of. It was eventually seen for what it is – a refined, technologically advanced sports car to rival the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 944 Turbo, and the Honda NSX, all of which it beat out in pure horsepower when equipped with the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine. Its headlights would appear on the Lamborghini Diablo, and it is a great car to this day. In fair condition they can be found for less than $10,000, however that number is increasing rapidly.

A tuner icon and weekend hero, the E36 M3 is finally beginning to gain the appreciation it deserves. Lauded by automotive publications as the best handling car of all time, the M3 is perhaps the greatest of its kind, even as it is overshadowed by its E30 and E46 siblings. It is the perfect balance between daily driver and track toy, built to be comfortable and usable on the road with its powerful and torque-happy 3.0-liter or 3.2-liter inline-six. It can be had in coupe, convertible, or sedan body styles for around $13,000, in fair condition. But mind the interior. Built to be eco-friendly, it degrades quickly and may need replacement. Considering its rapidly increasing popularity, it may be a good idea to purchase one now and await its almost certain appreciation.

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The fourth-generation Corvette pulled America's sports car out of the dregs of the malaise era. The convertible returned, along with the powerful LT1 and eventually LT4 V8s. The C4 was also a huge leap forward in modernity, featuring plastic body panels instead of fiberglass, and unibody construction which improved rigidity. It's sleek and modern design remains attractive to this day, with a sleek slanted nose and pop-up headlights. One can be had for under $10,000, even in good condition.

The highlight of the Corrado is its sonorous, narrow-angle naturally aspirated 2.8-liter V6, with only one cylinder head. Its compact nature allows it to fit in a Golf floor pan, keeping the Corrado small in size but big in power. Its unique engine and exciting driving dynamics make it a characterful enthusiast machine, and its beautiful and interesting styling draws the kind of attention even supercars can't. Few were produced, even so they can be found for under $10,000, an investment considering their rarity and increasing popularity.

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The Celica GT-Four is a homologation special built by Toyota solely to win in the WRC's Group A category. While the Supra has been made into a sort of JDM icon, the Celica has remained unnoticed, and therefore hasn't fetched the same absurd prices at the auction houses, even though in many ways the rally legend is a better drivers' car. Like in the Supra, everything in the cockpit faces the pilot, giving it a focused feel. Unlike the Supra, its all-wheel-drive system ensured its 252 hp 3S-GTE turbo-four could put the power down and provide fantastic grip on all surfaces. Proving its seriousness, the GT-Four won the 1995 Tour de Course. One can be yours for around $16,000, a bargain for a purpose-built racing machine such as this.

Interestingly, the Prelude is often overlooked when remembering the great Japanese cars of the '90s. This is a real shame, especially in the case of the SH (Super Handling) trim of the Prelude's fifth and final generation. With its Active Torque Transfer System, the front-wheel-drive coupe incorporated a hydraulically actuated planetary gear set within its differential to monitor lateral acceleration speed, steering angle, and yaw rate to provide for more neutral handling, which is often a problem in FWD cars. Its high-revving VTEC four-cylinder was mated to a short geared speed-speed manual – the only option available on the Type SH. They can be found in fair condition for under $10,000, but you'll have to cough up around $16,000 for a good example.

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Three things that'll whet the appetite of any car enthusiast: an engine with five cylinders, a manual transmission and the sports wagon. The Audi S4 Avant provided all of these experiences, with an optional V8 to boot. There aren't many cars out there that can carry five people, stay composed on the dirt, and out accelerate a Porsche 944 Turbo, much less so for easily under $20,000.

To replace the rather ancient W107 Mercedes SL, Bruno Sacco set out to create what he called "the perfect car". The W129 SL was criticized upon release for radical differences from its predecessor, and it would take time for it to be appreciated for the masterpiece it is. With six-, eight-, and twelve-cylinder options, there is an R129 for everyone. One can be had for less than $10,000, but for a decent example, it's best to cough up around twenty.

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It's often said that the Mazda MX-5 Miata is the obvious choice, but it doesn't really reach dream car territory. It simply isn't interesting enough to command that title, even if it's one of the most impressive sports cars ever produced. The Honda Beat provides those small car thrills of the Miata while still providing a unique experience. It's an innovative Kei car with a spunky, high revving three-cylinder that silences any misconceptions that small engines can't sound brilliant. That combined with inherently great maneuverability and gas mileage makes the Beat the perfect spunky little sports car, and has contributed to its iconic status. And considering they can be found for less than $9,000, it's a realistic addition to any car enthusiasts' life.