Forgotten Rides, Fresh Eyes
Some cars never got their moment. They weren’t flashy or hyped, just quietly brilliant. Now, experts are taking a second look—and the stories behind these forgotten gems are finally rolling back into view.
Porsche 968
Reminiscent about the early 90s when sleek coupes ruled—this model from Porsche marked the end of the front‑engine era, and only about 12,800 were produced between 1991 and 95. Owners still access parts thanks to shared 944 components, making this performance bargain quietly accessible.
BMW 635CSi
Visualize driving a refined grand tourer from BMW’s 1980s E24 lineup with style and presence. The 635CSi often lists for surprisingly modest sums—one example sold for under $20K recently. With its balance of luxury and performance, your driving pleasure doesn’t demand a premium‑priced exotic.
Mazda RX‑7 (FC/FD)
Picture the twin‑rotor whisper as the wheel spins: the second and third‑gen Mazda RX‑7 models offered exotic engine design and lightweight handling. The FD was introduced in 1991 and combined style and sport in one tidy package. With fewer of these examples in perfect shape, you have a chance at something rare and capable.
Mercedes‑Benz W126 560SEC
Consider the elegant coupe from Mercedes‑Benz’s flagship W126 generation: the 560SEC blended V8 power with timeless luxury in the late 80s. With solid build quality and fewer survivors, it remains an undervalued classic in the grand‑touring category.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia Commons
Volvo 240 Turbo
Recall the boxy yet charming appeal of the Volvo 240 Turbo? It pioneered safety‑conscious engineering, plus a surprisingly potent four‑cylinder turbo that made this sleeper pick. With many rusted‑out ones gone, a well‑kept example offers you a blend of vintage character and unexpected fun.
Toyota Soarer Z30
Imagine sliding into the luxurious interior of the Toyota Soarer Z30 from the early 90s—a Japan‑only coupe with refined tech. Though it quietly impressed its home market, it remains under‑hyped in other regions, giving you a chance to nab a stylish collectible with flair.
Nissan 300ZX Z32
Here’s a car that defined 90s performance. The Nissan 300ZX Z32 married twin‑turbo muscle with sophisticated styling and advanced suspension. While some have caught on, many examples remain priced far below their true capability—helping you secure sports‑car thrills without overspending.
Ferrari Mondial
For a taste of Italian exoticism that doesn’t break the bank, the Ferrari Mondial delivers V8 performance, mid‑engine layout, and that prancing horse badge. It may not have the headline appeal of a 512 BB or Testarossa, but that very fact keeps it undervalued among the Ferrari faithful.
Jaguar XJS V12
Fancy the silky V12 growl of a classic from Jaguar? This XJS V12 from the late 70s and 80s combines grand‑touring luxury with British character. With many examples ignored by hedge‑fund collectors, you, as a buyer, can tap into heritage without paying elite prices.
Chevrolet Corvette C4
Here’s an American icon doing double duty: the Chevrolet Corvette C4 (1984‑96) brought modern materials, digital dashboards, and performance to a familiar nameplate. Many buyers forget that early Corvette models offered real capability for less—offering classic car thrills with national brand heritage.
Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe
Pop the hood on this 80s muscle sleeper and you’ll find a supercharged 3.8L V6 pushing serious torque. It hugged the road thanks to independent rear suspension—rare for American coupes of its time. Most folks don’t realize just how ahead of its curve this Thunderbird really was.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche 944 Turbo
Slip into the driver’s seat and you’ll get 50/50 weight distribution, turbocharged excitement, and razor‑sharp steering. It’s not just a pretty face—it balances everyday comfort with track‑ready performance. Values still fly under the radar while everyone chases 911s.
MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons
Mitsubishi Starion/Turbo
You’ve probably seen this sharp‑angled 80s beast in an arcade game, but few realize it packed rear‑wheel drive and turbo grunt. Built with rally ambitions in mind, it shares DNA with the Chrysler Conquest. Unjustly overlooked, it offers JDM fun with a twist of obscurity.
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons
Saab 900 Turbo
Twist the key in the center console, and everything feels different in the best way. Quirky engineering? Absolutely. But the 900 Turbo earned its stripes in rally and real‑world reliability. If you crave personality and substance, this Saab speaks your language fluently.
Acura Legend Coupe
Peer into the early 90s luxury coupe scene and you’ll find understated elegance paired with Honda precision. It cruised like a boulevard king yet ran forever. Designed by Honda, this sleeper oozes heritage without demanding a fortune.
Maserati Biturbo (1980s)
Say what you want about Italian electrics; this twin‑turbo V6 sounded like pure espresso on wheels. Styled by Pierangelo Andreani and built for luxury speed, it was a bold move by Maserati. Today, low prices hide the fact that these are pure 80s exotica.
Volvo 850 T‑5R/R/Polestar
Turbocharged five‑cylinders and boxy charm made it a performance icon that looked like a delivery car. Painted in that unforgettable Cream Yellow, it defied expectations at every turn. Slam the tailgate and hear the thud of quality. This wasn’t your grandma’s wagon.
Alfa Romeo 164 Q4
Open the throttle on this sedan and you’ll feel why it earned its “Q” badge—permanent AWD, a Busso V6, and Italian soul in a boxy frame. While many Alfa lovers chase Spiders, this one’s been quietly waiting in the shadows, undervalued and unbothered.
Toyota MR2 Turbo (Mk2)
Launch it off a freeway on‑ramp and you’ll grin like a 90s teenager. With its mid‑engine layout, pop‑up headlights, and turbocharged punch, this MR2 danced like a budget Ferrari. Surviving examples in good condition are fast becoming unicorns.
Jasonhoward641, Wikimedia Commons
Porsche 928 GTS
Originally built to replace the 911, this GT cruiser wound up carving its own path. Under the hood, a 5.4L V8 hummed like velvet and roared like thunder. Despite its performance, collectors have long overlooked it in favor of more “pure” Porsches.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
Packed with tech like active aero, AWD, and four-wheel steering, it brought supercar engineering to the street without the badge markup. Twin turbos kept things exciting, and a luxurious interior made long drives a joy. Surprisingly, resale prices still lag behind its capabilities.
Jacob Frey 4A, Wikimedia Commons
Lotus Esprit Turbo (1980s)
This wedge-shaped British missile delivered exotic styling with hand-built finesse. Despite its Hollywood cameos and rally-bred chassis, the Esprit never soared in value like its Italian rivals, keeping it in bargain territory today.
BMW M5 E34
This was the last hand-assembled M car, powered by a 3.6L or 3.8L inline-six that revved like a banshee. With subtle styling and autobahn poise, it hid its performance in plain sight. Today, it’s eclipsed by newer M models—making it a gem for those who know.
Nissan Skyline R32 GTS-T (US Import Eligible)
Under JDM import laws, this turbocharged rear-driver finally made it stateside. Often overshadowed by its AWD GT-R sibling, the GTS-T still offered RWD thrills, RB-series sound, and tuning potential. Enthusiasts hunting for R32 fun without the GT-R tax find gold right here.
Fiat X1/9 5-Speed
Styled by Bertone and mid-engined to boot, this targa-topped featherweight brought Italian charm to American roads. It may not scream horsepower, but with go-kart handling, it turns more heads than many six-figure rides. Prices still haven’t caught up with nostalgia.
