The 1990s produced some of the coolest sports cars ever. As time has worn on, several of these once-out-of-reach vehicles have come to a price where the average person can afford to purchase one used. Some great sports cars from the 1990s will last a lifetime, while others will cost a fortune just to keep running.
Owning a sports car is often not about the money but rather the pure ecstasy behind the wheel. The 1990s gave us classics like Mazda's RX-7 FD and the Acura NSX. Though some of these cars can be found at reasonable prices today, investing in the wrong one will have you spending more money than buying a brand new sports car!
10 Expensive To Maintain: Maserati Shamal
Only produced for about half of the 1990s, the Maserati Shamal was an attractive twin-turbo v8, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car. With aggressive styling, a 0-60 in just 5.3 seconds, and a beautiful luxury interior, the Shamal was a peak 90s sports car.
Despite the beautiful allure of owning a Maserati Shamal, expect service and maintenance costs alone to cost thousands of dollars per year, and that's not including major mechanical repairs. That's even after you've forked over $100,000 just to buy one!
9 Expensive To Maintain: Ferrari F355
Ferrari only produced the F355 for five years throughout the 1990s. Still, with the iconic look, and improved performance over predecessors, the Ferrari F355 took center stage for the Italian brand during its run. Powered but a 3.5L V8, the F355 is a furious sports car in a stylish package.
As with everything Ferrari does, nothing comes cheap on the F355. Even simple oil changes can cost more than $500! Parts are hard to come by and costly when they're discovered—further, good luck finding anyone who wants to work the Ferrari F355.
8 Expensive To Maintain: Lotus Esprit S4
Buying this classic sports car from the 1990s can be as cheap as $39,000. This cost is relatively reasonable, considering today it would cost more than $175,000 when adjusted for inflation. The Lotus Esprit S4 featured sharp lines and 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, making it an iconic sports car!
Though you can purchase examples for reasonable prices, its mid-engine is extremely difficult to work on, meaning routine maintenance and large-scale repairs are costly.
7 Expensive To Maintain: Mazda FD RX-7
Fans of the Fast and Furious saga were quick to scour the internet for the Mazda RX-7 FD after Tokyo Drift was released. Few had any idea that this classic 1990s sports car would cost so much to keep alive.
The Mazda RX-7 FD features a quite complicated sequential twin-turbocharged system which provides a fantastic 252HP, but often parts are hard to locate. The cost of a rotary mechanic can be quite costly also. Additionally, owners on Reddit are quick to point out the cost of maintaining one!
6 Expensive To Maintain: Honda Prelude 5th Generation
Not to be left out of the sports car game, Honda continued to revamp the Prelude throughout the 1990s, ultimately giving the car a 209HP engine, providing exceptional capabilities for a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Being a cheap sports car helped, as the Prelude would go for $33,000 today adjusted for inflation.
While 1990s Honda Preludes are available at a bargain, this guy on Reddit calculated the total cost of ownership at well over $40,000! With the introduction of computers, the 5th gen Prelude suffers from transmission issues that get costly quick!
5 Lasts A Lifetime: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Perhaps the most well-known 2-seater the world over, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has some great examples from the 1990s. Though the Mazda MX-5 Miata didn't boast the kind of horsepower, the weight and styling made it incredibly popular.
Further, in addition to finding great examples cheap, the MX-5 Miata will last forever. With a yearly average maintenance cost of $429 the Miata is more affordable to maintain than most modern vehicles!
4 Lasts A Lifetime: Acura NSX
The Acura NSX began life inspired as a jet cockpit, making the NSX one of the coolest 1990s sports cars ever! Additionally, with its all-aluminum body and a 290 HP engine, the 90s NSX remains one of the best JDM cars ever produced.
Though examples from the 90s aren't cheap, the Acura NSX will last a lifetime. Average yearly maintenance only costs $354, and the NSX is guaranteed to turn heads!
3 Lasts A Lifetime': Mitsubishi 3000GT
Produced for only one generation that covered the entire 90s, this JDM sports car competed with many of the best sports cars, including the Nissan 300ZX. With a beautiful twin-turbo V6 producing 300HP, this AWD car was not to be messed with!
A bit of research uncovers Mitsubishi 3000GT's priced below $4,000! Additionally, at $497 annually in maintenance costs, the 3000GT will have you keeping more of your money and more smiles!
2 Lasts A Lifetime: Toyota MR2
Like the MX-5, the Toyota MR2 is a small yet sporty 2-seater capable of 200HP. The beautiful MR2 could hit 0-60 in only 6.1 seconds, and the aggressive styling kept it on par with the big Italian brands.
You can find pristine examples of the Toyota MR2 for a little as $18,000. Plus, at $439 per year to maintain, this zippy 2-seater will keep quite well for a lifetime!
1 Lasts A Lifetime: Nissan 300ZX
A predecessor to the 350Z, the Nissan 300ZX was an excellent example of JDM beauty at its finest! Producing a 0-60 in 5 seconds helped boost the Fairlady Z to prime 90s coolness! Further, solid examples can be had around $22,000.
At only $471 to maintain per year, the 300ZX will last a lifetime. The 300ZX may have set the stage for the 350Z and 370Z but remains a better option almost three decades later.