Like every other market, the classic car market is evolving fast, and it seems like it is becoming even more challenging to find a classic car that is not discovered and skyrocketed in value.
For some, the goal for restoring a classic car is to satisfy their passion for having a piece of art in their collection, while for some others, it is just to earn a bit of profit from them in the future, or maybe living their dream of driving a classic car with its loud exhaust note. Whatever the reason would be, there are many gems in the market that give the thrilling experience of driving. Many of them are good candidates to become a weekend car, like the second generation of Toyota MR2, which is a good bang for the buck.
With all that said, scroll more to learn about 10 classic coupes that are actually very affordable.
10 Mazda RX-7 SA22C ($8,500)
From this price tag, it is not easily noticeable that this car was one of the most influential wedge-shaped vehicles ever built. From the day this car hit the road, it gave all the wedge weirdness a road deserved.
It was around the fuel crisis of the 1970s, and Mazda introduced its more fuel-efficient rotary engines and became a serious competitor to companies like General Motors and Mercedes-Benz that were struggling to design their own efficient rotary engine. By the end of the 80s, this car became the dominant winner in IMSA history with a total of 100 wins.
9 Volkswagen Corrado ($8,500)
Back in the day, the Corrado was one of the coolest rides you could own, started from the "craze for coupes," and held steady throughout the 90s. This is one of the best front-wheel-drive ever produced on the Mk2 Golf platform, which this car was based on.
They come with either a 1.8L 16-valve engine, a supercharged 8v 1.8L G60, or the 2.9-liter VR6, and people could buy a 2.0-liter from 1992 until 1995. It's a bit comforting to know that all Corrados were galvanized, so rust shouldn't be an issue now.
8 Toyota MR2 W20 ($12,000)
This Ferrari-looking Toyota, or as it was famous, "poor man's Ferrari," is the second generation of MR2, which was redesigned for 1989 to become a more luxurious, spacious, and more powerful version of its predecessor.
This car was introduced to the US market with a 2.0-liter turbocharged that was capable of producing 200 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, while its standard engine was capable of producing 150 hp. The durability of this mid-engine sports car stood the test of time, and any gear head should appreciate the engineering and work that went to fine-tune this gem.
7 Alfa Romeo GTV-6 ($13,500)
This car has slipped through the crack and is not vastly collected, which means even though GTV-6 weren't produced in large numbers, they are still amazingly available today, and for not much money! Because of Alfa's financial problems and weak post-sale support during the GTV-6's lifetime, this car didn't get the attention it deserved.
This coupe Alfa has a lot to say. With an aft-mounted transaxle installed inboard disk- brakes, and the precise weight distribution, the GTV-6 has the superb sturdy handling of a bigger size car. It also enjoys a seamless powertrain.
6 Pontiac Firebird 1979-1981 ($14,500)
After the emission regulations of the 70s, most muscle cars just became part of history. Yet, Pontiac showed strength and survived the wave and easily competed with 'Cuda, Javelin, and even Challenger. 1979 marked the 10th anniversary of Firebird Trans Am and also the last year for Pontiac big-block V8, with only 1,817 units mounted on the anniversary cars.
As the 80s came closer, this very sought after car starts losing power but didn't lose its popularity. It is always exciting to test a new car with all the displays and techs, but there is something different about the loud exhaust noise of a colorful classic Firebird.
5 Porsche 944 ($15,000)
This car was a superb and successful improvement from 924, which was already one of Porsche's hits in the late 70s. The 944 inherited the balanced handling of its predecessor and none of the "VW engine" stigma.
The engine was a 2.5-liter all-aluminum 4-cylinder, which seemed a lot to handle at the time, but the clever twin balance shafts on both sides of the crankcase helped the car to achieve a smooth ride. This engine was later upgraded to 2.7 liters, which produced the same 163-hp power. This Porsche is built for a comfortable ride in the town with a serious cruising and overtaking capabilities.
4 Datsun 280ZX ($15,000)
The 280ZX hit the roads in 1979, Datsun's plan was to build a car more like a GT than a sports car, with the T-top, air-conditioning and digital instruments, some thought Datsun is going soft and losing the sports car battle.
In the 80s, Datsun introduced 280ZX Turbo, which was capable of producing 180 hp of power from a 2.8-liter straight-six engine and became one of the fastest cars in the US at that time. Later in 1982, they employed A Borg-Warner T-5 manual transmission and tweaked the rear suspension for better handling.
3 MGB GT ($16,000)
Built from 1965 to 1980, this hatchback coupe with a straight-four that only produces 85 hp might not sound appealing, but it's a well-made, dynamic, cheerful, and fun-to-drive car.
The GT can provide reliable transportation in every weather. With its balanced handling and powerful heater, it's even more enjoyable to drive in the winters; just don't forget to put the snow tires on! They are not very rare, and finding one in good condition shouldn't be that hard.
2 Mercedes-Benz 350SL C107 ($17,000)
From its release, the SL series was the embodiment of filthy rich. This classic coupe was designed and engineered with quality and durability in mind. Even today, you can easily find an unrestored example in excellent condition.
When launched, 350SL was a lot more expensive than its competitors, not entirely for some ridiculous reasons, but for its excellent built quality. This car may not be as fast as many sports cars, but it's relatively affordable and lets its owner have a reliable, smooth, and luxurious ride for years to come.
1 Triumph Stag ($22,000)
This Michelotti designed charismatic 2+2 specimen with its great-sounding 3.0-liter V8 engine was Triumph upscale attempt to compete with Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar E-Type, Yet, because of the reputation of the Mercedes and Jag in the US at the time, many Americans preferred their products to this car.
It just needs a bit of love; it's not rocket science to keep this car going. A regular timing chain change and making sure the radiator and water circulation are alright will make this car last a long time and will not let its owner down. Any true classic car enthusiast that finds a well-kept Stag should give it a chance.