Everyone Loved These 10 Sports Cars A Decade Ago, But Not Anymore

It's always been fascinating to observe the rapid evolution of the automotive industry, and quite a lot can happen in just ten years. The 2000s introduced incredible advancements in sports car designs, not to mention influential car inventions like LED lights, infotainment systems, dual-clutch transmission, advanced turbocharging, GPS satellite navigation, and radar-based cruise control. Although most of these features are still available in modern sports cars, technological advancement and consumer preference have seen automakers make significant tweaks and upgrades.

On the other hand, the 2010s also brought forth contemporary technologies such as keyless entry, drivers assists systems, autonomous driving, smartphone integration, and voice integration features that every buyer wants today. With all these changes, sitting behind the wheel of a 2000s sports car today feels like a short trip through a time capsule. As a result, most enthusiasts don't love the sports cars in this list the same way they did a decade ago.

10 Nissan 350Z

Black 2003 Nissan 350Z Parked Outside — via Mecum

Nissan owes part of its sports car legacy to the legendary Z lineup, known for its distinct styling and reputation for performance and power at affordable prices. The fifth-generation Z, the 350Z, saw Nissan echo to the 240Z DNA to remedy where the previous 300ZX failed. The 350Z rejuvenated interest in the Z lineup through its muscular styling, two-seater format, increased engine capacity, and lighter weight.

The 350Z employs the same VQ35DE unit as the Skyline 350GT, a 3.5-liter V-6 capable of 287hp and 274lb-ft of torque. The 350Z is now revered as a modern classic, and some enthusiasts still enjoy its old-school driving dynamics, but it doesn't enjoy as much love as it once did.

9 Lotus Elise

The much-loved Elise created a lasting legacy thanks to its ground-breaking engineering and minimalist construction, offering drivers an outstanding driving experience with instantaneous connection to the road. The revolutionary chassis technology in the Elise was critical to its sales success story, allowing it to become the fastest-selling Lotus sports car in the automaker's history.

The Elise set the standard that inspired the Aston Martin Vanquish and Tesla Roadster, not forgetting low-volume cars like the Morgan Aero 8 and Alpine A110. We still acknowledge the contributions of the Mk1 and Mk2 Elise generations in shaping the automotive landscape, but they are outdated and a rare sight on the road.

8 Dodge Viper

Yellow 2001 Dodge Viper GTS ACR In The Parking Lot — Via Bring a Trailer

When it comes to iconic American cars, the bad boy Dodge Viper sports car ranks very high on the list. Inspired by the sensational Shelby Cobra, the Viper engrained an indelible mark in folklore through its alluring styling, exceptional engineering, jaw-dropping speed, racetrack dominance, and roaring V-10 engines.

Yellow 2001 Dodge Viper GTS ACR In A Parking Lot — via Bring a Trailer

Interestingly, Dodge built several special-edition models like the Viper GT2 and Voodoo Edition, while track-oriented versions included the GTS-R, Viper Competition Coupe, and Viper ACR-X. Although the second to fourth-generation Vipers helped define the high-performance sports car segment in the 2000s, most of the technology in these models is below par compared to what contemporary models offer.

7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Blue 2002 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 2Parked Outside — via Chevrolet

It's incredible how America's favorite sports car evolved from a country-club cruiser to a legendary performance icon that defined its segment. At the turn of the 21st century, Chevrolet upped the game by introducing the high-performance Z06 trim level, offered exclusively for the fixed-roof Corvette.

Blue 2002 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 Parked Outside — Chevrolet

Compared to the standard Corvette, the Z06 version enticed gearheads through its improved power-to-weight ratio, suspension refinements, brake cooling ducts, larger tires, trimmed weight, and titanium mufflers. Unsurprisingly, the Corvette is currently the world's longest-running, continuously produced sports car. However, the outdated technology in Z06 models of the C5 and C6 generations has seen their desirability decline sharply in recent years.

6 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

amdb7v12vantage-2-via-secret-classics — Via Secret Classics

The DB7 epitomized the heritage and pedigree of Aston Martin in the mid-90s, but the elegant yet classic DB7 Vantage carried the tradition into the 2000s. The most notable exterior changes included a wider grille, combined fog/indicator lamps, more flare on the arches, and relocation of the side mirrors from the door to the cheater panels.

amdb7v12vantage-4-via-secret-classics — Via Secret Classics

The DB7 Vantage made its mark as the first Aston Martin to house a V-12 under the hood, a 6.0-liter unit that appealed to the majority with an impressive 420hp output. Aston Martin has since produced models like the Vanquish, Zagato, Valkyrie, One-77, and Vulcan that boast better performance, innovation, and technology than the trend-setting DB7 Vantage.

5 Saleen S7

Yellow Saleen S7 Parked On Driveway — via Saleen

Despite the unintended mystery surrounding its origin story, the high-performance Saleen S7 is one of America's greatest supercars. Unlike most supercars, the rare S7 features a lightweight but rigid bodywork comprising glassfiber and carbon fiber wrapped around a tubular steel spaceframe.

The street-legal S7 version features a 7.0-liter V-8 mid-engine with over 500hp, the upgraded S7 TT produced from 2005 boasts 740hp, and the S7 Competition Package delivers a whopping 986hp. Admittedly, the new generation of enthusiasts is re-discovering the awes of the race-bred Saleen S7, but it remains one of those legendary cars that time forgot.

4 Ferrari 360 Modena

Silver 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena Parked Roadside — Via: Mecum Auctions

The Ferrari 360 Modena ushered a decisive turning point in the history of the Prancing Horse, becoming the first production Ferrari to feature lightweight all-aluminum construction. Furthermore, the 360 Modena pioneered the radical departure from the taut lines, central egg-crate radiator grille, and retractable headlights of the classic Ferrari.

One of the most defining characteristics of the 360 Modena is the 425hp 3.6-liter Tipo F131 longitudinally mid-mounted V-8, fully visible through the rear window. Despite playing a revolutionary role in the design, construction technology, and aerodynamics of modern Ferrari sports cars, the 360 Modena now lags behind its successors in every aspect.

3 Lamborghini Murcielago

Yellow 2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Tracking — via Lamborghini

The Murcielago's controversial styling famously stirred emotions from enthusiasts globally, setting the bar for a new era of Lamborghinis for the new millennium. As the first sports car built by Lamborghini under Audi's stewardship, the Murcielago benefited from higher-quality testing procedures and standards that made it more user-friendly and reliable than most of its predecessors.

Yellow 2006 Lamborghini_Murcielago LP640 Parked Outside — via Lamborghini

At the heart of the Murcielago is Lamborghini's legendary V-12, a 572hp 6.2-liter unit that evolved in subsequent models to deliver 631hp (LP 640-4), 641hp (LP 650-4 Roadster), and 660hp (670-4 SV). The Murcielago enjoyed big-screen success and an extraordinary career in video games during its nine-year production run, but its days under the sun are now long gone.

2 Bugatti Veyron

Black On Blue Bugatti Veyron On Display — via Miller Motor Cars

The Veyron features a classic two-tone design and characteristic side-view reminiscent of earlier Bugatti vehicles, while the centerline and horseshoe-shaped radiator grille echo the company's racing heritage. Bugatti interlaced these classic design cues with stunning horizontal headlamps and cutting-edge technologies like a retractable spoiler.

The Veyron debuted Bugatti's extraordinary W16 engine, an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged technical masterpiece that develops 987hp and 922lb-ft of torque. Naturally, the absurd power of this engine made it the fastest production car of the time. Numerous models have since surpassed the Veyron's speed record, pushing it lower in the desirability pecking order.

1 Koenigsegg CCX

Silver Koenigsegg CCX Cruising On The Road — via Koenigsegg

The CCX is a high-performance gem that embodied everything the Koenigsegg brand stood for; sheer power, jaw-dropping speed, and revolutionary engineering. Thanks to its substantial power-to-weight ratio, the CCX earned its stripes by claiming numerous speed records, including a Top Gear speed record that stood unbeaten for seven years.

Silver Koenigsegg CCX Parked On The Road — via Koenigsegg

Like the CCR, the CCX appealed to the majority through an 817hp 4.8-liter mid-engine V-8, an innovative aero package, and a carbon fiber tub with a removable and stowable roof. While the CCX was the first Koenigsegg sold in the U.S. market, its predecessors gradually overshadowed its achievements and posted even more success milestones.