The 1970s and '80s weren't the greatest automotive decades, especially in terms of high-end cars. Although there were a few fast cars with turbocharged engines in the '80s, almost everything else had nothing special to offer. Bodies were boxy and poorly proportioned, and performance was an alien language.
Updated April 2022: If you're looking for a cheap, classic luxury car from the 1990s, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with even more information and the latest prices according to Hagerty's Valuation Tool.
However, things changed in the wake of the 1990s. Auto designers dumped their T-squares and straight edges and adopted curvy designs again. Before long, technology and government caught up with emission requirements. Carmakers had no option but to build enhanced engines that unleashed beastly performances that had never been seen before in the auto industry. While things have dramatically changed, and the modern world has some of the most remarkable high-end cars the world has ever seen, these 1990s cars are hard to ignore. They were expensive when new, but thanks to their many years of age, these used cars are dirt cheap in 2022.
17 1990 Porsche 944 Turbo (Original: $47,625 / 2022: $23,100)
The Porsche 944 was released in 1982 and was in production for nine years until 1991. It's a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car and was available in a coupe or cabriolet style. It was offered with naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. The 944 was Porsche's most successful car line in history until the introduction of the Boxster in 1996.
Although the original base price retailed at $47,625, the 1990 944 Turbo is one of the most affordable classic daily driver cars to drive in 2022. The used car market has excellent examples ranging from $23,000 to around $30,000.
16 1991 BMW 325i - E30 (Original: $35,000 / 2022: $16,700)
The BMW 325i was introduced in 1986 as a variant of the E30 BMW 3 Series. It was powered by BMW's 2.5L inline-six M20B25 engine, paired with manual or automatic transmissions. The engine produced around 170hp, which drove the rear wheels.
As one of the most popular versions of the E30, the 325i was offered in four body styles; a coupe, convertible, sedan, and a station wagon, known as the Touring. BMW also created an all-wheel variant called the 325ix powered by the same 2.5L inline-six unit in the 325i. The 325i - E30 is one of the best cheap classic BMWs today. An excellent car for weekend cruising or daily driving to work or school. The 325i can easily go past 250,000 miles with the perfect maintenance. And it is available in the used car market for approximately $16,700.
15 1991 Porsche 928 S4 (Original: $77,500 / 2022: $29,435)
Another Porsche on the list, this one's less of a sports car and more of a luxury grand tourer. This car has a long history of production from 1978 to 1995. It was originally intended to replace the iconic 911, and it became Porsche's flagship model for a time. It was also the first Porsche with a V8 engine and the only coupe with a front-mounted V8. There were 61,056 Porsche 928s made during its lifetime, with 2,078 of those being of the 1989 to 1991 model as pictured here.
Featuring an upgraded version of the 5.0-liter V8 with 316hp and significant styling updates from previous Porsches, the S4 was cleaner and sleeker and was on the verge of becoming a true world car. In 1992 - 1993 in North America, the car paved the way for the final offering of the 928 Series, the 928 GTS. Originally, the car came with a hefty starting price of $77,500. In today's used car market, good condition 1991 models are available for approximately $29,500.
14 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (Original: $25,000 / 2022: $17,403)
The Ford Mustang SVT Cobra is a classic in its own right and it was produced between 1993 and 2004 by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) as a high-performance version of the Mustang. It was top-of-the-line and considered to be above the Mustang GT and Mach 1 models. The base models were relatively inexpensive originally at just $25,000, and now you can get one even cheaper, for an average price of $17,000. However, a precise search could reveal some examples at less than $10,000.
A race-ready version of the SVT Cobra was produced on three different occasions to participate in street races. The car was originally replaced by the 2007 Shelby GT500. The original engine on these cars was a 5.0-liter Windsor V8 that produced 235 hp.
13 1998 Chevy Camaro Z28 (Original: $20,000 / 2022: $12,600)
This Chevy Camaro Z28 is a fourth-generation sports car produced between 1993 and 2002. The body style is based on an updated version of the "F-body" platform, though it keeps many of the same characteristics as the first-generation Camaro of 1967. This rear-wheel-drive looker came available as a coupe or convertible, and in 1998, starting with this model, it was revised with a new exterior and engine.
The Camaro Z28 was officially discontinued in 2002 due to slow sales and because the sports coupe market was falling apart. Because of that, you'd think that these cars might have gone up in value, becoming collector items of sorts, but you'd be wrong. The 1998 Camaro Z28 is available for as low as $12,600.
12 1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate (Original: $28,000 / 2022: $13,800)
The first generation of the Buick Roadmaster entered production in 1936 and ran until 1958. The Roadmaster would not make a come back for another 33 years when the ninth-generation model came out in 1991, and it was discontinued again in 1996. These land yachts could originally be bought for $28,000, but nowadays, they are available for dirt cheap. A good condition model of this wagon can be bought for $13,800, but if the budget does not allow it, a good search can reveal some fair condition examples for as low as $7,700.
The original Roadmasters were built on Buick's longest non-limousine wheelbase, just like Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles of the time. The ninth-gen models were also Buick's largest vehicle at the time, being 10 inches longer than the Park Avenue and 6 inches longer than the Cadillac Sedan DeVille.
11 1991 BMW M5 (Original: $104,000 / 2022: $17,900)
The BMW M5 has been available since 1985 in different forms. The production of these cars is still going strong today. The M5 is the sport sedan version of BMW's 5 Series executive cars. The first-generation models were hand-built by BMW's Motorsport division on a 535i chassis with a modified M1 engine. Its engine made the M5 the fastest production sedan of its day. The E34 M5 is the second generation of the car, produced from 1989 to 1995. These cars could reach 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 155 mph.
There were also four special editions of the car released: the Cecotto, the Winkelhock, the 20 Jahre Motorsport, and the U.K. Limited. Though they began at $104,000 in 1991, fair condition 1991 M5 can be bought for around $17,900.
10 1992 Subaru Alcyone SVX (Original: $73,000 / 2022: $12,500)
The Subaru Alcyone SVX, or just the Subaru SVX as it's known in Japan, is a two-door grand tourer coupe produced and sold by Subaru from 1991 to 1996. Subaru is the car manufacturing division of the Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries. These cars were FHI's first attempt at entering the luxury and performance car market by combining comfort and performance, something that was unheard of at the time.
Though FHI had high hopes for these cars, they didn't do too well. They were produced for a short period of five years and had hefty price tags starting from $73,000. Today, the SVX is exchanging hands in excellent conditions at around $12,700 and fair conditions at approximately $3,000. The name "Alcyone" is in reference to the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, on which Subaru's logo is also based.
9 1995 Mercedes-Benz S500 (Original: $62,700 / 2022: $17,800)
The 1995 Mercedes-Benz S500 was the luxury executive car of choice when launched 25 years ago. Today, the S500 is a fine automobile that proves that well-built luxury never goes out. Under its hood hides a monstrous 5.0-liter V8 with an excellent output of 320 horsepower. To complement this performance-focused output, Mercedes gave the S500 an upscale interior that looks as good as new in well-maintained examples costing around $17,800.
The Mercedes-Benz S500 features a timeless design characterized by small details like little wipers meant to ensure that the headlights are crystal clear at night. Technology and safety in this car were also on point. Reversing sensors were there to help the driver avoid hitting things when parking.
8 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT-VR4 (Original: $31,400 / 2022: $14,000)
The Mitsubishi 3000GT, also called the GTO in Japanese markets, is a sports car produced between 1991 and 1999. It was also imported and sold as the Dodge Stealth by Chrysler of North America. Although minor exterior details differentiated the two cars, they were practically identical. That's because Mitsubishi Motors and Chrysler partnered up to create the 3000GT.
Throughout its existence in Japan, the GTO was sold exclusively at a retail chain called Car Plaza, which had significant road tax costs added to the sale of every car because the exterior dimensions of the GTO didn't meet "compact size" regulations. These cars are both sleek and fast. They originally sold for around $31,000, but now are available for nearly half that, at $14,000.
7 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (Original: $30,500 / 2022: $12,700)
The Pontiac Firebird is a legendary American pony car built between 1967 and 2002. During its 35-year run, the Firebird competed most frequently with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. The Trans Am and the Camaro shared the same platform. The name "Firebird" was originally used by GM for their General Motors Firebird of the 1950s and some early concept cars. The 1999 model pictured here is a fourth-generation, which received a refresh with a new hood and front fascia and dual intakes, retracting quad headlights, fog lamps, air vents, and a lower door, among other changes.
This was done to try and compete with the fresh new Camaro. The Firebird Trans Am was given a derivative of the Corvette's 5.7-liter V8 engine. These cars, which were once sold new for $30,500, can now be bought for around $12,700 in fair conditions, and up to $37,100 in Concours conditions.
6 1990 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1 (Original: $59,000 / 2022: $30,634)
Speaking of Corvettes, here we have the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, part of the C4 series of Corvettes produced from 1984 to 1996. This car, in particular, a new generation model from 1990, would set the new record for the highest 24-hour-5,000 mile land speed, by going over 175 mph. Despite a completely new chassis and redesigned, sleeker styling, prices for the ZR-1 increased, which led to decreased sales.
The last C4 Corvette was released on June 20, 1996. What is featured here is a ZR-1 that was built smack dab in the middle of its production, right after General Motors acquired Group Lotus from the U.K. and came up with the idea of developing the world's fastest production car. When launched in 1990, the C4 ZR-1 was sold for $59,000. Today, the car is neither expensive nor cheap, a good condition example can be bought for around $30,634.
5 1994 Aston Martin DB7 Volante (Original: $150,000 / 2022: $35,000)
The Aston Martin DB7 is a grand tourer first introduced in 1994. The car enjoyed a ten-year production run until 2004 and was offered as a coupe or a convertible. The DB7 was originally known as the NPX project, and it was made with financial backing from Ford, who owned Aston Martin from 1988 to 2007, and with resources from Jaguar, whose XJS makes the platform for the DB7. It became Aston Martin's most-produced car, with over 7,000 units.
These high-quality tourers were originally very expensive with starting prices of $150,000, but you can now find one for less than a quarter of the cost. With a precise search in used car showrooms and online car sales, a good condition DB7 can be found for around $35,000.
4 1995 Lotus Esprit S4 (Original: $76,000 / 2022: $28,000)
The Lotus Esprit is an awesome sports car that was produced between 1976 and 2004 as one of the first "folded paper" designs by car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The designer originally wanted to call the car "Kiwi," but Lotus had a tradition of starting all the names of their cars with the letter E, so Esprit became the moniker.
With a lifespan of almost 30 years, it's no wonder the Esprit went through different generations. The 1995 model pictured here is an S4S or Series 4 Sport. It was the first Esprit with a rear wing. Its engine was a 2.2-liter 910-series inline-4 with a turbocharger, cylinder head mods, and enlarged inlet ports. The last four-cylinder Esprit here retailed at $76,000 at release. Today, fair condition examples are available for $28,000, however, prices go up to $76,300 for Concours examples, making it more expensive than new.
3 1997 Dodge Viper GTS (Original: $66,000 / 2022: $36,900)
The Dodge Viper is a sports car manufactured between 1992 and 2017, with a brief hiatus between 2010 and 2013). It is one of the highly prized classic cars. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne of Chrysler considered ending production totally in 2010, but they announced a new model in 2012.
The 1997 GTS here is a coupe model with an 8.0-liter V10 engine which gave it 450 hp. The GTS was also the first Viper with power windows and airbags. For what many consider to be a supercar, the Dodge Viper has never been too expensive, unless it is a racing version like the SRT Viper GT3-R, which costs $459,000. A 1997 GTS in fair condition can easily be found with a budget of $36,000, although a detailed search could reveal more affordable examples.
2 1999 Porsche Boxster 986 (Original: $41,000 / 2022: $12,500)
The Porsche Boxster has a pretty long history of production. First introduced in 1996, the Boxster is a 2-seater, mid-engined roadster, named after its flat "boxer" engine and 2-seater capacity. The first-generation 986, which was produced between 1996 and 2004, was inspired by the 356 Cabriolet and the 550 Spyder. It's widely speculated that the introduction of the 986 helped save Porsche from an acquisition.
All 986 Boxsters use an M96 engine, a water-cooled, flat-6, and the first water-cooled, mid-engine car made by Porsche. Unfortunately, these engines had some failures, which often led to them being scrapped. However, the Porsche Boxster is one of the best and most fun-to-drive classic cars available for around $12,500.
1 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL600 (Original: $130,000 / 2022: $21,700)
The Mercedes-Benz SL600 is a grand touring sports car, and one of Mercedes-Benz's longest-running cars. These cars have been around since 1954, originally conceived as a toned-down Gran Prix car to attract post-WWII American markets. The American market is still the primary market for these cars, which have been around for 64 years.
Powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine capable of 394 hp, the SL600 is at the top of the range of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Series. When new in 1999, the SL600 cost a whopping $130,000. Today it is one of the most affordable classic Benz cars. A small budget of $21,700 takes home a good condition model, while the Concours units cost north of $60,000.
Sources: jalopnik.com; roadandtrack.com; wikipedia.org