If you want an exotic car that will set your eyes on fire, then European cars offer you some of the most beautiful options. European cars are synonymous with sleek and sophisticated styling, and gearheads love them as they can get unique options, unlike most other cars on the road.
Unfortunately, most rare and limited production cars are unachievable unless money is no object to you. Those who would like a taste of the best-kept secrets in European engineering without breaking the bank will find this list of rare used cars helpful. Some of these options are surprisingly affordable and not slackers since they put down some serious performance.
10 Porsche 944 Turbo - $20,000
The U.S. of A. got just under 14,000 units of the Porsche 944 Turbo. The 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet is an even rarer version, which only had 528 examples made. By 2018, these cars had become rarer and highly sought-after, leading to increasing prices.
Since many enthusiasts overlook this car in favor of the more expensive 911 from the same period, these cars are still affordable. Nonetheless, this car still beams with Porsche charm.
9 BMW Z3 - $8,000
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If you're looking for a rare and unique car that won't break the bank, a BMW Z3 may be the perfect option. Although prices can vary depending on the specific model and condition of the car, you can often find BMW Z3s for sale at prices well below their original retail value.
The Z3 broke the long line of Aston Martins driven by the British spy James Bond in GoldenEye. Worldwide production amounted to about 15,000. Not a huge number, as only a fraction of them, remain on the road.
8 VW Scirocco R - $6,000
The Scirocco is an underrated R car from V.W. with a 2-liter turbocharged inline-four engine capable of 261 hp. It can go from 0 - 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Few of these cars are on the road compared to the V.W. Golf R.S.
This cool and good-looking car isn't far from the performance of a GTS. It drives and handles adorably, maintaining its aggressive styling and modern interior. It's a shame V.W. canceled these cars to make way for the more popular SUVs.
7 Brabus Roadster - $8,000
Any serious gearhead knows they've fallen in love with a small Brabus roadster whenever they saw one in the streets. Their values have risen in the past as the owners of the few anticipate further price hikes.
It features a turbocharged 0.7-liter inline-three engine that produces a cute 101 hp. Although 0-60 mph times are 9.5 seconds, this little go-kart feels fun to drive. The Brabus styling and badging around the car make it a premium little package that can turn heads wherever it goes.
6 Maserati Coupe - $15,000
The Maserati Coupe is arguably one of the best-sounding cars on this list, with a 4.2-liter V8 engine capable of 390 hp and a 0 - 60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. Many people are not buying these cars, although they probably should, as they are Maseratis.
It remains rare and underrated, despite being the cheapest entry point into Maserati ownership. Besides, it is the cheapest way to own a Ferrari-made engine. It looks like an exotic car from the exterior, it is nicely Italian on the interior, and it offers a good money-to-coolness ratio.
5 Abarth Punto Evo - $6,000
With many people preferring more established European names in the BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, fantastic cars such as the Abarth Punto Evo remain unspoken. This car has fabulous looks and gets its motivation from a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that can make 162 hp.
The Punto Evo makes more power than the average Punto and has a stiffer suspension. This tiny front-wheel drive car is not your premium racer, but it makes trips to the grocery store interesting.
4 Mercedes CL600 - $14,500
Not every day you find a V12 engine on a budget list, but that's exactly what the CL600 offers. A 367 hp 5.8-liter V12, to be exact. The thing can hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. Although not exactly the kind of performance you can expect from V12, these cars are rare, and only under 2,400 remain in the U.S.
People are more inclined to get an AMG, but the CL 600 is still a cool sports car capable of more power than the CL 55 AMG. This car is the old-school version of modern-day S-Class coupes; hence it features the same platform as the W220 S-Class, making it a luxury grand tourer.
3 Vauxhall Monaro - $15,000
The Vauxhall Monaro is a rebadged Holden with its roots in the Pontiac GTO. But if you want the European version, there you have it. This V8-engine car can be a serious sleeper in the right hands.
It has a 5.7-Liter V8 that pushes out 328 hp and can do 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds. That insane LS1 or LS3 engine sounds incredible, and although you might spot several Pontiac GTOs rocking it, it will be much harder to find one with the Vauxhall badge.
2 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA - $8,000
Anyone who loves Alfa Romeos knows the rare 147 GTA is an excellent car, but the 156 GTA is even rarer. The 156 boasts the same 3.2-liter V6 block as the 147 GTA, making 250 hp. This car can accelerate from 0 -60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
These lightened grand tourer cars came as either sedans or wagons, and both looked great. The reliability of these cars isn't too bad, but they need someone to look after them actively to get the best longevity out of them.
1 Volvo S80 V8 - $9,000
From an initial glance, this car might not turn so many heads, as it has that ordinary daily car look. However, once it launches, many people will remain in awe as it speeds away with its roaring engine.
The Volvo S80 V8 comes with a 4.4-liter V8 engine that can churn out 310 hp taking it from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Not bad at all for a luxury sedan. The interior isn't a very shouty place to be, but it has decent comfort. The Volvo S80 V8 might be the car for you if you are into European sleeper cars.