Whether it be their styling, power, or performance, many cars of the 2000s are regarded as some of the best driver's cars of all time and are becoming rather collectible. They set the standards and expectations for newer models to live up to and propelled them to break technology and performance barriers. For example, if the Audi TT wasn't such a smash hit in the early 2000s, the R8 would have perhaps never seen daylight.

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Although this is true, some sports cars coming out of the 2000s didn't receive great accolades and faded into obscurity. This is sometimes due to them being overshadowed by their competition or simply because they weren't what the market was looking for at the time. As such, the vehicles on this list have gone on under the radar for quite some time. Some of them are now gaining followers, but most of them don't have a high level of interest in them.

10 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo

 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo (Autoblog)
Via Autoblog

The Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo brought a more powerful setup to the Cobalt lineup. The car was released in 2008 and it came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec engine which produced 260 hp. It brought more luxuries with it too, along with another power boost in 2009 to 290 hp.

 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Via Grassroots Motorsports

In terms of other additions, the SS Turbo came with sporty seats and wider wheels which were 18 inches in diameter. The car also had launch control which allowed more consistent launches when being driven competitively, helping it achieve a 0-60 time in just 5.5 seconds. However, the car has been under the radar of many people for quite some time as it was FWD and the engine was small for US markets.

9 Mercury Marauder

 Mercury-Marauder-F-Bring-A-Trailer
Via Bring a Trailer

The 2003 Mercury Marauder was the revival of the nameplate after 33 years, and at the time of release, it was very highly anticipated. It was a very good performer which as had been the previous generations of the car. Coming with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produced 302 hp, the car was outstanding in terms of power and performance.

 Mercury-Marauder-1
Via Consumer Guide

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Even more surprisingly, the car made quite a good dragster and it is perfect to tune to be even better for drag racing. Sadly the car kind of went under the radar for many enthusiasts as its sales were reduced quite significantly by 2004 and this showed that many people weren't exactly interested in owning one, but it has since started to gain a cult following.

8 Pontiac GTO

 2005-Pontiac-GTO
Via Hemmings

The Pontiac GTO of 2005 wasn't all that impressive in terms of sales, and many consider it to have flopped. Coming with an LS2 engine which produced 400 hp, the car definitely offered a more performance-packed engine than the 2004 edition of the car. Indeed, the car was good and there isn't really that much wrong with it. While it was a little rushed to be put on the market, it wasn't as horrible to drive as many consider.

 2005 Pontiac GTO  blue
Via Hagerty

The thing was that sales were low, and this reflected badly on Pontiac as many actually think this car destroyed the brand. As such, it has stayed under the radar and it is often slammed as being bad, but in reality, it isn't a shockingly bad car and it has many good aspects to it.

7 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

 Monte Carlo SS
Via Wikimedia Commons

As a part of the sixth generation, the 2006 Monte Carlo was facelifted and brought a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 211 hp to the market. This was interesting enough, but the SS version brought a 5.3-liter V8 engine that produced 303 hp which was the first V8 used in a Monte Carlo since 1998.

 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Via Wilson County Chevrolet Buick GMC on Youtube

The optional stripes at the front enhanced how stylish the car was and it definitely distinguished the vehicle from the standard Monte Carlo. However, despite its style, the car has long been under everyone's radar. The Monte Carlo was never as iconic as other Chevrolet sports cars, like the Camaro and Corvette, and as such this cool sports car is overlooked.

6 Spyker C8

 Spyker C8
Via Wikimedia

The Spyker C8 is notoriously underrated, especially due to its uniqueness and obscurity. It was designed to compete with Audi and its engine capabilities, and it did come with great performance with the top speed of 187 mph and able to go 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

 Spyker C8 Interior
Via Wikipedia

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It is great in terms of power, but it also looks pretty cool throughout the inside of the car too. The styling is very retro and it comes with excellent detailing features throughout too. Indeed the Spyker C8 has mainly gone under the radar because most people don't know it exists, and there aren't many on the roads either.

5 Fiat Panda 100hp

  Fiat panda
Via Fiat

The Fiat Panda is known for being quite a bland car for some, with it not always being considered the most exciting car. However, the 100 hp model is completely different and it is a very fun hot hatch. Indeed, the standard car was more reliable for city driving whereas the hot hatch offers a great amount of fun because it has 100 hp and a cool body kit.

 Fiat Panda 100 hp
Via pistonheads

Suspension updates allowed for the Panda to be sportier and the steering was outstanding. The lightweight Panda was perfect for hot hatch driving. However, it mainly remained under the radar since many originally associated the Panda with being a city car instead of a sporty hatchback, but it has since grown in popularity however it still isn't as well known and as loved as it should be.

4 Ferrari California

 Ferrari California
Via Classic Driver

The Ferrari California is often considered to be one of the more entry levels cars in the Ferrari lineup. It isn't the worst-ever Ferrari - it comes with the distinct styling one would expect a Ferrari to have along with the same power levels as it came with a nice 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 engine too. But it didn't really appeal to the die-hard fans.

 Ferrari California
Via Roman's International

It simply stayed under the radar as it didn't really wow anyone - it was good but not as headline-grabbing as other Ferraris. Yet, despite its cheaper pricing and entry-level appeal, the California is underrated because it is still a great car, and it speaks for what Ferrari offers, and its price is actually a welcoming point for many as it is a good way to get into the Ferrari market.

3 Volkswagen Eos 3.2

 VW Eos 3.2
Via Carscoops

The Volkswagen Eos 3.2 has been left under the radar for a very long time as it is often considered to be a little drab, especially inside the car. It has stylish looks and the car is well built, coming with the refined build quality that VW is associated with. The car also shares the same 3.2-liter V6 engine as the Golf R32 but it comes with a nice sports body and sporty appeal too.

 VW Eos 3.2
Via Carscoops

As such, the Volkswagen Eos 3.2 is a fun little motor, bringing a nice sporty feel to it. The folding top makes it a cool car for the summer months too. Despite it being a little underrated and often forgotten about, the Eos can be considered a good car that is a fantastic bargain.

2 Saturn Sky Roadster

  Saturn Sky Roadster
Via Turnology

The Saturn Sky Roadster was released in 2007, coming with a turbocharged engine that produces 260 hp. Technically, the car is a rebadged and restyled Pontiac Solstice but it was definitely one cool Saturn when it was launched especially with the nice handling it came with.

  Saturn Sky
Via GM Authority

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The problem was that the car wasn't fast enough for most people, with the top speed being 125 mph. Indeed, the performance of the handling and grip on the roads made it a great sports car, but the speed didn't bring the best out of the car. However, it is easy to argue that it remained under the radar because it is an attractive car that was generally a good performer, but it simply was ignored. Indeed, the car is quite cheap now so it is worth a purchase for many enthusiasts.

1 Vauxhall VX220 Turbo

 Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Via Wikipedia

Also known as the Opel Speedster, the Vauxhall VX220 Turbo shared a lot in common with the Lotus Elise. Coming with a turbo Eco engine that produced 200 hp and being incredibly lightweight with the Turbo weighing 2,050 lb. Indeed, the lightweight materials included were the aluminum chassis tub along with glass-reinforced plastic.

  Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Via Wikipedia

However, the car remained under the radar simply as the car was basically a Lotus Elise without actually being a Lotus, and it didn't come with the same badge appeal as a Lotus. The car is actually great, offering a cheaper way to buy a Lotus-based car with a fantastic engine and beautiful driving thanks to the lightweight style of the car.

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