In recent years, sports cars from the 1980s have been of particular interest to enthusiasts and collectors. The 1980s were a time when new technological features were being placed into cars, such as turbochargers (which exploded in popularity in the 1990s) as well as outrageous styling choices. Many of these cars have since become collector's pieces due to their high performance, with plenty of 1980s sports cars being icons as is true for the Audi Quattro, for example.

Related: You Can Buy These '80s Japanese Performance Cars For Next To Nothing

However, not all sports cars that were great in the '80s continued to stand out from their counterparts till today. Instead, they were slowly overshadowed and forgotten, making them unappreciated and cheap. That said, we expect these '80s machines to go up in price in the next few years as there is plenty of growing interest and these cars are finally getting the desirability they deserve.

9 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth

Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth
Via Classiccarauction

Coming with the Ford Cosworth YBB engine, the Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth was the four-door option of the fabled Sierra Cosworth. It has often been less popular than the Sierra Cosworth as it hasn't received the same status; however, it is a brilliant model which many enthusiasts are coming to love. The suspension was updated to be suited towards less aggressive driving but it came with a comfortable ride instead.

Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth
Via Historics.co.uk

It was the lightest model in the Sierra Cosworth lineup, and the left-hand drive models saved weight by having no air conditioning and roll-up windows in the rear. Comparing the car to the original Cosworth, the Sapphire model was able to reach 150 mph at top speed as well as being able to go 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, being that little bit better than the standard model. While the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth has not gained as much interest as the Sierra Cosworth, it is coming up to be a collector's car thanks to its performance appeal. It is worth buying now before it becomes incredibly pricey as interest grows.

8 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2

VW Golf GTI Mk2
Via Gentleman's Journal

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2 isn't as collectible as the Mk1, yet. The Golf Mk2 launched in 1983 and it was the best-selling car for Volkswagen until production ended in 1992. The sporty hatchback version came with the same engine as of late Mk1 models - the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected 1.8-liter engine that produced 110 hp. In 1986 there was the Golf GTI 16V, and the bored-out engine produced 137 hp.

Golf GTI MK2
Via Carscoops

It received a facelift in 1990 but the previous models were just as good-looking and impressive to drive. While not as popular as the Mk1, the prices of the Mk2 are increasing as more enthusiasts realize just how good the car is. As such, it is definitely a brilliant '80s hatchback to pick up before prices increase, just as the Mk1 did.

7 Peugeot 309 GTI

Peugeot 309 GTI
Via Adrian Flux

The Peugeot 309 GTI was released in 1987 and it is often considered to be an improvement over the previous 205 GTI. It wasn't the most favored car when it went onto the market and it took some time to find its place, but the 1.9-liter engine that produced 130 hp was fantastic. Despite the 1.6-liter engine model being better in terms of handling, the 1.9-liter engine model was the faster one and the one that commands more money.

Related: Ranking The Fastest Hot Hatches Of 2021

Peugeot 309 GTI
Via Classic Driver

Its styling, however, was very bland and it didn't turn the heads of many enthusiasts, but it is definitely what's underneath that counts with this car. It definitely still lives in the shadow of the 205 GTI, but enthusiasts are loving how understated the 309 GTI is and its price will definitely rise in years to come with the desirability of the car going up. Especially as there are a reduced number of them left.

6 Toyota MR2 Turbo (W20)

Rear 3/4 view of a yellow MR2 Turbo
Via mecum.com

The first generation of the Toyota MR2 has been very successful, but its successor, the W20 Turbo didn't impress with its sales figures. When looking at the handling of the first generation, enthusiasts of any ability could drive it and be fairly confident in one. The W20 was more refined, but the handling was the problem as most beginners weren't able to drive one properly and safely.

Related: 10 Bargain Sports Cars Most Beginners Can't Handle

1994 Toyota MR2 SW20 parked
Reddit

Snap oversteer is incredibly easy in the MR2 Turbo and it isn't a good car for beginners to own. However, as enthusiasts have gained more experience, the W20 Turbo model is becoming a much better and easier model to live with. Also, the turbo engine was great too as it was a 2.0-liter 3S-GTE I4 that produced 200 hp. With these credentials, the W20 is definitely one car to look out for as enthusiasts come around to owning one.

5 Bentley Turbo R

Green Bentley Turbo R
via wheelsage.org

The Bentley Turbo R is a very elegant vehicle and one would not think that this luxury grand tourer would be an impressive sports car. The high-performance 6.75-liter turbocharged engine produced 420 hp and was so durable that it was still being produced until 2020. Thanks to the powerful engine, this luxury vehicle can go 150 mph at top speed which is very impressive.

Bentley Turbo R black
Via petrolblog.com

Generally, the performance of the Bentley Turbo R is fantastic. This includes the abilities the car has in terms of handling as it is so brilliant to drive and it doesn't feel like a massive luxury vehicle at all. It remains to be quite cheap at the moment, but enthusiasts are realizing just how special the Turbo R is and are looking to snap one up quickly. As such, before it becomes a collector's item, it is worth getting one while it's still cheap.

4 Porsche 944 Turbo

via pinterest

Porsche launched the 944 in 1986 and it was quite an underrated vehicle back in the day. The 944 as standard was a good model too but it was also very underrated among enthusiasts. The transaxle setup was the very impressive part of the car, and the Turbo model also received the same setup. Also included in the Turbo was a Garrett turbocharger which helps the vehicle produce 220 hp. When looking at the 50:50 weight distribution, the car was brilliant to handle and it was fantastically balanced, making it a great weekend driver.

Related: 10 Coolest Rare Porsches You Probably Never Knew Existed

Alpha Coders

Because it is has been so underrated, the 944 Turbo has been very cheap for a long time but now that enthusiasts are gaining more interest in the model, its price is expected to increase. However, there are also fewer 944 Turbo cars on the road than standard 944s, meaning that demand may increase but supply is low so it may be difficult to find one of them.

3 Jaguar XJS HE

Jaguar XJS HE
Via Classicargarage

The Jaguar XJS was renamed the Jaguar XJS HE in 1981. Coming with the High-Efficiency V12 engine, the car came with better fuel economy and the power output was 263 hp in North America. Later on, there was also a 3.6-liter Jaguar AJ6 straight-six engine used, providing some variance to the XJS HE lineup. There were also updates to the car's styling, with there being new alloy wheels and chrome inserts on the upper part of the bumpers.

Jaguar XJS HE
Via Classicargarage

However, the build quality has often put buyers off as the car was produced during the British Leyland era. Also, the pre-HE cars have arguably had better styling and were more revered by collectors while the later iterations had better refinement and engines, so the HE was stuck in the middle of the lineup here. Yet, nowadays it is looking to be a great investment piece as it is still a capable grand tourer and it doesn't come with the same insane price of the Jaguar E-Type. As such, it remains to be an easy car to own and drive, but it is becoming more popular so it is worth buying now before it becomes incredibly desirable in years to come.

2 Porsche 928

1988 Porsche 928 SE
Via silverstoneauctions.co.uk

The original Porsche 928 was released in 1977, but it went through various updates during its production life. The models in 1984 were an evolution of the 928 S, but they remain as underrated as the standard 928 cars. Coming with a 4.7-liter engine that produced 234 hp and going 146 mph at top speed was impressive and Porsche claimed the car to be the fastest street-legal production car sold in the US.

via effersport

The vehicle featured further updates with the Bosch LH-Jetronic injection and 4-speed automatic transmission becoming available for all markets around the world. Despite its updates, the 928 has remained very underrated. However, the model is now coming to be loved by many enthusiasts and is looking to become a collector's car in years to come with how sophisticated and refined it is.

1 Saab 900 Turbo

Saab 900 Turbo
Via: Pintersest

The Saab 900 Turbo was launched in 1979, but of interest is the later models released in 1980 and 1984. The vehicle was quite expensive when it was released and many actually liked the 900 Turbo upon launch as it was quite a unique vehicle that made great use of a turbocharger. This was interesting as it was a time when turbocharged cars weren't incredibly common at this point. Improved upon, the car had its power boosted from 145 hp in 1980 to 175 hp in 1984.

saab-900-turbo-coupe
Via: Wallpaperup

Other than this, the interesting styling was a win and so was the fantastic build quality. Parts are easily available nowadays too, which makes it a great car to purchase. However, the car was mainly overshadowed by the 99 Turbo and as the '80s went on, newer turbocharged cars have taken over the success of the 900 Turbo. As such, many enthusiasts just haven't bothered with owning one, but now they are a great investment piece as they are expected to become more collectible as enthusiasts have become to realize how special the 900 Turbo is.